During Jahiliyyah, I used to believe that people were astray and totally in the wrong in their worshipping of idols. In the meantime, I heard of a man in Makkah who was conveying news. I rode my mount and went to him.
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) was at that time hiding because of his people’s boldness against him. I adopted a friendly attitude (towards the Makkans) until I came to him in Makkah and asked him, “Who are you?”
He (pbuh) said, “I am a prophet.” I said, “What is a prophet?”
He (pbuh) said, “Allah has sent me.”
I said, “With what has He sent you?”
He (pbuh) said, “He has sent me to join the ties of the wombs, break the idols, and declare that there is one God – nothing is to be associated with Him.”
I said to him, “Who is with you in this (faith)?”
He (pbuh) said, “A free man and a slave.”
Abu Bakr and Bilal were there with him, among those who had believed in him at that time.
I said, “I shall follow you.”
He (pbuh) said, “You cannot do so this day of yours. Can you not see my (hard) state and that of the people? But return to your folk and when you hear that I have been granted victory, come to me.” So, I returned to my family.