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Khalid took to visiting
the Prophet frequently. He would listen for hours to the talks of
the Prophet. He would drink at the fountain of wisdom and virtue
that was Muhammad, Messenger of Allah. One day Khalid and Fadhl
bin Abbas (cousin of the Prophet) visited him in the house of his
wife, Maimuna, who was an aunt of Khalid. Just then a Bedouin friend
had sent a cooked dish as a gift to the Prophet, and as was his
custom, the Prophet asked the guests to stay and share his meal.
A cloth was spread on the ground and around it they all sat-the
Prophet, his wife, and the two guests.
As the Prophet extended his hand towards
the dish, Maimuna asked, "O Messenger of Allah, do you know
what this is?"
"No."
"This is roast lizard!"
The Prophet withdrew his hand. "This
meat I shall not eat", he said.
"O Messenger of Allah",
asked Khalid, "is it forbidden?"
"No."
"Can we eat it?"
"Yes, you may do so."
Maimuna also abstained from the food, but
Khalid and Fadhl ate their fill of the dish. Roast lizard was a
favourite among the desert Arabs. Apparently it was a favourite
with Khalid too, for he ate heartily! 1
1. This little-known incident is taken from
Ibn Sad: p. 381.
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