Sahih Muslim Hadith 6401 – The Virtues Of

English

[64011 161 – (2494) 'Ubaidullâh bin AbI Râfi', who was the scribe of 'Ali, said: "I heard 'Ali, [may Allah be pleased with him] say: 'The Messenger of Allah sent us; myself, Az-Zubair and Al- Miqdâd, and he said: "Go to the garden of Khâkh, in which you will find a woman riding a camel with whom there is a letter, and take it from her." "We set out, with our horses galloping, and we found the woman. We said: 'Give us the letter.' She said: 'I do not have a letter.' We said: 'Either you give us the letter, or we will remove your clothes (to search for the letter).' So she brought it out from her braided hair, and we brought it to the Messenger of Allah i&. And in it (was written): 'From Hâtib bin Abl Balt'ah' to some of the idolaters of Makkah, telling them something about the Messenger of Allah . The Messenger of Allah said: '0 Hâtib, what is this?' He said: 'Do not be hasty in judging me, 0 Messenger of Allah. I am a man who was attached to the Quraish' – Sufyân (a sub narrator) said: 'He was an ally of theirs, but he was not one of them' – 'and the Virtues Of The Companions 363 Z LmmaJ I JL MuhâjirIn with you have relatives who will protect their families. As I have no blood ties among them, I wanted to do them a favor so that they would protect my family. I did not do it out of disbelief or because I apostatized from my religion, nor because I approved of disbelief after becoming Muslim." "The Messenger of Allah said: 'He has spoken the truth.' 'Umar said: '0 Messenger of Allah, let me strike the neck of this hypocrite.' He () said: "He was present at (the battle of) Badr, and you do not know, perhaps Allah looked upon the people of Badr and said: 'Do what you wish, for I have forgiven you.' Then Allah revealed the words: '0 you who believe! Take not My enemies and your enemies (i.e. disbelievers and polytheists) as friends.' [11