History reveals that Abdullah ibn Salaam was Jewish before he embraced Islam in the time of Prophet Mohammed (saw). After becoming a Muslim, Abdullah ibn Salaam tried to convince Zaid ibn Sa'nah, a Jewish friend, to accept the religion of Islam. Despite Abdullah ibn Salaam's effort in explaining the essence of Islam, Zaid ibn Sa'nah insisted in his faith, Judaism, and he refused to become a Muslim.

Abdullah ibn Salaam narrates that one day he entered Masjid al-Nabi (the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah) where he saw Zaid ibn Sa'nah sitting among Muslims in line for performing prayer. Abdullah ibn Salaam said "being overcome with joy, I approached Zaid ibn Sa'nah to inquire the reason why he accepted Islam." Zaid ibn Sa'nah responded "one day while I was reading the Torah, I reached the verses that explain the attributes of Prophet Mohammed (saw). I paid a close attention to capture his characteristics described in Torah. I said to myself it is better that I sit in Prophet Mohammed's (saw) presence to see if he possesses these attributes, among which there was forbearance. I observed his behaviors and choice of words for several days and I found all the attributes in his personality. There was only one left unseen, forbearance; so I attempted to continue my quest for I read in Torah that, "Mohammed's forbearance and patience supersedes his anger. Although ignorant people treat him with disrespect and bad manner, they will not see anything in return from him except forbearance and patience."

Zaid ibn Sa'nah continued "following my search I went to the Mosque again. I saw a Bedouin Arab man from desert while riding his camel entered the Mosque. He got off his camel when he saw Prophet Mohammed (saw) and said that he was from some tribe who were struck by famine and therefore they were in need of food and sustenance. He said that the people of the tribes were Muslims and they hoped for help from Prophet Mohammed (saw). Prophet Mohammed (saw) turned to Imam Ali (as) and asked, "Is there any money left from the previous savings?" The response was negative and sad for Prophet Mohammed (saw)." Zaid ibn Sa'nah said, "I then interfered and mentioned to Prophet Mohammed (saw), O the Messenger of God, if you wish I would participate in a trade with you. I lend you some amount of money until the time of harvest when I will accept dates for the same amount in return. Prophet Mohammed (saw) received my offer and the trade, accepted the money and gave it to the Bedouin Arab."

Zaid ibn Sa'nah said "I was waiting until a week before the harvest. One day I went to the desert where I found Prophet Mohammed (saw) sitting in the shade of a tree, surrounded by his companions (Sahabah). I approached him impolitely, grab his collar and told him, "I know you well, you take money from people and fall short in return. Do you know there is not much left to our mutually agreed time mentioned in our trade?"

Zaid ibn Sa'nah proceeded, "I treated Prophet Mohammed (saw) furiously with great ignorance, although there was still a week left to the harvest. Suddenly I heard an aggressive voice; Umar ibn al-Khattab drew his sword and asked me to leave with a rude call. Prophet Mohammed (saw) prevented him with patience and said to him there was no need for quarrel. Prophet Mohammed (saw) said I should be recommended to maintain forbearance. Then he asked Umar ibn al-Khattab to give me certain amount of special dates. Umar ibn al-Khattab followed the order and added 20 extra units of dates to the original amount. I was curious why he gave me extra dates; Umar ibn al-Khattab said that the extra dates were the result of Prophet Mohammed's (saw) forbearance. Since I suffered from Umar ibn al-Khattab's anger, Prophet Mohammed (saw) ordered him to add 20 extra units to the original amount, so that I would be satisfied.

After seeing such manner and great forbearance and patience, I have fallen in love with Islam and Prophet Mohammed's (saw) behavior. I have embraced Islam by testifying that Allah (SWT) is one and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (SWT)."

There exist hundred of such examples in the lifestyle of Prophet Mohammed (saw), each is just a drop from the great ocean of his manners to which Almighty Allah (SWT) refers as sublime manners in Noble Qur'an "And most surely you conform (yourself) to sublime morality." (Noble Qur'an, 68:4) Also Noble Qur'an says: "Certainly you have in the Messenger of Allah an excellent exemplar for him who hopes in Allah and the latter day and remembers Allah much." (Noble Qur'an, 33:21) Prophet Mohammed (saw) proclaimed, "I have not been sent except to perfect noble character" indeed this is one of underlying reasons why Islam is growing fast.

One day a youth approached Prophet Mohammed (saw) and with utmost disrespect and discourtesy, said: "O' Prophet of Allah! Do you permit me to commit fornication?"

These words created a great uproar amongst the people and objections could be heard from every nook and corner. Prophet Mohammed (saw), exhibiting sublime ethics and speaking with absolute gentleness, said: "Come near." The youth stepped forward and sat down beside him (saw), whereupon Prophet Mohammed (saw) asked: "Would you like someone to commit the act with your mother?" The youth replied: "May I be made your ransom, never!" Prophet Mohammed (saw) said: "Similarly the (other) people too do not approve of this with respect to their daughters."

Prophet Mohammed (saw) continued: "Tell me: Would you approve of this act for your sister?" Once again the youth denied (and repented having asked the question).

Prophet Mohammed (saw) placed his hands upon the youth's chest and prayed for him, saying: "O' Lord! Purify his heart, forgive his sins and protect him from the pollution of depravity." From then onwards fornication became the worst of the deeds in the eyes of the youth.

More than 1400 years ago in Arabia the people were living very much in fear. They feared their neighbors. They feared other tribes. They even feared their idols. For this was the time before Islam. The Arabs were worshipping idols. In their ignorance they would bury their newly born daughters alive. As Islam began to spread among Arabs such cruel practices stopped. Islam taught love and peace. It taught respect, kindness and forgiveness.

Prophet Mohammed (saw) himself was a very kind and loving person. Prophet Mohammed (saw) treated every one, young and old, with respect and kindness, because Prophet Mohammed (saw) was spreading the word of Allah (SWT). And he was changing, for better, the lives of many Arabs and because some Arabs felt that by the teaching of Prophet Mohammed (saw) their old idols were losing power they disliked Prophet Mohammed (saw) and planned to kill him. Every time they tried to kill him, they failed. This angered the enemies of Islam even more. So they began to harass him in every way they knew.

One old woman made a habit of throwing rubbish on Prophet Mohammed (saw) whenever he passed from her house. Prophet Mohammed (saw) had to pass that house daily on the way to the mosque. Even when the old woman threw rubbish on him, he would pass silently without showing any anger or annoyance. This was a regular, daily event.

One day when Prophet Mohammed (saw) was passing by the woman was not there to throw the rubbish. Prophet Mohammed (saw) stopped and asked the neighbor about her well-being. The neighbor informed Prophet Mohammed (saw) that the woman was sick and laying on the bed. Prophet Mohammed (saw) politely asked permission to visit the old woman. When allowed he entered the house, the old woman thought that he had come there to take his revenge when she was unable to defend herself because of her sickness. But Prophet Mohammed (saw) assured her that he had come to her, not to take any revenge, but to see her and to look after her needs, as it was the command of Allah (SWT) that if any one is sick, a Muslim should visit him and should help him if his help is needed.

The old woman was greatly moved by this love and kindness of Prophet Mohammed (saw). By the example of greatness of Prophet Mohammed (saw), she understood that he was truly the Messenger of Allah (SWT) and Islam was the true religion. She accepted Islam at once by reading the Shahadah (La Ilaha Ill Allah Muhammadur Rasool Allah, There is no god only Allah, Muhammad is the Rasool (Messenger) of Allah).

Before the advent of Islam, there were in Arabia autonomous tribal chiefs. The people were used to the rule of their chiefs and obeyed them; and often paid them tributes and taxes. The well-known generous Hatim, of the tribe of Tai, was one of the tribal chiefs of Arabia (Yemen). His son, Adi, succeeded him after his death and the tribe submitted to his rule. He was taxing them to the extent of one-fourth of their income every year. His lordship coincided with the advent of Prophet Mohammed (saw). The Tai tribes were idol-worshipers, but himself was a Christian, but kept his beliefs secret from his people. The people, after being acquainted with the liberal teachings of Islam, felt themselves relieved from the burden of their lords who had hitherto imposed their rule upon the people. Owing to this fact, Adi, like other lords used to look upon Islam as the greatest danger for himself; and was harboring enmity against Prophet Mohammed (saw). But the die was cast. People were embracing Islam in increasingly large numbers; and the religion of Allah (SWT) was advancing day by day. He knew that the day was near when the Muslims would come looking for him also, and that would be the end of his lordship. He therefore, instructed his special steward, a slave, to always keep strong and light-footed camels ready near his camp and to remain watchful.

One day the slave came to him and said, "Make whatever arrangements you want to make as the Muslims are very close". Adi mounted his family on the camels and took whatever valuables and luggage he could take, and escaped to Damascus (Syria) where the people were of his religion. But in the confusion, he forgot to take his sister, Saffana with him; and she was left behind.

The Muslims defeated the tribe of Tai in the battle; and some were made captives. Muslims brought Saffana, the sister of Adi ibn Hatim to Medina along with other captives and related the story of Adi ibn Hatim's escapade to Prophet Mohammed (saw).

The prisoners were sheltered in a low walled compound near the Mosque. One day, Prophet Mohammed (saw), while going to the Mosque passed beside the enclosure. Saffana, intelligent and talkative as she was, moved from her place and said:

"My father is dead; my guardian is hiding; be generous to me, Allah will be generous to you".

Prophet Mohammed (saw): "Who is your guardian?"

"Adi, son of Hatim"

"The one who has run away from Allah (SWT) and His Prophet Mohammed (saw)?"

Saying these words Prophet Mohammed (saw) went away, Next day again she repeated the same words, heard the same reply. Her plea produced no result. The third day, having lost her hopes, Saffana decided to keep silent. But a young man walking behind Prophet Mohammed (saw) made signs to her to repeat her demand. She repeated the same words. Prophet Mohammed (saw) said, "Very well, I am waiting for some reliable man from your tribe. As soon as such a man is found I shall send you with him to your tribe. Inform me if you find such a person who has come to Medinah".

Saffana asked the people who was the young man walking behind Prophet Mohammed (saw) who had encouraged her to repeat her demand? They said he was Imam Ali (as).

After some time, Saffana informed Prophet Mohammed (saw) that some men of her tribe had come to Medinah. Prophet Mohammed (saw) gave her a new dress, some cash for meeting the expense of the journey and a camel to ride on. She went along with them to her brother, Adi ibn Hatim in Damascus (Syria).

When Saffana saw her brother, she reproached him and said, "You brought out your wife and children forgot me the memory of your father!" Adi ibn Hatim apologized to her. Then, as she was an intelligent woman, Adi ibn Hatim consulted her about his plan. He asked: "What do you advise me to do, since you have seen Prophet Mohammed (saw) from near? Should I join him or keep aloof from him?"

"I believe you should join him. If he is a Prophet of Allah (SWT) it will be a credit to your honor and nobleness. And if he is not a Prophet, and only wants to be a worldly ruler, then in a place (Medinah) which is not far from Yemen (your place), nobody will dare to dishonor you, because of the honor and respect you have among the people of Yemen. Either way, your honor is guaranteed".

The idea appealed to Adi ibn Hatim. He decided to go Medinah and to observe Prophet Mohammed's (saw) manners minutely. If he was a Prophet, he would follow him like other Muslims. But in case he was only a man with worldly ambitions of power and pelf, then he would cooperate with him to the extent of the common benefits of both.

He entered the Mosque of Medinah and saluted to Prophet Mohammed (saw). Prophet Mohammed (saw) accorded him due respect and took him to his house.

On their way a haggard woman caught hold of the garment of Prophet Mohammed (saw) and entered into a discussion with him. A long time passed; and Prophet Mohammed (saw) answered all her questions with kindness and patience.

Adi ibn Hatim said to himself, "This is the one sign from the character of this man that he is a Prophet. People having worldly ambitions do not have such a disposition and temperament of replying to a poor old woman with so much patience and kindness."

When they entered the house Adi ibn Hatim found his life most simple and unpretentious. There was only a quilt, which Prophet Mohammed (saw) used to sit upon, but now he spread it for Adi ibn Hatim to sit. Adi ibn Hatim insisted that Prophet Mohammed (saw) should sit upon the quilt; but he flatly refused. Ultimately, Adi ibn Hatim sat upon the quilt and Prophet Mohammed (saw) sat on the ground. Adi ibn Hatim said to himself, "This is the second sign of the character of this man, This is the character of the Prophets."

Prophet Mohammed (saw) turned to him and said, "But was not your religion Christianity?" Adi ibn Hatim said, "Yes, why?" Prophet Mohammed (saw) said, "Then why, and on what grounds, were you taking one-fourth of the income of your people? Is it not inadmissible in your religion?"

Adi ibn Hatim, who had kept his religion secret even from his closest relatives, was surprised to hear it from Prophet Mohammed (saw). He said to himself, "this is the third sign that this man is a Prophet".

Then Prophet Mohammed (saw) said: "You are looking at the present poverty and helplessness of the Muslims. You find that the Muslims today are living in distress. They are surrounded by crowds of enemies and have no security of their lives and properties. They have no power in their hands. By Allah (SWT), the time is not far when such a vast wealth will come to them that there will be no poor among them. By Allah (SWT), their enemies will be vanquished and there will exist such a perfect peace and order that a woman shall be able to travel from Iraq to Hijaz alone and nobody will trouble her. By Allah (SWT), the time is near when the white palaces of Babylonia will come under the hands of the Muslims".

Adi ibn Hatim embraced Islam (converts to Islam) with perfect Faith and Sincerity and remained faithful to the end of his life. He lived upon the years after Prophet Mohammed (saw). He always remembered the talks of Holy Prophet Mohammed (saw) in his first meeting with him, and the forecasts at that time, about the future of Muslims. He used to say, "By Allah (SWT), in my life-time I saw Muslim conquering the white palaces of Babylonia, and there is such a peace and order that a woman can travel from Iraq to Hijaz without anybody troubling her. By Allah (SWT), I am sure a day will come when there will be no poor among the Muslims".

(La Ilaha Ill Allah Muhammadur Rasool Allah, There is no god only Allah, Muhammad is the Rasool (Messenger) of Allah). These are the words that a person says to enter the fold of Islam. Shahadah, or declaration of faith, is a covenant that the person makes with Allah (SWT): that he/she will continue to obey Allah (SWT), and walk in the footsteps of our Prophet Mohammed (saw). It is the first step to complete obedience to the Lord of all.