(The Life of Ummu Sulaim [radhiyallahu ‘anha] #4)
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) once came to Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) while he was playing with some youngsters. On arriving, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) greeted them with salaam and sent Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) on an errand.
On account of the errand, Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was delayed in returning to his mother. When he eventually returned home, his mother asked, “What delayed you?” Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) sent me on an errand.”
Ummu Sulaim (radhiyallahu ‘anha) asked, “What was his errand?” To this question, Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) answered, “It is a secret.” Hearing this, Ummu Sulaim (radhiyallahu ‘anha) instantly said, “Never divulge the secret of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to anyone.”
Years later, when narrating this incident to his close student, Thaabit Bunaani (rahimahullah), Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said, “By Allah! If I had to reveal this secret to anyone, it would have been you.”
(Saheeh Muslim #6378)
Lesson:
Ummu Sulaim (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was particular regarding instilling values in her son and correctly moulding his mindset. Hence, when he guarded the secret of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), she was extremely happy and reminded him to never divulge it to anyone.
As a result, when Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was narrating this incident to his student, Thaabit (rahimahullah), then even though it was many years later and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had already left this world, he still did not divulge the secret of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to his student.