to the people, and he said, “A stranger has come asking about his religion.” It was a phrase intended to win sympathy: a stranger has arrived, not begging for money but seeking knowledge of his faith. The Prophet ﷺ therefore stepped down toward him, interrupting the sermon until he reached the man. A chair was brought, and the Prophet began teaching him, for the man had come anxious yet eager for knowledge, wanting to learn his religion so that he could act upon it. After instructing him, the Prophet ﷺ resumed the sermon. Such was the Messenger’s humility and the excellence of his pastoral care.

Someone may ask, “Is not the public interest more deserving of consideration than an individual need? This man’s request was personal while the Prophet ﷺ was addressing the whole congregation.” We reply: Yes—had the public benefit been in danger of being lost, it would certainly have taken precedence. But here the general benefit was not lost; in fact, the people would also profit from what the Prophet ﷺ taught this stranger. Thus the collective benefit remained intact.

Furthermore, when the Prophet ﷺ approached this stranger and taught him, it united his heart with Islam, increased his love for the faith, and deepened his affection for the Messenger ﷺ. Such is the wisdom of the Messenger of Allah—may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. May Allah grant everyone success in what He loves and is pleased with.

7/608 – Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that whenever the Messenger of Allah ﷺ ate food he would lick his three fingers. He also said, “If one of you drops a morsel, let him remove any dirt from it and eat it, and do not leave it for Satan.” He further instructed that the dish be scraped clean, saying, “For indeed you do not know in …”