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

IMAM ABU AL-FIDA' ISMA~L IBN KATHTR 103
T&ii Abad b. Mdpnmad b. &mad b. Ib&im al-Salafi, who told this account
as having himself heard it directly. He stated that he read it from his Sheikh, the
ha& Abii (Abd All& al-Dhahabi. Also Aba 'Ali al-Hasan b. 'Ali b. Abii Bakr
al-KhaUal recounted it as one the latter had himself heard directly. He also said
that he heard it directly from Ja'far b. 'Ali, and also directly from alSalafi. Also,
Aba 'Abd All& Muhammad b. Ahmad b. Ibr&im al-Riizi informed us, quoting
Abii al-Fad1 Muhammad b. Ahad b. Cisa al-Sa'di, quoting Abii al-@sim
'Ubayd All& b. Ahmad b. 'Ali al-Muqri', and it was also related to him by Aba
Muhammad 'Abd All& b. Jacfar b. Darstawayh, the grammarian, by Ismxcil b.
Ibrahim b. &mad al-Sa'di, the q@Z, judge, of F%is (Persia) by Aba Damid
Sulayman b. Sayf b. Yahyx b. Dirham al-Ta'i who was a man from Harmn, by
Abti 'Amr Sacid b. Yarbu: from Mulpmmad b. Ishq. Abii Tdib was also told by
some of our scholars on the authority of al-Hasan b. Abn al-Hasan al-Bqri, that
the last mentioned said: "Al-Jaiid b. al-Mu'alla b. Hanash b. Mu'alla al-'Abdi
was a Christian of great learning in the interpretation and analysis of the
holy texts, an expert on the history and sayings of the Persians, well versed in
philosophy and medicine, a man of evident good manners and culture, fine in
appearance and of great wealth. He went to see the Prophet (SAAS) as a member
of a delegadon of men of sound judgement, maturity, eloquence, and scholarship
from the tribe of 'Abd Qays. When he approached the Prophet (SAAS) be stood
before hi, gestured towards him and spoke the verses:
'0 Prophet of the right guidance, men have come to you through deserts and
mirages,
Crossing down the flat open lands towards you, not counting fatigue for you as
fatigue at all.
All the short-legged beasts greatly urged along in speed by our young sbe-camels,
The fine horses racing over the land, bolting with their mailclad warriors lie stars,
glinting,
Seeking to avert the suffering of an awful day, one of terror, pain, and great
distress,
A day when all mankind will be brought together, a day separating out all who
strayed in disobedience,
Moving towards a light from God, a proof, a favour and a grace to be attained,
God distinguished you with all good, 0 son of Amina, through her; when (for
others) good only comes and goes.
So, give your blessings in abundance, 0 proof of God, unlike the blessings of a false
(prophet).'
"When he finished, the Prophet (SAAS) invited him to sit down close to
himself and said, '0 Jxriid, both you and your people are late in coming.'
"Al-Jaad responded, 'By my father and my mother, anyone late coming to
you is indeed unfortunate, that being the greatest of faults, the worst of sins. But