In the same fashion this ḥadīth was recorded by al-Bukhārī in the Book of the Prophets and again in the Book of Injustices, through the chain of Muslim ibn Ibrāhīm. Muslim also cited it in the Book of Manners, transmitting via Zuhayr ibn Ḥarb from Yazīd ibn Hārūn, both of whom relate it from Jarīr ibn Ḥāzim. Thus it comes to us by another chain and with a slightly different wording.

Imām Aḥmad said: “Yahyā ibn Saʿīd narrated to us; Sulaymān ibn al-Mughīrah narrated to us; Ḥumayd ibn Hilāl narrated to us, from Abū Rāfiʿ, from Abū Hurayrah, who reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:

‘Jurayj used to devote himself to worship in his hermitage. His mother once came to him and said, “O Jurayj, I am your mother—speak to me!”’

Abū Hurayrah would demonstrate how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ placed his hand on his right eyebrow while recounting this.

‘She happened to find him engaged in prayer, and he said, “My Lord, my mother or my prayer?” He chose to continue his prayer. [She went away, then returned and again found him praying and said, “O Jurayj, I am your mother—speak to me!” He repeated, “My Lord, my mother or my prayer?” and again preferred his prayer. She then supplicated, “O Allah, this is Jurayj; he is my son. I have spoken to him yet he refused to answer me—O Allah, do not let him die until You show him the prostitutes.” Had she prayed that he be led into temptation, he would indeed have been tempted.]

‘There was a shepherd who used to shelter near his hermitage. A woman came out to him; the shepherd slept with her and she bore a boy. When she was asked, “Who is the father?” she replied, “The owner of the hermitage.”

‘The people came with axes and mattocks, headed for the hermitage, and called out to him, but he would not answer. They began demolishing the structure, so he descended to them. They said, “Ask this woman!”’ (Abū Hurayrah added: It seems he smiled.) ‘He then stroked the infant’s head and asked, “Little one, who is your father?” The child replied, “The shepherd of the sheep.”

‘They said, “O Jurayj, we shall rebuild what we destroyed of your hermitage with gold and silver!” He answered, “No—restore it just as it was,” and that is what they did.’

Muslim likewise recorded this version in the Book of Seeking Permission, through Shaybān ibn Farrūkh from Sulaymān ibn al-Mughīrah.

Another wording reads as follows:

Imām Aḥmad said: ‘ʿAffān narrated to us; Ḥammād narrated to us; Thābit informed us, from Abū Rāfiʿ…’