Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrated that when the delegation of Abdul Qais came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), he asked, "Which people are you, or from where is this delegation?" They replied, "We are from the tribe of Rabi'ah." He said, "Welcome (marhaban) to this people or this delegation—neither will they be humiliated nor will they regret (i.e., their coming is very good)." They said, "O Messenger of Allah, we can only come to you during the sacred months, because between us and you is the tribe of the disbelievers of Mudar. So, tell us a decisive matter which we can inform those who are behind us and who have not come here, and by acting upon it, we may enter Paradise." In addition, they asked the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) about their utensils. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) commanded them with four things and forbade them from using four types of utensils. He commanded them to believe in the One God alone. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) asked, "Do you know what it means to believe in the One God alone?" They said, "Allah and His Messenger know best." The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "It is to testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is the true Messenger of Allah, to establish prayer, to give zakat, to fast in Ramadan, and to give one-fifth of the spoils of war (to the Muslim treasury)." He also forbade them from using four types of utensils: green glazed jars, gourds, hollowed-out wooden vessels, and oil-coated containers. He said, "Memorize these things and also inform those who are behind you and have not come here."

Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrated that when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) sent Sayyiduna Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) to Yemen, he said to him: "Behold, you are going to a people from among the People of the Book (Christians and Jews), so the first thing you should invite them to is the worship of Allah. When they recognize Allah (i.e., accept Islam), then inform them that Allah has made five prayers obligatory upon them during the day and night. When they perform them, then inform them that Allah has made zakat obligatory upon them, which is to be taken from their wealthy (those who possess the nisab) and distributed among their poor. When they accept that, then take zakat from them, but avoid taking their best possessions (as zakat)."

Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrated that when the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) sent Sayyiduna Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) to Yemen (as a governor), he instructed him: "Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allah, the Exalted."