STORY — A Plot Of Shaitan

In the morning, Nabi ﷺ enquired from me, “What did your prisoner do yesterday?”

I replied, “O Nabi of Allah, the person complained of poverty and of having many dependants, so, I pitied him and released him.”

Nabi ﷺ said, “Indeed, he spoke a lie, but he will return.”

I believed that he would return as Nabi ﷺ had predicted, and waited for him watchfully. Upon his return, he began taking handfuls of foodstuff. I caught hold of him again, and said, “I will definitely take you to Nabi ﷺ.”

He pleaded, “Leave me, for I am very needy and have many dependants. I promise I will not come back again.” I pitied him and let him go.

In the morning Nabi ﷺ asked me, ” What did your prisoner do?”

I replied, “O Nabi of Allah ﷺ, he complained of his dire need and of many dependants, so I took pity on him and set him free.”

Nabi ﷺ said, “Indeed, he spoke a lie, but he will return.”

I waited for him watchfully for the third time. He arrived and again began stealing handfuls of foodstuff. I caught hold of him and warned, “I will surely take you to Nabi ﷺ as it is the third time you promised not to return, yet you consistently break your promise each time and return.”

He responded, “Leave me alone and I will teach you some words through which Allah will benefit you.”

I asked, “What are they?”

He replied, “Whenever you go to bed, recite Ayatul-Kursi, until you complete the full verse. If you do so, Allah will appoint a guard over you for your protection and Shaitan will not approach you till the morning.” I then released him.

In the morning, Nabi ﷺ asked me, “What did your prisoner do?”

I replied, “He claimed that he would teach me some words through which Allah will benefit me, so I let him go.”

Nabi ﷺ asked, “What are they?”

I explained what Shaitan had advised me.

Nabi ﷺ said, “He spoke the truth, although he is a grave liar. Do you know who you were talking to for the past three nights, O Abu Hurairah?”

I replied, “No.”

Nabi ﷺ said, “That was Shaitan.”