Page:Selections from Muhammadan Traditions - tr. William Goldsack (1923).djvu/318

 men of his companions and said, " This is the well which was shown to me." And it was as if its water was stained with hina, and as if its palm-trees (reflected in the water) were the heads of Satans. Then he took it out.' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Abu Hurairah that he said, 'Verily ye say, "Abu Hurairah has related many (traditions) from the Prophet." By God! there is a time appointed (for the punish- ment of those who fabricate traditions). The fact is, my brethren from amongst those who flew from Mecca to Madina were kept busy bargaining in the bazaars; and my brethren from amongst the helpers were kept busy by work connected with their property. But I was a poor man and kept close to the Apostle of God, content if only my belly were filled. And one day the Prophet said, " No one of you who spreads out his cloth (for me to pray on) until I finish my words, and after- wards gathers it to his breast, will ever forget anything from my words." Then I spread out a blanket, which was the only cloth I had on me, until the Prophet finished his prayer. After that I gathered it to my breast; and by Him who sent him with the truth! I never forgot any of his words until this day.' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Anas that, ' A famine afflicted the people in the time of the Apostle of God; and whilst the Prophet was giving the public address on a certain Friday, a desert Arab stood up and said, "O Apostle of God, our properties are destroyed and our families are hungry; therefore pray to God for us." Then the Apostle raised his hands, and we did not see in the heavens a single speck of cloud, and by Him in whose hand is my life! he had not taken them down before clouds appeared like mountains. After that he had not come down from his pulpit until I saw the rain falling on his beard. Then we were given rain on that day and on the morrow and on the next day until the next Friday. Then that desert Arab and others stood up and said, " O Apostle of God, our buildings are fallen into ruins and our property is submerged; therefore pray to God for us." Then he raised his hands and said, "O God, send down the rain around us, but not on us." And he did not make a sign towards any quarter where there was cloud, but it ceased. And Madina became like an open space