Fath al-Rabbani

It is narrated from Sayyida Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her) that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) set out towards Busra for trade. Sayyiduna Nu’aiman and Sayyiduna Suwaybit (may Allah be pleased with them both) were also with him; both were participants of Badr. The provisions for the journey were with Sayyiduna Suwaybit (may Allah be pleased with him). Sayyiduna Nu’aiman (may Allah be pleased with him) came to him and said: Feed me. He replied: No, not until Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) returns. Sayyiduna Nu’aiman was a man who used to make people laugh a lot and was fond of joking. So he said: I will certainly, certainly make you angry. Then he went to some people who were passing by with their mounts and said to them: Buy from me a clever and active Arab slave. However, he is sharp-tongued; it is possible that he will say that he is a free man. If you are going to let him go because of this statement, then leave the deal altogether and do not spoil my slave for me. They said: No, rather we will buy him from you for ten she-camels. So Sayyiduna Nu’aiman (may Allah be pleased with him) brought his companion, dragged him, and tied him up in front of the people and said to them: Here he is, this is the slave. So the people came and said to him: We have bought you. Sayyiduna Suwaybit (may Allah be pleased with him) said: He is lying, I am a free man. They said: He has already told us everything about you. Then they put a rope around his neck and took him away. Meanwhile, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) arrived and was informed of the incident. So he and his companions went, returned their she-camels, and took him back. The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the Companions laughed at this incident for a whole year.