Zaid, the son of Akhzam, narrated to us, he said: Abu Qutaiba Salm bin Qutaiba narrated to us, from him Mathna bin Saeed Qaseer narrated, he said that Abu Jamrah narrated to me, he said that Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said to us: "Shall I tell you the story of Abu Dharr's (may Allah be pleased with him) acceptance of Islam?" We said: "Please do." He narrated that Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) told: "I belonged to the tribe of Ghifar. News reached us that in Mecca, a man has appeared who claims to be a Prophet. (At first) I said to my brother: 'Go to this man in Mecca, talk to him, and then come back and tell me all about him.' So my brother went to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and met him, then returned. I asked: 'What news do you bring?' He said: 'By Allah! I have seen a man who calls to good deeds and forbids evil deeds.' I said: 'Your words have not satisfied me.' So I took my provisions and staff and came to Mecca. There, I did not know anyone, and I was afraid to ask anyone about the Prophet (peace be upon him). I would only drink Zamzam water and stay in Masjid al-Haram." He narrated: "Once, Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) passed by me and said: 'It seems you are a stranger in this city.' I said: 'Yes.' He said: 'Then come to my house.' Then he took me to his house. I went with him. He did not ask me anything, nor did I say anything. In the morning, I went again to Masjid al-Haram to ask someone about the Prophet (peace be upon him), but there was no one to tell me about him." He narrated: "Then Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) passed by me again and said: 'Have you not yet found your destination?' I said: 'No.' He said: 'Alright, then come with me.' He narrated: "Then Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) asked: 'What is your purpose? Why have you come to this city?' I said: 'If you promise not to reveal it, I will tell you about my matter.' He said: 'I will do so.' Then I told him: 'We have heard that a man has appeared here who claims Prophethood. I first sent my brother to talk to him, but when he returned, he did not give me any satisfactory information. So I have come with the intention of meeting him myself.' Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 'You have found the right way by meeting me. I am going to him. You walk behind me. Wherever I enter, you also enter. If I see someone about whom I fear for you, I will stand by a wall as if I am fixing my shoe. At that time, you move ahead.' So he went, and I followed him, and finally, he entered a house, and I entered with him into the presence of the Prophet (peace be upon him). I said to the Prophet (peace be upon him): 'Explain to me the principles and pillars of Islam.' The Prophet (peace be upon him) explained them to me, and I became Muslim. Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'O Abu Dharr! Keep this matter hidden for now and return to your city. Then, when you hear of our dominance, come back here.' I said: 'By Him who has sent you with the truth, I will proclaim the word of Islam before all of them.' So he went to Masjid al-Haram. The Quraysh were present there, and he said: 'O people of Quraysh! (Listen) I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger.' The Quraysh said: 'Take care of this apostate.' So they rushed at me and beat me so much that I was close to death. At that moment, Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) came and fell upon me, shielding me with his body, and turned to the Quraysh and said: 'O fools! Will you kill a man from the tribe of Ghifar? You have trade with Ghifar, and your caravans pass through their territory.' So they let me go. Then, when the next morning came, I again went to Masjid al-Haram and repeated what I had proclaimed the previous day. The Quraysh again said: 'Seize this apostate.' They did to me what they had done the previous day. Coincidentally, Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with him) again came and shielded me with his body, and said to the Quraysh what he had said the previous day. Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said: "This was how Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) began his acceptance of Islam."