Imam Sadiq (A.S) reports: Ali ibn Abi-Talib (A.S) was tasked by the Holy Prophet to go to the market and purchase a shirt. He went to the market and purchased a shirt for twelve dirhams. The Holy Prophet asked, “How much did you pay for it?”
“Twelve dirhams”, said Imam Ali (A.S).
“I do not like it so much! I would like to have a less expensive one. Is the seller ready to take it back, if so, please return it?” Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) said to him “I do not know, Allah’s Messenger,” replied Imam Ali (A.S).
“Go and see whether he agrees to take it back or not,” asked the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P).
Ali took the shirt along with him and returned to the market to ask the seller, “The Holy Prophet wants a shirt which is less expensive in price than this. Are you ready to pay back our money and take back the shirt?”
The seller accepted it; Ali took the money and returned to the Holy Prophet. Then they both went towards the market. On the way, the Holy Prophet saw a slave-girl crying.
“Why are you crying?” he asked.
“My master gave me four dirhams and sent me to the market for shopping. I do not know how I lost the money. At present, I am scared to go back home.”
The Holy Prophet gave her four dirhams from those twelve dirhams and said, “Buy what you want and go back home!” Then, he went to the market, purchased a shirt for four dirhams and put it on.
On his return, he saw a naked man; he immediately took off his shirt and gave it to him. He returned to the market and purchased another shirt for four dirhams. He put it on and took to the way towards his house. On the way, he saw the same slave-girl sitting, puzzled, embarrassed and perplexed.
“Why didn’t you go back home?” he asked.
“O Allah’s Messenger, it is too late. I am afraid they might beat me, for I have been slightly delayed.”
“Let us go together. Show me the way to your house! I will intercede for you with them so that they may not bother you.”
The Holy Prophet accompanied the slave-girl. As they reached the house, the girl said, “This is the house.”
The Holy Prophet said in a high voice from behind the door, “O people of the house, peace be upon you.” He did not get any reply. Thus he said again, yet there was no reply. For the third time, he saluted, and they replied, “O Allah’s Messenger, peace and Allah’s mercy and blessings be upon you.”
“Why did you not reply for the first time, didn't you hear my voice?”
“Of course, yes! We heard your voice the first time and came to know that it was you!”
“Then what was the reason for your delay?”
“O Allah’s Messenger! We love to hear your voice again and again. Your salaam is peace, blessing and grace for our house.”
“This slave-girl of yours was delayed. I came here to ask you not to pester her.”
“O Allah’s Messenger! Because of your gracious visit, this slave-girl is free from now on.”
The Holy Prophet said, “Thanks to Allah, how blessed these twelve Dirhams were; which became the dress of two naked persons and a slave-girl got her freedom.”
(Al-Khisal: 271/1, H. 13)
