Nadr bin Haarith was also one of the leaders of the Quraish. He would often travel to Persia for business. On his travels, he would purchase stories and historical accounts of the non-Arab monarchs. He would then relate these stories to the Quraish and would say to them, “Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) relates the incidents of ‘Aad and Thamud to you, but I will share with you the legends of Rustam, Asfandiyaar and the Persian monarchs.” People would enjoy listening to these tales (similar to the novels of today). Hence, they would listen to these tales and fables instead of listening the Qur’aan Majeed.

Nadr also purchased a singing slave girl and would make people listen to her melodious voice. Whenever he learnt of anyone being inclined towards Islam, he would take this slave girl to him and bid her to entertain him with food, drink and music. He would then ask him, “Is this better or that which Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) invites you to by instructing you to perform salaah, fast and wage jihaad against the enemies of Allah Ta‘ala?”