The Eleventh Narration: On the day of the Battle of Khaybar the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “Tomorrow I will give the flag to somebody who will be granted victory, he loves Allah and His Messenger, and Allah and His Messenger love him…..

The Tenth Narration: Allah’s Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam set out for Tabuk appointing ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu s his deputy (in Madinah)…..
February 19, 2019
The Twelfth Narration: ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu gathered the people in the public square and said, “I entreat in the name of Allah every person who heard Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam saying what he said on the day of Ghadir Khum.”…..
February 19, 2019
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The Eleventh Narration

عن سهل بن سعد رضي الله عنه قال قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يوم خيبر لأعطين الراية غدا رجلا يفتح على يديه يحب الله ورسوله ويحبه الله ورسوله‏ فبات الناس ليلتهم أيهم يعطى فغدوا كلهم يرجوه فقال ‏‏أين علي‏‏.فقيل يشتكي عينيه فبصق في عينيه ودعا له فبرأ كأن لم يكن به وجع فأعطاه فقال أقاتلهم حتى يكونوا مثلنا‏‏ فقال ‏‏انفذ على رسلك حتى تنزل بساحتهم ثم ادعهم إلى الإسلام وأخبرهم بما يجب عليهم فوالله لأن يهدي الله بك رجلا خير لك من أن يكون لك حمر النعم

On the day of the Battle of Khaybar the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “Tomorrow I will give the flag to somebody who will be granted victory, he loves Allah and His Messenger, and Allah and His Messenger love him.

The people spent the night wondering as to who would receive the standard. They awoke in the morning hoping to be that person.

Allah’s Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam asked, “Where is ‘Ali?”

He was told that ‘Ali was suffering from eye-trouble. So the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam applied saliva to his eyes and supplicated for him for him. He was (immediately) cured. It was as if he had no prior ailment. The Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam handed him the flag.

‘Ali said, “Should I fight them till they become like us (i.e. Muslim)?

The Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “Approach them steadily till you enter their lands. Then, invite them to Islam, and inform them about what is incumbent upon them; for, by Allah, if Allah grants (even) one person guidance through you, it is better for you than possessing red camels (i.e. a vast treasure).”[1]

 

Imam al Bukhari and Muslim have recorded this narration.

 

Commentary and Lessons Learnt from this Narration:

  1. This narration spells out great virtue for ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu as the beloved of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and His Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.

 

  1. The Ahlul Bayt ought to be ahead of others in calling people towards Islam.

 

  1. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala assists some of the Ahlul Bayt with divine assistance and guidance that others aren’t privy to.

 

  1. Forbearance and a calm composure should be the hallmark of the Ahlul Bayt. Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam addressed ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu thus, “Approach them steadily…”.

 

  1. The Ahlul Bayt are held to a greater standard of monotheism, sincerity, and worshipping Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala than others.

 

  1. The patience of ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu in the face of adversity whilst in the path of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala is truly inspiring.

 

  1. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala works in strange ways when appointing leaders in the ummah. Those that campaign for themselves aren’t afforded the position whilst those that are capable and shy away are given the position.

 

  1. Calling towards Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala is of the most blessed acts of piety. Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam emphasised this by taking an oath on Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala.

 

  1. Part and parcel of honouring the Ahlul Bayt is supplicating for them, especially when they have taken ill.

 

  1. The permissibility of buying luxurious items such as red camels. The Arabs consider the red camel as the most exclusive of commodities. This permissibility is a blanket one; for the Ahlul Bayt and others.

 

  1. Though ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu is from amongst the select of the Ahlul Bayt, at times some laws of Shari’ah remained unknown to him as well. This can be understood from the question posed to Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam by ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu.

 

  1. This narration refutes the falsities of the Nawasib who hold erroneous beliefs and display hatred to ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu. One guaranteed the love of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and His Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam has attained the loftiest of ranks.

 

  1. Vicious and wild enemies should be counted with fierce, brave, politically aware, and outstanding military tacticians

 

  1. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala loves and is loved. He loves in accordance to his greatness. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:

 

لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ وَهُوَ السَّمِيْعُ الْبَصِيْرُ

There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.[2]

 

Furthermore, this narration indicates to the love the ummah should have and display to the Ahlul Bayt.

 

  1. The clean hearts and conscience of the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum can be understood from this hadith. Though they all wanted this distinction, none were jealous or green eyed that ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu had received it. Rather, they narrated this distinction of his wholeheartedly.

 

  1. Loving Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and His Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam is not complete without loving ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu.

 

  1. Those of the Ahlul Bayt who are afflicted by sickness or difficulty should not make it apparent to all and sundry. They should anticipate reward and hand over their matters to Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, being pleased with his decision. This hadith clearly shows that Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was not aware that ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu was suffering from an ailment of the eye.

 

  1. The Islamic faith is one of mercy. Fighting and waging war was always the last option when all others had been exhausted. Da’wah towards the true religion of Islam was the first approach of the Muslims, then and now. This faith has come to remove humanity from the servitude of mankind to the servitude of the creator of mankind. Plundering, looting, and terrorism was never the way of this ummah. Not against those that bowed to them not against those who refused. This is in contrast to the disbelievers and those who call themselves ‘Muslims’ whilst oppressing and terrorizing the world over.

 

  1. The Ahlul Bayt are to be a mercy to mankind, not a source of difficulty and chastisement.

 

  1. To err is human. Even those who are masters in their fields make mistakes, this though does not result in the stripping of their titles and virtue.

 

 

NEXT⇒  The Twelfth Narration

[1] Sahih al Bukhari, Hadith: 2942; Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2406.

[2] Surah al Shura: 11.

BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents

 

The Eleventh Narration

عن سهل بن سعد رضي الله عنه قال قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يوم خيبر لأعطين الراية غدا رجلا يفتح على يديه يحب الله ورسوله ويحبه الله ورسوله‏ فبات الناس ليلتهم أيهم يعطى فغدوا كلهم يرجوه فقال ‏‏أين علي‏‏.فقيل يشتكي عينيه فبصق في عينيه ودعا له فبرأ كأن لم يكن به وجع فأعطاه فقال أقاتلهم حتى يكونوا مثلنا‏‏ فقال ‏‏انفذ على رسلك حتى تنزل بساحتهم ثم ادعهم إلى الإسلام وأخبرهم بما يجب عليهم فوالله لأن يهدي الله بك رجلا خير لك من أن يكون لك حمر النعم

On the day of the Battle of Khaybar the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “Tomorrow I will give the flag to somebody who will be granted victory, he loves Allah and His Messenger, and Allah and His Messenger love him.

The people spent the night wondering as to who would receive the standard. They awoke in the morning hoping to be that person.

Allah’s Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam asked, “Where is ‘Ali?”

He was told that ‘Ali was suffering from eye-trouble. So the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam applied saliva to his eyes and supplicated for him for him. He was (immediately) cured. It was as if he had no prior ailment. The Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam handed him the flag.

‘Ali said, “Should I fight them till they become like us (i.e. Muslim)?

The Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “Approach them steadily till you enter their lands. Then, invite them to Islam, and inform them about what is incumbent upon them; for, by Allah, if Allah grants (even) one person guidance through you, it is better for you than possessing red camels (i.e. a vast treasure).”[1]

 

Imam al Bukhari and Muslim have recorded this narration.

 

Commentary and Lessons Learnt from this Narration:

  1. This narration spells out great virtue for ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu as the beloved of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and His Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.

 

  1. The Ahlul Bayt ought to be ahead of others in calling people towards Islam.

 

  1. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala assists some of the Ahlul Bayt with divine assistance and guidance that others aren’t privy to.

 

  1. Forbearance and a calm composure should be the hallmark of the Ahlul Bayt. Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam addressed ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu thus, “Approach them steadily…”.

 

  1. The Ahlul Bayt are held to a greater standard of monotheism, sincerity, and worshipping Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala than others.

 

  1. The patience of ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu in the face of adversity whilst in the path of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala is truly inspiring.

 

  1. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala works in strange ways when appointing leaders in the ummah. Those that campaign for themselves aren’t afforded the position whilst those that are capable and shy away are given the position.

 

  1. Calling towards Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala is of the most blessed acts of piety. Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam emphasised this by taking an oath on Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala.

 

  1. Part and parcel of honouring the Ahlul Bayt is supplicating for them, especially when they have taken ill.

 

  1. The permissibility of buying luxurious items such as red camels. The Arabs consider the red camel as the most exclusive of commodities. This permissibility is a blanket one; for the Ahlul Bayt and others.

 

  1. Though ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu is from amongst the select of the Ahlul Bayt, at times some laws of Shari’ah remained unknown to him as well. This can be understood from the question posed to Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam by ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu.

 

  1. This narration refutes the falsities of the Nawasib who hold erroneous beliefs and display hatred to ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu. One guaranteed the love of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and His Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam has attained the loftiest of ranks.

 

  1. Vicious and wild enemies should be counted with fierce, brave, politically aware, and outstanding military tacticians

 

  1. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala loves and is loved. He loves in accordance to his greatness. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:

 

لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ وَهُوَ السَّمِيْعُ الْبَصِيْرُ

There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.[2]

 

Furthermore, this narration indicates to the love the ummah should have and display to the Ahlul Bayt.

 

  1. The clean hearts and conscience of the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum can be understood from this hadith. Though they all wanted this distinction, none were jealous or green eyed that ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu had received it. Rather, they narrated this distinction of his wholeheartedly.

 

  1. Loving Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and His Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam is not complete without loving ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu.

 

  1. Those of the Ahlul Bayt who are afflicted by sickness or difficulty should not make it apparent to all and sundry. They should anticipate reward and hand over their matters to Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, being pleased with his decision. This hadith clearly shows that Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was not aware that ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu was suffering from an ailment of the eye.

 

  1. The Islamic faith is one of mercy. Fighting and waging war was always the last option when all others had been exhausted. Da’wah towards the true religion of Islam was the first approach of the Muslims, then and now. This faith has come to remove humanity from the servitude of mankind to the servitude of the creator of mankind. Plundering, looting, and terrorism was never the way of this ummah. Not against those that bowed to them not against those who refused. This is in contrast to the disbelievers and those who call themselves ‘Muslims’ whilst oppressing and terrorizing the world over.

 

  1. The Ahlul Bayt are to be a mercy to mankind, not a source of difficulty and chastisement.

 

  1. To err is human. Even those who are masters in their fields make mistakes, this though does not result in the stripping of their titles and virtue.

 

 

NEXT⇒  The Twelfth Narration

[1] Sahih al Bukhari, Hadith: 2942; Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2406.

[2] Surah al Shura: 11.