(the son of Muhib) An Egyptian who came and performed the Hajj to the Ka`ba saw some people
sitting. He enquire, "Who are these people?" Somebody said, "They are the tribe of Quraish." He said,
"Who is the old man sitting amongst them?" The people replied, "He is `Abdullah bin `Umar." He
said, "O Ibn `Umar! I want to ask you about something; please tell me about it. Do you know that
`Uthman fled away on the day (of the battle) of Uhud?" Ibn `Umar said, "Yes." The (Egyptian) man
said, "Do you know that `Uthman was absent on the day (of the battle) of Badr and did not join it?"
Ibn `Umar said, "Yes." The man said, "Do you know that he failed to attend the Ar Ridwan pledge and
did not witness it (i.e. Hudaibiya pledge of allegiance)?" Ibn `Umar said, "Yes." The man said,
"Allahu Akbar!" Ibn `Umar said, "Let me explain to you (all these three things). As for his flight on
the day of Uhud, I testify that Allah has excused him and forgiven him; and as for his absence from
the battle of Badr, it was due to the fact that the daughter of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was his wife and she was
sick then. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said to him, "You will receive the same reward and share (of the booty) as
anyone of those who participated in the battle of Badr (if you stay with her).' As for his absence from
the Ar-Ridwan pledge of allegiance, had there been any person in Mecca more respectable than
`Uthman (to be sent as a representative). Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) would have sent him instead of him. No
doubt, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) had sent him, and the incident of the Ar-Ridwan pledge of Allegiance
happened after `Uthman had gone to Mecca. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) held out his right hand saying, 'This is
`Uthman's hand.' He stroke his (other) hand with it saying, 'This (pledge of allegiance) is on the behalf
of `Uthman.' Then Ibn `Umar said to the man, 'Bear (these) excuses in mind with you.'
Narrated by Narrated `Uthman:
Context
In this narration, a man from Egypt questions Ibn Umar about Uthman's actions during key battles. Ibn Umar responds by clarifying Uthman's circumstances, emphasizing Allah's forgiveness and the importance of understanding context. This interaction highlights the significance of community responsibility and the need for compassion in discussing others' actions.
Modern Application
This hadith teaches us the value of understanding and compassion when discussing others' actions. In our communities, we should strive to offer support and understanding rather than judgment, especially when someone is facing challenges.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Community Responsibility and Prophetic Authority because it illustrates the importance of community members supporting one another and the authority of the Prophet (ﷺ) in guiding moral discussions.
And those with excuses among the bedouins came to be permitted [to remain], and they who had lied to Allah and His Messenger sat [at home]. There will strike those who disbelieved among them a painful punishment.
May Allah pardon you, [O Muhammad]; why did you give them permission [to remain behind]? [You should not have] until it was evident to you who were truthful and you knew [who were] the liars.
Allah has already forgiven the Prophet and the Muhajireen and the Ansar who followed him in the hour of difficulty after the hearts of a party of them had almost inclined [to doubt], and then He forgave them. Indeed, He was to them Kind and Merciful.
Then one of the two women came to him walking with shyness. She said, "Indeed, my father invites you that he may reward you for having watered for us." So when he came to him and related to him the story, he said, "Fear not. You have escaped from the wrongdoing people."
Those who remained behind of the bedouins will say to you, "Our properties and our families occupied us, so ask forgiveness for us." They say with their tongues what is not within their hearts. Say, "Then who could prevent Allah at all if He intended for you harm or intended for you benefit? Rather, ever is Allah, with what you do, Acquainted.