The Love of Hazrat Haarithah bin Nu’maan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Ahl-e-Bayt

Hazrat Haarithah bin Nu’maan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was a wealthy Sahaabi of the Ansaar who lived in Madinah Munawwarah. Allah Ta‘ala had blessed him with such generosity and love for the Ahl-e-Bayt that his heart could be aptly described as a heart of gold. Whenever Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) married, Hazrat Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) gifted one of his houses to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) for his wife to live in.

When Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) married Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), they were initially residing at a slight distance from the house of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). It was the desire of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that his beloved daughter, Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), live close to him.

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) once addressed Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) saying, “O Faatimah! I desire to look for a house which is near my house so that you can relocate and live close to me.” Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) replied, “O Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! Why do you not request Hazrat Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to give us one of his houses that are close to you?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “I feel shy to request Hazrat Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) for a house for you as he has gifted many of his houses to me at the time of my nikaah to my wives.”

As soon as Hazrat Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) learnt of what had transpired, he came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and said, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! I have learnt that you desire for Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) to live close to you. Therefore, I have come to present all my houses to you so that you may choose whichever house you wish for your daughter. O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! I and my wealth belong entirely to Allah and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Therefore, you may choose whichever house you wish! O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! By Allah! The wealth that you take from me is more pleasing to me than the wealth that you leave!”

Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was extremely pleased with this Sahaabi and accepted his gift. On that occasion, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) bore testimony to the true love that Hazrat Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had in his heart for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Ahl-e-Bayt and said, “You are certainly true in your statement of love, and may Allah Ta‘ala shower His special blessings upon you.”
(Tabaqaat ibnu Sa’d vol. 3 pg. 372 and vol. 8 pg. 19)