The Conversion to Islaam of Hadhrat Zaid bin Su'na Radiyallahu Anhu who had been a Jewish Rabbi

Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Salaam Radiyallahu Anhu narrates that when Allaah decreed that
Hadhrat Zaid bin Su'na Radiyallahu Anhu should accept Islaam, Hadhrat Zaid bin Su'na
Radiyallahu Anhu himself said, "When I looked at Muhammad Salam I recognised all the
signs of Nabuwaat except for two signs that I had not tested; ( 1 ) that his
self-control should outstrip his anger and (2) that his tolerance should conquer a
display of extreme foolishness."
Had,hrat Zaid bin Su'na Radiyallahu Anhu narrates further that Rasulullaah Salam had just emerged from his rooms one day with Hadhrat Ali bin Abi Taalib Radiyallahu Anhu when a
rider who appeared to be a Bedouin came to him. He said, " 0 Rasulullaah Salam!.A
few people from a certain tribe have accepted Islaam because I told them that
they will receive a n abundance in sustenance if they accepted Islaam. However,
no rain has fallen and they are afflicted by a drought. 0 Rasulullaah Salam! I fear
that they may leave the fold of Islaam out of greed just as they had entered out of
greed. If you agree, we could perhaps sent them something to assist them."
Hadhrat Zaid bin Su'na Radiyallahu Anhu says, "Rasulullaah Salam looked at the person
beside him whom I assume was Hadhrat Ali Radiyallahu Anhu - He said, '0 Rasulullaah
Salam do not ! that anything is left of that wealth.' I (Hadhrat Zaid bin Su'na
Radiyallahu Anhu approached Rasulullaah Salam and said, '0 Muhammad !Do you wish to
sell to me a fixed amount of dates from the orchard of a specific tribe (to be paid)
before a specified term?' Rasulullaah Salam replied, 'Alright, but do not specify
whose orchard it shall be."' Hadhrat Zaid bin Su'na Radiyallahu Anhu agreed and the deal
was done. Hadhrat Zaid bin Su'na Radiyallahu Anhu opened his purse and paid eighty
mithqaal(Approximately 400 grams)
(of) gold for the specified amount of dates on a specified date.
Rasulullaah Salam handed over the money to the person and said to him, "Take
this to assist them."
Hadhrat Zaid bin Su'na Radiyallahu Anhu narrates further that there were only two or three
days left for the expiry of the term, when Rasulullaah Salam left his home to
perform a funeral prayer. With him were Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiyallahu Anhu Hadhrat
Umar Radiyallahu Anhu Hadhrat Uthmaan Radiyallahu Anhu and several other Sahabah Radiyallahu Anhum.
When they approached a wall to sit by it, Hadhrat Zaid bin Su'na Radiyallahu Anhu
came to Rasulullaah Salam and grabbed hold of RasUlullaah Salam's collar. Staring angrily
into the face of Rasulullaah Salam said. "0 Muhammad! When are you going to pay my dues? By Allaah! All that the children of Abdul Muttalib have learnt is how
to procrastinate! By mixing with you people, I nowhave first-hand knowledge ofthis!"
Hadhrat Zaid bin Su'na Radiyallahu Anhu says that as he was doing this, his gaze' fell on
Hadhrat Umar Radiyallahu Anhu.He noticed that Hadhrat Umar Radiyallahu Anhu's eyes were starting to roll with anger and he stared with fury. He said, "0 enemy of Allaah! Do you like that'and treat him in this manner.. Had it not
speak to Rasulullaah Salam been for respect of being in the company of Rasulullaah Salam.I would have cut off your neck!".Hadhrat Zaid bin Su'na Radiyallahu Anhu says that all the while, Rasulullaah Sakam looked at him in a most calm and unruffled manner. Rasulullaah Salam then
said to Hadhrat Umar Radiyallahu Anhu "0 Umar! All that the two of.us need is for you to
tell me to pay him quickly and to tell him to place his demands in a better
manner. 0 Umar! Go with him and give him his dues. Also give him twenty Saa
of dates extra in lieu of the threat you gave him.'!
Hadhrat Zaid bin Su'na Radiyallahu Anhu says that Hadhrat Umar Radiyallahu Anhu took him along,
paid him what was due and added another twenty Saa to it. When Hadhrat Zaid
bin Su'na Radiyallahu Anhu asked Hadhrat Umar Radiyallahu Anhu what he twenty Saa extra were for,Hadhear Umar Radiyallahu Anhu said that it was the command of Rasulullaah Salam because
of the threat he had made. Hadhrat Zaid bin Su'na Radiyallahu Anhuthen asked, "0 Umar!
Do you recognise me?" "No," replied Hadhrat Umar Radiyallahu Anhu. Hadhrat Zaid bin
Su'na Radiyallahu Anhu said, "I am Zaid bin Su'na." "The Rabbi?" asked Hadhrat Umar
Radiyallahu Anhu . "Yes, the Rabbi," was the reply. Hadhrat Umar
Radiyallahu Anhu then asked, "But
why did you behave as you did? Why did you speak as you did?"
Hadhrat Zaid bin Su'na Radiyallahu Anhu replied, "0 Umar! When I looked at Muhammad
Salam recognised all thesigns of Nabuwaat except for two signs that 'I had not
tested; ( 1 ) that his self,control should outstrip his anger and (2) that his
tolerance should conquer a display of extreme foolishness. L have now tested
both these attributes. 0 Umar! I make you witness to the fact,thatI am content
with Allaah as Rabb, with Islaam as the true religion and with Muhammad
Salam the Nabi. I also make you witness to the fact that I give half of my wealth
-and I am one of the wealthiest people - as charity to ihe entire Ummah of
Rasulullaah Salam" Hadhrat Umar Radiyallahu Anhu said, "Say that it is for a part of the
Rasulullaah Salam Ummah because you will be unable to give all of them." "Alright," said Hadhrat
Zaid bin Su'na Radiyallahu Anhu "then for a.part of the Ummah."
Hadhrat Umar Radiyallahu Anhu and Hadhrat Zaid bin Su'na Radiyallahu Anhu then returned to
Rasulullaah Salam and Hadhrat Zaid bin Su'na Radiyallahu Anhu exclaimed, "I testify that
there is none worthy of worship but Allaah and that Muhammad Salam is Allaah's
servant and Rasul." He therefore accepted Imaan and pledged his allegfance to
Rasulullaah Salam.He participated in many expeditions with Rasulullaah Salam and
was eventually martyred during 'the expedition to Tabook as he was advancing
and not retreating. May Allaah shower His mercy on Hadhrat Zaid bin Su'na
Radiyallahu Anhu(Tabrani)