and led them to his orchard, where he spread a carpet for them. Then he went to a date-palm, brought back a cluster, and set it before them. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Could you not have picked out the ripe dates for us?” He answered, “O Messenger of Allah, I wanted you to choose for yourselves from its ripe and its unripe fruit.”

They ate and drank from that water. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, then said, “By Him in whose hand is my soul, this cool shade, these tasty fresh dates, and this cold water are among the blessings for which you will be questioned on the Day of Resurrection.”

Abu al-Haytham went off to prepare some food for them. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Do not slaughter an animal that gives milk for us.” So he slaughtered a young she-goat—or perhaps a kid—brought it to them, and they ate.

He, peace and blessings be upon him, asked, “Do you have a servant?” “No,” he replied. The Prophet said, “When captives are brought to us, come to me.” Later two captives were brought to the Prophet, with no third among them, and Abu al-Haytham came. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Choose one of them.” He said, “O Messenger of Allah, you choose for me.” The Prophet replied, “The one who is consulted is entrusted. Take this one, for I have seen him performing the prayer. Treat him well.”

Abu al-Haytham went to his wife and told her what the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, had said. She said, “You will not fulfill what the Prophet has advised concerning him unless you set him free.” He said, “Then he is free.” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said… ⦗80⦘