Sahih al-Bukhari 3464

Ahmad ibn Ishaq narrated to me: ʿAmr ibn ʿAsim narrated to us: Hammam narrated to us: Ishaq ibn ʿAbdullah narrated to us, saying: ʿAbd al-Rahman ibn Abi ʿAmra narrated to me that Abu Hurayra told him he heard the Prophet ﷺ. Muhammad also narrated to me: ʿAbdullah ibn Rajaʾ narrated to us: Hammam informed us, from Ishaq ibn ʿAbdullah, who said: ʿAbd al-Rahman ibn Abi ʿAmra informed me that Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) told him he heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: “Allah willed to test three among the Children of Israel: a leper, a bald man, and a blind man. He sent an angel, who came to the leper and asked, ‘What do you most wish for?’ He replied, ‘A good complexion and good skin, for people find me repulsive.’ The angel touched him, and the affliction left him. He was given a good complexion and fine skin. The angel asked, ‘What property do you most desire?’ He said, ‘Camels—or cows.’ The narrator was unsure which; one of the two men asked for camels, the other for cows. So he was given a pregnant she-camel, and the angel said, ‘May Allah bless it for you.’

“The angel went to the bald man and asked what he most wished for. He said, ‘Fine hair, and for this condition to leave me, for people find me repulsive.’ The angel touched him, and it left him; he was given fine hair. The angel asked what property he most desired. He said, ‘Cattle.’ So he was given a pregnant cow, and the angel said, ‘May Allah bless it for you.’

“The angel went to the blind man and asked what he most wished for. He said, ‘That Allah restore my sight so I may see people.’ The angel touched him, and Allah restored his sight. The angel asked what property he most desired. He said, ‘Sheep.’ So he was given a pregnant ewe. The animals all bore young and multiplied, until one man had a valley full of camels, another a valley full of cattle, and the third a valley full of sheep.

“Then the angel came to the leper in his former appearance and said, ‘I am a poor traveler whose provisions have run out. Today I can reach my destination only through Allah and then you. By the One who gave you your fine complexion, skin, and wealth, give me a camel to continue my journey.’ He replied, ‘I have many obligations.’ The angel said, ‘I seem to know you. Were you not a leper whom people found repulsive, and poor, until Allah gave you wealth?’ He replied, ‘I inherited this from my ancestors.’ The angel said, ‘If you are lying, may Allah return you to your former state.’

“The angel then came to the bald man in his former appearance and said the same to him. He answered as the first man had, and the angel said, ‘If you are lying, may Allah return you to your former state.’

“Then the angel came to the blind man in his former appearance and said, ‘I am a poor traveler whose provisions have run out. Today I can reach my destination only through Allah and then you. By the One who restored your sight, give me a sheep to help me on my way.’ He said, ‘I was blind, and Allah restored my sight; I was poor, and He made me wealthy. Take whatever you wish. By Allah, I will not stop you from taking anything you take for Allah’s sake.’ The angel said, ‘Keep your property. You were tested: Allah is pleased with you and displeased with your two companions.’”