Abdullah Ibn Salam was a Jewish supporter of Prophet Muhammad, and might even be mentioned in the Qur’an. “Say, “Have you considered: If the Qur’an was from Allah, and you (idol lovers) disbelieved in it, while a witness from the Children of Israel (Abdullah Ibn Salam) has testified to something similar and believed, while you were arrogant… ?” Indeed, Allah does not guide wrongdoing people. (Qur’an 46:10)

Abdullah Ibn Salam was born in Madinah (then called Yathrib) in a Jewish family. He was a good scholar of the Torah. People considered him to be like a rabbi. His Hebrew name was Al-Hosayn ibn Salam. He was a member of one of the Jewish tribes known as Banu Qaynuqa, and became a companion of Prophet Muhammad from among the Ansars of Madinah.

Al-Hosayn ibn Salam, was a widely respected scholar of Torah. He read in several places in the many books of the Hebrew Scriptures that a Prophet will come soon who will complete the Divine Message of Prophet Moses. He noted the signs of the coming Prophet and was eager to know more about him.

Al-Hosayn ibn Salam began to learn about his genealogy (he was a distant descendant of Prophets Abraham and Ishmael but not of King David), and his honesty and characteristics, compared this information with what was contained in the Torah. Muhammad was very close to Prophet Isaiah famous Messianic description of (Isaiah 11:2-7 New International Version).

11:2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord: 3 and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; 4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.

5 Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. 6 The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them. 7 The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
 and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

Abdullah Ibn Salam became convinced about the authenticity of Muhammad’s prophethood and was eager to meet him. When Prophet Muhammad reached Madinah and the news spread across the town. Abdullah Ibn Salam was on a palm tree in his orchard. His aunt named, Khalidah bint Al-Harith, was sitting under the tree. On hearing the news, Al-Hosayn ibn Salam exclaimed loudly: “Allahu Akbar!” (God is Great). His aunt was surprised and said, “By God, if you had heard that Prophet Moses was coming, you could not have been so excited.” He replied, “By God he is really the ‘brother’ of Moses and follows his religion (Judaism).........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)