Generous Victims and the Brave Hearts Who Confessed Their Wrongs – The Radiant Character of Early Muslims

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

It has been reported regarding Muṣ‘ab ibn al-Zubayr, may Allah have mercy upon him, that when he became the governor of Iraq, he once sat to distribute the allowances of the soldiers. He did ordered his announcer to announce: “Where is Amr ibn Jurmuz?” And he was the one who killed his father, Az-Zubayr, may Allah be pleased with him. It was said to him, “O leader! Indeed, he has gone far away from the land”. So, he said: “Does the ignoramus think that I would exact retribution from him for my father?! Let him reveal himself in safety and receive his full allowance!” [1]

Abdul Ghaffar ibn al-Qasim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Once Ali ibn al-Ḥusayn was exiting the Masjid, then a man approached and reviled him. His servants and protégés charged towards the man (to attack him), but Ali ibn al-Ḥusayn said: “Avoid doing anything to the man”. Then he approached the man and said: “What is concealed from you regardinmg our affaors far greater than (what you have said)! Do you have any need that we may asssit you with?” The man became ashamed; then Ali ibn al-Ḥusayn threw his cloak over him and ordered that he is given a thousand dirhams. Thereafter, the man said: “I bear witness that you are truly from the descendants of Allah’s Messenger”. [2]

Abu Ya’qub al-Madani, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “There was a disagreement between Ḥasan ibn Ḥasan and his cousin Ali ibn al-Ḥusayn, may allah have mercy upon them. Ḥasan stated everything he could, but Ali kept quiet. Then Hasan departed. At night, Ali ibn al-Ḥusayn went to him, so he exited his house to meet him. Then Ali said: “O my cousin! If you were truthful (regarding what you stated), may Allah forgive me; and if you were lying, may Allah forgive you. Peace be upon you”. Hasan embraced him and wept until he felt very sorry for him. [3]

Al-Ḥusayn al-Jufi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “I was with Abdul Malik ibn Abjar, may Allah have mercy upon him, and one of his slaves had abscounded. He had two doors, and he was not aware that the slave had returned. Abdul Malik said to him: ‘O so-and-so, woe to you! You abscounded! Your prayer has not been accepted! From which door did you exit? Is there anyone better for you than us? I don’t think you’ll find anyone better for you than us! From which door did you exit when you abscounded?” He said: “From this door”. He (Malik) said: “Then enter through it, and I ask Allah’s forgiveness for you. O so-and-so! Feed him, for indeed I think he must be hungry!” [4]

Ma‘mar, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “A man struck a son of Qatadah, may Allah have mercy upon him, so Qatadah pursued justice from Bilal ibn Abi Burdah, but he did not pay attention to him. Then Qatadah complained to al-Qasri, who wrote to Bilal, saying: ‘You have not been just to Abu al-Khaṭṭab (Qatadah)’. So, Bilal summoned him and the nobles of Basra to intercede for the man, but Qatadah refused to accept their intercession. Bilal said to him, “Strike him as he struck you.” Qatadah said to his son, “O my dear son! Roll up your sleeves, raise your hands, and strike very hard.” The boy rolled up his sleeves and lifted his hands, then Qatadah caught his hand and said: “We forgive him for the sake of Allah, for indeed it used to be said: ‘There is no forgiveness in reality except after having the power (to strike back)'”. [5]

A companion of Ibn Awn, may Allah have mercy upon both of them, said: “Ibn Awn had a she-camel on which he used ride during military expedition and perfom Hajj. He liked the she-camel a lot. Then once he instructed a slave of his to go and fetch water with it. The slave returned and had struck the She-camel on her eye until the eye was hanging on her cheek. So, we said: “If Ibn Awn is ever going to lose his temper, it will be today!” Then he came to us and when he saw the she-camel, he said: “Subhanallah! Could you not have struck it elswwhere other her eye?! May Allah bless you. Depart from my sight and you all bear witness that indeed he is a freed slave”. [6]

Ibrahim at-Taymi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “A man from the neigbourhood (or district) would come along and revile al-Ḥārith ibn Suwayd, may Allah have mercy upon him, and he would remain silent. When the man kept quiet, he would get up, shake off his cloak and enter his house”. [7]

Once a female salve of Ali ibn Al-Husayn, may Allah have mercy upon him, was pouring water for him (for Wudhu) while he was getting ready for Salah. The jug slipped from her hand, fell on his face, and wounded him. He raised his head toward her, so she said: “Those who restrain their anger”. He said: “I have restrained my anger.” She said: “And those who pardon others”. He said: “He said: “May Allah pardon you”. She said: “And Allah loves those who do good”.[Aal Imran 134] He said: “Depart, you are freed”. [8]
Then, after this, if someone says to me, “But I have a right to retaliate,” I respond, “You do have the right to retaliate, but there is a great lesson about forgiveness in these situations involving some of these people who were closer to the era of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. We know that while we can retaliate, pardoning others is also a noble act. Therefore, just as we ask Allah for courage to stand firm against transgressors, let us also ask Him to grant us the qualities of forbearance and forgiveness. Also, in these stories, we noticed the gratitude and honesty of some people due to their acknowledgment of their mistakes. May Allah include us among those who pardon and those who recognise their faults, recant, repent, and return the rights we owe to others, whether they choose to forgive us or not.

[1] Adab Ad-Dunya Wad-Din 311 by Al-Maawardi, may Allah have mercy upon him.

[2] Al-Bidayah Wan-Nihayah 12/484 by Imam Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy upon him.

[3] Siyar A’lam An-Nubula 4/397

[4] Hilya Al-Awliya 5/85 By Imam Abu Nu’aym, may Allah have mercy upon him.

[5] Hilya Al-Awliya 2/340

[6] Tarikh Dimasgq 31/360 By Ibn Asakir, may Allah have mercy upon him.

[7] Hilya Al-Awliya 4/126

[8] Shu’ab Al-Iman 10/545