The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, asked them about their needs, so that he could fulfill them

“Among the things that the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to say to his servants was: ‘Do you have any needs?’ One day, I said: ‘I have a need.’ The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said back: ‘And what is your need?’ I said: ‘My need is that I need you to intercede on my behalf on the Day of Resurrection.’ The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘Who pointed you to this?’ I said: ‘My Lord.’ So he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘So help me achieve that by praying often.’”