Ibn Shahr Ashob has narrated from Kathir bin Aamir that one day a rider came to Mecca from the direction of Abtah, followed by 17 camels loaded with silken garments. One each camel rode a black slave and he was inquiring about the Prophet. When people asked him what he wanted from the Prophet, he said: “My father had willed that I should hand over these camels and slaves to him.”
Abul Bakhtar signaled to Abu Jahl and said: “That is the one you are looking for.” He came to Abu Jahl and could not find the signs he had been told about and he said: “You are not the one.” And he began to roam about in Mecca till he reached the Prophet and identified him by those signs. He kissed the hands and feet of the Prophet and the Messenger asked: “Are you Naji bin Manzar?”
“Yes, O Messenger of Allah (S),” he replied. He asked, “Where are those 17 camels on each of which rides a black slave dressed in silk and gold?” Then His Eminence mentioned each of their names. He said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah (S), they are at your service.” The Prophet said: “Hand over the goods to me, I am Muhammad.”
When he handed over the camels and goods to the Prophet, Abu Jahl screamed, “O, Aale Ghalib, if you don’t help me against Muhammad, I will stab myself to death.” All this wealth belongs to the Kaaba and Muhammad wants all of it to be under his discretion.” Then he mounted and drawing out the sword roamed the streets of Mecca till he had mobilized thousands.
When Bani Hashim learnt about this, Abu Talib called all the descendants of Abdul Muttalib and gathered around the Prophet. Then he went to them and asked what they wanted from Muhammad. Abu Jahl said: “Your nephew had been very dishonest with us and when people brought some gifts for the Kaaba that boy (Muhammad) deceived them and admitted them in his religion and took all the gifts they had brought for the Kaaba.”
Abu Talib said, “Wait, I will go and ask Muhammad, what the matter is.” Then he came to the Prophet and told me to give all the goods to Abu Jahl but he said: “I will not give him anything from it.” Abu Talib suggested, “You keep ten camels and give him the rest.” But the Holy Prophet (S) refused saying, “I will take these gifts with camels to him and we will ask the camels to adjudicate between us.”
Abu Talib came to Abu Jahl and informed him about his decision and remarked that Muhammad has done justice to you and he has said that you all should gather tomorrow at sunrise in the mosque and the camels will be brought with all the goods and asked to judge the matter.
They returned home and the next day, the accursed Abu Jahl came to the Kaaba, paid obeisance to Hubal and mentioned everything asking Hubal to make the camels speak up in his favor so that Muhammad may not get a chance to be victorious over them, as he (Abu Jahl) is worshipping Hubal for forty years and so far has not asked for anything from it.
“If you fulfill my wishes today, I will get a robe of white pearls for you. And gold bangles for both of your hands and silver sticks. And crown of gems.” Meanwhile the Holy Prophet (S) also arrived and the camels were brought along with their load. Abu Jahl was asked to question the camels. He tried in every way but there was no response from the camels.
After that His Eminence asked the camels and they began to speak up with the command of Allah; they testified to his prophethood and said that all these goods belong to the Prophet. The Messenger of Allah (S) again told Abu Jahl to question the camels, but yet there was no response from them. Again the Prophet asked them and again they testified and this went on for seven times. At last the Prophet took the goods and camels in his custody and Abu Jahl was badly humiliated.