55. DO NOT TRUST THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY A TRANSGRESSOR
When the Muslims became successful in the battle of Bani Mustaliq in the 5th AH and when the Holy Prophet married Sayyidatuna Juwayriyah who was the daughter of the chief of the tribe, the blessed companions freed all the captured prisoners saying, ‘A tribe in which the Holiest Prophet has married into, no person of that tribe can be kept as a slave or a bondswoman.’ Inspired by benevolent conduct of the Muslims, the whole tribe embraced Islam. After this, the Beloved Prophet, sent Waleed Bin ‘Uqbah to that tribe to collect Zakah from the rich people of the tribe and distribute it among its poor people.
When the people of the tribe ‘Bani Al-Mustaliq’ came to know about the arrival of Waleed, they came out of their town into the open field cheerfully with their weapons in the honour of welcoming the envoy of Islam. Some conflict and grudge had existed between Waleed and that tribe in the pre-Islamic era of ignorance. For this reason, Waleed perceived the arrangements of welcome as old enmity and returned back to Madinah without inquiring about the reality from the people of the tribe. He presented himself in the court of the Noble Prophet and said that the people of Bani Al-Mustaliq tribe have turned apostate and they have refused to pay Zakah. This news grieved the Noblest Prophet very much and the Muslims became aggravated by it. They began preparations for Jihad against the tribe.
On the other hand, the people of the Bani Al-Mustaliq tribe got stunned from this strange conduct of Waleed. When they came to know that Waleed has told a false story and had slandered them in the court of the Holy Prophet they sent a proper delegation in the court of the Beloved Prophet that cleared their guiltlessness in this matter.
Upon hearing both the sides i.e. Waleed and the delegation of Bani Al-Mustaliq, the Holy Prophet observed silence waiting for the Divine revelation to be revealed. Consequently, verses of Surah Al-Hujurat were revealed which did not only bring to light the reality of the matter but also constituted a proper law and criterion for probing in such cases.
Those verses are:
O people who believe! If any wrongdoer brings you some news, make astrict inquiry, lest you unknowingly cause suffering to some people, and then remain regretful for what you did. And know that Allah’s Noble Prophet is among you; if he was to do according to your liking in most of the affairs, you would surely fall into hardship, but Allah has made faith beloved to you and has decorated it in your hearts, and has made disbelief and rebellion and disobedience hated by you; this kind of people are on guidance. The benevolence and favour of Allah; and Allah is All Knowing, Wise.
Moral:
1. It is a common practice and conduct of the people that any information that reaches their ears, they broadcast it openly and do not inquire or investigate into its authenticity. This conduct sometimes accuses a guiltless person or harms somebody. Islam has declared this conduct to be completely wrong. In fact, the law of Islamic ethics mentioned by the Holy Quran
that whenever some news is heard, an investigation should first be carried out. Once its authenticity is proven, then it may be communicated to other people. Bringing our attention towards this very matter, the Prophet of Rahmah has warned us saying:
It is sufficient to consider a person liar if he transmits to others whatever information he hears (without investigation).
2. It is proven from this Quranic verse that information delivered by a person who is just and abides by Shari’ah is reliable.
3. Some commentators have mentioned that this verse is not specifically for ‘Waleed Bin ‘Uqbah’, but is general and was revealed regarding the information given by every transgressor.
4. The Holy Quran has mentioned Waleed Bin ‘Uqbah as a transgressor despite him being a Sahabi (companion of the Holy Prophet). There is no ambiguity in this because after this incident, Waleed Bin ‘Uqbah repented earnestly and his transgression was forgiven. Therefore, it is not permissible at all to call a Prophet’s companion a transgressor, because there is an unanimous decree that every companion was just, truthful and compliant to Shari’ah.
Source: (QURANIC WONDERS) by ‘ABDUL MUSTAFA A’ZAMI.
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