CHAPTER 4: THOSE ASKING FOR FATAWA (RELIGIOUS VERDICTS) – PART 2
The Bedouins would raise their voices with the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and he would be patient with them:
Ibn ‘Umar (a Companion) narrated: “A Bedouin called out to the Prophet: ‘What do you say about the Dhabb (a kind of lizard)?’ The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, replied: ‘I do not eat it, nor do I forbid it.’”(Reported by Ahmad (5055). It was also reported by Al-Bukhari (5536) and Muslim (1943) without the part of the Bedouin calling out to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.)
He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would draw examples for them from their daily life:
Abu Hurayrah (a Companion) narrated that a man came to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and said: “O Messenger of Allah, my wife has delivered a black child and I do not recognize it.” The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said to him: “Do you have camels?” He replied: “Yes.” The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “What colour are they?” He replied: “They are red.” The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, asked: “Are any of them grey?” He replied: “Yes.” The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, asked him: “How did that happen?” He said: “Maybe it is from their ancestors.” So the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “So maybe your child (inherited his color) from his ancestors.””(Reported by Al-Bukhari (5309) and Muslim (1500).)
He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would sit comfortably with them, laugh with them and host a guest from among them:
Abu Hurayrah narrated: “The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said one day while a Bedouin man was present: ‘A man from the people of Paradise asked his Lord permission to grow crops. So Allah said: ‘Do you not have everything you desire?’ He said: ‘Of course, but I love to plant.’ So the man planted the seeds, which immediately grew and then was harvested until it was like mountains. So Allah said: ‘Here you go, O son of Adam, for nothing satisfies you!’
The Bedouin man said: ‘By Allah, this man must be from the Quraysh or the Ansaar, for they are farmers. As for us (Bedouins) then we do not farm!’ So the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, laughed (at the cleverness of his statement).”(Reported by Al-Bukhari (2348).)
Thawbaan, the freed slave of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said that a guest from the Bedouins came to us, so the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, sat with him in front of his houses. He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, started asking the man about the people’s happiness with Islam and the prayer. The man continued to give the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, good news until I saw the Prophet’s face glowing. Then when midday approached and it was time to eat, the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, called me over and quietly told me: “Go to the house of ‘Aa’ishah and tell her the Prophet of Allah has a guest.” She said: “By the one who sent you with the guidance and true religion, we do not have anything in our home for someone to eat.” He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, then sent me back to his other wives, and they all said as ‘Aa’ishah said: until I saw the face of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, turn gloomy.
The Bedouin man was intelligent, so he realised what was happening and said to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, “We, the people of the desert, are used to difficult times, not like the people of the cities. One of us is sufficed by a few dates and a small drink of milk, and that is the best meal for us.” When he said that, a goat called “Thamraa” that was already milked passed by. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, called it by its name, saying: “Thamraa, Thamraa” so it came to him making a sound. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, took it by its leg and wiped its udder, saying: “In the name of Allah.” Its udder filled up with milk, and he called for a container so I brought one to him. He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, started milking it and said: “In the name of Allah,” and he filled it up. He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, then said: “Pass it to him in the name of Allah.”
I gave the milk to the guest and he drank a large amount, and he wanted to put it down. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, told him: “Drink again,” so he drank again until he wanted to put it down. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, told him: “Drink again,” until he became full. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, then milked it again and said: “In the name of Allah” and filled it up, then he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Send this to ‘Aa’ishah and she may drink as much as she wants.”
I came back to him, so he milked the goat again and said: “In the name of Allah,” and filled it up, and he sent me to all of his wives. Every time one of them drank he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would send me to the next one, saying: “In the Name of Allah.” He did this until they all sent it back, and I came back to him. He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Give it to me” so I gave it to him and he drank what Allah willed for him to drink. Then he gave it to me and I drank from it a drink that was sweeter than honey, and more fragrant than musk. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu
‘alayhi wa sallam, then said: “O Allah, bless the owners regarding it (i.e. the goat).” (Reported by Al-Aajurriyy in his book Ash-Sharee’ah (1048).)
He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to praise the people of truth amongst them
Jaabir (a Companion) narrated that Mu’aath (another Companion) used to pray ‘Ishaa’ (the night prayer) with the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and then he would go back to his companions and lead them in prayer. One night Mu’aath led them in prayer and a young man from his people prayed behind him.
When Mu’aath lengthened the prayer the young man finished his prayer (by himself), took his camel and left. When Mu’aath finished praying he was informed of this, so he said: “This is hypocrisy, I will tell the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, about this.” Mu’aath told the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, what the young man had done but the young man said: “O Messenger of Allah, he stays with you until late, and then he comes to us and makes the prayer long!” The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Are you causing trials (for people), O Mu’adh?” The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, then asked the young man: “O nephew, what do you do when you pray?” He replied: “I read the Chapter Faatihah, and I ask Allah for Paradise and I seek refuge from the Hellfire. I do not know what you or Mu’aath say quietly (in your prayer).” The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Mu’aath and I ask for about the same thing (as you).”
The young man said: “But Mu’aath will know (the truth about me) when we go forward (in battle).” So when they heard that the enemy was near, they went to confront them and the young man was martyred. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said after that to Mu’aath: “What happened to the one you and I debated?” He said: “O Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, he was truthful to Allah, and I was wrong, and he was martyred.”(Reported by Ibn Khuzaymah (1634). It was also reported by Al-Bukhaari (705) and Muslim (465) in a summarized wording.)
He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would sometimes race them:
Anas ibn Maalik narrated: “The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, had a camel named Al-’Adhbaa’, and it was almost never defeated in a race. A Bedouin man came riding a camel, and he raced the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and defeated his camel. This was difficult upon the Muslims, and they exclaimed: ‘Al-’Adhbaa’ has lost!’ When the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, saw their faces, he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘It is the way of Allah that nothing from this worldly life becomes lofty except that He brings it down.’”(Reported by Al-Bukhari (2872).)
He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would visit the sick and supplicate for them:
‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Abbas (the Prophet’s cousin) said: “The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, visited a Bedouin who was sick. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to say when he visited a sick person, ‘Laa Ba’s, Tahoor In sha’ Allah [No harm, it will be a purification (of sins) if Allah wills].’ So he said that, and the Bedouin man said: ‘A purification! Rather, it is a fever that boils in an old man and takes him to the grave.’ The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘Then yes, so it shall be.’”1 In another narration the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “The man did not live until the next evening.”
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would accept their gifts and return the favour:
Anas ibn Malik reported:
“A man from the desert named Zaahir used to send gifts to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and he would help Zaahir. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘Zaahir is our desert and we are his settlement.’ The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, loved him, even though he was not a good-looking man. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, came to him one day while he was selling things and grabbed him from his back, and Zaahir could not see who he was. He said: ‘Let go of me, who is this?’ When he turned around and saw that it was the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, he returned his back to the chest of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said (jokingly): ‘Who will buy this slave?’ Zaahir said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, by Allah you will realise that I am unwanted.’ He said: ‘But to Allah you are not.’ Or he said: ‘Rather, to Allah you are precious.’”(Reported by Ahmad (12237).)
Al-Manaawi said: “The words “Zaahir is our desert,” mean that he lives in our desert, or he gives us gifts of fruit and plants from the desert, so he compared him to the desert. Or that when the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, needed something from the desert he provided it for him, so he suffices him from travelling. The words “We are his settlement” mean that we provide him with what he needs from the city. Or that Zaahir only comes to the city with the intention of visiting us.” (Faydh Al-Qadeer (452/2).)
Even though he was unattractive physically, he was beautiful in his character. This shows that inner beauty is what is important, as in the narration: “Allah does not look at your appearance and wealth, but He looks at your hearts and actions.”(Reported by Muslim (2564) on the authority of Abu Hurayrah.)
Some of them were harsh in speech to him and he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would endure that from them:
Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri (a Companion) said:
“A Bedouin man came to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, to ask for a debt that he loaned him, and he spoke harshly to him until he said: ‘I insist that you repay me!’ The Companions said to the Bedouin, ‘Woe to you, do you know who you are speaking to?’ He said: ‘I am seeking my right’, so the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said (to his Companions): ‘Why don’t you support the person with the right (meaning the Bedouin)?’ He then sent to Khawlah bint Qays (a woman Companion) and said to her: ‘If you have any dates then loan them to us, until we receive our dates to repay you.’ She said: ‘Of course, may my father be sacrificed for you, O Messenger of Allah!’ So she loaned him the dates, and the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, repaid the Bedouin man and gave him extra dates as well. The man said: ‘You have fulfilled (well), may Allah do the same to you.’ The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘They are the best of people. A nation in which a weak person cannot take his right without being harmed is not a pure nation.’”(Reported by Ibn Majah (2426).)
‘A’ishah said:
“The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, bought a camel from a Bedouin man in exchange for a large amount of dates. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, went to his home to get the dates, but he could not find them. He, sallallahu
‘alayhi wa sallam, then returned to the Bedouin and said: ‘O slave of Allah, we bought the camel in exchange for the dates, but we looked for the dates and could not find them.’ The man said: ‘What a deception!’ The people who rebuked him said: ‘May Allah destroy you! Would the Messenger of Allah deceive?’ The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘Leave him, for the person who has a right, has the right to speak.’ The Prophet
of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, then returned later and said: ‘’O slave of Allah, we bought the camel in exchange for the dates, and we thought we had them, but we looked for the dates and could not find them.’ The man said: ‘What a deception!’
and the people responded to him in the same way. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, again said: ‘’Leave him, for the person who has a right, has the right to speak.’
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, went back to the man two or three times. When he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, saw that the man did not understand, he told one of his Companions: ‘Go to Khuwaylah bint Hakim ibn Umayyah and tell her: ‘The Messenger of Allah says to you: ‘If you have such-and-such amount of dates then loan it to us, until we repay you, if Allah wills.’’The man returned to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and said: ‘She agreed, and asked to send someone to take it.’ The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, sent a man to take the dates and pay the Bedouin man, so he did so. The Bedouin man then passed by the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, while he was sitting with his Companions and said: ‘May Allah reward you with good, for you have fulfilled and gave willingly. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘They are the best of the servants of Allah to Him on the Day of Judgment, the ones who fulfil and pay their dues happily.’(Reported by Ahmad (25780).)
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would criticise them for some of their harsh actions:
Abu Hurayrah reported: “The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, kissed Hasan ibn ‘Ali (the Prophet’s grandson) while Al-Aqra’ ibn Haabis (a Companion) was sitting near him. Al-Aqra said: ‘I have ten children, and I have never kissed any of them!’ The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam,looked at him and said: ‘Whoever does not have mercy will not be shown mercy.’”(Reported by Al-Bukhari (5997) and Muslim (2318).)
‘Aa’ishah reported: “Some Bedouins came to see the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and said: ‘Do you kiss your children?’ He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, replied: “Yes.” Thereupon they said: ‘By Allah, we never do.’ At this, the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “What can I say if mercy has been lifted from your hearts?”(Reported by Al-Bukhari (5998) and Muslim (2317).)
Bedouins were known at the time of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, for being rough and harsh in their speech and attitude. However, the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, did not take offence at their roughness of speech. In fact, he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was extremely tolerant toward the people around him. He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, knew when someone was sensitive or vulnerable, and he approached mistakes with utmost gentleness. He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, reminded his Companions that they were sent to make things easy on people, not difficult. So deep was the empathy the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, had for his people that he did everything possible to make things easy for them. He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, removed every obstacle that stood between the people and Allah’s forgiveness, and he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, searched out solutions to each individual’s unique circumstances.
By Muhammad Saalih Al-Munajjid
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