MADINAH-AL-MUNAWARRA, THE CITY OF THE PROPHET , IS ABUZZ with rumors.
Ever since the Muslims returned from the battle ofBani al-Mustaliq the
hypocrites have been busy spreading lies against Aisharadi-Allahu
anha. These stories have become the topic of every gathering, the
subject of discussion in every household in Madinah. Though most of
the sincere Muslims are confident in the innocence of Aisha
radi-Allahu anha, they are still quiet, waiting for this to be
ascertained by the Prophet . The Prophet is also quiet, waiting for
Allah to inspire him towards the truth. Thus, the hypocrites led by
Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salool have advantage over the seemingly
confusing situation and gear all their energies in spreading the lies.
Unsuspectingly influenced by the hypocrites' rampage, a few Muslim
thus begin to believe this false story. Some of these Muslims even
actively help propagate it.
Among them is Mistah bin Uthatha radi-Allahu anhu, acousin of Abu Bakr
radi-Allahu anhu. He is an extremely poor man with no money except
that which Abu Bakr radi-Allahuanhu regularly gives him. Mistah's
endorsement of the hypocrites' story adds somewhat more weight to it,
as he is a man with a fine reputation. It can be no longer said that
belief inthis story is limited to the circle of hypocrites.
And so a trying and gruesome month passes before Allah subhanahu
wata'ala reveals the innocenceof Aisha radi-Allahu anha. The Muslims
finally exhale a sigh of relief and a sense of normalcy returns to
Madinah.
Hurt and angered by Mistah's previous allegations, Abu Bakr takes an
oath that he will never spend on Mistah again. Considering Abu Bakr's
perspective, this is a perfectly justifiable, even expected, position.
Here is a person wholly dependanton Abu Bakr and yet is willfully
spreading and endorsing wild, enormous rumors about Abu Bakr's beloved
daughter. How else could Abu Bakr react insuch an ironic situation?
How else can he treat a person who slandered his daughter, the Mother
of the Believers, with the worst of slander?
And then Allah reveals: Andlet not those who are goodand wealthy among
you swear not to help their kinsmen, those in need andthose who left
their homesin Allah's Cause. Let them forgive and overlook. Do you not
wish that Allah should forgive you? Verily! Allah is Oft-forgiving,
Most Merciful." (24.22)
Abu Bakr radi-Allahu anhu, despite his anguish and hurt feelings,
immediately responds by exclaiming,"By Allah, I would love it that
Allah forgives me!" He promptly returns to his previous habit, and
swears that he will never cease spending on Mistah.
This was the mercy and forgiveness the Qur'an teaches, the mercy and
tiesof kinship that Allah is pleased to see in His servants.
Now let's think ... what would one of us do in the same situation?
What would YOU do? Here's someone you've always helped, been good to;
someone who absolutely depends on you. And now when you're going
throughsome tough times yourself,that person, instead of being
thankful for all what you've done and using this opportunity to make
it up to you, gets up and stabs you in the back. Instead of telling
the world of your goodness, goes on to spread tales. Would you goon
enjoining ties of kinship?
Conflicts, trivial and great, arise between friends and families all
the time. But the question is: how are we supposed to react in the
face of such? Should we defend ourselves to theend because we are in
the right? Should we refuse to forgive the other and overlook his/her
faults, because we were wronged? Should we cut off relationships, shun
one another due to a petty or even great argument? Howcan we let go of
our ego and just forgive and overlook despite the great misdeed
targeted against us?
A glance at Abu Bakr radi-Allahu anhus life will tell us that no
matter whatthe sin, no matter how grave the misdeed is, thereshould
always remain a window leading to reconciliation and forgiveness. In
the Qur'an we are time and time again reminded to forgive each other
and live with each other in harmony andlove. Regardless if the
squabble is wholly the fault of the notorious"other" it is vital to
realize that greatness is not in raising our head high and stomping
off, rather it is in bending down and seekingto reconcile; in
forgiving and overlooking. There is no attitude that can ever bring
about the most reward and pleasure than that of unhesitant
forgiveness. Being oft-forgiving is an attributeAllah uses to describe
Himself, and indeed we should aspire to build this lofty description
within us, even with our limited capabilities. We beg Allah to forgive
our transgressions,
:->
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