Fath al-Rabbani

It is narrated from ‘Abayah bin Rifa’ah that news reached Sayyiduna ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that Sayyiduna Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him), when he built a mansion, said: “Now the voices (noise) of the people have stopped coming in.” So Sayyiduna ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) sent Sayyiduna Muhammad bin Maslamah (may Allah be pleased with him) there. He came, and as soon as he arrived, he made preparations, bought a stick for one dirham, and set fire to that door. Sayyiduna Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) was informed that a man had done this. He said: “Yes, that is Muhammad bin Maslamah (may Allah be pleased with him).” Sayyiduna Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) went to him and said: “By Allah! I did not say any such word.” Muhammad bin Maslamah said: “Whatever you are saying, we will convey your statement to the Commander of the Faithful, and we will carry out whatever order we have been given.” Thus, he set fire to the door. Then Sayyiduna Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) offered Muhammad bin Maslamah some wealth, but he refused to take anything. After leaving there, Muhammad bin Maslamah came to Sayyiduna ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). He had returned very quickly; it had only taken nineteen days for his going and return. Sayyiduna ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “If I did not have a good opinion about you, I would have thought that you did not fully carry out the responsibility entrusted to you on our behalf.” Muhammad bin Maslamah said: “Why not, why would I not properly fulfill my responsibility?” He said: “Sayyiduna Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) sends you greetings and apologizes, saying that he did not say any such thing.” Sayyiduna ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked: “Did he give you provisions for the journey or not?” Muhammad bin Maslamah said: “No, he did not.” “Why did you yourself not give me provisions for the journey?” Sayyiduna ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I did not order provisions to be given to you because I did not want you to benefit while the people of Madinah are in need, and the responsibility would remain on me. These people of Madinah are present around me, whom the severity of hunger has killed. I have heard this hadith from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): No man should eat his fill alone while his neighbor is hungry.”