16979 - 'Abdullah ibn Sulayman ibn al-Ash'ath narrated to us, al-Husayn ibn 'Ali narrated to us, 'Amir narrated to us, Asbat narrated to us, from al-Suddi, regarding his saying: "Those to whom We gave the Scripture before it—they are believers in it"—he said: It was revealed concerning 'Abdullah ibn Salam. When he embraced Islam, he wanted to inform the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, of his greatness among the Jews and his status among them. [The Prophet] had placed a screen between him and them, so he spoke to them and invited them, but they refused. He said: "Tell me about 'Abdullah ibn Salam, what is he among you?" They replied: "He is our master and the most learned among us." He said: "What would you say if he believed in me and affirmed me? Would you believe in me and affirm me?" They said: "He will not do that; he is too learned among us to abandon his religion and follow you." He said: "What would you say if he did?" They said: "He will not do that." He said: "What would you say if he did?" They said: "Then he would have done [it]." He said: "Come out, O 'Abdullah ibn Salam." So he came out and said: "Extend your hand; I testify that there is no god but Allah and that you are the Messenger of Allah." So he pledged allegiance to him. Then they fell upon him, insulted him, and said: "By Allah, there is no one among us less learned than him, nor more ignorant of the Book of Allah than him." He said: "Did you not praise him just now?" They said: "We were embarrassed that you would say: You slandered your companion behind his back." So they began to insult him. Then Amin ibn Yamin stood up and said: "I testify that 'Abdullah ibn Salam is truthful. Extend your hand," and he pledged allegiance to him. Then Allah revealed: "Those to whom We gave the Scripture before it—they are believers in it."

His saying, Exalted is He: "And when it is recited to them, they say, 'We have believed in it... to His saying... Muslims [submitting to Allah].'"

16980 - 'Abdullah ibn Sulayman narrated to us, al-Husayn ibn 'Ali narrated to us, 'Amir narrated to us, Asbat narrated to us, from al-Suddi, regarding his saying: "And when it is recited to them, they say, 'We have believed in it. Indeed, it is the truth from our Lord. Indeed, we were, before it, Muslims'"—meaning Abraham, Ishmael, Moses, and those nations. He says: They were upon the religion of Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. His saying: "Muslims"—meaning monotheists.

Its chain of narration has preceded.

16981 - My father narrated to us, Abu Salih narrated to us, Mu'awiyah ibn Salih narrated to us, from 'Ali ibn Abi Talhah, from Ibn 'Abbas regarding his saying: "Muslims"—meaning monotheists.

His saying, Exalted is He: "Those will be given their reward twice for what they patiently endured."

16982 - al-'Abbas ibn al-Walid ibn Mazid al-Bayruti informed us by way of reading, Shu'ayb informed me, Sa'id ibn Bashir informed me, from Qatadah regarding the saying of Allah: "Those will be given their reward twice"—'Abdullah ibn Salam, Tamim al-Dari, al-Jarud al-'Abdi, and Salman al-Farisi. These verses were revealed concerning them. The companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: "They have been given their reward twice because of their faith."