"A Jew said to his companion: 'Accompany us to this Prophet.' So his companion said: 'Do not say: "Prophet". For if he hears you (say that) then he will be very happy.' So they went to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to question him about nine clear signs. So he said to them: 'Do not associate anything with Allah, nor steal, nor commit unlawful intercourse, nor take a life which Allah has made prohibited prohibited, except for what is required (in the law), nor hasten to damage the reputation of one of power so that he will be killed, nor practice magic, nor consume Riba, nor falsely accuse the chaste woman, nor turn to flee on the day of the march, and for you Jews particularly, to not violate the Sabbath.'" He said: "So they kissed his hands and his feet, and they said: 'We bear witness that you are a Prophet.' So he (ﷺ) said: 'Then what prevents you from following me?' They said: 'Because Dawud supplicated to his Lord that his offspring never be devoid of Prophets and we feared that if we follow you then the Jews will kill us.'"
Hadith Commentary: Chapters on Seeking Permission
This narration from Jami' at-Tirmidhi (Hadith 2733) demonstrates the profound recognition of Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ prophethood by Jewish scholars of his time, while simultaneously revealing the psychological and social barriers preventing their full acceptance of Islam.
Theological Significance
The Jewish scholars' acknowledgment "We bear witness that you are a Prophet" confirms that the signs of prophethood were evident to People of the Book who studied scripture objectively. Their hesitation stemmed not from doubt about his prophethood but from worldly concerns and tribal allegiance.
The prohibition against saying "Prophet" reveals their awareness of the honor this title carries and their reluctance to grant it, demonstrating how prejudice can override intellectual recognition of truth.
Moral and Legal Framework
The nine prohibitions mentioned encompass the fundamental pillars of Islamic morality: safeguarding faith (shirk), life, property, lineage, honor, and social order. This concise listing mirrors the essence of the Ten Commandments while incorporating specifically Islamic rulings.
The additional prohibition for Jews regarding Sabbath violation shows the Prophet's ﷺ respect for previous revelations while calling them to higher obedience through Islam.
Historical Context and Wisdom
The reference to Dawud's supplication reflects Jewish messianic expectations and their belief in prophethood continuing within Israelite lineage. The fear of being killed by their community shows how social pressure and tribal loyalty often prevent people from accepting truth even when they recognize it intellectually.
Their kissing the Prophet's hands and feet demonstrates the profound respect he commanded, even among those who did not embrace his message fully—a testament to his impeccable character and the compelling nature of his prophethood.