Ḍamrah ibn Rabīʿah related—through Bilāl ibn Kaʿb—that some children once said to Abū Muslim al-Khawlānī, “Pray to Allah to keep that gazelle from running so we can catch it.” He prayed, the animal remained where it was, and they seized it. (1)

ʿAṭāʾ al-Khurāsānī reported that Abū Muslim’s wife said, “We have no flour.” He asked, “Do you have anything at all?” She replied, “One dirham we earned by selling spun yarn.” He said, “Bring it—and bring the sack.”

He went to the market; a beggar approached him and persisted, so he gave him the dirham. Then he filled the sack with dust and shavings from the ground and returned, his heart uneasy on her account. When she opened it, the sack was full of the finest white flour; (2) she kneaded it and baked bread. That night, when he came home, she set the bread before him and he asked, “Where did this come from?” She answered, “From the flour.” He ate—and wept. (3)

Abū Mushir narrated, on the authority of Saʿīd ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz, that Abū Muslim became anxious for news of an army campaigning in Byzantine territory. A bird flew in and alighted, saying, “I am Rutbābīl, the one who lightens sorrow from the hearts of the believers.” It conveyed the army’s news, and Abū Muslim replied, “You have only come now that I had begun to think you late.” (4)

Saʿīd ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz added: Abū Muslim was chanting on the day of Ṣiffīn (5):

“What ails me, what ails me,
when my coat of mail I have donned?
I will die while in obedience…” (6)