2
- باب التوبة
Repentance
قال
العلماء : التوبة واجبة من كل ذنب . فإن كانت المعصية بين العبد وبين الله تعالى لا
تتعلق بحق آدمي فلها ثلاثة شروط : أحدها أن يقلع عن المعصية والثاني أن يندم على
فعلها والثالث أن يعزم أن لا يعود إليها أبدا فإن فقد أحد الثلاثة لم تصح توبته .
وإن كانت المعصية تتعلق بآدمي فشروطها أربعة : هذه الثلاثة وأن يبرأ من حق صاحبها .
فأن كانت مالا أو نحوه رده إليه وإن كان حد قذف ونحوه مكنه منه أو طلب عفوه وإن
كانت غيبة استحله منها . ويجب أن يتوب من جميع الذنوب فإن تاب من بعضها صحت توبته
عند أهل الحق من ذلك الذنب وبقى عليه الباقي . وقد تظاهرت دلائل الكتاب والسنة
وإجماع الأمة على وجوب التوبة.
Scholars
said: It is necessary to repent from every sin. If the offense involves the
Right of Allah, not a human, then there are three condition to be met in order
that repentance be accepted by Allah:
. 1- To desist
from committing it
. 2-
To feel sorry
for committing it
. 3-
To decide not
to recommit it3
Any
repentance failing to meet any of these three conditions, would not be
sound.
But if the
sin involves a human's right, it requires a fourth condition, i.e., to absolve
onself from such right. If it is a property, he should return it to its rightful
owner. If it is slandering or backbiting, one should ask the pardon of the
offended.
One should
also repent from all sins. If he repents from some, his repentance would still
be sound according to the people of sound knowledge. He should, however, repent
from the rest. Scriptural proofs from the Book and the Sunnah and the consensus
of the scholars support the incumbency of repentance.
قال
الله تعالى ( النور 31 ) : { وتوبوا إلى الله جميعا أيها المؤمنون لعلكم تفلحون
}
Allah, the,
Exalted says:
"And all of
you beg Allah to forgive you, O believers, that you may be
successful". (24:31)
وقال
تعالى ( هود 3 ) : { استغفروا ربكم ثم توبوا إليه }
"Seek the
forgiveness of your Rubb, and turn to Him in repentance". (11:3)
وقال
تعالى ( التحريم 8 ) : { يا أيها الذين آمنوا توبوا إلى الله توبة نصوحا
}
"O you who
believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance!". (66:
13
- وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم يقول : [
والله إني لأستغفر الله وأتوب إليه في اليوم أكثر من سبعين مرة ] رواه
البخاري.
13-
Abu Hurairah
(May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (PBUH)
saying: "By Allah, I
seek Allah's forgiveness and repent to Him more than seventy times a
day.''
[Al-Bukhari].
Commentary:
1- It is an
inducement for seeking pardon and forgiveness. The Prophet (PBUH), whose past
and future sins were forgiven, asked Allah's forigveness - then how about us,
who commit sins on regular basis, not to seek pardon and forgiveness from
Allah?
2- Sincere and
ceaseless prayer for pardon is essential so that sins committed by us
unintentionally are also forgiven. The above Hadith lays great emphasis on
seeking pardon.
14
- وعن الأغر بن يسار المزني رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم :
[ يا أيها الناس توبوا إلى الله واستغفروه فإني أتوب في اليوم مائة مرة ] رواه
مسلم.
14-
Al-Agharr bin
Yasar Al-Muzani (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that: The Messenger of
Allah (PBUH) said: "Turn you
people in repentance to Allah and beg pardon of Him. I turn to Him in repentance
a hundred times a day".
[Muslim].
15
- وعن أبي حمزة أنس بن مالك الأنصاري خادم رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم رضي الله
عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم : [ لله أفرح بتوبة عبده من أحدكم سقط
على بعيره وقد أضله في أرض فلاة ] متفق عليه
وفي رواية لمسلم [ لله أشد فرحا
بتوبة عبده حين يتوب إليه من أحدكم كان على راحلته بأرض فلاة فانفلتت منه وعليها
طعامه وشرابه فأيس منها فأتى شجرة فاضطجع في ظلها قد أيس من راحلته فبينما هو كذلك
إذ هو بها قائمة عنده فأخذ بخطامها ثم قال من شدة الفرح : اللهم أنت عبدي وأنا ربك
أخطأ من شدة الفرح ] .
1-
Anas bin
Malik Al-Ansari (MayAllah be pleased with him) the servant of the Messenger of
Allah narrated: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Verily, Allah
is more delighted with the repentance of His slave than a person who lost his
camel in a desert land and then finds it (unexpectedly)".
[Al-Bukhari
and Muslim].
In another
version of Muslim, he said: "Verily, Allah
is more pleased with the repentance of His slave than a person who has his camel
in a waterless desert carrying his provision of food and drink and it is lost.
He, having lost all hopes (to get that back), lies down in shade and is
disappointed about his camel; when all of a sudden he finds that camel standing
before him. He takes hold of its reins and then out of boundless joy blurts out:
'O Allah, You are my slave and I am Your Rubb'.He commits this mistake out of
extreme joy".
Commentary:
1- This Hadith
also deals with the inducement and merit of repentance and pardon for sins.
Allah is highly pleased with repentance.
2- One will not
have to account for a mistake made without any purpose and
intention.
3. It is
permissible to take an oath to stress on one's pardon.
4. One can quote
an instance for the purpose of understanding and elaboration.
16
- وعن أبي موسى عبد الله بن قيس الأشعري رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم
قال : [ إن الله تعالى يبسط يده بالليل ليتوب مسيء النهار ويبسط يده بالنهار ليتوب
مسيء الليل حتى تطلع الشمس من مغربها ] رواه مسلم.
16. 16-
Abu Musa
Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH)
said: "Allah, the
Exalted, will continue to stretch out His Hand in the night so that the sinners
of the day may repent, and continue to stretch His Hand in the daytime so that
the sinners of the night may repent, until the sun rises from the
west".
[Muslim].
Commentary:
This Hadith confirms an essential Attribute of Allah, i.e., the Hand which He
stretches out anytime He wishes without drawing similarity to it, nor
interpretation. Such was the attitude of the pious predecessors with regards to
all of the essential Attributes of Allah. It is deduced from this Hadith that if
one commits a sin during any hour of day or night, he should immediately seek
the forgiveness of Allah as a result.
17
- وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم : [ من تاب
قبل أن تطلع الشمس من مغربها تاب الله عليه ] رواه مسلم
.
17-
Abu Hurairah
(May Allah be pleased with him) narrated: Messenger of Allah (PBUH)
said, "He who
repents before the sun rises from the west, Allah will forgive
him".
[Muslim].
Commentary:
Taubah means returning to Allah from sins. When a person commits a sin, he goes
away from Allah. When he repents, he returns to Allah and desires for being
pardoned by Him, and getting near Him. This returning towards Him is Taubah.
When it is said that `Allah turns towards him', it means that Allah accepts his
repentance.
18
- وعن أبي عبد الرحمن عبد الله بن عمر بن الخطاب رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله
عليه و سلم قال : [ إن الله عز و جل يقبل توبة العبد ما لم يغرغر ] رواه الترمذي
وقال حديث حسن.
`18-
Abdullah bin
`Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with them) reported that: The Prophet
(PBUH) said, "Allah accepts
a slave's repentance as long as the latter is not on his death bed (that is,
before the soul of the dying person reaches the throat)".
[At-Tirmidhi,
who categorised it as Hadith Hasan].
Commentary:
The word Ghargharah means the stage when soul is about to leave the body and
reaches the throat. In other words, the time when one suffers the agony of
death.
Hadith Hasan
means that Hadith the authenticity of which is connected without any technical
defect. Their narrators, however, are next to those of Hadith Sahih. In the
opinion of Muhaddithin (Hadith scholars), Hadith Hasan is also reliable as
Hadith Sahih.
19
- وعن زر بن حبيش قال : أتيت صفوان بن عسال رضي الله عنه أسأله عن المسح على الخفين
فقال : ما جاء بك يا زر ؟ فقلت : ابتغاء العلم . فقال : إن الملائكة تضع أجنحتها
لطالب العلم رضا بما يطلب . فقلت : إنه قد حك في صدري المسح على الخفين بعد الغائط
والبول وكنت امرأ من أصحاب النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم فجئت أسألك هل سمعته يذكر في
ذلك شيئا ؟ قال : نعم كان يأمرنا إذا كنا سفرا أو مسافرين أن لا ننزع خفافنا ثلاثة
أيام ولياليهن إلا من جنابة لكن من غائط وبول ونوم . فقلت : هل سمعته يذكر في الهوى
شيئا ؟ قال : نعم كنا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم في سفر فبينا نحن عنده إذ
ناداه أعرابي بصوت له جهوري : يا محمد . فأجابه رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم نحوا
من صوته [ هاؤم ] فقلت له : ويحك أغضض من صوتك فإنك عند النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم
وقد نهيت عن هذا . فقال : والله لا أغضض . قال الأعرابي : المرء يحب القوم ولما
يلحق بهم ؟ قال النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم : [ المرء مع من أحب يوم القيامة ] فما
زال يحدثنا حتى ذكر بابا من المغرب مسيرة عرضه أو يسير الراكب في عرضه أربعين أو
سبعين عاما ( قال سفيان أحد الرواة : قبل الشام ) خلقه الله تعالى يوم خلق السماوات
والأرض مفتوحا للتوبة لا يغلق حتى تطلع الشمس منه ] رواه الترمذي وغيره وقال وقال
حديث حسن صحيح.
19-
Zirr bin
Hubaish reported: I went to Safwan bin `Assal (May Allah be pleased with him) to
inquire about wiping with wet hands over light boots while performing Wudu'. He
asked me, "What brings
you here, Zirr?'' I answered: "Search for
knowledge". He
said, "Angels spread
their wings for the seeker of knowledge out of joy for what he
seeks". I told
him, "I have some
doubts in my mind regarding wiping of wet hands over light boots in the course
of performing Wudu' after defecation or urinating. Now since you are one of the
Companions of the Prophet (PBUH), I have come to ask you whether you heard any
saying of the Prophet (PBUH) concerning it?". He replied in
the affirmative and said, "He (PBUH)
instructed us that during a journey we need not take off our light boots for
washing the feet up to three days and nights, except in case of major impurity
(after sexual intercourse). In other cases such as sleeping, relieving oneself
or urinating, the wiping of wet hands over light boots will suffice.'' I, then,
questioned him, "Did you hear
him say anything about love and affection?'' He replied, "We
accompanied the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) in a journey when a bedouin called out
in a loud voice, `O Muhammad.' The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) replied him in the
same tone, `Here I am.' I said to him (the bedouin), `Woe to you, lower your
voice in his presence, because you are not allowed to do so.' He said, `By
Allah! I will not lower my voice,' and then addressing the Prophet (PBUH) he
said, `What about a person who loves people but has not found himself in their
company.' Messenger of Allah (PBUH) replied, `On the Day of Resurrection, a
person will be in the company of those whom he loves.' The Messenger of Allah
then kept on talking to us and in the course of his talk, he mentioned a gateway
in the heaven, the width of which could be crossed by a rider in forty or
seventy years".
Sufyan, one
of the narrators of this tradition, said: "This gateway
is in the direction of Syria. Allah created it on the day He
created the heavens and the earth. It is open for repentance and will not be
shut until the sun rises from that direction (i.e., the West) (on
Doomsday)".
[At-Tirmidhi,
who categorised it as Hadith Hasan Sahih]
Commentary:
1- We learn from
this Hadith that in ablution, it is permissible to wipe over light boots rather
than washing the feet. It is called Mash. The period, in which Mash is intact,
in case of travellers it is three days and three nights; while for the
residents, it is one day and one night only. A precondition for it is that light
boots should be clean and worn after full Wudu'. Ankles should also be covered.
In case of breach of ablution, the wiping over the socks is sufficient, and
there is no need for washing the feet. Wudu' is invalidated by sleeping, call of
nature and passing of wind. This is called Hadath Asghar. In the case of Hadath
Akbar, which occurs because of coitus, menses and wet dream, washing of the
whole body becomes obligatory. It means that the privilege of wiping over the
light boots is also finished in this case, in the same way as it does after the
expiry of period specified for it.
2- One should
associate himself with the pious people so that he is counted among them. One
also comes to know many other points from this Hadith which every intelligent
person can understand with a little effort.
20
- وعن أبي سعيد سعد بن مالك بن سنان الخدري رضي الله عنه أن نبي الله صلى الله عليه
و سلم قال : [ كان فيمن كان قبلكم رجل قتل تسعة وتسعين نفسا فسأل عن أعلم أهل الأرض
فدل على راهب فأتاه فقال إنه قتل تسعة وتسعين نفسا فهل له من توبة ؟ فقال لا فقتله
فكمل به مائة ثم سأل عن أعلم أهل الأرض فدل على رجل عالم فقال إنه قتل مائة نفس فهل
له من توبة ؟ فقال : نعم ومن يحول بينه وبين التوبة ؟ انطلق إلى أرض كذا وكذا فإن
بها أناسا يعبدون الله تعالى فاعبد الله معهم ولا ترجع إلى أرضك فإنها أرض سوء .
فانطلق حتى إذا نصف الطريق أتاه الموت فاختصمت فيه ملائكة الرحمة وملائكة العذاب .
فقالت ملائكة الرحمة : جاء تائبا مقبلا بقلبه إلى الله تعالى وقالت ملائمة العذاب :
إنه لم يعمل خيرا قط فأتاهم ملك في صورة آدمي فجعلوه بينهم - أي حكما - فقال :
قيسوا ما بين الأرضين فإلى أيتهما كان أدنى فهو له فقاسوا فوجدوه أدنى إلى الأرض
التي أراد فقبضته ملائكة الرحمة ] متفق عليه
وفي رواية في الصحيح [ فكان إلى
القرية الصالحة أقرب بشبر فجعل من أهلها ]
وفي رواية في الصحيح : [ فأوحى الله
تعالى إلى هذه أن تباعدي وإلى هذه أن تقربي وقال قيسوا ما بينهما فوجدوه إلى هذه
أقرب بشبر فغفر له ]
وفي رواية [ فنأى بصدره نحوها ]
20. 20-
Abu Sa`id
Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Prophet of Allah (PBUH)
said: "There was a
man from among a nation before you who killed ninety-nine people and then made
an inquiry about the most learned person on the earth. He was directed to a
monk. He came to him and told him that he had killed ninety-nine people and
asked him if there was any chance for his repentance to be accepted. He replied
in the negative and the man killed him also completing one hundred. He then
asked about the most learned man in the earth. He was directed to a scholar. He
told him that he had killed one hundred people and asked him if there was any
chance for his repentance to be accepted. He replied in the affirmative and
asked, `Who stands between you and repentance? Go to such and such land; there
(you will find) people devoted to prayer and worship of Allah, join them in
worship, and do not come back to your land because it is an evil place.' So he
went away and hardly had he covered half the distance when death overtook him;
and there was a dispute between the angels of mercy and the angels of torment.
The angels of mercy pleaded, 'This man has come with a repenting heart to
Allah,' and the angels of punishment argued, 'He never did a virtuous deed in
his life.' Then there appeared another angel in the form of a human being and
the contending angels agreed to make him arbiter between them. He said, `Measure
the distance between the two lands. He will be considered belonging to the land
to which he is nearer.' They measured and found him closer to the land (land of
piety) where he intended to go, and so the angels of mercy collected his
soul".
[Al-Bukhari
and Muslim].
In another
version: "He was found
to be nearer to the locality of the pious by a cubit and was thus included among
them". Another
version says: "Allah
commanded (the land which he wanted to leave) to move away and commanded the
other land (his destination) to draw nearer and then He said: "Now measure
the distance between them.' It was found that he was nearer to his goal by a
hand's span and was thus forgiven". It is also
narrated that he drew closer by a slight movement on his chest.
Commentary:
1- One comes to
know from this Hadith that the gate of Taubah is open even for the worst of the
sinners; and Allah forgives everyone provided he repents sincerely, the
conditions for such repentance have already been discussed.
2- It is the
duty of a religious scholar that while discussing a problem, he should keep in
mind the psychological aspects of the questioner and adopt a policy which
neither causes a change in the Injunction of Allah nor make the sinner reckless
in his sins out of frustration.
3- When a
situation warrants, angels appear in the form of men on Orders of
Allah.
21
- وعن عبد الله بن كعب بن مالك وكان قائد كعب رضي الله عنه من بنيه حين عمي قال
سمعت كعب بن مالك رضي الله عنه يحدث حديثه حين تخلف عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه و
سلم في غزوة تبوك قال كعب : لم أتخلف عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم في غزوة
غزاها قط إلا في غزوة تبوك غير أني قد تخلفت في غزوة بدر ولم يعاتب أحدا تخلف عنه
إنما خرج رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم والمسلمون يريدون عير قريش حتى جمع الله
تعالى بينهم وبين عدوهم على غير ميعاد ولقد شهدت مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم
ليلة العقبة حين تواثقنا على الإسلام وما أحب أن لي بها مشهد بدر وإن كانت بدر أذكر
في الناس منها . وكان من خبري حين تخلفت عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم في غزوة
تبوك أني لم أكن قط أقوى ولا أيسر مني حين تخلفت عنه في تلك الغزوة والله ما جمعت
قبلها راحلتين قط حتى جمعتهما في تلك الغزوة ولم يكن رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم
يريد غزوة إلا ورى بغيرها حتى كانت تلك الغزوة فغزاها رسول الله صلى الله عليه و
سلم في حر شديد واستقبل سفرا بعيدا ومفازا واستقبل عددا كثيرا فجلى للمسلمين أمرهم
ليتأهبوا أهبة غزوهم فأخبرهم بوجههم الذي يريد والمسلمون مع رسول الله صلى الله
عليه و سلم كثير ولا يجمعهم كتاب حافظ ( يريد بذلك الديوان ) قال كعب : فقل رجل
يريد أن يتغيب إلا ظن أن ذلك سيخفى ما لم ينزل فيه وحي من الله وغزا رسول الله صلى
الله عليه و سلم تلك الغزوة حين طابت الثمار والظلال فأنا إليها أصعر فتجهز رسول
الله صلى الله عليه و سلم والمسلمون معه وطفقت أغدو لكي أتجهز معه فأرجع ولم أقض
شيئا وأقول في نفسي أنا قادر على ذلك إذا أردت فلم يزل يتمادى بي حتى استمر بالناس
الجد فأصبح رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم غاديا والمسلمون معه ولم أقض من جهازي
شيئا ثم غدوت فرجعت ولم أقض شيئا فلم يزل يتمادى بي حتى أسرعوا وتفارط الغزو فهممت
أن أرتحل فأدركهم فيا ليتني فعلت ثم لم يقدر ذلك لي فطفقت إذا خرجت في الناس بعد
خروج رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم يحزنني أني لا أرى لي أسوة إلا رجلا مغموصا
عليه في النفاق أو رجلا ممن عذر الله تعالى من الضعفاء ولم يذكرني رسول الله صلى
الله عليه و سلم حتى بلغ تبوك فقال وهو جالس في القوم بتبوك : [ ما فعل كعب بن مالك
؟ ] فقال رجل من بني سلمة : يا رسول الله حبسه برداه والنظر في عطفيه فقال له معاذ
بن جبل : بئس ما قلت والله يا رسول الله ما علمنا عليه إلا خيرا . فسكت رسول الله
صلى الله عليه و سلم فبينا هو على ذلك رأى رجلا مبيضا يزول به السراب فقال رسول
الله صلى الله عليه و سلم : [ كن أبا خيثمة ] فإذا هو أبو خيثمة الأنصاري وهو الذي
تصدق بصاع التمر حين لمزه المنافقون قال كعب : فلما بلغني أن رسول الله صلى الله
عليه و سلم قد توجه قافلا من تبوك حضرني بثي فطفقت أتذكر الكذب وأقول بما أخرج من
سخطه غدا ؟ وأستعين على ذلك بكل ذي رأي من أهلي فلما قيل إن رسول الله صلى الله
عليه و سلم قد أظل قادما زاح عني الباطل حتى عرفت أني لم أنج منه بشيء أبدا فأجمعت
صدقه وأصبح رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم قادما وكان إذا قدم من سفر بدأ بالمسجد
فركع فيه ركعتين ثم جلس للناس فلما فعل ذلك جاءه المخلفون يعتذرون إليه ويحلفون له
وكانوا بضعا وثمانين رجلا فقبل منهم علانيتهم وبايعهم واستغفر لهم ووكل سرائرهم إلى
الله تعالى حتى جئت فلما سلمت تبسم تبسم المغضب ثم قال [ تعال ] فجئت أمشي حتى جلست
بين يديه فقال لي : [ ما خلفك ؟ ألم تكن قد ابتعت ظهرك ؟ ] قال قلت : يا رسول الله
إني والله لو جلست عند غيرك من أهل الدنيا لرأيت أني سأخرج من سخطه بعذر لقد أعطيت
جدلا ولكني والله لقد علمت لئن حدثتك اليوم حديث كذب ترضى به عني ليوشكن الله [ أن
] يسخطك علي وإن حدثتك حديث صدق تجد علي فيه إني لأرجو فيه عقبى الله عز و جل والله
ما كان لي من عذر والله ما كنت قط أقوى ولا أيسر مني حين تخلفت عنك
قال فقال
رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم : [ أما هذا فقد صدق فقم حتى يقضي الله فيك ] وثار
رجال من بني سلمة فاتبعوني فقالوا لي : والله ما علمناك أذنبت ذنبا قبل هذا لقد
عجزت في أن لا تكون اعتذرت إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم بما اعتذر به إليه
المخلفون . فقد كان كافيك ذنبك استغفار رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم لك . قال :
فوالله ما زالوا يؤنبونني حتى أردت أن أرجع إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم
فأكذب نفسي . ثم قلت لهم : هل لقي هذا معي من أحد ؟ قالوا : نعم لقيه معك رجلان
قالا ما قلت وقيل لهما مثل ما قيل لك . قال : قلت من هما ؟ قالوا : مرارة بن ربيعة
العمري وهلال بن أمية الواقفي . قال فذكروا لي رجلين صالحين قد شهدا بدرا فيهما
أسوة قال فمضيت حين ذكروهما لي
ونهى رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم عن كلامنا
أيها الثلاثة من بين من تخلف عنه قال فاجتنبنا الناس أو قال تغيروا لنا حتى تنكرت
لي في نفسي الأرض فما هي بالأرض التي أعرف فلبثنا على ذلك خمسين ليلة . فأما صاحباي
فاستكانا وقعدا في بيوتهما يبكيان وأما أنا فكنت أشب القوم وأجلدهم فكنت أخرج فأشهد
الصلاة وأطوف في الأسواق ولا يكلمني أحد وآتي رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم فأسلم
عليه وهو في مجلسه بعد الصلاة فأقول في نفسي هل حرك شفتيه برد السلام أم لا ؟ ثم
أصلي قريبا منه وأسارقه النظر فإذا أقبلت على صلاتي نظر إلي وإذا التفت نحوه أعرض
عني حتى إذا طال ذلك علي من جفوة المسلمين مشيت حتى تسورت جدار حائط أبي قتادة وهو
ابن عمي وأحب الناس إلي فسلمت عليه فوالله ما رد علي السلام فقلت له : يا أبا قتادة
أنشدك بالله هل تعلمني أحب الله ورسوله صلى الله عليه و سلم ؟ فسكت فعدت فناشدته
فسكت فعدت فناشدته فقال : الله ورسوله أعلم ففاضت عيناي وتوليت حتى تسورت الجدار
فبينا أنا أمشي في سوق المدينة إذا نبطي من نبط أهل الشام ممن قدم بالطعام يبيعه
بالمدينة يقول : من يدل على كعب بن مالك ؟ فطفق الناس يشيرون له إلي حتى جاءني فدفع
إلي كتابا من ملك غسان وكنت كاتبا فقرأته فإذا فيه : أما بعد فإنه قد بلغنا أن
صاحبك قد جفاك ولم يجعلك الله بدار هوان ولا مضيعة فالحق بنا نواسك . فقلت حين
قرأتها : و هذه أيضا من البلاء فتيممت بها التنور فسجرتها حتى إذا مضت أربعون من
الخمسين و استلبث الوحي إذا رسول رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم يأتيني فقال : إن
رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم يأمرك أن تعتزل امرأتك . فقلت : أطلقها أم ماذا أفعل
؟ فقال : لا بل اعتزلها فلا تقربنها وأرسل إلى صاحبي بمثل ذلك
فقلت لامرأتي :
الحقي بأهلك فكوني عندهم حتى يقضي الله في هذا الأمر فجاءت امرأة هلال بن أمية رسول
الله صلى الله عليه و سلم فقالت له : يا رسول الله إن هلال بن أمية شيخ ضائع
ليس
له خادم فهل تكره أن أخدمه ؟ قال : [ لا ولكن لا يقربنك ] فقالت : إنه والله
ما به حركة إلى شيء ووالله ما زال يبكي منذ كان من أمره ما كان إلى يومه هذا . فقال
لي بعض أهلي : لو استأذنت رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم في امرأتك فقد أذن لامرأة
هلال بن أمية أن تخدمه ؟ فقلت لا أستأذن فيها رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم وما
يدريني ماذا يقول رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم إذا استأذنته وأنا رجل شاب ؟ فلبثت
بذلك عشر ليال فكمل لنا خمسون ليلة من حين نهي عن كلامنا ثم صليت صلاة الفجر صباح
خمسين ليلة على ظهر بيت من بيوتنا
فبينا أنا جالس على الحال التي ذكر الله منا
قد ضاقت على نفسي و ضاقت علي الأرض بما رحبت سمعت صوت صارخ أوفى على سلع يقول بأعلى
صوته : يا كعب بن مالك أبشر فخررت ساجدا و عرفت أنه قد جاء فرج فآذن رسول الله صلى
الله عليه و سلم الناس بتوبة الله عز و جل علينا حين صلى صلاة الفجر . فذهب الناس
يبشروننا فذهب قبل صاحبي مبشرون و ركض رجل إلي فرسا و سعى ساع من أسلم قبلي وأوفى
على الجبل فكان الصوت أسرع من الفرس فلما جاءني الذي سمعت صوته يبشرني نزعت له ثوبي
فكسوتهما إياه ببشارته و الله ما أملك غيرهما يومئذ واستعرت ثوبين فلبستهما وانطلقت
أتأمم رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم يتلقاني الناس فوجا فوجا يهنئوني بالتوبة
ويقولون لي لتهنك توبة الله عليك حتى دخلت المسجد فإذا رسول الله صلى الله عليه و
سلم جالس حوله الناس فقام طلحة بن عبيد الله رضي الله عنه يهرول حتى صافحني وهنأني
والله ما قام رجل من المهاجرين غيره فكان كعب لا ينساها لطلحة . قال كعب : فلما
سلمت على رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم قال وهو يبرق وجهه من السرور : [ أبشر بخير
يوم مر عليك منذ ولدتك أمك ] فقلت : أمن عندك يا رسول الله أم من عند الله ؟ قال :
[ لا بل من عند الله عز و جل ] و كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم إذا سر استنار
وجهه حتى كأن وجهه قطعة قمر و كنا نعرف ذلك منه
فلما جلست بين يديه قلت : يا
رسول الله إن من توبتي أن أنخلع من مالي صدقة إلى الله وإلى رسوله . فقال رسول الله
صلى الله عليه و سلم : [ أمسك عليك بعض مالك فهو خير لك ] فقلت : إني أمسك سهمي
الذي بخيبر وقلت : يا رسول الله إن الله تعالى إنما أنجاني بالصدق وإن من توبتي أن
لا أحدث إلا صدقا ما بقيت فوالله ما علمت أحدا من المسلمين أبلاه الله تعالى في صدق
الحديث منذ ذكرت ذلك لرسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم أحسن مما أبلاني الله
تعالى
والله ما تعمدت كذبة منذ قلت ذلك لرسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم إلى يومي
هذا و إني لأرجو أن يحفظني الله تعالى فيما بقي قال : فأنزل الله تعالى ( التوبة
117 ، 118 ، 119 ) : { لقد تاب الله على النبي والمهاجرين والأنصار الذين اتبعوه في
ساعة العسرة } حتى بلغ { إنه بهم رؤوف رحيم وعلى الثلاثة الذين خلفوا حتى إذا ضاقت
عليهم الأرض بما رحبت } حتى بلغ : { اتقوا الله و كونوا مع الصادقين } قال كعب : و
الله ما أنعم الله علي من نعمة قط بعد إذ هداني للإسلام أعظم في نفسي من صدقي رسول
الله صلى الله عليه و سلم أن لا أكون كذبته فأهلك كما هلك الذين كذبوا إن الله
تعالى قال للذين كذبوا حين أنزل الوحي شر ما قال لأحد فقال الله تعالى ( التوبة 95
، 96 ) : { سيحلفون بالله لكم إذا انقلبتم إليهم لتعرضوا عنهم فأعرضوا عنهم إنهم
رجس ومأواهم جهنم جزاء بما كانوا يكسبون يحلفون لكم لترضوا عنهم فإن ترضوا عنهم فإن
الله لا يرضى عن القوم الفاسقين }
قال كعب : كنا خلفنا أيها الثلاثة عن أمر
أولئك الذين قبل منهم رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم حين حلفوا له فبايعهم واستغفر
لهم وأرجأ رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم أمرنا حتى قضى الله تعالى فيه بذلك قال
الله تعالى : { وعلى الثلاثة الذين خلفوا } وليس الذي ذكر مما خلفنا تخلفنا عن
الغزو وإنما هو تخليفه إيانا وإرجاؤه عمن حلف له واعتذر إليه فقبل منه . متفق
عليه
وفي رواية : أن النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم خرج في غزوة تبوك يوم الخميس
وكان يحب أن يخرج يوم الخميس
وفي رواية : كان لا يقدم من سفر إلا نهارا في الضحى
فإذا قدم بدأ بالمسجد فصلى فيه ركعتين ثم جلس فيه.
21-
Abdullah bin
Ka`b, who served as the guide of Ka`b bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him)
when he became blind, narrated: I heard Ka`b bin Malik (May Allah be pleased
with him) narrating the story of his remaining behind instead of joining
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) when he left for the battle of Tabuk. Ka`b
said: "I accompanied
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) in every expedition which he undertook excepting the
battle of Tabuk and the battle of Badr. As for the battle of Badr, nobody was
blamed for remaining behind as Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and the Muslims, when
they set out, had in mind only to intercept the caravan of the Quraish. Allah
made them confront their enemies unexpectedly. I had the honour of being with
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) on the night of `Aqabah when we pledged our allegiance
to Islam and it was dearer to me than participating in the battle of Badr,
although Badr was more well-known among the people than that. And this is the
account of my staying behind from the battle of Tabuk. I never had better means
and more favourable circumstances than at the time of this expedition. And by
Allah, I had never before possessed two riding-camels as I did during the time
of this expedition. Whenever Messenger of Allah (PBUH) decided to go on a
campaign, he would not disclose his real destination till the last moment (of
departure). But on this expedition, he set out in extremely hot weather; the
journey was long and the terrain was waterless desert; and he had to face a
strong army, so he informed the Muslims about the actual position so that they
should make full preparation for the campaign. And the Muslims who accompanied
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) at that time were in large number but no proper record
of them was maintained.'' Ka`b (further) said: "Few were the
persons who chose to remain absent believing that they could easily hide
themselves (and thus remain undetected) unless Revelation from Allah, the
Exalted, and Glorious (revealed relating to them). And Messenger of Allah (PBUH)
set out on this expedition when the fruit were ripe and their shade was sought.
I had a weakness for them and it was during this season that Messenger of Allah
(PBUH) and the Muslims made preparations. I also would set out in the morning to
make preparations along with them but would come back having done nothing and
said to myself: 'I have means enough (to make preparations) as soon as I like'.
And I went on doing this (postponing my preparations) till the time of departure
came and it was in the morning that Messenger of Allah (PBUH) set out along with
the Muslims, but I had made no preparations. I would go early in the morning and
come back, but with no decision. I went on doing so until they (the Muslims)
hastened and covered a good deal of distance. Then I wished to march on and join
them. Would that I had done that! But perhaps it was not destined for me. After
the departure of Messenger of Allah (PBUH) whenever I went out, I was grieved to
find no good example to follow but confirmed hypocrites or weak people whom
Allah had exempted (from marching forth for Jihad). Messenger of Allah (PBUH)
made no mention of me until he reached Tabuk. While he was sitting with the
people in Tabuk, he said, `What happened to Ka`b bin Malik?' A person from Banu
Salimah said: "O Messenger
of Allah, the (beauty) of his cloak and an appreciation of his finery have
detained him.' Upon this Mu`adh bin Jabal (MatAllah be pleased with him)
admonished him and said to Messenger of Allah (PBUH): "By Allah, we
know nothing about him but good.' Messenger of Allah (PBUH), however, kept
quiet. At that time he (the Prophet (PBUH)) saw a person dressed in white and
said, `Be Abu Khaithamah.' And was Abu Khaithamah Al-Ansari was the person who
had contributed a Sa` of dates and was ridiculed by the hypocrites.'' Ka`b bin
Malik further said: "When the news
reached me that Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was on his way back from Tabuk, I was
greatly distressed. I thought of fabricating an excuse and asked myself how I
would save myself from his anger the next day. In this connection, I sought the
counsels of every prudent member of my family. When I was told that Messenger of
Allah (PBUH) was about to arrive, all the wicked ideas vanished (from my mind)
and I came to the conclusion that nothing but the truth could save me. So I
decided to tell him the truth. It was in the morning that Messenger of Allah
(PBUH) arrived in Al-Madinah. It was his habit that whenever he came back from a
journey, he would first go to the mosque and perform two Rak`ah (of optional
prayer) and would then sit with the people. When he sat, those who had remained
behind him began to put forward their excuses and take an oath before him. They
were more than eighty in number. Messenger of Allah (PBUH) accepted their
excuses on the very face of them and accepted their allegiance and sought
forgiveness for them and left their insights to Allah, until I appeared before
him. I greeted him and he smiled and there was a tinge of anger in that. He then
said to me, 'Come forward'. I went forward and I sat in front of him. He said to
me, `What kept you back? Could you not afford to go in for a ride?' I said, 'O
Messenger of Allah, by Allah, if I were to sit before anybody else, a man of the
world, I would have definitely saved myself from his anger on one pretext or the
other and I have a gifted skill in argumentation, but, by Allah, I am fully
aware that if I were to put forward before you a lame excuse to please you,
Allah would definitely provoke your wrath upon me. In case, I speak the truth,
you may be angry with me, but I hope that Allah would be pleased with me (and
accept my repentance). By Allah, there is no valid excuse for me. By Allah, I
never possessed so good means, and I never had such favourable conditions for me
as I had when I stayed behind.' Thereupon, Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, 'This
man spoke the truth, so get up (and wait) until Allah gives a decision about
you.' I left and some people of Banu Salimah followed me. They said to me, `By
Allah, we do not know that you committed a sin before. You, however, showed
inability to put forward an excuse before Messenger of Allah (PBUH) like those
who stayed behind him. It would have been enough for the forgiveness of your sin
that Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would have sought forgiveness for you.' By Allah,
they kept on reproaching me until I thought of going back to Messenger of Allah
(PBUH) and retract my confession. Then I said to them, 'Has anyone else met the
same fate?' They said, 'Yes, two persons have met the same fate. They made the
same statement as you did and the same verdict was delivered in their case.' I
asked, `Who are they?' They said, 'Murarah bin Ar-Rabi` Al-`Amri and Hilal bin
Umaiyyah Al-Waqifi.' They mentioned these two pious men who had taken part in
the battle of Badr and there was an example for me in them. I was confirmed in
my original resolve. Messenger of Allah (PBUH) prohibited the Muslims to talk to
the three of us from amongst those who had stayed behind. The people began to
avoid us and their attitude towards us changed and it seemed as if the whole
atmosphere had turned against us, and it was in fact the same atmosphere of
which I was fully aware and in which I had lived (for a fairly long time). We
spent fifty nights in this very state and my two friends confined themselves
within their houses and spent (most of their) time weeping. As I was the
youngest and the strongest, I would leave my house, attend the congregational
Salat, move about in the bazaars, but none would speak to me. I would come to
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) as he sat amongst (people) after the Salat, greet him
and would ask myself whether or not his lips moved in response to my greetings.
Then I would perform Salat near him and look at him stealthily. When I finish my
Salat, he would look at me and when I would cast a glance at him he would turn
away his eyes from me. When the harsh treatment of the Muslims to me continued
for a (considerable) length of time, I walked and I climbed upon the wall of the
garden of
Abu Qatadah, who was my
cousin, and I had a great love for him. I greeted him but, by Allah, he did not
answer to my greeting. I said to him, `O Abu Qatadah, I adjure you in the Name
of Allah, are you not aware that I love Allah and His Messenger (PBUH)?' I asked
him the same question again but he remained silent. I again adjured him,
whereupon he said, `Allah and His Messenger (PBUH) know better.' My eyes were
filled with tears, and I came back climbing down the wall.
As I was
walking in the bazaars of Al-Madinah, a man from the Syrian peasants, who had
come to sell food grains in Al-Madinah, asked people to direct him to Ka`b bin
Malik. People pointed towards me. He came to me and delivered a letter from the
King of Ghassan, and as I was a scribe, I read that letter whose purport was:
`It has been conveyed to us that your friend (the Prophet (PBUH)) was treating
you harshly. Allah has not created you for a place where you are to be degraded
and where you cannot find your right place; so come to us and we shall receive
you graciously.' As I read that letter I said: 'This is too a trial,' so I put
it to fire in an oven. When forty days had elapsed and Messenger of Allah (PBUH)
received no Revelation, there came to me a messenger of the Messenger of Allah
and said, `Verily, Messenger of Allah (PBUH) has commanded you to keep away from
your wife.' I said, `Should I divorce her or what else should I do?' He said,
`No, but only keep away from her and don't have sexual contact with her.' The
same message was sent to my companions. So, I said to my wife: 'You better go to
your parents and stay there with them until Allah gives the decision in my
case.' The wife of Hilal bin Umaiyyah came to Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and
said: 'O Messenger of Allah, Hilal bin Umaiyyah is a senile person and has no
servant. Do you disapprove if I serve him?' He said, `No, but don't let him have
any sexual contact with you.' She said, 'By Allah, he has no such desire left in
him. By Allah, he has been in tears since (this calamity) struck him.' Members
of my family said to me, `You should have sought permission from Messenger of
Allah (PBUH) in regard to your wife. He has allowed the wife of Hilal bin
Umaiyyah to serve him.' I said, 'I would not seek permission from Messenger of
Allah (PBUH) for I do not know what Messenger of Allah might say in response to
that, as I am a young man'. It was in this state that I spent ten more nights
and thus fifty days had passed since people boycotted us and gave up talking to
us. After I had offered my Fajr prayer on the early morning of the fiftieth day
of this boycott on the roof of one of our houses, and had sat in the very state
which Allah described as: `The earth seemed constrained for me despite its
vastness', I heard the voice of a proclaimer from the peak of the hill Sal`
shouting at the top of his voice: 'O Ka`b bin Malik, rejoice.' I fell down in
prostration and came to know that there was (a message of) relief for me.
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) had informed the people about the acceptance of our
repentance by Allah after he had offered the Fajr prayer. So the people went on
to give us glad tidings and some of them went to my companions in order to give
them the glad tidings. A man spurred his horse towards me (to give the good
news), and another one from the tribe of Aslam came running for the same purpose
and, as he approached the mount, I received the good news which reached me
before the rider did. When the one whose voice I had heard came to me to
congratulate me, I took off my garments and gave them to him for the good news
he brought to me. By Allah, I possessed nothing else (in the form of clothes)
except these garments, at that time. Then I borrowed two garments, dressed
myself and came to Messenger of Allah (PBUH) On my way, I met groups of people
who greeted me for (the acceptance of) repentance and they said:
'Congratulations for acceptance of your repentance.' I reached the mosque where
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was sitting amidst people. Talhah bin `Ubaidullah got
up and rushed towards me, shook hands with me and greeted me. By Allah, no
person stood up (to greet me) from amongst the Muhajirun besides him.'' Ka`b
said that he never forgot (this good gesture of) Talhah. Ka`b further
said: "I greeted
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) with `As-salamu `alaikum' and his face was beaming
with pleasure. He (PBUH) said, `Rejoice with the best day you have ever seen
since your mother gave you birth. 'I said: `O Messenger of Allah! Is this (good
news) from you or from Allah?' He said, `No, it is from Allah.' And it was
common with Messenger of Allah (PBUH) that when ever he was happy, his face
would glow as if it were a part of the moon and it was from this that we
recognized it (his delight). As I sat before him, I said, I have placed a
condition upon myself that if Allah accepts my Taubah, I would give up all of my
property in charity for the sake of Allah and His Messenger (PBUH)!' Thereupon
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, `Keep some property with you, as it is better
for you.' I said, 'I shall keep with me that portion which is in Khaibar'. I
added: 'O Messenger of Allah! Verily, Allah has granted me salvation because of
my truthfulness, and therefore, repentance obliges me to speak nothing but the
truth as long as I am alive.'' Ka`b added: "By Allah, I
do not know anyone among the Muslims who has been granted truthfulness better
than me since I said this to the Prophet (PBUH). By Allah! Since the time I made
a pledge of this to Messenger of Allah (PBUH), I have never intended to tell a
lie, and I hope that Allah would protect me (against telling lies) for the rest
of my life. Allah, the Exalted, the Glorious, revealed these
Verses:
'Allah has
forgiven the Prophet (PBUH), the Muhajirun (Muslim Emigrants who left their
homes and came to Al-Madinah) and the Ansar (Muslims of Al-Madinah) who followed
him (Muhammad (PBUH)) in the time of distress (Tabuk expedition), after the
hearts of a party of them had nearly deviated (from the Right Path), but He
accepted their repentance. Certainly, He is unto them full of kindness, Most
Merciful. And (He did forgive also) the three who did not join [the Tabuk
expedition and whose case was deferred (by the Prophet (PBUH)) for Allah's
Decision] till for them the earth, vast as it is, was straitened and their
ownselves were straitened to them, and they perceived that there is no fleeing
from Allah, and no refuge but with Him. Then, He forgave them (accepted their
repentance), that they might beg for His Pardon [repent (unto Him)]. Verily,
Allah is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful. O you who
believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in word and
deeds).'' (9:117,118).
Ka`b
said: "By Allah,
since Allah guided me to Islam, there has been no blessing more significant for
me than this truth of mine which I spoke to Messenger of Allah (PBUH), and if I
were to tell a lie I would have been ruined as were ruined those who had told
lies, for Allah described those who told lies with the worst description He ever
attributed to anybody else, as He sent down the Revelation:
They will
swear by Allah to you (Muslims) when you return to them, that you may turn away
from them. So turn away from them. Surely, they are Rijsun [i.e., Najasun
(impure) because of their evil deeds], and Hell is their dwelling place - a
recompense for that which they used to earn. They (the hypocrites) swear to you
(Muslims) that you may be pleased with them, but if you are pleased with them,
certainly Allah is not pleased with the people who are Al-Fa'siqun (rebellious,
disobedient to Allah)". (9:95,96)
Ka`b further
added: "The matter of
the three of us remained pending for decision apart from the case of those who
had made excuses on oath before Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and he accepted those,
took fresh oaths of allegiance from them and supplicated for their forgiveness.
The Prophet (PBUH) kept our matter pending till Allah decided it. The three
whose matter was deferred have been shown mercy. The reference here is not to
our staying back from the expedition but to his delaying our matter and keeping
it pending beyond the matter of those who made their excuses on oath which he
accepted".
[Al-Bukhari
and Muslim]
Another
version adds: "Messenger of
Allah (PBUH) set out for Tabuk on Thursday. He used to prefer to set out on
journey on Thursday.'' Another version says: "Messenger of
Allah (PBUH) used to come back from a journey in the early forenoon and went
straight to the mosque where he would perform two Rak`ah prayer. Afterwards he
would seat himself there".
Commentary:
This Hadith contains many aspects of warnings and advices, some of which are
given below:
1- A Muslim
should always speak the truth even if he has to face troubles and turmoil for it
because the Pleasure of Allah lies in truth
2-
One must
avoid at all costs the attitude of hypocrites because eventually one is ruined
by it.
3- In spite of
hardship and stringency, one must take part in Jihad.
4- For the
admonition and exhortation of others, it gives justification for the economic
boycott of even sincere Muslims who adopt wrong methods.
5- One must face
with forbearance the difficulties which come in the way of Deen.
6- It is not
praiseworthy that one gives in charity all the property he has. One must keep
what is needed for the lawful needs.
7- It is lawful
to give something by way of gift and reward to a person who congratulates in the
events of happiness.8- The ability to seek pardon is a gift from Allah for which
one must express gratitude to Him.
.9- Any promise
that one makes must be kept, etc. etc
