—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—who smiled when he saw me, having read on my face and in my heart what I was feeling.
He said, “Abu Hurayrah!”
I answered, “At your service, O Messenger of Allah.”
He said, “Come along,” and moved on. I followed him until he entered (his home). He sought permission for me, it was granted, and I went in to find a cup containing some milk.
He asked, “Where did this milk come from?”
They replied, “So-and-so, or such-and-such a woman, sent it as a gift for you.”
He said, “Abu Hurayrah!”
I said, “At your service, O Messenger of Allah.”
He said, “Go to the People of the Bench—invite them to me.”
(The narrator adds:) The People of the Bench were the guests of Islam; they had neither family nor wealth to return to. Whenever charity was brought to the Prophet, he would send it to them and take nothing from it himself; and whenever a gift was brought, he would summon them, partake of it, and share it with them. This troubled me, and I thought: “What will this milk do for the People of the Bench? I was more entitled to a mouthful of it that might give me strength. Yet when they arrive, he will tell me to serve them, and what share of this milk could possibly reach me?” Still, obedience to Allah and His Messenger leaves no room for choice. So I went to them and invited them. They came, he granted them permission, and they took their places in the house.
He then said, “Abu Hurayrah!”
I replied, “At your service, O Messenger of Allah.”
He said, “Take it and give it to them.”
So I took the cup and began handing it to each man: he would drink until he was satisfied, then return the cup to me; I would give it to the next man, who would drink until he was satisfied, then return it to me