Shama-il Tirmidhi Chapter 50, Hadith Number 6 (354).

Abu Hurayrah Radiyallahu ‘Anhu reports: “Once Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam came out of his house at such a time, that it was not his noble habit to do so at that time. Nor did anyone come to meet him at that time. At that moment Abubakr Radiyallahu ‘Anhu came to Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam. He asked: ‘What brought you here, O Abubakr?’ Abubakr Radiyallahu ‘Anhu replied: ‘I came out to meet the Rasul of Allah, and look at his noble face. (This was due to the complete relationship of Abubakr Siddiqe Radiyallahu ‘Anhu, that when Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam unexpectedly came out of his house, it had an effect on Abubakr Radiyallahu ‘Anhu. According to this humble servant, this is the best explanation, and this complete relationship is the reason for the continuity of the khilaafah of Abubakr Radiyallahu ‘Anhu with the nabawi period after the death of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam. If someone else had been elected as a khalifah, then due to the incomplete relationship, there would have been some changes in the laws of the time. It would have been an additional sorrow after the demise of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam for the Sahaabah, and would have been unacceptable to them, whereas, Abubakr Radiyallahu’Anhu had such a close and deep relationship with Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam that on many aspects Abubakr Siddiqe Radiyallahu ‘Anhu had the same thoughts as that of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu’Alayhi Wasallam. The incident of Hudaybiyyah is a testimony to this, which has already been mentioned in the book: ‘Stories of the Sahaabah’. The Muslims felt so much humilation in accepting the harsh conditions of the non-believers that many among the Sahaabah could not bear it. ‘Umar Radiyallahu ‘Anhu anxiously came to Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, are you not the truthful Nabi of Allah?’ Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam replied: ‘Indeed, I am’. ‘Umar Radiyallahu ‘Anhu said: ‘Are we not on The Haq (True Path) and the enemy on falsehood?’ Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam replied: ‘Truly indeed’. ‘Umar Radiyallahu ‘Anhu said: ‘Why are we being degraded in this manner in our deen?’ Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam replied: “I am the Messenger of Allah, and I cannot disobey Him. Verily He is my protector’. ‘Umar Radiyallahu ‘Anhu said: ‘Did you not say to us that we are going to Makkah, and are going to perform the tawaaf?’ Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam said: ‘Verily it is true, but did I say that we will go this year to Makkah?’ ‘Umar Radiyallahu ‘Anhu replied: ‘No, you did not say this’. Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam then said: ‘We will surely go to Makkah and perform tawaaf’. After this ‘Umar Radiyallahu ‘Anhu with the same zeal went to Abubakr Radiyallahu ‘Anbu and said: ‘O Abubakr, is this not the truthful Nabi of Allah?’ Abubakr Radiyallahu ‘Anhu replied: ‘Verily, yes’. ‘Umar Radiyallahu ‘Anhu asked: ‘Are we not on the truth and the non-believers on falsehood?’ Abubakr Radiyallahu ‘Anhu replied: ‘Verily, true’. ‘Umar Radiyallahu ‘Anhu then said: ‘Why are we being disgraced in this manner for our deen?’ Abubakr Radiyallahu ‘Anhu replied: ‘O man, without doubt, he is the truthful nabi, and he does not disobey Allah in the least, and only Allah is his protector. Hold fast unto his reigns’. ‘Umar Radiyallahu ‘Anhu replied: ‘Did he not say to us that we will be going to Makkah, and will be performing the tawaaf?’ Abubakr Radiyallahu ‘Anhu replied: ‘Did he promise you this that we will go this year?’ ‘Umar Radiyallahu ‘Anhu replied: ‘No, he did not say this to us’. Abubakr Radiyallahu ‘Anhu said. ‘You will go to Makkah and will also perform tawaaf ‘. This incident has been mentioned in detail in the Bukhaari.’ There are many other similar amazing incidents. Even when Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam committed an ijtihaadi slip up, Abubakr Radiyallahu ‘Anhu would also in that instance have the same opinion, as was the case with the prisoners of the Battle of Badr, the incident of which is mentioned at the end of Suratul Anfaal.

In this case Abubakr Radiyallahu ‘Anhu presenting himself at an unusual moment is the case of the soul of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam having an influence on the heart of Abubakr Radiyallahu ‘Anhu, as if he was also feeling hungry.

I remember everything of the Sorrow of separation O (beloved) Zaalim But I forget everything after seeing your countenance.

Some of the ‘ulama state the coming of Abubakr Radiyallahu ‘Anhu was due to hunger, but after seeing Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam this feeling of hunger vanished. Therefore on the inquiry of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu’Alayhi Wasallam, he did not mention this.

Some of the ‘ulama have written that Abubakr Radiyallahu ‘Anhu came due to the hunger he experienced, but he did not mention this, because it may become difficult for Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam, for the difficulties of a friend supersedes the difficulties of one’s self). A little while passed, when ‘Umar Radiyallahu ‘Anhu presented himself. Rasulullah Sallallahu’Alayhi Wasallam asked him the reason of presenting himself at such an odd time. He replied: ‘Because of hunger, O Messenger of Allah’. Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam said: ‘I am also experiencing a bit of that’. All then went to the house of Abul Haytham Ansaari Radiyallahu’Anhu. He was the owner of many date palms, trees and sheep, and he did not have any servants. (For this reason he did all the work himself). They did not find him there. They asked his wife, ‘Where is your companion?’ She replied: ‘He has gone to bring sweet water for us’. A little while had not passed, when Abul Haytham Radiyallahu ‘Anhu experiencing difficulty arrived carrying the water bag. He put it down. He then came and honoured Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam, his noble guest, and was pleased by the honour of meeting Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam, (and proud of his good fortune, reciting and embracing him).

O companion when my benevolent moments will come. Without invitation you will come away to my home.

and began to sacrifice on Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam his father and mother. (i.e. He was saying, may my father and mother be sacrificed on you). After that he requested them to come to his palm grove. He spread out for them a mat, then went to a palm and brought a,whole bunch (which had ripe, half ripe etc. kinds of dates on it), and put it before them. Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam said: ‘Why did you not only pick the ripe ones’. (rather than bringing the whole bunch). He (the host) said. ‘Eat what pleases you from it’. They ate from it, and drank water. Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam said there after, (of which every moment of his life was a means of education for the ummah), I swear an oath by the Being in whose hands lies my life, this is also included among those blessings of which one will be asked on the day of qiyaamah, (which Allah Ta’aala has mentioned at the end of Surah Takathur. It will be asked regarding gratitude. He then counted the blessings of that moment), the cool shadow, good fresh dates, and cold water. Thereafter the host started going to prepare meals, whereupon Rasulullah Sallallahu’Alayhi Wasallam said to him, in happiness do not just slaughter any animal, but slaughter an animal that does not give milk. The host slaughtered for them a female or male young goat. (He quickly prepared the food), and presented it before them. They partook of it’ (Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam noticed that he was doing all the work by himself, and at the beginning he had brought the sweet water himself too). Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam inquired: ‘Have you not any servants?’ He replied: ‘No’ Whereupon Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam said: ‘When slaves shall arrive, remind us. Incidentally only two slaves were brought to Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam. Abul Haytham Radiyallahu ‘Anhu came to remind Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam of his promise. Rasulullah Sallallahu’Alayhi Wasallam said: ‘Choose any one of them’. (Where will such a Sahaabi who has sacrificed himself for Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam put forward his own desire in the presence of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam. Therefore,) He said: ‘O Nabi of Allah, you choose one for me’. (Besides piety, there could have been no other reason for liking and choosing a slave) Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam said: ‘An adviser is trustworthy (and by me being the trustworthy person) I choose this slave for you, as I had seen him perform his salaah. Remember my one advice, and that is to treat him well’. (First Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam mentioned the rule an adviser must adopt. Then reminded that my choice will be a responsible and trustworthy one. He then chose one and gave his reason for it, that the slave is one that upkeeps the salaah, therefore this slave was given preference. In our times, for an employee to be punctual with the salaah is a fault,’ as it hinders the work of the employer). Abul Haytham Radiyallahu ‘Anhu went (happily home, that he had someone to help him in his chores) to his wife, and told her what Rasulullah Sallallahu’Alayhi Wasallam had said. His wife said: “You will not be able to fulfil exactly that which Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam had commanded. It is difficult for us to truly carry out that noble advice, therefore free him, for by this it will be possible to fulfil the commands of Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam’. The husband then said,. ‘He is free’. (He did not care the least for his troubles and difficulties. When Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam came to know about this honourable sacrifice) Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam said: ‘For every nabi and his successors Allah Ta’aala creates two concealed advisers. One of which induces to do good and saves from committing evil. The other advises not to care the least in ruining and destroying a person. The one that is saved from this persons wickedness, is being saved from all ruin and destruction”.

Commentary
The wife of Abul Haytham Radiyallahu ‘Anhu was among the best advisers, through whose advice a pious slave, who kept up, his salaah, was freed. And she did not care the least of one’s own troubles and difficulties. He did not also think that after such a long struggle a slave was obtained, at least let the slave work for a few days, so that we might rest, then later the slave could be freed.