Zayd ibn Sa'na

Zayd ibn Sa'na was one of the Jewish rabbis of Medina, known for the story of his conversion that al-Hakim gives in the Book of Knowing the Companions of the [[work/al-mustadrak-ala-al-sahihayn|Mustadrak]], under the heading "The conversion of Zayd ibn Sa'na", with a chain going back to 'Abd Allah ibn Salam (hadith 6547). ²

The report says that Zayd recognised in the Prophet's face every sign of prophethood except two he had not yet tested: that his forbearance would outrun the rashness of anyone rash with him, and that the more roughly he was treated the more forbearing he would become. So he sought dealings with him to find out. ²

A man came to the Prophet saying that the people of a village had accepted Islam and been struck by drought, and that he feared they would leave Islam; the Prophet had nothing with which to help them. Zayd offered to advance eighty mithqals of gold against a fixed quantity of dates due at a set term. The Prophet took the gold and gave it to the man to help the villagers. ²

Two or three days before the term fell due, Zayd came, seized the Prophet by his shirt and cloak and demanded his debt harshly. 'Umar ibn al-Khattab was angered and threatened him. The Prophet looked at 'Umar calmly, smiled, and said that the two of them had needed something else from him: to tell the Prophet to repay well and to tell Zayd to ask well. He then told 'Umar to pay Zayd what he was owed and add twenty sa' of dates in return for having frightened him. ¹

When Zayd asked 'Umar about the extra and told him who he was, 'Umar said: "The rabbi?" Zayd explained that he had acted as he did only to test the two qualities, that he had now tested them, and declared that he accepted God as his Lord, Islam as his religion and Muhammad as his Prophet, giving half his wealth in charity. He then went back to the Prophet and made the declaration of faith. ³

The report ends by saying that he believed, pledged allegiance and took part in many campaigns with the Prophet, and then died on the Tabuk expedition "advancing, not retreating". ³

Al-Hakim says it is sound in chain, not included by the two masters, and "one of the gems of hadith", and vouches for Muhammad ibn Abi al-Sari al-'Asqalani in its chain. ³ Al-Dhahabi says in the Talkhis: "How objectionable and feeble it is, especially the words 'advancing, not retreating', for there was no fighting on the Tabuk expedition." ²