Prophet Muhammad was paying visit to a sick person who was very dear to him. He was visiting a Jewish boy who had been working for him as his personal servant. The boy used to bring Prophet Muhammad water for his ablutions, get him his sandals, and run errands for him.

On this day, the Prophet was troubled by the boy’s absence, so he went to his home to visit him in his illness and inquire after him.

He went inside and sat near to the boy’s head. The boy’s father sat across from him. The Prophet (peace be upon him) looked upon the boy with compassion, sad to see him dying at such a young age.

The Prophet then called the boy to consider what he needed at this time the most; the religion with which he would meet his Lord. He said:

Accept Islam. Declare that there is no God but God and that I am His messenger.

The boy was receptive to this invitation. He had been the Prophet’s servant, and during that time he got to know the Prophet’s character, manners, and temperament.

The boy had recognized in the Prophet the characteristics of a messenger of God. He knew that the Prophet was neither a tyrant nor a pretender.

Nevertheless, the boy still felt his father’s authority acutely, so he turned his face to his father and looked imploringly at him, waiting for his father’s consent.

Again, the Prophet invited the boy to accept Islam, seeing that the boy’s life was quickly fading away. At this point, the boy’s father said:

“Obey Abul-Qasim (meaning the Prophet). Say what Muhammad is telling you to say.”

The Jewish boy then uttered the words:

“I testify that there is no god but God, and that you are God’s messenger.”

He said these words with his final breath. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) emerged from the boy’s home, he was warmed by the fact that God had guided him. He said:

Praise be to Allah who used me to save him from the Fire.

Then he turned to his Companions and said:

Hold the funeral prayer for your brother. (Al-Bukhari)

Mixing with People of Other Faiths