On remembering that I had forgotten to convey the salaams, I said to my travelling companions, “Please take care of my camel for I have to return to Madinah Munawwarah as I have forgotten to attend to something there.” They replied, “It is now time for the caravan to move on. If you return to Madinah Munawwarah, you will never catch up with us before we reach Makkah Mukarramah.”

Nevertheless, when I returned to Madinah Munawwarah and conveyed my friend’s salaam to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and his two companions (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma), night was already falling. After conveying the salaam, when I came out of the musjid, I met a person who had returned from Zul Hulaifah. This person informed me that my traveling companions had departed from Zul Hulaifah and were already on the way to Makkah Mukarramah. I thus went back to the musjid, hoping that I would be able join some other people traveling to Makkah Mukarramah.

Later on in the night, I fell asleep. I then had a dream in which I saw Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and his two companions (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma). Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said, “O Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! This is the person.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) turned in my direction and addressed me saying, “O Abul Wafaa!” I replied, “O Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! My name is Abul ‘Abbaas!” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “No, your name is Abul Wafaa.” (i.e. the one who fulfils his promise).

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then took me by my hand and placed me right into the Musjid-ul-Haraam in Makkah Mukarramah. On awakening, I found that I was indeed in Makkah Mukarramah. I then remained there for eight full days before my travelling companions arrived.

(Fazaa’il-e-Madinah)