Story of Zayd ibn Al-Arqam with the hypocrite ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Ubayy

It was narrated that Zayd ibn Arqam, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: “While I was taking part in a Ghazwa (battle). I heard ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Ubayy (ibn Abi Salool) saying: ‘Do not spend on those who are with Allaah's Messenger, that they may disperse and go away from him. If we return (to Medina), surely, the more honorable will expel the meaner amongst them.’ I reported that (saying) to my uncle(1)  or to ‘Umar who, in his turn, informed the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, of it. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, called me and I narrated to him the whole story. Then Allah's Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, sent for ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Ubayy and his companions, and they took an oath that they did not say that. So Allaah's Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, disbelieved my saying and believed his. I was distressed as I never was before. I stayed at home and my uncle said to me: ‘You got nothing of this except Allah's Messenger disbelieved your statement and hated you.’ So Allaah revealed (the Soorah (a chapter) of the Noble Quran beginning with):

{إِذَا جَاءَكَ الْمُنَافِقُونَ}

'Translation' {When the hypocrites come to you} [Al-Munaafiqoon:1]. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, then sent for me and recited it and said: «O Zayd! Allaah confirmed your statement» (2).

Amongst the lessons drawn from the above-mentioned Hadeeth are:

1-          An-Nawawi, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: "It is obligatory for the one who hears something related to the Imaam (leader or governor of Muslims) or the like of the great people in authority and expects that this will cause harm to Muslims to inform them (those who are in authority) with it so that they may be careful of it and take the necessary precautions. Furthermore, Ibn Hajar, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “It is not to be deemed dispraised Nameemah (carrying tales to circulate slanderous rumors between two persons to damage or sever the ties between them) unless he intends to cause absolute corruption by doing so. However, if this implies a benefit that dominates over the corruption, it will not" (3) as it can be observed in this incident. 

2-          Not holding the prominent figures in society by minor mistakes so that their followers may not turn away from them, confining to blaming them and accepting their excuses, believing in their oaths, even if the evidences indicate the opposite of this for this implies intimacy and affection.

3-          The great morals of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, his perfect patience towards the harm caused to him and his great ability of enduring for the Sake of Allaah The Almighty, expecting His immense reward.

4-          It indicates the great virtues and merits of Zayd ibn Arqam, may Allaah be pleased with him, because verses of the Noble Quran were sent down to prove his truthfulness.

5-          Maliciousness, wickedness and plots of the hypocrites against Islam and Muslims.

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1)          It was said he is ‘Abdullaah ibn Rawaahah, may Allaah be pleased with him, because he was his stepfather while his real paternal uncle is Thaabit ibn Qays, may Allaah be pleased with him.

2)          Reported in Saheeh Al-Bukhaari no. (4617), and Saheeh Muslim no. (2772).

3)          An-Nawawi; Sharh Saheeh Muslim (17/120).