polytheist replied, ‘You have four days left; if you do not pay back your loan in this time, I will make you into a slave and have you herding goats, as you would do so before.’

Upon this, I became concerned. By the time I had prayed Isha Salah, the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم had returned to his blessed chambers. I sought permission, and presented myself in his noble court. I requested humbly, ‘O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! May my mother and father be sacrificed upon you! The polytheist from whom I take loans has said such-and-such to me; you do not have anything to repay his loan nor do I possess anything, and he will dishonour me again. I seek your permission to go to those who have become Muslim, until such a time that Allah Almighty bestows His Beloved Messenger صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم with so much wealth with which I can repay my loan.’ After saying this, I left his blessed home.

In the morning, as I left the home, a person came running towards me, exclaiming: ‘O Bilal! The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is calling you!’ I immediately went there, and what I saw there was that there are four camels loaded with goods. I sought permission to enter, to which the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘Congratulations! Allah Almighty has made arrangements for you to repay your loan.’ He then asked, ‘Did you see the four camels?’ I replied in the affirmative. He then said, ‘They were sent by the governor of Fadak. Keep the grains and clothes that they carry, and repay your loan with them.’

Acting upon this order, I repaid the loan then entered the Masjid and presented my Salaam to the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. He asked me, ‘What benefit did you receive from that money?’ I replied, ‘Allah Almighty has allowed me to repay the loan which was upon His Messenger.’ Then, the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم asked, ‘Is there anything left from that money?’ I replied in the affirmative. Upon this,