Stories from Early Islam — Page 143
Feeding a Large Company Abu Hurairah was a Companion of the Holy Prophet saw, who, like several others, spent most of his time inside the mosque. They were known as As’haab-us-Suffah [the People of the Lounge]. They subsisted mostly on the charity of those who could spare some necessities of life for them. Their princi- pal aim was to spend their time in the company of the Holy Prophet saw, to listen to him, to observe his dealings with people and to convey this knowl edge to others. As they hardly earned anything for their livelihood, they had often to go hungry for long periods. Abu Hurairah’s real name was Umair, but as he kept a cat and loved it very much, he became known by the name ‘Abu Hurairah’, meaning ‘Father of cats’. On one occasion he had nothing to eat for three days. The Holy Prophet saw happened to observe him and noticing his condition, inquired whether he was hungry. Abu Hurairah replied, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah’. At that time there was no food in the Prophet’s saw house, but a cup of milk was just brought for the Holy Prophet saw by somebody. The Prophet saw asked Abu Hurairah to go and call his brethren of the lounge. Abu Hurairah was apprehensive that if all the other hungry ones were invited to share the milk with him, little of it would