Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had secretly discussed among the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) of his plans to attack Makkah Mukarramah. However, Haatib bin Abi Balta’ (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had sent a letter to the people of Makkah Mukarramah informing them of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)’s intention. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) came to know of this through wahy (divine revelation). Thus he appointed a group of Sahaabah to set out and come to a place called Raudah Khaakh. Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) informed them that at that place they will find a woman with a letter given to her by Hazrat Haatib (Radhiyallahu Anhu). This group of Sahaabah were commanded to intercept the letter and bring it to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam). Thereupon Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) summoned Hadhrat Haatib (Radhiyallahu Anhu) to enquire from him the reason for his action. When he came forward and presented his excuse, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) accepted his excuse and forgave him. However, Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), being enraged over the action of this Sahaabi, requested permission to slay him as he was about to divulge the secret plan of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
However, Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) explained to Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhu) that he was a Badri Sahaabi (one who had participated in the battle of Badr) and Allah Ta‘ala had announced the forgiveness of the Badriyyeen. Hence, he should be forgiven. Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhu) was immediately moved to tears. The lesson we learn from here is that the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) may have had their mistakes, but Allah Ta‘ala had announced their forgiveness. Ibnu Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) says that Allah Ta‘ala knew that the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) were going to make mistakes, yet He announced their forgiveness and His pleasure for them.
The sign of the progress of this Ummah is that they respect and acknowledge the efforts of the people of the past. Just as our parents are the means of our physical well-being and we will not tolerate the slightest type of disrespect to be shown to them, likewise the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) were the means for our Islamic and spiritual well-being. Hence, we should not allow any type of disrespect to be shown to the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum).
