Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … A mistake was committed by Sayyiduna Hatib radi Allahu anhu, which is mentioned in the following hadith. It is possible that this is the very complaint his slave had, but it is also possible that the slave complained about his master for some other reason:

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ali radi Allahu anhu, who said: The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam sent me, az-Zubair, and al-Miqdad, and said: “Go until you reach Rawdat Khakh, for there is a woman traveler there who has a letter with her, so take that letter from her.” So we set out, our horses running swiftly, until we reached the garden, and there indeed was the woman. We said to her: “Hand over the letter.” She said: “I have no letter with me.” We said: “You will surely hand over the letter, or we will strip your clothes.” Upon hearing this, she took the letter out from her hair braid. We took the letter and brought it to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. In it was written: “From Hatib ibn Abi Balta’ah to some people among the polytheists in Makkah…” He was informing them of some matters of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “O Hatib! What is this?” He said: “Do not be hasty with me (let me explain). The matter is that I was attached to the Quraysh by a pact, and I was not one of their own by lineage. Those of the Muhajirun who are with you have relatives among the Quraysh, by which they protect their families in Makkah. When I saw that I had no such lineage among the Quraysh, I thought that if I did them a favor, they would protect my relatives as well (this is why I did this). I did not do this out of disbelief, nor apostatizing from my religion, nor out of pleasure with disbelief after Islam.” The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Indeed, he has spoken the truth to you.” Sayyiduna Umar radi Allahu anhu said: “O Messenger! Allow me to strike the neck of this hypocrite.” He sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “He was present at Badr, and you do not know—perhaps Allah has looked upon the people of Badr and said: ‘Do as you wish, for I have forgiven you.’” (Sahih Bukhari: 3007, 4274, 4890; Sahih Muslim: 2494; and the wording is from Ahmad)

The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam sent me, Sayyiduna Zubair, and Sayyiduna Miqdad, and said: “Go until you reach Rawdat Khakh. There, a traveling woman will have a letter; take that letter from her.” So we set out, our horses galloping, until we reached that garden. There indeed was a woman present. We said to her: “Hand over the letter.” She said: “I have no letter with me.” We said: “Hand over the letter, or else we will strip your clothes.” Hearing this, she took the letter out from her hair braid. We took it and reached the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. In that letter, it was written: “This letter is from Hatib ibn Abi Balta’ah to the polytheists of Makkah, …” He was informing them of some matters of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “O Hatib! What is this?” He said: “Do not be hasty with me (let me explain). The matter is that I was attached to the Quraysh by a pact, and I was not one of their own by lineage. Those of the Muhajirun who are with you have relatives among the Quraysh, by which they protect their families in Makkah. When I saw that I had no such lineage among the Quraysh, I thought that if I did them a favor, they would protect my relatives as well (this is why I did this). I did not do this out of disbelief, nor apostatizing from my religion, nor out of pleasure with disbelief after Islam.” The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Indeed, he has spoken the truth to you.” Sayyiduna Umar radi Allahu anhu said: “O Messenger! Leave me, I will strike the neck of this hypocrite.” He sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “He was present at Badr, and you do not know—perhaps Allah has looked upon the people of Badr and said: ‘Do as you wish, for I have forgiven you.’”

Sayyiduna Hatib radi Allahu anhu had sent news to the people of Makkah about the preparations and arrival of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.

In this blessed hadith, a very significant point is mentioned for understanding the status and rank of the noble Companions (Sahabah) radi Allahu anhum, and that is: For those Companions whose prior forgiveness has been announced by the blessed tongue of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, any mistakes they make afterwards should be overlooked. For when Allah Most High was announcing this forgiveness, He knew that from among these sanctified souls, so-and-so would make such a mistake. In reality, the rules of Allah Most High regarding accepting the good deeds of those nurtured in the lap of Prophethood and forgiving their human shortcomings are different from those for other members of the Muslim Ummah.

See, Sayyiduna Hatib radi Allahu anhu was revealing such a great secret of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, and Sayyiduna Umar radi Allahu anhu, taking it very seriously, considered him a hypocrite and deserving of death. But the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam clarified that his forgiveness had already been announced beforehand. Subhan Allah. Therefore, those who hold disrespectful opinions about the noble Companions should be cautious and should correct their views.