Download PDF: [S] Who will Purchase this Slave

The following incident pertains to a blessed companion who was from the Bani Ashja’ tribe. His name was Hadrat Sayyiduna Zaahir bin Hiram – may Allah be pleased with him. He was a villager who lived outside Madina Shareef. He was quiet tall. His was not of very bright complexion and due to his hard life in the field, he was extremely strong.

 

He had immense love and reverence for Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – also displayed immense love for him. It is reported that whenever he visited Madina Shareef, he used to always bring certain items from the village as a gift for Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. These items used to be barley, honey, fresh fruit and vegetables. In fact, whatever was available in that season, he used to bring these items for Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.

 

When he used to return, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – also used to give him some gifts from the city. In fact, once Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – mentioned that, “This is my village friend and I am his city friend.”

 

It was the habit of the people from the villages that when they brought their goods to Madina Shareef, they used to stand on one corner in the market place hoping to sell these items. Whenever these villagers brought items, the people in the city used to gather around them hoping to buy fresh fruits and vegetables.

 

It is reported that one day Hadrat Sayyiduna Zaahir bin Hiram – may Allah be pleased with him – also brought his goods and stood on one side of the bazaar hoping to sell them. Suddenly Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – entered the market place and noticed that this person was selling his items on one side.

 

You are indeed a beloved servant of Allah.

 

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – then silently went behind Hadrat Sayyiduna Zaahir bin Hiram – may Allah be pleased with him – and blocked the eyes of this person with his blessed hands. This is sometimes our habit when we meet good friends and associates. We come from behind and block the eyes of the person asking him to reveal who had blocked his eyes.

 

Imagine the greatness of this person! Who is actually blocking his eyes? When he realised that someone had blocked his eyes, in panic he asked who it was. However, when he felt the softness of the blessed palms and the immense fragrance which was coming from the person, he realised that this was none other than Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.

 

Suddenly Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – asked, “Who will purchase this servant from me?”

 

When he heard this claim, Hadrat Sayyiduna Zaahir – may Allah be pleased with him – replied, “O Prophet of Allah, who will purchase like a person like me who is so dark and is also an ordinary villager? This will certainly not be a profitable trade.”

 

When he mentioned these words in humility, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – declared, “Who said that you are not worthy or valuable? You are someone who loves Allah and His Prophet and with Allah you are certainly someone with great value.” (Musnad Imam Ahmed; Sahih Imam Habban)