Among the beauties of the Prophetic biography.
A tearful apology.
It was a tearful apology and a sorrowful reproach between a teacher and his students, a mentor and those who loved him.
They had harbored a thought that was misplaced.
They believed that their teacher had ignored them or forgotten their role in Islam.
Their perspective did not align with his.
He had sought to reconcile people’s hearts with those vast sums of wealth.
And he had entrusted them to their own faith and integrity.
Yet wealth is a trial.
Therefore, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, delivered.
His historic sermon during the Battle of Hunayn.
A sermon unmatched in its eloquence, sincerity, impact, and gentle reproach.
Abu Sa'id al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, said:
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, came to them.
He praised Allah and extolled Him as He deserves.
Then he said:
"O company of the Ansar!"
"What is this talk that has reached me from you?"
"And this feeling you have harbored within yourselves?"
"Did I not find you astray, and Allah guided you?"
"And in need, and Allah enriched you?"
"And enemies, and Allah brought your hearts together?"
They replied:
"Rather, Allah and His Messenger are more gracious and more generous."
"Do you feel slighted, O company of the Ansar, over a trifle of this world?"
"With which I sought to reconcile the hearts of a people so they might embrace Islam."
"While I entrusted you to your own Islam."
"Are you not satisfied, O company of the Ansar,"
"That people should go away with sheep and camels,"
"While you return with the Messenger of Allah to your dwellings?"
"For by Him in Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad,"
"Had it not been for the Hijrah, I would have been one of the Ansar."
In that account,
He said:
"The people wept until they soaked their beards."
And they said:
"We are satisfied with the Messenger of Allah as our portion and our share."
The Ansar, may Allah be pleased with them, understood thereafter,
That the greatest bounty and the most noble gain,
Was returning with the Messenger of Allah to their homes.
And attaining the privilege of his company and his care.
And witnessing the blessings that accompanied him.
Here we learn of the humility of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him.
And his acknowledgment of the merit of the Ansar.
And his dialogue with his students.
And that Allah’s favor upon them through guidance is better and greater.
And his apology to them for what had occurred.
And that he was winning over those whose hearts were to be reconciled.
And that the world is but a fleeting trifle.
That will soon pass away.
It should not deceive the believers.
And Allah is the Grantor of success.
Among the beauties of the Prophetic biography.