Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 30953 — A Christian who accepts Islam

Sayyiduna Abu al-Tufayl (may Allah be pleased with him) says: I was in the army that Sayyiduna Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) sent to Banu Najiyah. He says: We reached them and found them to be in three groups. Our commander asked one group among them: "What is your situation?" They said: "We were Christians; we did not consider any religion better than our own, so we remained firm upon it." The commander said: "Stand apart." Then he asked a second group: "What is your situation?" They said: "We were Christians, then we accepted Islam, and we remained firm upon Islam." The commander said: "You also stand apart." Then the commander asked the third group: "What is your situation?" They said: "We were Christians, then we accepted Islam, then we turned back. We did not consider any religion better than our first religion, so we took up Christianity." The commander said to them: "Accept Islam." They refused, so the commander said to his companions: "When I pass my hand over my head three times, attack them." They did so, killing those who fought and taking their children captive.