with it to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and say: “My mother sends this to you, conveys her greetings of peace, and says, ‘This is but a modest gift from us, O Messenger of Allah.’”

So I took it to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and said, “My mother sends you greetings of peace and says: ‘This is only a small offering from us.’”

He said, “Set it down,” and then added, “Go and invite so-and-so, so-and-so, so-and-so, and everyone you meet,” mentioning a number of men.

I went out and summoned those he had named as well as everyone I met along the way. Al-Jaʿd—who narrated this from Anas—asked, “How many were they?” He replied, “They were about three hundred.”

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, then said to me, “Anas, bring the bowl.”

They entered until the portico and the room were filled. The Messenger of Allah said, “Let them sit in circles of ten, and let each person eat from what is in front of him.” They ate until they were full.

A group would leave and another would enter until all of them had eaten. Then he said, “Anas, clear it away.” I removed it, and I could not tell whether it contained more when I set it down or when I lifted it.

Some of them remained sitting, conversing among themselves, and he (Anas) mentioned that it was on this occasion that the verse of the veil was revealed.