Abdullah ibn Salam (Previously Known as Al-Husayn) (RA)
Early Life of Al-Husayn ibn Salam:
Al-Husayn ibn Salam was a Jewish rabbi in Yathrib (Madinah) who was well-respected and honoured by the people of the city.
Al-Husayn lived a peaceful life and would spend all of his time in worship and teaching in the temple.
Character of Al-Husayn ibn Salam:
Al-Husayn was well-known for his piety, goodness and his truthfulness.
Al-Husayn ibn Salam’s Devotion to the Torah:
Al-Husayn would devote himself to studying Torah to increase his knowledge on the religion.
Recognition of the Coming Prophet:
Al-Husayn ibn Salam was impressed by the verses of the Torah which stated that Prophet was coming, who would complete the message of the previous Prophets that were sent by Allah SWT.
Al-Husayn said: When I heard of the appearance of the Messenger of Allah, I began to make enquiries about his name, his genealogy, his characteristics, his time and place and I began to compare this information with what is contained in our books. From these inquiries, I became convinced about the authenticity of his prophethood and I affirmed the truth of his mission. However, I concealed my conclusions from the Jews.
Excitement over the Prophet:
When the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ left Makkah and headed for Yathrib, he stopped at Quba. A man came rushing into the city, calling out to people and announcing the arrival of the Prophet.
Al-Husayn said about this day: I was at the top of a palm tree doing some work. My aunt, Khalidah bint al-Harith, was sitting under the tree. Al-Husayn shouted when he heard the news: Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! (God is Great! God is Great!)
He said: When my aunt heard my Takbir, she said: May Allah frustrate you. By Allah, if you had heard that Musa was coming you would not have been more enthusiastic.
Al-Husayn replied: Aunty, he is really, by Allah, the ‘brother’ of Musa and follows his religion. He was sent with the same mission as Musa.
Khalidah then asked her nephew: Is he the Prophet about whom you spoke to us who would be sent to confirm the truth preached by previous (Prophets) and complete the message of his Lord? Al-Husayn answered: Yes.
Al-Husayn Meets the Prophet for the First Time:
Al-Husayn narrated: Without any delay or hesitation, I went out to meet the Prophet and I saw crowds of people at his door. I moved about in the crowds until I reached close to him.
The first words Al-Husayn heard the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ say were: O people! Spread peace, share food, pray during the night while people (normally) sleep and you will enter Paradise in peace.
Acceptance of Islam:
Al-Husayn then said: I looked at him closely. I scrutinised him and was convinced that his face was not that of an imposter. I went closer to him and made the declaration of faith that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
First Conversation With the Prophet (Change of Name):
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ turned to him and asked: What is your name?
When the Prophet heard his name, he said: Instead, it is (now) Abdullah ibn Sallam.
Al-Husayn then replied: Abdullah ibn Salam (it shall be). By Him who has sent you with the Truth, I do not wish to have another name after this day.
Introduction of Islam To His Family:
Abdullah ibn Salam said: I returned home and introduced Islam to my wife, my children and the rest of my household. They all accepted Islam including my aunt KhaIidah who was then an old lady. However, I advised them to conceal our acceptance of Islam from the Jews until I gave them permission. They agreed to do this.
Informing the Prophet about the Jews:
Abdullah ibn Salam went back to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and said: O Messenger of Allah! The Jews are a people inclined to slander and falsehood. I want you to invite their most prominent men to meet you. During the meeting however, keep me concealed from them in one of your rooms. Ask them then about my status among them before they find out about my acceptance of Islam. Then invite them to Islam. If they were to know that I have become a Muslim, they would denounce me and accuse me of everything and base their slander on me.
Role of Inviting Prominent Jews to Islam:
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ kept Abdullah ibn Salam in one of his rooms and invited the Jews to visit him.
The Prophet introduced Islam to them and urged them to have faith in Allah, but Jews began to argue with him.
When the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ realised that they were not willing to accept Islam, he asked them: What is the status of Al-Husayn ibn Salam among you?
The Jews replied: He is our sayyid (leader) and the son of our sayyid. He is our rabbi and our alim (scholar), the son of our rabbi and alim.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ then asked them: If you come to know that he has accepted Islam, would you accept Islam also?
The Jews replied: Allah forbid! He would not accept Islam. May Allah protect him from accepting Islam.
Abdullah ibn Salam Announces His Acceptance of Islam:
Abdullah ibn Salam then came out and announced: O assembly of Jews! Be conscious of Allah and accept what Muhammad has brought. By Allah, you certainly know that he is the Messenger of Allah and you can find prophecies about him and mention of his name and characteristics in your Torah. I for my part declare that he is the Messenger of Allah. I have faith in him and believe that he is true.
Opposition from the Jewish Community:
The Jews after hearing this, changed their opinion and said to Abdullah ibn Salam: You are a liar. By Allah, you are evil and ignorant, the son of an evil and ignorant person.
The Jews continued to verbally abuse Abdullah ibn Salam.
Dedication to the Quran and the Prophet:
Abdullah ibn Salam continued to dedicate his life to the Quran and he was very attached to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, always wanting to be in his company.
Abdullah ibn Salam’s Teaching:
Most of his time was spent in the Mosque, engaging in worship, learning and teaching the religion of Allah SWT.
Abdullah ibn Salam was famous for his effective methods of teaching groups consisting of companions who gathered regularly in the Prophet’s mosque.
Hadiths Narrated by Abdullah ibn Salam:
Abdullah ibn Salam said: I came to the Messenger of Allah and my name was not Abdullah ibn Salam then. The Messenger of Allah then gave me the name, Abdullah ibn Salam. (Ibn Majah)
Abdullah ibn Salam narrated that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: O people, extend greetings (saying Salam to each other), keep relations with your kin, provide food to people and pray at night when people are asleep and you will enter Paradise in peace (Related by Tirmidhi)