Lu'lu' wal-Marjan

Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that it was the habit of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that whenever he passed by the house of Umm Sulaym, he would go to her and greet her (she was his foster maternal aunt). Then Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that once it happened that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was a groom; he had married Sayyidah Zaynab (may Allah be pleased with her). So Umm Sulaym (my mother) said to me, "At this time, it would be good if we send a gift to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)." I said, "That is appropriate." She mixed dates, ghee, and cheese together and made a sweet dish in a pot, and sent it to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) by my hand. I took it to him. When I arrived, he said, "Put it down and go call such-and-such people." He mentioned their names, "and whoever you meet on the way, invite him as well." Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I went to invite people as you commanded. When I returned, what did I see? The whole house was full of people. I saw that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) had placed both his hands on that sweet dish and said whatever Allah willed (he supplicated for blessing). Then he began to invite ten people at a time to eat. He would say to them, 'Take the name of Allah and let each person eat from what is in front of him (do not reach into the middle of the dish).' This continued until everyone had eaten and left the house. Three men remained inside, talking, and I was distressed by their not leaving (thinking that it might trouble the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him). Eventually, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) went to the chambers of his other wives. I followed behind him. Then on the way, I told you that those three men had also left. At that time, you returned and (came to the chamber of Sayyidah Zaynab). I was also in the chamber, but you placed a curtain between me and yourself. You were reciting this verse from Surah Al-Ahzab: 'O believers! Do not enter the houses of the Prophet unless permission is given to you for a meal, and do not wait for its preparation. But when you are invited, then enter; and when you have eaten, then disperse, and do not linger for conversation. Indeed, that would cause annoyance to the Prophet, and he would be shy of (asking) you to leave, but Allah is not shy of (telling) the truth.' Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I served the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) continuously for ten years."