English Translation

Abu Hurayrah reported: By Allah, other than Whom there is no god, I used to press my stomach against the ground out of hunger, and I used to tie a stone to my stomach because of hunger. One day I sat on the road that they used to pass by. Abu Bakr passed by, and I asked him about a verse of the Book of Allah — I only asked him so that he would feed me — but he passed by without doing so. Then Umar passed by, and I asked him about a verse of the Book of Allah — I only asked him so that he would feed me — but he passed by without doing so. Then Abu al-Qasim (peace be upon him) passed by. He smiled when he saw me and knew what was in my heart and on my face. He said: "O Abu Hirr!" I said: "Here I am at your service, O Messenger of Allah." He said: "Come along." He continued walking, and I followed him. He entered his house, and I sought permission, and he gave me permission. He entered and found milk in a bowl. He said: "Where did this milk come from?" They said: "So-and-so gave it to you." He said: "O Abu Hirr!" I said: "Here I am at your service, O Messenger of Allah." He said: "Go to the People of the Suffah and invite them." They were guests of Islam who had no family, wealth, or anyone. When charity came to the Prophet (peace be upon him), he would send it all to them without taking any of it himself. When a gift came to him, he would send for them and share it with them. I was displeased by this and thought: "What will this milk be among the People of the Suffah?" I was more entitled to a sip of it to give me strength. When they came, he would order me to give them, and I wondered what would be left for me from this milk. But there was no choice but to obey Allah and His Messenger. I went to them and invited them. They came and sought permission, and he gave them permission, and they took their seats. He said: "O Abu Hirr, take it and give them to drink." I took the bowl and gave each man to drink until he had his fill, then I gave it to the next, until all had drunk their fill. I gave it to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and he took the bowl, placed it on his hand, smiled and said: "O Abu Hirr!" I said: "Here I am at your service, O Messenger of Allah." He said: "Only you and I are left." I said: "That is true, O Messenger of Allah." He said: "Sit down and drink." I sat and drank. He said: "Drink again." I drank again. He kept saying: "Drink" until I said: "No, by the One Who sent you with the truth, I have no room left for it." He said: "Then give it to me." I gave him the bowl, and he praised Allah, said 'Bismillah,' and drank what was left. Narrated by al-Bukhari.