I know him, he will surely slaughter animals for the men.’

When Qays returned he told his father what had happened and how they had stopped him from offering the last of the animals. Saʿd thereupon assigned him four orchards (1); even the least productive of them yielded fifty wasqs (2).

It is related that when the Prophet ﷺ was informed of this he said, ‘Indeed, he belongs to a household of generosity.’

Abu ʿĀṣim reported: Juwayriyyah narrated to us, saying: ‘Qays used to borrow money and feed the people. Abu Bakr and ʿUmar said, “If we leave this young man unchecked he will squander his father’s wealth.”

So the two of them spoke to the people about it, whereupon Saʿd stood before the Prophet ﷺ and said, “Who will excuse me with regard to the son of Abū Quḥāfah and the son of al-Khattāb? They begrudge my son!” (3)

It is also said that an elderly woman once approached Qays and said, “I complain to you of the scarcity of mice.” He replied, “What a graceful metaphor! Fill her house with bread, meat, clarified butter, and dates.” (4)

Mālik narrated from Yaḥyā ibn Saʿīd, who said: ‘Qays ibn Saʿd used to feed people on his journeys with the Prophet ﷺ; when his supplies ran out he would take on debt, and each day he would call out, “Come for meat and tharid (bread-and-meat stew)!” (5)

Ibn Sīrīn said: ‘Saʿd would proclaim from the roof of his fortress, “Whoever desires fat and meat, let him come,” and I later met his son doing the very same.’ (6)

And Hishām ibn ʿUrwah related from his father, who said: ‘Qays ibn Saʿd sold an estate…’