As mentioned earlier, under the chapter discussing the Hijrah, when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) first presented Islam to the Ansaar, they conferred and discussed among themselves saying, “This man seems to be the very same Nabi whose appearance is spoken about by the Jews. It should not be such that the Jews beat us to this good fortune and virtue.”

From this, it becomes clear that the Jews were well aware that the appearance of the final Messenger, regarding whom Nabi Musa (‘alaihis salaam) had given glad tidings, was imminent. That is why the Jews made a special point of coming to visit Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

On meeting Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), then as soon as they saw him – those for whom good fortune was decreed immediately realized that he is the true Nabi, regarding whom the previous Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam) had given glad tidings, and without any hesitation or reluctance, they brought imaan. On the contrary, those for whom good fortune was not decreed were deprived from bringing imaan.

Ibnu Aa’iz reports on the authority of Hazrat Urwah bin Zubair (rahimahullah) that from amongst the Rabbis, the first person to come to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was Yaasir bin Akhtab, the brother of Huyayy bin Akhtab. When he heard the blessed words of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and returned to his people, he addressed them saying:

أطيعوني فإن هذا النبي الذي كنا ننتظر

“Take heed of my advice and comply with me, for undoubtedly, this person is the very Nabi whom we were awaiting all this while (so bring imaan in him).”

However, his brother, Huyayy bin Akhtab, opposed him and refused to listen to him. Since Huyayy was considered the chief of his people, his people always followed him and obeyed him. Shaytaan subdued him and prevented him from accepting the truth. His people then obeyed him and accepted what he said, and they did not listen to what Abu Yaasir said.

(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/411-412)