972 – ʿAbd Allah narrated to us; Hārūn narrated to me; Sayyār narrated to us; Jaʿfar narrated to us; ʿAbd al-Ṣamad ibn Maʿqil ibn Munabbih said:

I was in the company of my uncle, Wahb ibn Munabbih, when a man asked him, “Abū ʿAbd Allah, may I purchase a child born of fornication and then set him free?” Wahb answered, “Yes.” He then began to relate the following story:

“There was a group of devoted worshippers, and among them was a youth whom they honored, fed, and held in high esteem. When the time came for them to present their sacrificial offerings, they presented theirs and he presented his. Their offerings were accepted, whereas his was rejected.

“So he redoubled his worship and searched within himself, wondering from where this had come upon him, yet he could find no fault. He therefore went to his mother and said,

‘Mother, a grave matter has befallen me. I was with brothers who would feed, honor, and respect me. When the time for the offering arrived, they presented theirs and I presented mine; their offerings were accepted while mine was rejected. I have examined my state and found no shortcoming. Mother, am I truly the son of the father whose name I bear, or not?’

“She said, ‘My son, why do you wish to pursue this?’

“He replied, ‘You are my mother in any case, so please tell me.’

“She said, ‘One night I went out to gather firewood. A man overpowered me, and you are the son of that man.’

“He said, ‘May Allah forgive you, Mother,’ then fell down in prostration, weeping and saying,

‘O Lord, my parents eat the chickpeas while I crack them with my molars; You are far too generous for that, O Lord. Another gratifies his desire and I am held accountable for his sin; You are far too generous for that, O Lord, O Lord!’

“He continued weeping and repeating these words until his offering was accepted.”