THE LETTER OF HADRAT HAATIB BIN ABU BALTA’A
At this time, a very respected Sahaabi, Hadrat Haatib bin Abu Balta’a (Radiyallahu Anhu)” wrote a letter to the Quraish stating that RasoolAllah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was preparing for war and that they should be aware fo this; then giving it to a woman to take to Makkah. Allah (Subhan Wa Taala) has blessed his beloved Prophet with Ilm-e-ghaib (the knowledge of the unseen), through which he knew of Hadrat Haatib bin Balta’a’s (Radiyallahu Anhu), letter, and hence, ordered Hadrat Ali, Zubair and Miqdaad (Radiyallahu Anhuma), to proceed to a place called Rauda of Makkah where they shall find a woman carrying a letter, and to confiscate it. After racing their horses to the area and finding the woman, she refused to hand it over, when Hadrat Ali (Radiyallahu Anhu)replied, “Oath on Allah (Subhan Wa Taala)! RasoolAllah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) can never be a liar, and neither are we liars. Hand over the letter to us or else we’ll make you naked and search you.” This startled the aldy who, now forced, then handed over the letter – taking it out from the bun of her hair. When it reached the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), he called Hadrat Haatib bin Blata’a (Radiyallahu Anhu) and asked, “Why did you do this?” The Sahaabi replied, “Ya RasoolAllah ( Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), don’t make haste in passing judgement on me! I have not changed my religion nor have I forsaken Islam. My wife and children are still in Makkah and I have no relatives there to look after them – every Muhaajir besides me has a relative there ‘to protect their respective families. The reason for writing this letter was so that the Quraish be obliged to me for alerting them about any attacks. For this, they’d feel sympathy for me and not treat my family members badly. Ya RasoolAllah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)! My imaan is that Allah (Subhan Wa Taala) shall grant defeat to the Kuffaar and that my letter will be of no benefit to them.” The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) heard the justification for his action by him and accepted it. Hadrat Umar (Radiyallahu Anhu) however, amongst other Companions who had also become enraged, saw the letter and infuriatingly said, “Ya RasoolAllah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)! Grant me permission to slay this hypocrite’s neck!” Yet the mercy of Rahmatullil-Aalameen could not hold any disregard for his beloved companion, and said, “O Umar (Radiyallahu Anhu), don’t you know that Haatib (Radiyallahu Anhu) fought at Badr, and that Allah (Subhan Wa Taala) has said regarding those Mujaahideen: ‘Do as you wish, you will not be sentenced for it.” Thus, Hadrat Umar (Radiyallahu Anhu) humbly submited with tears in his eyes, saying” Allah (Subhan Wa Taala) and His Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) know best).” The following verse of the Holy Quran was revealed regarding this very incident,
‘O believers! take not for Friends My and your enemies.’
(Surah Al-Mumtahinah, Verse 1)
As a result, RasoolAllah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) forgave Hadrat Haatib bin Abu Balta’s (Radiyallahu Anhu). (Bukhari Sharif, Vol. 2, Pg. 612)
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