It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), who was bold in asking the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) about matters that no one else would ask about. He said: O Messenger of Allah! What was the very first thing you saw regarding the matter of Prophethood? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sat upright and then said: Abu Hurairah! You have asked, I was in the desert, my age was ten years and a few months, I heard a voice above my head, so it was a man who was saying to another man: Is this the one? The other said: Yes. Then they came before me with their faces; I had never seen such creatures, they were such spirits that I had never seen such spirits before, upon them were such garments that I had never seen garments like them. They walked towards me until each of them took hold of my arm; I did not even feel their touch. Then one said to the other: Lay him down. So they laid me down without any force or compulsion. Then one said to the other: Split open his chest. So one leaned towards my chest and, as I thought, split it open; neither did any blood come out nor did I feel any pain. Then the other angel said: Remove malice and envy. So he took out a clot of blood and threw it away. Then he said: Place compassion and mercy in his heart. The thing they placed was like silver. Then he moved the big toe of my right foot and said: Walk and be safe. So I returned with both of them in such a state that I was gentle to the small and merciful to the great.