The Conversion of a Jewish Religious Scholar Note: In Judaism, a religious scholar is called a ḥibr (rabbi/scholar), while in Christianity a religious devotee is called a monk. After the Prophet ﷺ had settled in the house of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, a man from among the Jewish religious scholars came to see him. This man was one of the leading authorities of the Jews, someone to whom they referred in matters of religion. He was called Abdullah ibn Salam. He was one of their foremost scholars. The Jews would turn to him for knowledge of the Scriptures and would rarely act without his counsel. Abdullah ibn Salam later became a Muslim and a Companion of the Prophet. As recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari, he said: “I came to look at him (the Messenger of Allah), while I already knew his description as well as I knew my own children. We knew that one prophet remained whom Allah would send to seal the chain of prophethood and the messages of Heaven. So I came to the Messenger of Allah and stood at the door without introducing myself. I watched him while he was speaking to his Companions. Then I heard him saying: ‘Spread peace (salām), feed people, maintain family ties, and pray at night while people are asleep; you will enter Paradise in peace.’ I looked at his face and said: By the Lord of Moses and Jesus, this is not the face of a liar!” He continued: “I studied his features carefully according to the descriptions I knew, and I became certain that he was indeed the one.” So he entered, greeted the Prophet ﷺ, and said: “O Muhammad, I am Abdullah ibn Salam. I find your descriptions in our books, and I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that you are the Messenger of Allah. But, O Messenger of Allah, do not announce my Islam publicly yet.” He then asked the Prophet ﷺ to summon the leading Jews. Abdullah described his own people, saying: “The Jews are people of slander, falsehood, and wickedness.” He knew them better than anyone, being one of their chief scholars. He said: “Call them, O Messenger of Allah. Ask them about me and hear what they say concerning me. Then inform them that I have accepted Islam, and afterward listen to what they say.” The Prophet ﷺ accepted his advice. He instructed Abu Ayyub to conceal Abdullah ibn Salam in an inner room of the house. Then the Prophet ﷺ sent for the leading Jewish scholars from Banu Qurayzah, Banu Qaynuqaʿ, and Banu al-Nadir. When they arrived and sat down, he said to them: “O Jews, do you know that there remains a prophet from among Allah’s prophets through whom the divine laws will be sealed? I am the Messenger of Allah to all people. So fear Allah, believe, and do not let pride lead you into sin.” They replied: “No, you are not the one we are waiting for. We know him better than you.” The Prophet ﷺ then asked: “What is Abdullah ibn Salam among you?” They replied: “He is not here with us now.” The Prophet ﷺ said: “What is his status among you?” They answered: “He is our master, the son of our master. He is the most knowledgeable among us, son of the most knowledgeable among us. He is the most honorable among us, son of the most honorable among us. Our religious knowledge returns to him.” The Prophet ﷺ then asked: “If Abdullah ibn Salam were to accept Islam and testify that I am the Messenger sent by Allah, what would you say?” They replied: “Allah forbid! He would never become a Muslim and believe in you. He is waiting for the promised prophet.” The Prophet ﷺ asked again: “What if he accepted Islam?” They said: “He will never accept Islam.” He asked: “What if he believed in me?” They answered: “Allah forbid that he should believe in you, for you are not the prophet.” Then the Prophet ﷺ called out loudly: “O Ibn Salam!” Abdullah emerged from the room and replied: “At your service, O Messenger of Allah.” He then turned to the Jews and said: “O Jews, for a long time I have spoken to you about a prophet yet to be sent, through whom Allah would complete His revealed laws. I described him to you, and all of you know his characteristics. I testify that this man—Muhammad—is the Messenger of Allah.” Immediately they cried out: “You are the greatest liar among us and the son of the greatest liar among us! You are the lowest among us and the son of the lowest among us! You possess neither knowledge, nor honor, nor standing among us. Why should we listen to you?” Abdullah ibn Salam then turned to the Prophet ﷺ and said: “Did you hear that, O Messenger of Allah? Did you hear what they were saying about me only moments ago? And now listen to what they say!” Their attitude had changed completely the moment he accepted Islam. Thus, Abdullah ibn Salam embraced Islam, while the Jewish scholars rejected the message. Abdullah ibn Salam and the members of his household became Muslims. May Allah be pleased with them all. The Prophet ﷺ later said: “Whoever wishes to look at a man from the people of Paradise, let him look at Abdullah ibn Salam.”