Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 747

Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.

Nu‘aym ibn Qa‘nab said: I went to Abu Dharr but did not find him. I asked his wife: “Where is Abu Dharr?” She said: “He is doing some work; he will come to you shortly.” I waited for him. He came with two camels, one following closely behind the other, each with a waterskin around its neck. He set them down and came to me. I said: “Abu Dharr, no man I have met has been dearer to meet than you, and no man more hateful to meet than you.” He said: “How can both be true?” I replied: “In the pre-Islamic era I buried a girl alive. I feared you would say, ‘There is no repentance for you, no way out,’ but hoped you would say, ‘There is repentance for you and a way out.’” He asked: “Did you do that in the pre-Islamic era?” I said: “Yes.” He said: “Allah has pardoned what is past.” He told his wife: “Bring us food.” She refused. He asked again, and she refused, until their voices rose. He said: “Well, you women are no more than what the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said.” I asked: “What did the Messenger of Allah say about women?” He replied: “A woman was created from a rib. If you try to straighten her, you will break her; but if you treat her gently, there is some crookedness in her and enough to make do.” She turned away and brought a dish of tharid, as though she were a quail. He said: “Eat, and do not let me alarm you; I am fasting.” Then he stood to pray and performed the bowing briefly. When he finished, he turned and ate. I said: “We belong to Allah! I never thought you would lie to me. You just told me you were fasting, and now you are eating.” He said: “May your father be bereft of you! Since I met you, I have not lied.” I asked: “Did you not tell me you were fasting?” He replied: “Yes. I fasted three days this month, so their reward has been recorded for me, and eating is lawful for me.”