
The most famous example of a Medinan Jew joining Muhammad is that of Abdullah ibn Salām, depicted as a wise rabbi who is praised extensively in the literature and became the hero of many children’s books published in the Muslim world to this day.21 Abdullah ibn Salām not only recognizes Muhammad for his real status as prophet and joins him, he informs Muhammad that the rest of the Jews also recognize his true prophethood but refuse to admit it because they are a nation of liars.22
The Muslim sources teach that these pious Jews anticipated the arrival of a prophet like
Muhammad, and that some Jews recognized him as the awaited one. According to Muslim tradition,
some Jews in Medina accepted Muhammad’s prophethood and immediately joined his community
of followers. One was Mukhayriq, described as a learned Jew who recognized Muhammad from his
knowledge of Jewish tradition. Mukhayriq was so convinced of Muhammad’s prophethood that he
went out to fight for him at the Battle of Uh. ud which happened to have occurred on the Sabbath when
fighting is normally forbidden according to Jewish law. Mukhayriq’s last words to his fellow Jews was
“If I am killed today my property is to go to Muhammad to use as God shows him.” He was killed in
the battle, and his property was then distributed by Muhammad in Medina in the form of alms.2
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