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the intruder and his circumstances, then told him that he had taken
pity on him and let him go.

The Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, informed Abu Hurayrah:
"He lied to you; he will return" and Abu Hurayrah knew that the thief
would indeed return, so that night he kept watch for him. Sure
enough, as soon as everyone was asleep the thief returned and
started to fill his bag yet again. Abu Hurayrah reached out and
grabbed him saying: "I am going to take you to the Messenger of
Allah!" But once again the thief begged him for the sake of his family
not to do so and promised not to return if he let him go.

The following morning the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him,
asked what had happened that night whereupon Abu Hurayrah told
him that the thief had indeed returned as he said he would. He told
him how the thief had pleaded with him not to take him to him on
account of the urgent need of his family and that he had given his
promise never to return if he let him go, so he let him go.