What is Faith?

Worldly attachment hinders acknowledgement of the truth A party of Christians from the Yemen visited Madinah ten years after the Muslim emigration to that town. Their group was led by one Abu Harithah ibn Alqamah, a priest. On the way back to Yemen, he was riding on a mule, when the animal stumbled, throwing him to the ground. His brother, Karz ibn Alqamah, who happened to be present at the time, exclaimed, “Damn that wayward one!” (meaning the Prophet Muhammad.) “Damn your mother!” retorted Abu Harithah. “Why do you say that?” asked his brother in astonishment. “By God, well, do we know that this is the Prophet we have been waiting for, the one prophesied in our Scriptures,” replied Abu Harithah. “If that is so,” said Karz, “Why do you not proclaim your belief in the Prophethood of Muhammad.” Abu Haritha, attempt­ing to explain himself, said, “These kings have showered upon us much wealth and honour. If we were to believe in Muhammad, they would take everything away from us.” (AL-TABARANI)