Section: One of the prophetic signs—multiplying the harvest

Sahih al-Bukhari records the report of Jabir ibn ‘Abd Allah: his father was martyred, leaving a debt and six daughters.

When the time came to harvest the date-palms, Jabir said, “I went to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said, ‘You know that my father was martyred on the day of Uhud and left a large debt, and I would like the creditors to meet you.’”

He replied, “Go and separate every kind of date into its own heap.” I did so, then called him. When the creditors saw him it was as though they swooped down on me at that very moment. When the Prophet saw what they were doing he walked round the largest heap three times, then sat on it.

He then said to me, “Summon your companions.” He went on measuring out for them until Allah, through him, paid off my father’s obligation. I would have been content for Allah to settle my father’s debt even if I returned to my sisters without a single date.