called Abu Talhah al-Ansari and handed him all the hair from the right side. He then shaved the remainder of his head, summoned Abu Talhah again, and gave it to him, saying, “Distribute it among the people.” So he did: some received a single hair, others two, and others more, according to what was available. All of this was so that they might seek blessing from that noble hair—the hair of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.

The fact that the Messenger singled out Abu Talhah with the entire right side shows that certain individuals are granted a distinctive favor that God chooses for them, even though others may surpass them in merit. Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthman, ‘Ali, and many other Companions were superior to Abu Talhah, yet God’s bounty—exalted is He—He gives to whom He wills.

The Companions would seek blessing from the Prophet’s hair, his garments, and his perspiration, whereas no one else may have their hair, clothes, or sweat treated as a source of blessing.

Umm Salamah, one of the Prophet’s wives, kept a few strands of his hair in a small silver container—she fashioned it from silver in honor of the Prophet’s hair. Whenever someone in their household fell ill, they would come to her; she would pour water over the hair, stir it with the strands, and then give the water to the patient. By God’s permission, the person would recover through the blessing of the Prophet’s hair.

This privilege, however, belongs to no one but the Prophet; the Companions never sought blessing from the hair of Abu Bakr—though he was the best of the community after the Messenger—nor from the hair of ‘Umar.