Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was once returning to Madina
from a journey. On the way he met a trader on his way to sell a
horse in the market of Madina.
The Prophet (pbuh) approached him, and after greeting him
expressed a desire to buy the horse. A deal was struck and the
Prophet (pbuh) had agreed to pay for the horse in Madina.
When they reached Madina, the trader was offered a higher
price for the horse and he denied all knowledge of any deal
with the Prophet (pbuh)
He asked the Prophet (pbuh) to bring witnesses to the deal if
he was truthful.
By this time a large crowd of Muslims had gathered around
and the Prophet (pbuh) asked each one individually if they
would bear witness that he had struck a deal with the trader
to buy the horse. All those standing around refused saying,
“Ya Rasulallah! But we were not there and did not see or hear
the deal. How can we lie?”
Seeing the commotion, a companion of the Prophet (pbuh)
called Khuzayma ibn Thabit e Ansari (Imam Ali (pbuh) praises
him in one of his sermons saying if those like him were alive
then no one would have taken his right away) came to the
scene. He asked the reason for the commotion and the
Prophet (pbuh) explained the issue.
Immediately Khuzayma said, “I bear witness that the horse
belongs to you, Ya Rasulallah”
The others protested, “Ya Rasulallah! But he was not there.
How can he be a witness?”
The Prophet (pbuh) asked them to ask Khuzayma.
He replied, “Ya Rasulallah! You asked for being a witness to
one horse! I have sold my soul to you. I believed in Allah, the
Qur’an, your Prophethood, Qiyama…on your word. How can I
not believe this. Ya Rasulallah? I would deny what my eyes
saw if you said to the contrary!”
Excellent Stories Vol 1