In Sahih Muslim there is also the narration of Jabir transmitted by ʿUbada ibn al-Walid. The beginning of that report was cited earlier when we spoke of the two trees—how they obeyed the Prophet’s command, then separated again, and how a branch was placed upon the two graves. Toward the end of the same narration he relates:

“We reached the camp, and the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, ‘O Jabir, call out for water to perform ablution.’

I announced, ‘Is there any water for ablution? Is there any water for ablution?’

Then I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I have not found a single drop among the whole caravan.’ There was, however, an Ansari man who used to keep water cool for the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, in a number of leather water-skins.

The Prophet said to me, ‘Go to so-and-so and see whether any water remains in his water-skins.’

I went to him, looked inside, and found nothing but a single drop clinging to the narrow mouth of a shriveled skin—so little that, were I to pour it out, even the parched leather would soak it up.”