Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) deputed me to keep Sadaqat (al-Fitr) of Ramadan. A comer came and started taking handfuls of the foodstuff (of the Sadaqa) (stealthily). I took hold of him and said, "By Allah, I will take you to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) ." He said, "I am needy and have many dependents, and I am in great need." I released him, and in the morning Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) asked me, "What did your prisoner do yesterday?" I said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! The person complained of being needy and of having many dependents, so, I pitied him and let him go." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Indeed, he told you a lie and he will be coming again." I believed that he would show up again as Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) had told me that he would return. So, I waited for him watchfully. When he (showed up and) started stealing handfuls of foodstuff, I caught hold of him again and said, "I will definitely take you to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). He said, "Leave me, for I am very needy and have many dependents. I promise I will not come back again." I pitied him and let him go.
In the morning Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) asked me, "What did your prisoner do." I replied, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! He complained of his great need and of too many dependents, so I took pity on him and set him free." Allah's Apostle said, "Verily, he told you a lie and he will return." I waited for him attentively for the third time, and when he (came and) started stealing handfuls of the foodstuff, I caught hold of him and said, "I will surely take you to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as it is the third time you promise not to return, yet you break your promise and come." He said, "(Forgive me and) I will teach you some words with which Allah will benefit you." I asked, "What are they?" He replied, "Whenever you go to bed, recite "Ayat-al-Kursi"-- 'Allahu la ilaha illa huwa-l-Haiy-ul Qaiyum' till you finish the whole verse. (If you do so), Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you and no satan will come near you till morning. " So, I released him. In the morning, Allah's Apostle asked, "What did your prisoner do yesterday?" I replied, "He claimed that he would teach me some words by which Allah will benefit me, so I let him go." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) asked, "What are they?" I replied, "He said to me, 'Whenever you go to bed, recite Ayat-al-Kursi from the beginning to the end ---- Allahu la ilaha illa huwa-lHaiy-ul-Qaiyum----.' He further said to me, '(If you do so), Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you, and no satan will come near you till morning.' (Abu Huraira or another sub-narrator) added that they (the companions) were very keen to do good deeds. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "He really spoke the truth, although he is an absolute liar. Do you know whom you were talking to, these three nights, O Abu Huraira?" Abu Huraira said, "No." He said, "It was Satan."
Representation, Authorization, Business by Proxy
Sahih al-Bukhari - Hadith 2311
Contextual Analysis
This narration demonstrates the Prophet's authorization of Abu Huraira to guard the Ramadan charity, establishing principles of trust and responsibility in handling public funds. The incident occurred during Abu Huraira's appointment as guardian of the Zakat al-Fitr collection.
Scholarly Commentary
The thief's repeated attempts despite warnings illustrate the persistence of Satan in misleading humans. The Prophet's foreknowledge of the thief's return demonstrates his prophetic insight.
Abu Huraira's compassion, while commendable, needed balancing with his duty. This teaches that mercy should not compromise religious obligations or public trust.
Spiritual Significance of Ayat al-Kursi
Satan's teaching of Ayat al-Kursi's virtues, while paradoxical, contains authentic benefits confirmed by the Prophet. This verse (Quran 2:255) provides divine protection when recited before sleep.
The Prophet's statement "he spoke the truth although he is an absolute liar" shows that truth can come from unlikely sources, but requires verification through authentic Islamic sources.
Legal and Ethical Implications
This hadith establishes the permissibility of appointing representatives for religious and community affairs. It also demonstrates the importance of vigilance in guarding public property and the need for proper authorization in handling religious funds.