Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 23362 — Gifts given to a governor or judge

It is narrated from Shaqiq that Sayyiduna Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) brought slaves from Yemen during the caliphate of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him). Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him: Hand these slaves over to Abu Bakr. Sayyiduna Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Why should I hand my slaves over to him? Then Sayyiduna Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) went to his home and did not take the slaves to Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him). He spent the night, and when the next morning came, he handed the slaves over to Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked him: What became clear to you, that you did this? Sayyiduna Mu'adh said: I saw myself in a dream: a fire was near me and I was being pushed into it. Then you seized me by the waist of my garment and saved me from falling into the fire. I think that all of this is because of these slaves. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: All of these slaves are yours. Then, when Sayyiduna Mu'adh came home, he stood up to pray and saw that the slaves were praying behind him as well. Sayyiduna Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) asked: For whom are you praying? They said: For Allah. Sayyiduna Mu'adh said: Go, you are free for the sake of Allah.