Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah

Sayyiduna Abu Mas’ud Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) says that an Ansari man, who was called Abu Shu’aib, had a slave who was a butcher. He said to his slave: “Prepare food, I am going to invite the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) along with five men.” He invited the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) along with five people. (When the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, set out,) a man started following them. The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “You have invited us five people, this man is following us. If you wish, you may give him permission, and if you do not wish, let him stay.” He said: “Why not, I will give him (permission to eat the food).”

The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "A man kept following us; when you invited us, he was not present. Now, if you permit him, he may come inside." This hadith is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Mas'ud Badri and Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them both). These are the words of Abu Mas'ud Badri's narration. (The complete narration is as follows): It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Mas'ud Badri (may Allah be pleased with him) that a man, who was called Abu Shu'aib, came to his butcher slave and ordered him to prepare food for five people, because he had perceived from the face of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that he was hungry. He prepared the food, then he invited the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his companions. When the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stood up, a man started following him, who was not present at the time the invitation was given. When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) reached the door of the (host's) house, he said to the householder: ... " He said: I permit him, let him come inside."