In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Abu Hurayra (MAPH) said: “The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) entrusted me with guarding the alms of the month of fasting (Ramadan). A thief came to take something from it. I caught him and said to him: “I will certainly deliver you to the justice of the Messenger of Allah (SAWS)”. He said: “I am in need, I have a family to feed and I suffer from great poverty”. I let him go and the next morning the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said to me: “O Abu Hurayra! What did your prisoner do yesterday?” I said to him: “O Messenger of Allah! He complained of great poverty and a family in his care, so much so that I felt pity for him and let him go”. He said: “In reality he lied to you and he will return”. I knew from the affirmation of the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) that he was indeed going to return. I went on watch and he came once again to steal food” I said to him: “This time I will certainly submit you to the justice of the Messenger of Allah (SAWS)”. He said to me: “Leave me in freedom because I am in need and I have a family to feed. I promise you not to return anymore”. I felt pity for him and let him go. The next morning the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said to me “O Abu Hurayra! What did your prisoner do yesterday?” I said: “O Messenger of Allah! He complained of a great need and a family to feed. I felt pity for him and let him go”. He said: “He lied to you and he will return”. I went for the third time on watch and he returned to steal food. I seized him and said to him: “This time I am going to deliver you to the justice of the Messenger of Allah (SAWS). This is the third time that I catch you at it. Every time you promise not to return anymore and you return!”. He said: “Let me go this time again and I will teach you words that will bring you the goodness of Allah”. I said to him: “What then are these words?” He said: “When you go into your bed, recite the verse “of the Throne” (Chapter 2 – verse 255). This verse will not cease to protect you by order of Allah and the Devil will not approach you until the next morning”. I released him as agreed and the next morning the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said to me: “What did your prisoner do yesterday?”. I said: “O Messenger of Allah! He claimed to teach me words that bring me the goodness of Allah and I released him”. He said: “And what are these words?” I said: “He told me: “When you go into your bed recite the verse of the Throne from the beginning to the end and he added: “This verse will not cease to protect you by order of Allah and the shaitan will not approach you until the morning”. The Prophet (SAWS) said: “He effectively told you the truth although he is a very great liar. Do you know, O Abu Hurayra!, whom you were dealing with during these three nights?”. I said: “No”. He said: “That man is a demon”. (Reported by Al Bukhari)
SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection
MAPH: May Allah be pleased with him
Riyad as-Salihin (Les Jardins des vertueux)
de l’Imam Mohieddine Annawawi 631 – 676
Translation and commentary Dr Salaheddine Keshrid (Tunisia)
Publisher: Dar Al-Gharb Al-Islami
Hadith : Chapitre 108, Numéro 1018, Page 326