📖Sahih al-Bukhari 2910
Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah: That he proceeded in the company of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) towards Najd to participate in a Ghazwa. (Holybattle) When Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) returned, he too returned with him. Midday came upon them while they were in a valley having many thorny trees. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) and the people dismounted and dispersed to rest in the shade of the trees. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) rested under a tree and hung his sword on it. We all took a nap and suddenly we heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) calling us. (We woke up) to see a bedouin with him. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “This bedouin took out my sword while I was sleeping and when I woke up, I found the unsheathed sword in his hand and he challenged me saying, ‘Who will save you from me?’ I said thrice, ‘Allah.’ The Prophet (ﷺ) did not punish him but sat down.
- The lesson derived from this incident is the significance of forgiveness in Islam and the need for us to follow the example of Prophet Muhammad. Despite being confronted with a potential threat, the Prophet remained composed and relied on Allah’s protection. He demonstrated his unwavering trust in God and his mercy by choosing forgiveness over retribution. This teaches us that forgiveness is a noble and virtuous trait to possess. It allows for the mending of relationships, the cultivation of compassion, and the promotion of peace within society. By emulating the Prophet’s forgiving nature, we can strive to foster a more harmonious and tolerant world, where conflicts are resolved through mercy and understanding.
