Jumu‘a Mubaraka!

The following hadith is narrated in multiple sources.  When Rasulullah ﷺ was victorious in the battle of Hunayn, he set aside the spoils of war – valued today as tens of millions of dollars – hoping to return them to their owners. However, those who fought him remained defiant.  The text reads:

When Rasulullah ﷺ distributed the spoils of war to the Quraysh and other Arab tribes, and when he did not apportion any to the Ansar, a group of the Ansar felt some discomfort.  People among them began to speak.  One of them said: “Rasulullah ﷺ has been reunited with his people.”

Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubadah (radiallaho ‘anho) came to Rasulullah ﷺ. He said: “O Rasulullah ﷺ, this group of the Ansar is discomforted by your distribution of the spoils.  You distributed it amongst your people and gave a large share to the Arab tribes. And this group of the Ansar did not receive any.”

Rasulullah ﷺ said: “Where do you stand in this matter, O Sa‘d?”  Sa‘d (radiallaho ‘anho) said: “O Rasulullah ﷺ, I am but a man of my people.”

He ﷺ said: “Gather your people for me in the enclosure.” Sa‘d (radiallaho ‘anho) gathered the Ansar.  Some Muhajirun came and were allowed to enter; others came but were not allowed. Once they were all gathered, Sa‘d (radiallaho ‘anho) went to Rasulullah ﷺ and said: “This group of the Ansar has been gathered.” Rasulullah ﷺ went to them. After praising and thanking Allah, he said:

“O Ansar, what is this news that reached me – that you felt unease regarding the decision I made?”

“Did I not come to you while you were astray, and Allah guided you? Did I not come to you while you were destitute, and Allah enriched you? Did I not come to you while you were mutual enemies, and Allah reconciled your hearts?”

The Ansar said: “Most certainly. To Allah and His Rasul belongs all grace and goodness.”

He ﷺ said: “Why do you not make your case to me, O Ansar?”

They said: “How would we respond to you, O Rasulullah. To Allah and His Rasul belongs all grace and goodness.”

He ﷺ said: “If you wished you could say the following, and you would be truthful and you would be believed.  You could say: You came to us belied and we believed in you; you came to us abandoned and we assisted you; you came to us expelled and we granted you sanctuary; and you came to us deprived and we consoled you.” 

“O Ansar, have you found unease against me regarding the residues of this world that I gave to a people to reconcile their hearts in order they accept faith? While I left you to the strength of your faith?  Are you not pleased, O Ansar, that some people would return with livestock and camels, and you would return back with Rasulullah as your share?”

“By the One in Whose hand is Muhammad, the Ansar are inner garments and people are outer-wear. Were it were not for the hijra, I would be a man of the Ansar.  If all people took a path through a particular valley, I would take a path through the valley of the Ansar. O Allah, have loving-mercy on the Ansar, the children of the Ansar, and the children of the children of the Ansar.”

Everyone cried until their beards were soaked with tears. They said: “We are pleased with Rasulullah ﷺ as our allotment and share.”  [End of text]. 

What value – of anything, of everything – is comparable to having him ﷺ as our allotment and share?  

Let us not forget to read Surat al-Kahf today and send abundant salawat upon him ﷺ.

BarakAllahu Fikum!