English Translation

Hashim told us, Sulayman told us, from Thabit, from Anas ibn Malik, who said: There was among us a man from Banu al-Najjar who had recited (memorized) al-Baqarah and Al ‘Imran, and he used to write [revelation] for the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. He then fled and joined the People of the Book. They raised him up and said, "This man used to write for Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him," and they were impressed by him. But it was not long before Allah broke his neck among them. They dug a grave for him and buried him, but in the morning the earth had thrown him up onto its surface. They returned and dug for him again and buried him, but in the morning the earth had again thrown him up onto its surface. They returned once more and dug for him and buried him, but in the morning the earth had again thrown him up onto its surface, so they left him cast out.