MAKING A MUSLIM HAPPY
HADHRAT ABU BAKR RADIALLAHU ANHU REGRETS HIS EXCHANGE OF WORDS WITH HADHRAT UMAR RADIALLAHU ANHU AND SEEKS FORGIVENESS
Hadhrat Abu Dardaa Radiallahu Anhu narrates that they were once sitting with Rasulullaah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam when Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu came in (in a hurry) holding the edge of his clothing (and without him realising it) because of which his knees were exposed. Rasulullaah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam commented, “Look! Your friend has had an argument.” After greeting with Salaam, Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu said, “I had an argument with (Hadhrat Umar) Ibn Khattaab Radiallahu Anhu and in the heat of the discussion I told him something. I then regretted the words and asked him to forgive me. However, he refused to do so and I have therefore come to you.” Rasulullaah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam thrice repeated, “May Allaah forgive you, 0 Abu Bakr.”
Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu later regretted (not forgiving Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu) and went to his house. When he asked if Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu was at home, he was informed that Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu was not there. He then went to Rasulullaah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam and greeted with Salaam. However, Rasulullaah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam’s face reddened (with anger) so much that Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu became alarmed. Kneeling down before Rasulullaah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam, Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu pleaded, “0 Rasulullaah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam I swear by Allaah that it was I who was at fault.” After Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu had repeated this twice, Rasulullaah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said, “When Allaah sent me (as a Nabi) to you people, you all said that I was lying except for Abu Bakr who said, ‘He is speaking the truth.’ He then supported me with his health and wealth, so will you people not leave my companion alone for my sake?” This Rasulullaah repeated twice, after which no one hurt Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu ever again.
Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Umar Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu once used insulting words for Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu but then said, “please forgive me, dear brother.” However, Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu was extremely angry (and refused to forgive him). Despite the fact that Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu repeated his request several times, Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu’s anger did not abate. The incident was then reported to Rasulullaah and when the Sahabah Radiallahu Anhum came to Rasulullaah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam and sat before him, he said, “Your brother asked you to forgive him but you failed to do so.”
Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu replied, “I swear by the Being Who has sent you with truth! There was not a time that he asked me to forgive him when I did not do so (privately). After yourself there is none of creation whom I like more than him.” Hadhrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu then added, “And I swear by the Being Who has sent you with the truth that after yourself there is none of creation whom I like more than him.” Rasulullaah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam then remarked, “Do not hurt me concerning this companion of mine because when Allaah sent me with guidance and the truth, you people said I am lying while Abu Bakr said, ‘You are speaking the truth.’ Had Allaah not named him my companion (in the Qur’aan). I would have surely made him my ‘Khaleel’ (special friend). He is after all my brother in Islaam. Take note! Seal off all accesses (leading from some houses directly to the Masjid) except the access leading from the house of Abu Bakr bin Abu Quhaafah.”
SOURCE: LIVES OF THE SAHABAH
