The Conversation at the House of Abū Ayyūb

There is a story that belongs here, coming from two sources: a hadith of Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him), and one of Muʿādh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him), the latter recorded in Shajarat al-Kawn, the book of Muḥyī al-Dīn ibn ʿArabī. The story goes as follows.

A gathering was assembled one day at the home of one of the Anṣār around the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) — according to Anas ibn Mālik, the house of Abū Ayyūb al-Anṣārī (may Allah be pleased with him). In the middle of a wonderful discourse, an ugly voice was heard from outside: "O you within — O Messenger of Allah, would you permit me to enter? I have business with you." All those present looked to the Messenger of Allah, for it is proper manner to look to the one in authority, to the foremost scholar present, rather than rushing to open the door oneself. He asked those present whether they recognised the owner of that voice. His companions answered that Allah and His Messenger knew best — for they had heard all manner of remarkable things and had no way to be sure. Unlike the occasion when Jibrīl came in the form of a man called al-Ḥārith and asked what is Islam, what is faith, what is excellence, this voice belonged to Shayṭān, cursed be he. On hearing this, ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him), who was present, rose, drew his sword, and asked permission to strike off his head, to free the people from his trouble once and for all. The Messenger of Allah replied: no, ʿUmar — do you not know that you cannot kill him? He has been granted permission to exist until the Day of Resurrection. Open the door, he said, and let him in, for he did not come of his own accord but by Allah's command; there is always an underlying reason for such things, or he would not have come at all.