English translation
4566. Narrated Usāma bin Zaid رضي الله عنه: Allāh's Messenger ﷺ rode a donkey, equipped with Qatifa Fadakiya (a thick cloth-covering made in Fadak) and I was riding behind him. He was going to pay a visit to Sa'd bin 'Ubāda in Banū Al-Ĥārith bin Al-Khazraj; and this incident happened before the battle of Badr. The Prophet ﷺ passed by a gathering in which 'Abdullāh bin Ubayy bin Salūl was present, and that was before 'Abdullāh bin Ubayy embraced Islām. Behold, in that gathering there were mix-up people of different religions: there were Muslims, Mushrikūn, idol-worshippers, and Jews, and in that gathering 'Abdullāh bin Rawāḥa was also present. When a cloud of dust raised by the donkey reached that gathering, 'Abdullāh bin Ubayy covered his nose with his garment and then said, "Do not cover us with dust." Then Allāh's Messenger ﷺ greeted them and stopped and dismounted and invited them to Allāh (i.e., to embrace Islām) and recited to them the Noble Qur'ān. On that, 'Abdullāh bin Ubayy bin Salūl 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 'Abdullāh bin Rawāḥa said, "Yes, O Allāh's Messenger! Bring it (i.e., what you [١٨٦] want to say) to us in our gatherings, for we love that.” So, the Muslims, Al-Mushrikūn 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 ﷺ rode his animal (mount) and proceeded till he entered upon Sa’d bin ‘Ubāda. The Prophet ﷺ said to Sa’d, “Did you not hear what ‘Abū Ḥubāb said?” He meant ‘Abdullāh bin Ubayy. “He said so-and-so.” On that Sa’d bin ‘Ubāda said, “O Allāh’s Messenger! Excuse and forgive him, for by Him Who revealed the Book to you, Allāh brought the Truth which was sent to you at the time when the people of this town (i.e., Al-Madina) had decided unanimously to crown him and tie a turban on his head (electing him as chief). But when Allāh opposed that (decision) through the Truth which Allāh gave to you, he (i.e., ‘Abdullāh bin Ubayy) was grieved with jealousy, and that caused him to do what you have seen.” So, Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ excused him, for the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions used to forgive Al-Mushrikūn and the people of Scripture as Allāh had ordered them, and they used to put up with their mischief with patience. Allāh تعالى said : “...And you shall certainly hear much that will grieve you from those who received the Scripture before you (Jews and Christians) and from those who ascribe partners to Allāh...” (V.3 :186) And Allāh also said : “Many of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) wish that if they could turn you away as disbelievers after you have believed, out of envy from their own selves...” (V.2 :109) So, the Prophet ﷺ used to stick to the principle of forgiveness for them as long as Allāh ordered him to do so till Allāh permitted fighting them. So, when Allāh's Messenger ﷺ fought the battle of Badr, and Allāh killed the nobles of Quraish infidels through him, Ibn Ubayy bin Salūl and Al-Mushrikūn and idolaters who were with him, said, "This matter (i.e., Islām) has appeared (i.e., became victorious)." So they gave the Bai'a (pledge) (for embracing Islām) to Allāh's Messenger ﷺ and became Muslims.