When Abu Ztharr heard of the mission of the Prophet (PBUH) in Mecca, he said to his brother: Ride to this valley and find out for me information about that man who claims that revelation comes to him from the heavens. Listen to what he says, then come back to me. So he set out until he reached Mecca and heard what the Prophet (PBUH) says, then he returned to Abu Ztharr and said: I saw him enjoining good morals and speaking words that are not poetry. Abu Ztharr said: You did not satisfy me in what I wanted. So he took provisions and carried a bag of water and set out until he reached Mecca. He came to the mosque and sought out the Prophet (PBUH), but he did not recognize him, and he hated to ask about him until the night fell down. So he lay down. Ali saw him and knew that he was a stranger. So he followed him, and neither of them asked the other about anything until the morning. Abu Ztharr carried his water skin and provisions to the mosque. He remained that day without recognizing the Prophet (PBUH) until evening. So he returned to his bed. Ali passed by him and said: Has not the time come yet for the man to know his destination?! So he made him get up and took him with him, and neither of them asked the other about anything. On the third day, he did the same thing. Ali made him get up and took him with him, then he said to him: Will you not tell me what brought you to this city? Abu Ztharr replied: If you give me a covenant and a pledge to guide me, I will do so. So Ali promised him, and Abu Ztharr told him. So Ali said: He is the truth and he is the Messenger of Allah. So when the morning comes, follow me, for if I see something that I fear for you, I will stand as if I am spilling water. If I go, follow me until you enter where I will enter. So he did so and he set off following him until Ali entered upon the Prophet (PBUH). Then Abu Ztharr entered along with him and he listened to some of his words, so he embraced Islam on the spot. So the Prophet (PBUH) said to him: Go back to your people and inform them until you receive my command. Thereupon he said: By the One in whose hand is my soul, I will shout it out among them. So he went out until he came to the mosque and called out at the top of his voice: I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. So people became aroused and started to beat him until they laid him down. Then Al-Abbas came and leaned over him and said: Woe to you! Do you not know that he is from [the tribe of] Ghifar and that the path of your merchants to Syria is through them?! So he saved him from them.