It is narrated from Kharijah bin Zaid that his father, Sayyiduna Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him), informed him that when the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived in Madinah Munawwarah, I was brought to the service of the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was pleased to see me. The family members said: O Messenger of Allah! This boy from Banu Najjar has memorized more than ten surahs from those revealed to you. This also pleased the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) very much. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Zaid! Learn the language and writing of the Jews, for by Allah, I do not trust the Jews regarding my letters. Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him) says that I began to learn their language and writing, and I became proficient in it within fifteen days. After that, when the Jews wrote letters to the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), I would read them out to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) dictated replies to their letters, I would write them.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Zaid bin Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him), he says: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to me: Do you know the Syriac language well? Letters come to me in this language. I replied: No. He said: Then you should learn this language well. So I learned this language well in seventeen days.