The One Precious to Allah (s.w.t.)

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

It is recorded in the Swahih of Imam Abu ‘Abdullah Muhammad ibn Isma’il al-Bukhari (r.a.), and Imam Abu ‘Isa Muhammad ibn ‘Isa as-Sulami at-Tirmidzi (r.a.) in his Shama'il; that Sayyidina Anas ibn Malik (r.a.) said, “There was a man, from amongst the Bedouins, whose name was Zhahir ibn Haram.  Whenever he came to Madina for a need, he brought something for the Prophet (s.a.w.) as a gift, like cottage cheese, or butter.  Likewise, the Prophet (s.a.w.) would prepare something to give to him whenever he wanted to leave, such as dates and so on. 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) used to love him, and say, ‘Zhahir is our Bedouin and we are his city-dwellers.’  Zhahir was not very good looking. 

One day, Zhahir left the desert, and came to Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.) but did not find him.  He had some merchandise to sell so he went on to the marketplace.  When the Prophet (s.a.w.) found out about his arrival, he went to the marketplace looking for him.  When he arrived, he saw him selling his merchandise with sweat pouring down from his face, and he wore Bedouin clothes which did not smell good either. 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) hugged him tightly from behind, while Zhahir was unaware and could not see who it was.  Zhahir became scared, and said, ‘Let me go!  Who is this?’  But the Prophet (s.a.w.) remained silent.  Zhahir tried to release himself from his grip, and started to look right and left.  When he saw the Prophet (s.a.w.), he relaxed and calmed down. 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) began to joke with him, saying to the public, ‘Who will buy this slave?  Who will buy this slave?’ 

Thereupon, Zhahir looked at himself, and thought of his extreme poverty, for he had neither wealth nor good looks.  He said, ‘You will find me unmarketable, O Messenger of Allah.’ 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) said, ‘But you are not unmarketable with Allah (s.w.t.).  You are Very Precious to Allah (s.w.t.).’”