It was the market of Madinah, the intensity of the heat was so much that people were getting exhausted. A merchant was standing worried with a slave with him. The slave, who was still just a child, was also standing in the sun drenched in sweat. All the goods of the merchant had been sold at good prices, only this slave was left whom no one was showing any interest in buying. The merchant was thinking that by buying this slave perhaps he had made a deal of loss. He had thought that he would get a good profit, however here even getting the original cost was becoming difficult. He had decided that now if this slave sold even at just the purchase price, he would sell him immediately.
A girl of Madinah caught sight of that slave, so she asked the merchant for how much will you sell this slave?
The merchant said that I have bought him for this much and I will give him for this much only.
Taking pity on the slave, that girl bought him.
The merchant also thanked God and took the way back.
When Abu Hudhayfah came to Madinah from Makkah, he also came to know the story of that girl. Impressed by the girl's kindness, he sent a marriage proposal for her which was accepted. Thus on return, that girl whose name was Thubaytah bint Ya'ar was with him as his wife, and that slave also reached Makkah with his mistress.
Upon coming to Makkah, Abu Hudhayfah met his old friend Uthman bin Affan, and found him somewhat changed and felt coldness in his behavior. He inquired from his friend, Uthman why this coldness? So Uthman bin Affan replied that I have accepted Islam and you have not become a Muslim yet, so how can our friendship continue now?
Abu Hudhayfah said then take me also to Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and enter me into that Islam which you have accepted.
Therefore Hazrat Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) presented him in the service of the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and he recited the Kalima and entered the fold of Islam. Coming home, he told his wife and the slave about his becoming a Muslim, so both of them also recited the Kalima.
Hazrat Abu Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) said to that slave that since you have also become a Muslim, therefore I cannot keep you as a slave now, hence from my side you are now free. The slave said Master, now in this world I have no one except you both. If you have freed me, then where will I go. Hazrat Abu Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) made that slave his son and kept him with himself only.
The slave started learning the Holy Quran and in just a few days memorized a lot of the Quran. And when he recited the Quran, he recited in a very beautiful tone.
At the time of migration (Hijrah), among the Companions who migrated towards Madinah before the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), along with Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) were Hazrat Abu Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) and this adopted son of his as well. Upon reaching Madinah, when the time came to appoint an Imam for prayer, due to that slave's beautiful recitation and having memorized the most Quran, he was chosen as the Imam. And under his leadership (Imamat), even a magnificent Companion like Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to offer prayer. When the Jews of Madinah saw him leading the prayer, they were astonished that this is the same slave whom no one was ready to buy. Look today how much honor he got that he has become the Imam of the Muslims.
Allah the Almighty had made him so melodious-voiced that when he recited the Quranic verses, a state of absorption would overcome the people and passers-by would stop to listen. Once Ummul Momineen Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was late in presenting herself to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). When he asked the reason for the delay, she said that a reciter (Qari) was reciting, I got late in listening to him, and she praised the melodiousness so much that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) himself came outside holding his cloak. He saw that he was sitting and reciting.
He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) happily said: Praise be to Allah the Almighty that He made a person like you in my Ummah. Do you know who this fortunate Companion was? His name was Hazrat Salim (may Allah be pleased with him). Who was famous by the name of Salim Mawla Abu Hudhayfah (Salim Abu Hudhayfah, may Allah be pleased with him). He drank the cup of martyrdom in the Battle of Mu'tah.
