Musnad Ahmad

Imran bin Husain Dabi says that once he came to Basra, at that time the governor there was Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas. There, a man was standing in the shade of the palace, repeatedly saying, "Allah and His Messenger have spoken the truth." He would not say anything beyond this. I went near him and asked, "You have said so many times that Allah and His Messenger have spoken the truth." He replied, "If you wish, I can tell you." I said, "Certainly." He said, "Then sit down." He said, "Once I was present in the service of the Prophet (peace be upon him) at such and such a time, while you were in Madinah Munawwarah. At that time, a child of two chiefs of our tribe came out and presented himself before the Prophet (peace be upon him). Both of them said to me, 'There is a child of ours who has gone to meet that man, the Prophet (peace be upon him). Go to that man and request him to return our child. If he does not agree without ransom, then give the ransom as well.' So I reached Madinah Munawwarah and presented myself before the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said, 'O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), the two chiefs of the tribe have sent me saying that the child of theirs who has come to you, I should request you to let me take him back with me.' The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked, 'Do you know this child?' I replied, 'I know his lineage.' The Prophet (peace be upon him) called the boy, and when he came, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'This is the child; you may take him to his parents.' I submitted in the court of Prophethood, 'O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), some ransom?' The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'It is not appropriate for the family of Muhammad to eat the price of the children of Ismail.' Then he struck his hand on my shoulder and said, 'I fear for myself from the Quraysh.' I asked, 'O Messenger of Allah! What do you mean?' The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'If your life is prolonged, you will see them here and you will find common people among them, just as sheep are between two ponds, sometimes going here and sometimes there.' So I am seeing that some people are seeking permission to meet Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him). These are the same people whom I saw that year seeking permission to meet Sayyiduna Muawiyah. At that time, I remembered this saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him)."