Download PDF: [S] He learnt a Lesson of Giving (Islamic story)

When the Bani Hawazin and the Saqeeq were badly beaten in Hunain, the remaining members of these tribes gathered under their leader Malik bin Auf and escaped to a fort in Taif. After capturing the war booty from these people at the beginning, the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – did not give permission for it to be distributed. This was based on a special plan he had already made.

 

The Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – then sent Hadrat Sayyiduna Khalid bin Waleed – may Allah be pleased with him – with a battalion of one thousand men and then closely followed him. The enemy had already kept provisions which could last them for one complete year inside this fort.

 

This siege by the Muslims lasted for forty days. In some reports, it is mentioned ten days, twenty days, fifteen days, etc. In fact, in this siege, the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – had also adopted new war tactics. This was the first time that massive sling shots were used against the enemy. With the result of this, large portions of the walls around the fort had been damaged.

The Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – also developed what is known today as tanks. There were built with timber and other material. The idea was to make Muslims hide in this contraption and approach the walls much easier and also protect themselves from the arrows of the enemy.

 

The Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – also instructed that the crops of the enemy be also burnt. However, when they heard what he was about to do, they pleaded for him to stop this action. The Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him –then instructed that the crops be spared.

 

During this siege, it was also announced that whoever leaves this fort and surrenders, he would be spared and freed. With the result twenty three people left the fort and entered the ranks of the Muslims. They were also freed.

 

The siege began to last for a few days.  Suddenly, the order was given to end the siege and return to Ja’raniyah. This was based in a secret plan. As the Muslims were leaving Taif, they asked the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – to curse these people, but instead he made Du’a to Allah Almighty that these people are guided to the right path. The intention was to give these people a few more days to think about their decision and to give them an opportunity to come peacefully to the Muslims.

 

In fact, during the siege of Taif, Malik bin Auf had sent a secret message to the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – that if the Muslims end their siege, they will come to the Muslims peacefully. He also felt that if they accepted Islam at this stage, it would mean defeat and the Arabs will forever insult them for this weakness.

 

When the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – saw this request, he decided to end the siege and give this people a chance to save their honour. He then waited for the arrival of Malik bin Auf but this person did not come.

 

The Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – then decided to distribute the war booty among the people present. While he was doing so, he was also educating the people on how to rectify themselves and how to spiritually clean themselves.

 

A person named Hakeem bin Hazaam then appeared. He had accepted Islam during the conquest of Mecca Shareef. He asked for his share from the war booty. The Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – then gave him a large portion. However, while he was giving this person his share, the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – gave him advice as well. He said to him, “O Hakeem! The hand which is above is better than the hand which is below. In other words, the hand which gives is better than the hand which receives.”

 

When the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – mentioned these words, it hit the person like a lightning bolt. In fact, the attitude of Hadrat Sayyiduna Hakeem bin Hazaam – may Allah be pleased with him – completely changed after this. It is mentioned that he never ever asked people for anything again. During the time of Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Bakr – may Allah be pleased with him – the great Muslim leader offered him Zakah and other wealth, but he refused to accept anything. Remember that this was his share which he was entitled to, but still he refused to accept anything. In fact the words of the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – continued to have such a great impact on his life that even during the era of Hadrat Sayyiduna Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – he refused to accept anything. He also mentioned that the oath he had taken with the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – he would never be prepared to break this promise. (As Seerat Al Halbiyah)

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Maghfal – may Allah be pleased with him – mentions, “After the Battle of Khyber, I acquired a sack of fat. I placed it under my arms and said that besides me, no one had managed to acquire something like this. I was unaware that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – was listening to my words and when I turned towards his blessed presence, he was smiling.” (Ibn Katheer)