The acceptance of Islam by a scholar of the Torah

Sayyidunā Zayd b. SaꜤnah رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ, who, before embracing Islam, was a scholar of the Torah, once purchased dates from the noble Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Although the due date of giving the dates had not yet arrived, Zayd bin SaꜤnah رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ came to the Beloved Messengerصَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم  in a large gathering and, with harshness, began demanding them. He even held onto the holy Prophet’s blessed mantle and glared at him.

Witnessing this scene, the Leader of the Believers, Sayyidunā ꜤUmar رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ, became enraged and said, “O enemy of Allah! You dare to show such disrespect to the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم? By Allah, if the Messenger of Allahصَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم  were not present here, I would have struck off your head with my sword right now!”

The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, however, said gently, “O ꜤUmar, what are you saying? Rather, you should have encouraged me to give what is owed of me and advised him to make his demand politely. In this way, you would have supported both of us.” Then the noble Prophetصَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم  instructed: “O ꜤUmar, give him his due amount of dates, and add some extra as well.”

Sayyidunā ꜤUmar رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ did as commanded, handing Zayd b. SaꜤnah رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ more than what was owed. Surprised, Zayd asked, “O ꜤUmar, why are you giving me extra beyond my right?”

He replied, “Because I frightened you with a stern look, and the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم  ordered me to console your heart by giving you more than your due.”

Hearing this, Zayd b. SaꜤnah رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ  asked, “O ꜤUmar, do you know who I am? I am Zayd b. SaꜤnah.”

Sayyidunā Umarرَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ  responded, “Are you Zayd b. SaꜤnah, the big scholar of the Torah.”

He replied, “Yes, the very same.”

Sayyidunā ꜤUmar asked, “So, why did you disrespect the beloved Prophet         صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم?”