Stories from Early Islam — Page 147
A Loving Recompense Towards the last days of the Holy Prophet saw in this world, he believed that his mission having been completed, he would be summoned back to God. He had therefore, been preparing his Companions by conveying to them in various ways, that his end was near. One day he said to them, ‘If a man makes a mistake, it is bet- ter that he should put it right in this life so that he should not be called to account for it, in the next. I say to you, therefore, that if I have done any wrong to any of you, he should come forward so that I may compensate him, as I do not wish to be reminded of my responsibility in the life hereafter’. Those present were greatly moved to hear this. Their eyes were lowered in respect for him and some of them even wept. They remembered all his various gracious kindnesses to them. They knew that he never hurt anybody in his life. There was complete silence. Suddenly a voice came from one side. A man said, ‘Messenger of Allah; Once when you were lining us up for battle, your elbow brushed against my back’. The Holy Prophet saw turned his back towards the man and said, ‘Come and take your revenge’. The man advanced towards the Holy Prophet saw and said, ‘Messenger of Allah, there is a difference. My back was bare when your elbow brushed against it but yours is covered’.