Sayyiduna Abu Khayrah al-Sabbahi (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I was in the delegation of Abd al-Qays that came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and he (peace and blessings be upon him) gave us arak twigs to use as tooth-sticks. We said: O Messenger of Allah! We also have palm branches, but we accept your honouring of us and your gift. So the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Allah, forgive Abd al-Qays, for they accepted Islam willingly, without being compelled, while my own people held back and did not accept Islam until they were disgraced, humiliated and defeated."
Hadith Referenceالمعجم الكبير للطبراني / مسند من يعرف بالكنى / 19127