The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) – Volume III — Page 128
Seal of the Prophets - Volume III 128 attempted to draw the Holy Prophet sa to his point of view. At times, as per the custom of the Arabs, he would touch the blessed beard of the Holy Prophet sa as well, but whenever he did so, a sincere companion named Mughīrah bin Shu‘bah ra who was standing by the Holy Prophet sa at the time (and was the paternal nephew of ‘Urwah) would thrust off the hand of ‘Urwah with the sheath of his sword and say, “Keep your filthy hands off the blessed face of the Chosen Prophet sa. ” At the time, since the face of Mughīrah ra was hidden by a head piece, Urwah, unable to recognise him inquired, “Who is this person?” The people said, “This is Mughīrah bin Shu‘bah. ” Urwah furiously and contemptuously said, “O disloyal one, have you forgotten my favour upon you?” 1 Upon this, Mughīrah ra felt ashamed. At that time, ‘Urwah looked around in pride but it was this very gaze that inspired him, because at the time, ‘Urwah found the party of the companions gathered around the Holy Prophet sa in the likeness of a candle surrounded by moths. ‘Urwah himself narrates that at the time, the state of the intense love of the Muslims was such as while drinking, even if a droplet of water would fall from the mouth of the Holy Prophet sa , the companions would eagerly take it in their hands and with the thought of acquiring blessings, would rub it upon their faces and their bodies. Whenever the Holy Prophet sa would issue an instruction, people would pounce forward in such a manner as if competing with one another. When the Holy Prophet sa would perform his Wuḍū ’, the companions in their eagerness to serve the Holy Prophet sa by providing him water, would move forward as if they were about to burst into a confrontation amongst themselves. When the Holy Prophet sa would speak, his companions would listen silently with complete and utter attention. Moreover, on account of their love and due to the awe of the Holy Prophet sa , the companions could not raise their gazes in front of the Holy Prophet sa. 2 Upon witnessing these inspiring events and thus concluding his discussions with the Holy Prophet sa , ‘Urwah returned to the Quraish. As soon as he reached them he said to the Quraish, “O Ye people! I have travelled far and wide, I have been to the royal courts of many a king and have been presented before Caesar and Chosroe and the Negus as a representative, but by God, the manner in which I have seen the companions of Muḥammad sa 1 The favour of ‘Urwah upon Mughīrah, prior to his accepting Islām, was that he paid the bloodmoney of a few murders committed by him, and among the Arabs a favour was held in very high esteem, which Islām further acknowledgeded. 2 Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābush-Shurūṭ, Bābush-Shurūṭi Fil-Jihādi. . . , Ḥadīth No. 2731-2732