Book Forty Nine – The Book on Peacemaking

Hadith Number 855.

Narrated by Sahl bin Sad (Radhi Allahu Anhu): There was a dispute amongst the people of the tribe of Bani 'Amr bin 'Auf. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) went to them along with some of his companions in order to make peace between them. The time for the prayer became due but the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) did not turn up; Bilal (Radhi Allahu Anhu) pronounced the Adhan (i.e. call) for the prayer but the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) did not turn up, so Bilal (Radhi Allahu Anhu) went to Abu Bakr and said, "The time for the prayer is due and the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) is detained, would you lead the people in the prayer?" Abu Bakr (Radhi Allahu Anhu) replied, "Yes, you wish." So, Bilal (Radhi Allahu Anhu) pronounced the Iqamah of the prayer and Abu Bakr (Radhi Allahu Anhu) went ahead (to lead the prayer), but the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) came walking among the rows till he joined the first row. The people started clapping and they clapped too much, and Abu Bakr (Radhi Allahu Anhu) used not to look hither and thither in the prayer, but he turned round and saw the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) standing behind him. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) beckoned him with his hand to keep on praying where he was. Abu Bakr (Radhi Allahu Anhu) raised his hand and praised Allah and then retreated till he came in the (first) row, and the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) went ahead and lead the people in the prayer. When the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) finished the prayer, he turned towards the people and said, "O people! When something happens to you during the prayer, you start clapping. Really clapping is (permissible) for women only. If something happens to one of you in his prayer, he should say: 'Subhan Allah', (Glorified be Allah), for whoever hears him (saying so) will direct his attention towards him. O Abu Bakr! What prevented you from leading the people in the prayer when I beckoned to you (to continue)?" Abu Bakr (Radhi Allahu Anhu) replied, "It did not befit the son of Abu Quhafa to lead the prayer in front of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam).


Hadith Number 856.

Narrated by Anas (Radhi Allahu Anhu): It was said to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) "Would that you see Abdullah bin Ubai." So, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) went to him, riding a donkey, and the Muslims accompanied him, walking on salty barren land. When the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) reached 'Abdullah bin Ubai, the latter said, "Keep away from me! By Allah, the bad smell of your donkey has harmed me." On that an Ansari man said (to 'Abdullah), "By Allah! The smell of the donkey of Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) is better than your smell." On that a man from 'Abdullah's tribe got angry for 'Abdullah's sake, and the two men abused each other which caused the friends of the two men to get angry, and the two groups started fighting with sticks, shoes and hands. We were informed that the following Divine Verse was revealed (in this concern): "And if two groups of Believers fall to fighting then, make peace between them." (Surah Al-Hujurat 49: 9)

Hadith Number 857.

Narrated by Um Kulthum bint Uqba (Radhi Allahu Anha): That she heard Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) saying, "He who makes peace between the people by inventing good information or saying good things, is not a liar."


Hadith Number 858.

Narrated by Sahl bin Sad (Radhi Allahu Anhu) : Once the people of Quba fought with each other till they threw stones on each other. When Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was informed about it, he said, "Let us go to bring about a reconciliation between them."


Hadith Number 859.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): The following Verse: If a woman fears cruelty or desertion on her husband's part (i.e. the husband notices something unpleasant about his wife, such as old age or the like, and wants to divorce her, but she asks him to keep her and provide for her as he wishes). (Surah An-Nisa’ 4: 128) "There is no blame on them if they reconcile on such basis."


Hadith Number 860.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah and Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): A Bedouin came and said, "O Allah's Messenger! Judge between us according to Allah's Laws." His opponent got up and said, "He is right. Judge between us according to Allah's Laws." The Bedouin said, "My son was a labourer working for this man, and he committed illegal sexual intercourse with his wife. The people told me that my son should be stoned to death; so, in lieu of that, I paid a ransom of one hundred sheep and a slave girl to save my son. Then I asked the learned scholars who said, "Your son has to be lashed one-hundred lashes and has to be exiled for one year." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "No doubt I will judge between you according to Allah's Laws. The slave-girl and the sheep are to go back to you, and your son will get a hundred lashes and one year exile." He then addressed somebody, "O Unais! go to the wife of this (man) and stone her to death" So, Unais (Radhi Allahu Anhu) went and stoned her to death.


Hadith Number 861.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "If somebody innovates something which is not in harmony with the principles of our religion, that thing is rejected."


Hadith Number 862.

Narrated by Al-Bara bin 'Azib (Radhi Allahu Anhu): When Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) concluded a peace treaty with the people of Hudaibiya, Ali bin Abu Talib (Radhi Allahu Anhu) wrote the document and he mentioned in it, "Muhammad, Allah's Messenger." The pagans said, "Don't write: 'Muhammad, Allah's Messenger', for if you were a Messenger we would not fight with you." Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) asked Ali to rub it out, but Ali (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said, "I will not be the person to rub it out." Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) rubbed it out and made peace with them on the condition that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and his companions would enter Makkah and stay there for three days, and that they would enter with their weapons in cases.

Hadith Number 863.

Narrated by Al-Bara (Radhi Allahu Anhu): When the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) intended to perform 'Umrah in the month of Dhul-Qadah, the people of Makkah did not let him enter Makkah till he settled the matter with them by promising to stay in it for three days only. When the document of treaty was written, the following was mentioned: 'These are the terms on which Muhammad, Allah's Messenger agreed (to make peace).' They said, "We will not agree to this, for if we believed that you are Allah's Messenger we would not prevent you, but you are Muhammad bin 'Abdullah." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "I am Allah's Messenger and also Muhammad bin 'Abdullah." Then he said to 'Ali, "Rub off (the words) 'Allah's Messenger, but 'Ali (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said, "No, by Allah, I will never rub off your name." So, Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) took the document and wrote, 'This is what Muhammad bin 'Abdullah has agreed upon: No arms will be brought into Makkah except in their cases, and nobody from the people of Makkah will be allowed to go with him (i.e. the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam)) even if he wished to follow him and he (the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam)) will not prevent any of his companions from staying in Makkah if the latter wants to stay.' When the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) entered Makkah and the time limit passed, the Makkans went to 'Ali and said, "Tell your Friend (i.e. the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam)) to go out, as the period (agreed to) has passed." So, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) went out of Makkah. The daughter of Hamza ran after them (i.e. the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and his companions), calling, "O Uncle! O Uncle!" 'Ali received her and led her by the hand and said to Fatima, "Take your uncle's daughter." Zaid and Ja'far quarreled about her. 'Ali said, "I have more right to her as she is my uncle's daughter." Ja'far said, "She is my uncle's daughter, and her aunt is my wife." Zaid said, "She is my brother's daughter." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) judged that she should be given to her aunt, and said that the aunt was like the mother. He then said to 'Ali, "You are from me and I am from you", and said to Ja'far, "You resemble me both in character and appearance", and said to Zaid, "You are our brother (in faith) and our freed slave." (*)


* The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) had established the bond of brotherhood between Zaid his freed slave and Hamza, his uncle. This is way Zaid said, “She is my brother’s daughter.” The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) is addressing the three persons claiming the right of taking Hamza’s daughter, is consoling them by relating them to himself, so that they would not be dissatisfied with his judgment.




Hadith Number 864.

Narrated by Ibn 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) set out for the 'Umrah but the pagans of Quraish prevented him from reaching the Ka'ba. So, he slaughtered his sacrifice and got his head shaved at Al-Hudaibiya, and agreed with them that he would perform 'Umrah the following year and would not carry weapons except swords and would not stay in Makkah except for the period they allowed. So, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) performed the 'Umrah in the following year and entered Makkah according to the treaty, and when he stayed for three days, the pagans ordered him to depart, and he departed.

Hadith Number 865.

Narrated by Sahl bin Abu Hathma: Abdullah bin Sahl and Muhaiyisa bin Mas'ud bin Zaid went to Khaibar when it had a peace treaty (with the Muslims).


Hadith Number 866.

Narrated by Anas (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Ar-Rabi, the daughter of An-Nadr broke the tooth of a girl, and the relatives of Ar-Rabi' requested the girl's relatives to accept the Irsh (compensation for wounds etc.) and forgive (the offender), but they refused. So, they went to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) who ordered them to bring about retaliation. Anas bin An-Nadr asked, "O Allah’s Messenger! Will the tooth of Ar-Rabi' be broken? No, by Him Who has sent you with the Truth, her tooth will not be broken." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "O Anas! Allah; law ordains retaliation." Later the relatives of the girl agreed and forgave her. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "There are some of Allah's slaves who, if they take an oath by Allah, are responded to by Allah i.e. their oath is fulfilled). Anas added, "The people agreed and accepted the Irsh." (*)


* Irsh - Blood money (i.e. compensation for wounds etc.)


Hadith Number 867.

Narrated by Al-Hasan Al-Basri: By Allah, Al-Hasan bin Ali led large battalions like mountains against Muawiya. Amr bin Al-As said (to Muawiya), "I surely see battalions which will not turn back before killing their opponents." Muawiya who was really the best of the two men said to him, "O 'Amr! If these killed those and those killed these, who would be left with me for the jobs of the public, who would be left with me for their women, who would be left with me for their children?" Then Muawiya sent two Quraishi men from the tribe of 'Abd-i-Shams called 'Abdur Rahman bin Sumura and Abdullah bin 'Amir bin Kuraiz to Al-Hasan saying to them, "Go to this man (i.e. Al-Hasan) and negotiate peace with him and talk and appeal to him." So, they went to Al-Hasan and talked and appealed to him to accept peace. Al-Hasan said, "We, the offspring of 'Abdul Muttalib, have got wealth and people have indulged in killing and corruption (and money only will appease them)." They said to Al-Hasan, "Muawiya offers you so and so, and appeals to you and entreats you to accept peace." Al-Hasan said to them, "But who will be responsible for what you have said?" They said, "We will be responsible for it." So, what-ever Al-Hasan asked they said, "We will be responsible for it for you." So, Al-Hasan concluded a peace treaty with Muawiya. Al-Hasan (Al-Basri) said: I heard Abu Bakr saying, "I saw Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) on the pulpit and Al-Hasan bin 'Ali was by his side. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was looking once at the people and once at Al-Hasan bin 'Ali saying, 'This son of mine is a Saiyid (i.e. a noble) and may Allah make peace between two big groups of Muslims through him."


Hadith Number 868.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha) : Once Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) heard the loud voices of some opponents quarrelling at the door. One of them was appealing to the other to deduct his debt and asking him to be lenient but the other was saying, "By Allah I will not do so." Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) went out to them and said, "Who is the one who was swearing by Allah that he would not do a favour?" That man said, "I am that person, O Allah's Messenger! I will give my opponent whatever he wishes."


Hadith Number 869.

Narrated by Abdullah bin Kab bin Malik: From Kab bin Malik, Abdullah bin Abu Hadrad Al-Aslami owed Kab bin Malik some money. One day the latter met the former and demanded his right, and their voices grew very loud. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) passed by them and said, "O Kab," beckoning with his hand as if intending to say, "Deduct half the debts." So, Kab took half what the other owed him and remitted the other half.


Hadith Number 870.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "There is a Sadaqah to be given for every joint of the human body; and for every day on which the sun rises there is a reward of a Sadaqah (i.e. charitable gift) for the one who establishes justice among people." (*)

* One is supposed to thank Allah for the many favours Allah bestowed upon one, one of these numberless favours in the miraculous creation of the 360 joints in man’s body. Allah rewards those who bring about peace among people with their justice, and good deeds compensate for the Sadaqah which one should pay as a sign of gratitude to Allah.

Hadith Number 871.

Narrated by Urwa bin Az-Zubair: Az-Zubair (Radhi Allahu Anhu) told me that he quarrelled with an Ansari man who had participated in (the battle of) Badr in front of Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) about a water stream which both of them used for irrigation. Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said to Az-Zubair, "O Zubair! Irrigate (your garden) first, and then let the water flow to your neighbor." The Ansari became angry and said, "O Allah's Messenger! Is it because he is your cousin?" On that the complexion of Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) changed (because of anger) and said (to Az-Zubair), "I irrigate (your garden) and then with-hold the water till it reaches the walls (surrounding the palms)." So, Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) gave Az-Zubair his full right. Before that Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) had given a generous judgment beneficial for Az-Zubair and the Ansari, but when the Ansan irritated Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) he gave Az-Zubair his full right according to the evident law. Az-Zubair (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said, "By Allah ! I think the following Verse was revealed concerning that case: "But no by your Lord they can have no faith until they make you judge in all disputes between them." (Surah An-Nisa’ 4: 65)


Hadith Number 872.

Narrated by Jabir bin Abdullah (Radhi Allahu Anha): My father died and was in debt. I suggested that his creditors take the fruits (i.e. dates) of my garden in lieu of the debt of my father, but they refused the offer, as they thought that it would not cover the full debt. So, I went to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and told him about it. He said (to me), "When you pluck the dates and collect them in the Mirbad (i.e. a place where dates are dried), call me.” Finally he came accompanied by Abu Bakr and 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anha) and sat on the dates and invoked Allah to bless them. Then he (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Call your creditors and give them their full rights." So, I paid all my father's creditors in full and yet thirteen extra Wasqs of dates remained, seven of which were 'Ajwa and six were Laun or six of which were Ajwa and seven were Laun. I met Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) at sunset and informed him about it. On that he smiled and said, "Go to Abu Bakr and 'Umar and tell them about it." They said, "We perceived that was going to happen, as Allah's Messenger did what he did."


Hadith Number 873.

Narrated by Abdullah bin Kab: That Ka'b bin Malik (Radhi Allahu Anhu) told him that in the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) he demanded his debt from Ibn Abu Hadrad in the Mosque. Their voices grew louder till Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) heard them while he was in his house. So he lifted the curtain of his room and called Ka'b bin Malik saying, "O Ka'b!" He replied, "Labbaik! O Allah's Messenger!" He beckoned to him with his hand suggesting that he deduct half the debt. Ka'b said, "I agree, O Allah's Messenger!" Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) then said (to Ibn Abu Hadrad), "Get up and pay him the rest."