Home Hadith Hadith 4361
During the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), some men among the hypocrites used to remain behind him
(i.e. did not accompany him) when he went out for a Ghazwa and they would be pleased to stay at
home behind Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) returned (from the battle) they would put forward
(false) excuses and take oaths, wishing to be praised for what they had not done. So there was
revealed:--
"Think not that those who rejoice in what they have done, and love to be praised for what they have
not done.." (3.188)
Sahih al-Bukhari Book 65, Hadith 89
← Previous Hadith
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) rode a donkey, equipped with a thick cloth-covering made in Fadak and was riding
behind him. He was going to pay visit to Sa`d bin Ubada in Banu Al-Harith bin Al-Khazraj; and this
incident happened before the battle of Badr. The Prophet (ﷺ) passed by a gathering in which `Abdullah
bin Ubai bin Salul was present, and that was before `Abdullah bin Ubai embraced Islam. Behold in
that gathering there were people of different religions: there were Muslims, pagans, idol-worshippers
and Jews, and in that gathering `Abdullah bin Rawaha was also present. When a cloud of dust raised
by the donkey reached that gathering, `Abdullah bin Ubai covered his nose with his garment and then
said, "Do not cover us with dust." Then Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) greeted them and stopped and dismounted and
invited them to Allah (i.e. to embrace Islam) and recited to them the Holy Quran. On that, `Abdullah
bin Ubai bin Saluil said, "O man ! There is nothing better than that what you say. If it is the truth, then
do not trouble us with it in our gatherings. Return to your mount (or residence) and if somebody
comes to you, relate (your tales) to him." On that `Abdullah bin Rawaha said, "Yes, O Allah's
Apostle! Bring it (i.e. what you want to say) to us in our gathering, for we love that."
So the Muslims, the pagans and the Jews started abusing one another till they were on the point of
fighting with one another. The Prophet (ﷺ) kept on quietening them till they became quiet, whereupon the
Prophet rode his animal (mount) and proceeded till he entered upon Sa`d bin Ubada. The Prophet (ﷺ) said
to Sa`d, "Did you not hear what 'Abu Hub-b said?" He meant `Abdullah bin Ubai. "He said so-andso."
On that Sa`d bin Ubada said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Excuse and forgive him, for by Him Who
revealed the Book to you, Allah brought the Truth which was sent to you at the time when the people
of this town (i.e. Medina) had decided unanimously to crown him and tie a turban on his head
(electing him as chief). But when Allah opposed that (decision) through the Truth which Allah gave to
you, he (i.e. `Abdullah bin Ubai) was grieved with jealously. and that caused him to do what you have
seen." So Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) excused him, for the Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions used to forgive the pagans
and the people of Scripture as Allah had ordered them, and they used to put up with their mischief
with patience. Allah said: "And you shall certainly hear much that will grieve you from those who
received the Scripture before you and from the pagans........'(3.186) And Allah also said:--"Many of
the people of the Scripture wish if they could turn you away as disbelievers after you have believed,
from selfish envy.." (2.109)
So the Prophet (ﷺ) used to stick to the principle of forgiveness for them as long as Allah ordered him to do
so till Allah permitted fighting them. So when Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) fought the battle of Badr and Allah
killed the nobles of Quraish infidels through him, Ibn Ubai bin Salul and the pagans and idolaters who
were with him, said, "This matter (i.e. Islam) has appeared (i.e. became victorious)." So they gave the
pledge of allegiance (for embracing Islam) to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and became Muslims.
Next Hadith →
Marwan said to his gatekeeper, "Go to Ibn `Abbas, O Rafi`, and say, 'If everybody who rejoices in
what he has done, and likes to be praised for what he has not done, will be punished, then all of us will
be punished." Ibn `Abbas said, "What connection have you with this case? It was only that the Prophet (ﷺ)
called the Jews and asked them about something, and they hid the truth and told him something else,
and showed him that they deserved praise for the favor of telling him the answer to his question, and
they became happy with what they had concealed.
Then Ibn `Abbas recited:--
"(And remember) when Allah took a Covenant from those who were given the Scripture..and those
who rejoice in what they have done and love to be praised for what they have not done.' " (3.187-188)