The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 75
II - Commencement of Jihād by the Sword & Fundamental Discussion on Jihād 75 seen in the narration of Abū Dāwūd how Muslim bin Ḥārith converted an enemy tribe by inviting them to Islām, instead of attacking them for spoils. As such, he consequently remained deprived of spoils. The Holy Prophet sa greatly praised this deed of his and endowed him a certificate expressing his pleasure. Then, there is another narration of Abū Dāwūd that on one occasion, when the Holy Prophet sa was about to set forth from Madīnah on a Ghazwah , an elderly Anṣārī 1 provided a mount, etc. for a poor Companion, Wāthilah bin Asqa‘. After Jihād , Wāthilah bin Asqa‘ came to Ka‘b bin ‘Ujrah and said, “Allāh the Exalted has granted me these camels in my share of spoils. Please take your share. ” Ka‘b responded, “O nephew! May Allāh make this blessed for you. I had no intention of spoils, rather, my desire was of spiritual reward. ” And thus, he refused to accept his share. 2 Then, there is a narration in Nasa’ī that a bedouin accepted the Holy Prophet sa and accompanied him in a Ghazwah. When some spoils were acquired, the Holy Prophet sa set aside his share as well. When he learnt of this, he presented himself before the Holy Prophet sa and said, “O Messenger of Allāh! you have put aside my share. By God, I did not become a Muslim with this intention. My intention was that in the cause of Allāh, an arrow might pierce me here (pointing towards his throat), and I may be admitted to paradise. ” The Holy Prophet sa stated, “If this person truly desires such an end, then Allāh shall fulfill his desire. ” Sometime after, fighting ensued and the individual was martyred by an arrow to the throat. When the Companions brought him to the Holy Prophet sa , he inquired, “Is this the same person?” The Companions said, “Yes, Messenger of Allāh!” The Holy Prophet sa responded, “God has fulfilled his desire. ” After this, the Holy Prophet sa endowed his own robe to serve as his shroud and especially prayed for him. 3 It is a thousand pities that in the presence of these testimonies, there are some people who without fearing God, raise allegations upon the Holy Prophet sa and his Companions, that in these wars, their purpose was pillaging, plunder and the acquisition of worldly wealth. 1 Abū Dāwūd has not mentioned a name, however it is ascertained from Usdul-Ghābah that his name was Ka‘b bin ‘Ujrah. These references are as follows: * Sunanu Abī Dāwūd, Kitābul-Jihād, Bābu Fir-Rajuli Yakrī Dābbatuhū ‘Alan-Niṣf…. . , Ḥadīth No. 2676 * Usdul-Ghābah Fī Ma‘rifatiṣ-Ṣaḥābah, By ‘Izzuddīn Ibnul-Athīr Abul-Ḥasan ‘Alī bin Muḥammad, Volume 4, p. 628, Wāthilah bin Al-Asqa‘, Dārul-Fikr, Beirut, Lebanon (2003) 2 Sunanu Abī Dāwūd, Kitābul-Jihād, Bābu Fir-Rajuli Yukrī Dābbatuhū ‘Alan-Niṣf…. . , Ḥadīth No. 2676 3 Sunanun-Nasa’ī, Kitābul-Janā’iz, Bābuṣ-Ṣalāti ‘Alash-Shuhadā’, Ḥadīth No. 1953