شمائل المحمدية / شمائل ترمزی · Hadith 226

Anas ibn Malik radiyallahu anhu reports, “A resident of the wilderness whose name was Zaahir (ibn Hiraam Al-Ashja’ee), whenever he visited Rasooluallah sallallahu alaihe wasallam he brought with him presents of the wilderness, vegetables etc., and presented it to Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam. When he intended to leave Madinah, Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam used to present him with provisions of the city. Once Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam said, ‘Zaahir is our wilderness, and we are his city.’ Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam was attached to him. Zaahir radiyallahu anhu was not very handsome. Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam once approached him while he was selling his merchandise. Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam caught him in between the arms from the back in such a manner that he (Sayyidina Zaahir radiyallahu anhu) could not see him. Zaahir radiyallahu anhu said, ‘Who is this?, leave me.’ But when he saw with the corner of his eye that it was Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam, he straightened his back and began pressing it to the chest of Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam (For as long as he gained this opportunity it was better than a thousand gifts). Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam then said, ‘Who will purchase this slave?’ Zaahir radiyallahu anhu replied, ‘O’ Rasool of Allah, if you shall sell me, you will be selling a defective thing, and will earn a very little sum.’ Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam said, ‘No, you are not defective in the sight of Allah, but very valuable.”