And another narrated by Ibnul-Musayyab and Abu Slama that Abu Hurayra said[^10]...

And another narrated by Ibnul-Musayyab and Abu Slama that Abu Hurayra said[^10]: “I kept to the Prophet just for feed.” In another tradition, he talked about himself[^11]: I was one of the suffa inhabitants. Once I remained fasting. I suffered a stomachache. I went to relieve myself and when I came back I found that the food was eaten. The rich people of Quraysh used to send food to the suffa inhabitants. I said: to whom should I go? I was told to go to Omar bin al-Khattab. I went to him.

I found him busy praising Allah (S.w.T.) after the prayer. I waited until he finished. I said to him: Recite me some of Qur’an, I do not want save food. He recited some verses of sura (Aal Imran). He went in and left me at the door. He was late. I thought he might change his cloths and then bring me some food. There was nothing of that. I left to meet (S.). I went with him until we reached his house.

He called a black maid[^12] of his and said to her: “Bring us that bowl.” She brought us a bowl with a little of eaten food remained at its sides. I thought it was barley. I ate until I became satiate.” He often described himself by saying[^13]: “I swear by Allah (S.w.T.), who there is no God but Him that I slept on the ground and put a rock on my abdomen because of hunger. Once I sat in their way, by which they (Prophet’s (S.) companions) got out from the mosque. Abu Bakr passed by me.

I asked him about a Qur’anic verse just to give me some food. He went away without giving me anything. Then Omar passed by me and I asked him the same. He went away without giving me any food. Then the (S.) passed by me. He smiled when he saw me and knew what was in my mind. He said: “Abu Hirr[^14]. I said: “Here I am.” He said: “Follow me.” He went and I followed him. He went in his house and allowed me to go in. We found a cup of milk. He asked: “Where is this milk from?

They (household) said: “It is a gift from someone.” He said: “Abu Hirr, go and invite the inhabitants of suffa to come”. They were the guests of Islam. They did not have relatives to live with. When the Prophet (S.) got some charities, he sent all charities for them and when he got a gift he shared it with them. I became disturbed. I thought that I was worthier than those of suffa to have a drink from this milk.

I thought that if they came the Prophet (S.) would order me to give them from the milk. So what could I get from this milk? I had to obey the Prophet. I went and invited them. They came and asked permission.