The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 1 of 4

IMAM ABU AL-FIDA' ISMA~IL IBN KATH~R 91
Abii Sufyan continued: "So we arrived at Mecca where I settled my current
affairs, then left for Yemen on business, staying there five months before returning
to Mecca.
"While there at my house people come to greet me and ask me about their
goods. Eventually Muhammad b. (Abd Allah came to me; Hind was there with
me playing with her children. He greeted me, welcomed me back and asked me
about my journey and accommodations, hut he did not enquire about his goods.
Then he rose. I commented to Hind, 'By God, that surprises me! Every one of
Quraysh who had goods with me asked me about them, but this man did not ask
about his.'
"Hind asked: 'Don't you know what's going on with him?'
"Apprehensive, I asked her what, and she replied: 'He claims to be a messenger
from God.'
"She dumbfounded me. I recalled what the Christian had said, and I shivered.
Hind asked me what was the matter and I came to myself and said: 'This is
crazy! He is too smart to say that.'
"'On the contrary,' she explained, 'he really is saying that and promulgating
that. He also has followers in his religion.'
"'This is crazy,' I repeated."
Abii Sufym continued: "I then went outside and while performing a ritual
circumambulation of the kacba I met up with him. I said to him: 'Your goods
totalled up to so-and-so and there were profits. Send someone to receive them; I
won't be taking out the cut I charge my own people.'
"But he refused that, saying: 'Then I won't accept them.' I went on: 'Then
send someone to take them and I will subtract the cut I get from my people.' So
he did send for his goods and received them, while I had from him what I would
take from others."
Abn Sufyan went on: "Soon thereafter I left for Yemen. Then I went to Ta'if,
where I stayed with Umayya h. Abii &Salt. He said he wanted to ask me something,
and I enquired what. He said: 'Do you remember what the Christian
said? '
"I replied: 'I do remember and it has come about.'
"'Who is he then?' he asked.
"'He is Muhammad b.(Abd Allah,' I replied.
"'The son of 'Ahd al-Muffalib?'
"'Yes, the son of 'Abd al-Mu@lib.' Then I related to him what Hind had
said.
"'Well, God alone knows!' he exclaimed, and began sweating profusely.
"Then he said: 'By God, Abii Sufym, perhaps it is him! The description
certainly fits him. And if he has appeared while I'm alive, I'll seek from God
success from hi
in absolution.'