BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE · 2 – Relating the Words of the People of the Book
Ibn Abi Numayyah al-Ansari, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated from his father:
He was once sitting in the company of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. A Jewish man was also present with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. A funeral procession passed by. The Jew said, "O Muhammad, does this funeral speak?"
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, replied, “Allah knows.” The Jew said, “This funeral speaks.”
Thereupon the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Do not confirm what the People of the Book tell you, nor deny it. Rather, say, ‘We believe in Allah and His Messenger.’ If the news is false, you will not have confirmed it. And if it is true, you will not have denied it.”
Zayd ibn Sabit, may Allah be pleased with him, related:
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, gave me a command, and I learned the script of the Jews for Him. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “I do not trust any Jew in matters concerning my correspondence.” So I learned their script. I mastered it within fifteen days. Whenever the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would write to the Jews, I would write for Him, and whenever a letter came from them to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, I would read it to him. [350]
COMMENTARY
It is understood that it is sunnah for some among the believers to learn foreign languages in order to regulate diplomatic relations with other nations.