How can the Prophet's saying, "This slave is for sale," about Zahir ibn Haram, be understood, given that lying is forbidden and he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, speaks nothing but the truth?

Imam Ahmad and others narrated a Hadith from Anas, that a Bedouin man named Zahir used to give gifts to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and the Prophet loved him despite his unattractive appearance. On one occasion, the Prophet embraced him from behind while he was selling his goods and said: "Who will buy this slave?" Zahir replied: "O Messenger of Allah, then by Allah, you will find me unmarketable." The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "But with Allah, you are not unmarketable," or he said: "But with Allah, you are precious." This Hadith is authentic, and its narrators are trustworthy according to the conditions of the two Sahih collections.

The Prophet's statement, peace and blessings be upon him: "Who will buy this slave?" is true and contains no falsehood; it is a form of double entendre and interpretation. The word "slave" here does not only mean a bondman, but is applied to every human being because he is a slave to Allah the Almighty, and Allah has described prophets and believers with it. As for the phrase "Who will buy?", it is a question not intended for actual sale, and it is not a lie; for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, meant that Zahir was a slave of Allah, or it was said as a joke. Meanings and intentions in sayings are the criteria, and deeds are judged by intentions.