It claims that its owner has been making it plough the land for years, and now—after leaving it mangy, gaunt, and old—he intends to slaughter it. Go with the camel, O Jābir, to its owner and bring him here.’

I said, ‘Messenger of Allah, I do not know who its owner is.’

He replied, ‘The camel will guide you to him.’

Jābir continues: The camel walked out ahead of me, neck stretched forward, until it stopped at the gathering place of Banū Khatmah. I asked, ‘Who is the owner of this camel?’

They answered, ‘So-and-so.’ I went to the man and said, ‘Answer the summons of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.’ He came with me until we stood before the Prophet.

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said to him, ‘This camel of yours is bringing a case against you. It alleges that you used it to plough for a long time, leaving it scabby and emaciated, and now that it has grown old you wish to slaughter it.’

The man said, ‘By the One—’