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At the Battle of Hudaibiyah, ‘Urwah bin Mas‘ud (ra) came to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) as an ambassador for the Quraish. One of the companions, Hazrat Mughirah bin Shu‘bah (ra), was standing near the Holy Prophet (sa) with a sword in his hand to protect the Holy Prophet (sa). In accordance with the Arab custom, this ambassador, while entreating for a favour, would extend his hand to touch the Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (sa) beard. The passionate devotee could not bear that an idolater should touch the Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (sa) beard. Every time this ambassador extended his hand, he would brush away the hand with the tip of the sword and said, ‘Take your hand away from the Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (sa) beard.’
‘Urwah was taken aback by this behaviour and asked, ‘Who is this young man?’ When he came to know that it was Mughirah, he addressed him, ‘You know that I have been your helper before the time of Islam, and is this the reward you are giving me?’
The fact is that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) was dearer to his companions than their own friends and relatives.
In the plain of Hudaibiyah, ‘Urwah saw another scene of the companions’ love for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa). The companion would not let the water from the Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (sa) ablution fall on the ground, even his spit would not fall on the ground. The companions were collecting this water in their hands as a benediction. They obeyed his commands with great devotion.
When this ambassador returned to the Quraish, he expressed his feelings in the words, ‘I have seen the courts of the mighty emperors and the palaces of Qaisar, Kisra and Najashi. By God, I have not seen any courtiers of a king paying so much respect to his master as I have seen the companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) do. By God, the companions of Muhammad (sa) do not even let his spit fall on the ground, instead they take it in their hands and rub it on their bodies. When he commands them to do something, they immediately act on it. When Muhammad (sa) performs ablution, they do not let even a drop fall on the ground, and it looks as if they will fight over it. When he talks to them, they listen in silence and do not look into his face as a mark of respect and talk softly to him.’
In brief, such scenes of expression of the love which the companions had for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) astounded the nonbelieving chief of the Quraish.
Muhammad (sa)– The Perfect Man (Qadian, India: Nazarat Isha’at, 2015) 306-308.
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