Kilab ibn Murrah—Abu Bakr al-Qurashi al-Zuhri—was one of the outstanding luminaries among the imams of Islam, a venerable Successor who heard hadith from numerous Successors and others.

Al-Hafiz Ibn ʿAsakir relates that al-Zuhri said:

“The people of Madinah were struck by severe hardship, so I travelled to Damascus with many dependants. I went to its congregational mosque and sat in the largest study circle. A man then came out from the presence of the Commander of the Believers, ʿAbd al-Malik, and announced: ‘A legal question has arisen before the Commander of the Believers. He once heard Saʿid ibn al-Musayyib speak about it, but the report has slipped from him. It concerns ummāhāt al-awlād (slave-mothers), which Saʿid narrates from ʿUmar ibn al-Khattab. Go in and say, “I have it by heart from Saʿid ibn al-Musayyib from ʿUmar ibn al-Khattab.”’

“He took me by the hand and brought me before ʿAbd al-Malik. The caliph asked, ‘Who are you?’ I stated my lineage and explained my need and the burden of my family. He said, ‘Do you have the Qur’an memorised?’ I replied, ‘Yes, together with the prescribed duties and the sunnah.’ He questioned me about all of that, and I answered him (1). He then settled my debts, ordered a gift for me, and said, ‘Pursue knowledge, for I see in you a retentive eye and an intelligent heart.’

“I returned to Madinah, seeking knowledge wherever I could find it. News reached me that a woman in Qubaʾ had seen a remarkable dream, so I went to her and asked about it.

“She said, ‘My husband died and left us a maid-servant, a dairy animal, and a few date-palms; we drink its milk and eat their fruit. While I was half-asleep, it was as though my elder son, now a grown youth, came, took a knife, slaughtered the offspring of the dairy animal and said, “It is depriving us of the milk.” He then set up a pot, cut up the meat and put it in. After that he took the knife and slaughtered his younger brother—the little one—then I awoke in terror.

“‘My elder son entered and asked, “Where is the milk?” I replied, “My son, the kid drank it.” He said, “That kid is keeping us from the milk,” took the knife, slaughtered it, and cut it up in the pot. I remained anxious and fearful because of what I had seen. I took my little boy, hid him in one of the neighbours’ houses, and then, still greatly distressed, returned home. Drowsiness overcame me and I fell asleep.

“‘In my sleep I heard someone say, “Why are you so grieved?” I replied, “I have seen a dream and I fear its outcome.” He called out, “O Ru’yā, O Ru’yā (true vision).” A beautiful, radiant woman approached. He asked, “What do you want with this righteous woman?” She answered, “I only intend good.”

“‘He then said, “O Ahlām, O Ahlām (ordinary dreams).” A second woman came whose beauty was less than the first’s. He asked, “What do you desire from this righteous woman?” She replied, “I only wish her good.”

“‘Next he called, “O Aḍghāth, O Aḍghāth (confused dreams).” A black, dishevelled woman advanced. He said, “What do you want with this righteous woman?” She said, “She is a righteous woman; I merely wished to occupy her for a while.” Then I awoke.

“‘My son came in, set the food down and asked, “Where is my brother?” I said, “He has gone over to the neighbours.” He went after him—almost as if guided straight to him—brought him back, kissing him, set him down, and we all sat together and ate from that food (2).’