78 – Ahmad ibn ʿAbd al-Aʿla al-Shaybani narrated to me, saying, “If I did not actually hear it from Shuʿayb ibn Ṣafwān, then one of our companions related it to me on his authority, from al-Ajlah al-Kindi, from ʿAbd Allah ibn Abī al-Hudhayl:

Nebuchadnezzar starved two lions and threw them into a pit. He then brought Daniel and cast him in upon them, yet they did not so much as stir against him. Daniel remained there for as long as Allah willed, until he felt the ordinary human craving for food and drink.

Allah therefore revealed to Jeremiah, who was in Greater Syria, saying, “Prepare food and drink for Daniel.” Jeremiah replied, “My Lord, I am in the Holy Land, while Daniel is in Babylon, in the land of Iraq.” Allah revealed to him again, “Prepare what We have commanded you; We shall send someone who will carry you and what you have prepared.”

Jeremiah complied. Allah then sent one who carried him together with the provisions until he stood at the mouth of the pit. Daniel asked, “Who is this?” He answered, “I am Jeremiah.” Daniel said, “What has brought you here?” He replied, “Your Lord has sent me to you.” Daniel asked, “Has He remembered me?” He said, “Yes.”

Daniel then exclaimed:
“Praise be to Allah, who never forgets the one who remembers Him; ⦗76⦘
Praise be to Allah, who never disappoints the one who calls upon Him;
Praise be to Allah, who, when someone trusts in Him, never abandons him to another;
Praise be to Allah, who rewards kindness with yet more kindness;
Praise be to Allah, who grants deliverance as a reward for patience;
Praise be to Allah, who removes our affliction after our distress;
Praise be to Allah, who is our refuge when we think poorly of our own deeds;
Praise be to Allah, who is our hope when every stratagem fails us.”