Salam. Are there any stories about Prophet Muhammad companions who were Christians before they become Muslims? Could you kindly refer me a couple of books to read of their background?
Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
Some companions, may Allaah be pleased with them, were Christians before they embraced the religion of Islam, like Negus (an-Najaashi), and ‘Uday ibn Hatem al-Taa’i. Some of them were Jews, such as’ Abdullah ibn Salam, may Allaah be pleased with him, and SafiyYah bint Huyayy, may Allaah be pleased with her, who was the wife of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.
But most of them were following the religion of the people of the Arabian Peninsula at that time, worshipping idols until Allah saved them all by sending this great and honorable Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.
However, our site is specialized in mentioning the stories of the Companions and their biography. Rather, it is concerned with helping the questioners about Islamic rulings.
Hence, if you are keen on reading some of their stories, then you may refer to appropriate books in this matter, such as Companions of the Prophet, Men around the Prophet, and the Wife of the Prophet Muhammad, Collection Of Biographies Of The Companions. If you understand Arabic and can read it well, then you may refer to books like Siyar A’laam an-Nubalaa’, authored by Imam Ath-Thahabi, Al-Isti’aab fi ma’rifatil As-Sihaab, authored by Imam Ibn Abdul-Barr, and Al-Isaabah fi tamyeez As-Sahaabah, authored by Imam Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalaani.
Allah knows best.