When Anas was ten years old, his mother Hazrat Umme Sulaim (ra) dedicated him to the service of the Holy Prophet (sas). She said, ‘O Messenger of Allah (sas)! Every man and woman from the Ansaar has given you a gift except me. I have only this child to offer. I will be extremely delighted if you accept him.’ The Holy Prophet (sas) graciously took in Anas, who got a chance to serve the Prophet (sas) for the next ten years.
In the Holy Prophet’s (sas) company, Anas learned the following pieces of advice:
O my son! Be my confidant and you will become a true believer.
If possible, always try to be in the state of ablution, for if the angel of death captures a soul in the state of ablution, he will serve as a witness in favour of that soul.
Son! If possible, always remain in a state of prayers for if you are engrossed in prayers, the angels will pray for you.
Whenever you leave home, do not stare at people (without reason) unless you have to say salaam [the greeting of peace] to them. If you return home in this condition, your virtue will increase and bring more grace to your family.
If you are completely obedient to me then there won’t be anything more beloved to you than death.1
1 Al-‘Ilalul-Mutanaahiyah fil-Ahaadeethil-Waahiyah by al-Imam Abil-Farj Abdir-Rahmaan ibnil-Jauzee, part 1, pp. 351–352. Hadith fi Istidaamatil-wuzoo’i, Daarul-Kutubil-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2003.