Muḥammad ibn Maḥbūb narrated to us, Ḥammād ibn Zayd narrated to us, from Ayyūb, from Muḥammad,

from Abū Hurayrah (may Allāh be content with him), who said: Ibrāhīm (upon whom be peace) did not tell an untruth except three times. Two of them were for the sake of Allāh, the Mighty and Majestic: His saying: {Indeed, I am ill}, and his saying: {Rather, this one — the largest of them — did it.} He said: While he was one day traveling with Sārah, they passed by a tyrant from among the tyrants. It was said to him, “There is a man here with a woman who is among the most beautiful of people.” So he sent for him and asked him about her. He said, “Who is this?” He replied, “She is my sister.” Then he went to Sārah and said, “O Sārah, there is no believer on the face of the earth except me and you. This man asked me about you, and I told him that you are my sister, so do not contradict me.” So he sent for her. When she entered upon him, he went to take hold of her with his hand, but he was seized (by paralysis). He said, “Supplicate to Allāh for me, and I will not harm you.” So, she supplicated to Allāh, and he was released. Then he tried to take hold of her a second time, and he was seized in a similar or even more severe manner. He said, “Supplicate to Allāh for me, and I will not harm you.” So, she supplicated, and he was released. He then called one of his attendants and said, “You have not brought me a human being; you have brought me a devil!” So, he gave her Sayyidah Hājar as a servant. She returned to him (Ibrāhīm - upon whom be peace) while he was standing in prayer. He gestured with his hand, as if asking what happened. She said, “Allāh repelled the plot of the disbeliever — or the wicked one — back onto his own neck, and he gave me Sayyidah Hājar as a servant.” Abū Hurayrah said: “That is your mother, O children of the water of the sky (i.e. Descendants of the Prophet Ismā’īl).”