that it is utterly impossible for Him to sleep, for His life and His self-subsistence are absolutely perfect; were the Creator to sleep, who would then sustain the creation? Thus, exalted and majestic is He: neither drowsiness nor sleep ever overtakes Him. Allah knows best.

1020 – Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ appointed me to guard the charity of Ramadan (zakat al-fitr). Someone came and began scooping up handfuls of the food. I seized him and said, “I will certainly take you to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.” He pleaded, “I am in need, I have dependants, and I am in severe distress.” So I released him.

The next morning the Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked, “Abu Hurayrah, what became of your captive last night?” I replied, “O Messenger of Allah, he complained of hardship and dependants, so I took pity on him and let him go.” He said, “He has lied to you, and he will come back.” Knowing this from the Prophet’s words, I kept watch for him.

He returned and again began scooping up food. I grabbed him and said, “I will surely take you to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.” He answered, “Leave me; I am needy and have dependants. I will not return.” I felt compassion for him and set him free.

The following morning the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to me, “Abu Hurayrah, what became of your captive last night?” I said, “O Messenger of Allah, he complained of hardship and dependants, so I took pity on him and released him.” He replied, “He has lied to you, and he will come back.”

So I lay in wait for him a third time. He came and began scooping up food. I seized him and said, “I will certainly take you to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ—this is the third time, and you claim that you will not…"