Airing Suspicions

Airing Suspicions

1987 1 January 15 Airing Suspicions (255) After the Battle of Hunayn (8AH) the Prophet distributed the spoils of battle in the valley of Jiranah, about ten miles from Mecca. Abd Allah Amr ibn al-Aas witnessed the scene. One incident that occurred during the distribution of spoils was thus described by him:

A man called Dhu’l-Khuwaysirah of the Banu Tamim came and stood next to the Prophet as he was giving things away. “I have seen your day’s work, Mohammad,” he said to the Prophet. “Indeed,” the Prophet replied, “and how did you find it?” “You do not appear to have been just,” was Dhu’-Khuwaysirah’s response (Sirat Ibn Hisham).

A similar incident occurred during the caliphate of Umar, when Uaynah ibn Hisan came to Medina, where he stayed with his nephew, Hur ibn Qays. Having obtained permission for a meeting with the Caliph, he came before him and said:

“By God, son of Khattab, you do not bestow any wealth upon us, nor do you pass judgement justly among us” (Riyadh as-Salihin).

Both these allegations were unfounded. Yet, despite this, words were found with which to accuse the Prophet and Umar, both of whom were innocent of the accusations levelled against them. This shows that the levelling of accusations is not enough to prove a person guilty. There is nothing on earth, which will stop people bringing charges, no matter whether they are true or false. It is only when God’s judgement comes to pass that people will feel constrained to stop uttering falsehoods, and that justice will be done to all.

Weighing up one’s own actions before they are weighed up on the divine scales of justice

1987 1 January 15 Weighing up one’s own actions before they are weighed up on the divine scales of justice (38) “Reckon with yourselves,” ‘Umer said, “before you are reckoned with in the next world; and weigh your own actions before they are weighed on the divine scales of justice; and prepare yourselves for the great appearance (before God).”