a man with dependents and in pressing need,’ so Abu Hurayrah felt sorry for him and set him free.

At daybreak he went to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, who asked him, ‘What became of your captive last night?’ This, in itself, is one of Allah’s signs, for the Prophet ﷺ had not been present yet knew of the incident through revelation. He repeated, ‘What happened to your prisoner last night?’ I replied, ‘O Messenger of Allah, he claimed to be in need and to have dependents, so I took pity on him and released him.’ The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘He has lied to you; he will return.’

So I was certain he would come back because the Prophet ﷺ had said so. The Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, trusted whatever the Prophet ﷺ reported just as firmly—indeed, even more firmly—than what they saw with their own eyes. I therefore lay in wait for him, and he returned and began scooping up the food. I said, ‘I will take you to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.’ He pleaded with the same excuse as before—that he was needy and had dependents—so I felt sorry for him again. I did so even though the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had told me, ‘He has lied to you,’ for I knew the Prophet’s clemency and broad patience and that he would not reproach me—and, indeed, he did not.

When morning came and I informed the Prophet ﷺ, he said, ‘He has lied to you, and he will return.’

On the third night I kept watch, and the man came once more and began helping himself to the food. I said, ‘This time I will certainly take your case to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, because you swore three times you would not return, yet here you are again.’ He said, ‘Let me go, and I will teach you some words by which Allah will benefit you.’ I asked, ‘What are they?’ He said, ‘Ayat al-Kursi—“Allah, there is no deity but Him, the Ever-Living…”’