The generosity of the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم

Abdullah Hauzani رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ has narrated: I met the Muazzin of the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ at Halab (Syria) and asked him about the expenses made by the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. He said: I was responsible for spending the (wealth) the Greatest Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم had. I performed this job from the time Prophet-hood was announced until his apparent demise. When any Muslim who needed clothing came to the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, he would order me and I would borrow money from someone, buy a shawl and give to that Muslim and feed him as well. One day, a polytheist [i.e. the person who believes in more than one god] came to me and said: ‘O Bilal! Do not borrow money from anyone except me. I have a lot of wealth.’ Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ said: I did as was asked by the polytheist. One day, I made Wudu and stood to make the Azan when I saw that polytheist approaching me, he was accompanied by many traders. He spoke ill of me a lot and said: “Do you know how many days are left in repayment?” I [i.e. Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ] said: The time of repayment has approached [i.e. come near]. He said: Only four days are left. If you do not repay the debt within four days, I will make you my slave and will make you graze my goats as you used to do. Listening to this, I became worried. After offering Isha Salah, the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم went to his blessed home. Taking permission, I humbly entered and said: Ya Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! May my parents be sacrificed for you! The polytheist that I borrowed money from has threatened to make me his slave. We both have nothing to repay the debt. He will disgrace me. Please allow me to go to those people who have become Muslim so that Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ will grant as much wealth upon His Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم as is needed to repay my debt. Saying this, I left. In the morning, I came out to go somewhere. Meanwhile, a person came running and said: ‘O Bilal! The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has called for you.” When I reached him I saw that there were four camels fully loaded with items. I asked for permission to enter, then the Greatest Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: Congratulations! Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has provided the means to repay your debt. He then asked: Did you see four camels? I humbly said: Yes. He said: The ruler of Fadak has sent these camels. Keep all grains and clothes loaded on them and repay your debt with them. Obeying the order, I did as