It is narrated from Hazrat Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived in Madinah Munawwarah, I was nine years old. Umm Sulaim (may Allah be pleased with her) brought me to the service of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said, "O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)! This is my son, please accept him for your service." I served the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) for nine years. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) never said to me, "Why did you do such-and-such a thing?" nor did he say, "Why did you not do such-and-such a thing?" Once, I was playing with children, and during that time the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came and greeted us with salam. Then he took my hand and sent me for some task. When I returned, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Do not tell anyone about this." Meanwhile, I was delayed in reaching home, so when I returned home, Umm Sulaim (may Allah be pleased with her), my mother, said, "Why did you take so long?" I told her that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had sent me for some task. She asked, "What was the task?" I said, "The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade me from telling anyone." She said, "Then protect the secret of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)."