Narrated from Sayyiduna Qais bin Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him), he says: The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came to us, we placed water for his bath, he (peace and blessings be upon him) bathed, then we brought a yellowish-reddish sheet and he (peace and blessings be upon him) wrapped it around his body, as if even now I am seeing the marks of the wars herb on the folds of his (peace and blessings be upon him) stomach, then we brought a donkey to him (peace and blessings be upon him) for riding, but he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: The owner of the donkey has more right to ride on its front part. He said: O Messenger of Allah! This donkey is only for you.
Hadith Takhrij«اسناده ضعيف، ابن ابي ليلي ضعيف سييء الحفظ، ومحمد بن شرحبيل مجھول، أخرجه ابن ماجه: 466، 3604 ، (انظر مسند أحمد ترقيم الرسالة: 23844 ترقیم بيت الأفكار الدولية: 24345»
Brief Explanation
Benefits: … The following hadith is authentic. It is narrated from Sayyiduna Buraidah radi Allahu anhu, who says: “While the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was walking, a man came with a donkey. He said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Ride (on it),’ and the man himself moved back. The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: ‘No, you have more right to the front part of your mount than me, unless you make it for me.’ He said: ‘Indeed, I have made it for you.’ So he (the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) rode (on it).” … The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was walking on foot when a man came, and he had a donkey with him. He said: “O Messenger of Allah! Please ride,” and then he himself moved back. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “No, you are more deserving of sitting on the front part of your animal than me, unless you dedicate it to me.” He said: “Yes, I have dedicated this part to you,” so the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam mounted it.
(Abu Dawud: 2208, Tirmidhi: 2773)
On one hand, the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam demonstrated humility and excellent character; on the other hand, his companion radi Allahu anhu fulfilled the right of honoring him sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.