calling upon Isaf and Naʾilah (1). When they passed by me on their circuit I said, “Why don’t you marry one of them to the other?” But they paid no heed to what I said (2), and when they came round to me again I remarked, “They are nothing but a han (3)—a mere piece of wood, and I am not using euphemisms.” The two women ran off shrieking, “If only one of our men were here!”

Allah’s Messenger and Abu Bakr met them as they were coming down and he asked, “What is the matter with you two?” They replied, “The ṣābiʾ is between the Kaʿba and its curtains.” He said, “What did he say to you?” They answered, “He spoke a word that fills the mouth.”

The Messenger of Allah then came, touched the Black Stone, and circumambulated the House with his companion. After that he prayed, and I was the first to greet him with the greeting of Islam. He said, “And upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah! Where are you from?” I replied, “From Ghifar.”

He lowered his hand and placed his fingers on his forehead, and I thought to myself, “He dislikes that I belong to Ghifar.” I reached out to take his hand, but his companion pushed me away (4), for he understood him better than I did. Then the Prophet raised his head and asked, “How long have you been here?” I said, “For thirty nights and days.” He asked, “Who has been feeding you?” I replied, “I have had nothing to eat but the water of Zamzam; I have grown stout on it and feel no trace of hunger in my belly.” He said, “It is blessed water; it is food in itself (5).”