Zeyd bin Sabit (ra) was one of the most intelligent companions. His father had passed away when he was just six years old, and he was raised as an orphan by the Najjar tribe. When our Master arrived in Medina, Zeyd was eleven years old. He had already memorized all seventeen chapters of the Quran that had been revealed up to that day.

One day, he was brought to the presence of the Rasul of Allah (saw). He recited everything he had memorized in front of our Master. Upon hearing this recitation our Master was greatly pleased.

Several days later our Master summoned Zeyd again. When he came, the Rasul asked him:

“O Zeyd, can you learn the script of the Jews for me? I swear I cannot trust their writings.”

In response to this request, Zeyd (ra) learned to read and write in Hebrew within fifteen to twenty days. He became one of the best in this field in Medina. From then on, he was the one who wrote down the writings of the Rasul (saw).

After this, our Master asked Zeyd once again:

“O Zeyd, can you also learn and write in Syriac? I receive writings in Syriac as well. Can you read and write in it?”

Zeyd once again took on this task with great determination and, according to reports, learned to read and write in Syriac within twenty days.

From then on, Zeyd managed the written correspondence of the Rasul of llah (saw), in both Hebrew and Syriac. Islamic scholars have used this as a basis for encouraging Muslims to learn foreign languages as much as possible.