Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Said that al-Qasimibn Muhammad said, "One of my wives died and Muhammad ibn Kab alQuradhi came to console me about her. He told me of one among the BaniIsrail who was a diligent, worshipping, knowing and understanding manwho had a wife that he admired and loved, and she died. He grievedover her intensely and lamented her until he withdrew into a house andlocked himself in, hidden from everyone, and no-one visited him. Awoman heard about him and went to him, saying, 'I need him to give mean opinion. Nothing will satisfy me except what he says about it.'Everyone went away, but she stuck to his door and said, 'I must seehim.' Someone said to him, 'There is a woman who wishes to ask youropinion about something,' and she insisted, 'I will only talk to himabout it.' When everyone had gone away, and she still had not lefthis door, he said, 'Let her in.' So she went in and saw him and said,'I have come to ask your opinion about something.' He said, 'What isit?' She said, 'I borrowed a piece of jewellery from a neighbour ofmine, and I have worn it and used it for a long time. Then they sentto me for it. Should I let them have it back?' He said, 'Yes, byAllah.' She said, 'I have had it for a long time.' He said, 'It ismore correct for you to return it to them, since they have lent it toyou for such a long time.' She said, 'Yes. May Allah have mercy onyou. Do you then grieve over what Allah has lent you and then takenfrom you, when He has a greater right to it than you?' Then he sawthe situation he was in, and Allah helped him by her words."
USC-MSA web (English) reference: Book 16, Hadith 43
Arabic reference: Book 16, Hadith 565