THE PROMISE OF A MUSLIM, Fulfill" your promises.

THE PROMISE OF A MUSLIM

                     At the battle of Badr in 2 A.H., the Muslims were heavily outnumbered by the Kuffar. They were also poorly equipped. In the battlefield, two men approached Rasulullah (S) from the direction of Makkah. As they came near, people were recognized as Hudaifah Ibn-al-Yammam (R) and Abu Hasil (R). They were devoted Sahabah (R) of Rasulullah (S). The Kuffar had prevented them from leaving Makkah.

                        While in Makkah, Hudaifah (R) and Abu Hasil (R) heard that the Kuffar planned to invade Madinah. When the two Sahabah (R) heard of the coming attack, they felt very bad. They said, "How can we sit at home safe while Rasulullah (S) and his Sahabah (R) risk thei
r lives because of the Kuffar's aggression?"

                    One day, they found an opportunity to escape, and both of them quietly left Makkah. Some Kuffar spotted Hudaifah (R) and Hasil (R) on the way to Madinah and arrested them. The two Sahabah (R) convinced the Kuffar of their peaceful intentions. The Kuffar were prepared to release them if they firmly promised not to join Rasulullah's forces in the coming battle.

                    The Kuffar were so sure of their victory in the battle that they had no worries about these Muslims leaving Makkah. "After the battle is over," the Kuffar thought, "Hudaifah (R) and Abu Hasil (R) will realize they were mistaken in deserting their city and people. That will be enough punishment for them." Hudaifah (R) and Abu Hasil (R), however, thought differently. Their hearts were full of the heroic desire to fight shoulder to shoulder with their outnumbered Muslim brothers. They preferred Shahadah (martyrdom) to a life under the dominance of the Kuffar in Makkah. 

                    The thought that they had won their freedom by making a promise which would not allow them to take part in Jihad made them very unhappy. So they said to each other, "A promise to the Kuffar is no promise. The Kuffar are the enemies of Islam. First they tortured the Muslims in Makkah, and now they have come to attack us in Madinah. They did not allow us to leave Makkah freely. Now they have pressured us to extract an unfair promise." Both of them were happy to be free and decided to go straight to the battlefield of BADR to join the Muslim ranks. As they arrived at the battlefield, Rasulullah (S) and all the Muslims were overjoyed.

                     It was a great comfort to see two good Muslims freeing themselves from the oppression of the Kuffar of Makkah. Both Hudaifah (R) and Abu Hasil (R) were great warriors. Their arrival strengthened the besieged Muslim ranks. Rasulullah (S) welcomed Hudaifah (R) and Abu Hasil (R) and asked them how they escaped from Makkah. With great pleasure, they told Rasulullah (S) how they schemed their release from the Kuffar by making a false promise.

 

"We are not going to keep it O Rasulullah. We have come to fight the Kuffar and desire Shahadah from Allah," they said. Rasulullah (S) was pleased to hear their story. However, he advised them, "It is wonderful to receive you, but you made a promise not to fight against the Makkans. You should honor that promise."

 "But that was under compulsion," they protested.

"Nonetheless, it was a promise that secured your release. A Muslim always fulfills his promises," Rasulullah (S) advised them.

 

"We came to participate in the first Jihad against the Kuffar, O Rasulullah," they pleaded. "Please let us fight the Kuffar. Don't disappoint us."

 

                    

                    The Muslims were all surprised at Rasulullah's refusal, especially at a time when the services of these brave fighters were desperately needed.Rasulullah (S) understood the desires of Hudaifah (R) and Abu Hasil (R) and the anxiety of his Sahabah (R). But he was not merely an army commander who wanted victory at any cost. He was a prophet who came to build the morals of Muslims and to teach them good manners.He told Hudaifah (R) and Abu Hasil (R), "Allah rewards people according to their good intentions. Allah knows your intentions well. Allah grants both victory and defeat. The fulfillment of a promise is the religious obligation of a Muslim. The Qur'an says, "Fulfill your promises."

                     Now all the Muslims understood the reasons for Rasulullah's decision. Allah wants Muslims to be truthful in making promises and firm in their fulfillment. The Battle of Badr was fought without Hudaifah (R) and Abu Hasil (R), but the Muslims still won a decisive victory. Hudaifah (R) and Abu Hasil (R) surely have been rewarded by Allah both for their intentions to fight in the Jihad and for keeping the promise they made to the Kuffar. Their immediate reward was their freedom from the Kuffar and the companionship of the Prophet (S). They won an opportunity to participate in community activities in Madinah and to take part in future Jihads against the Kuffar.

 

Conclusion:

The story of Hudaifah (R) and Abu Hasil (R) teaches us a valuable lesson about the importance of keeping our promises, even to our enemies. Rasulullah (S) taught us that a Muslim's promise is sacred, and that we should always strive to fulfill our commitments.

Even though Hudaifah (R) and Abu Hasil (R) were eager to fight in the Battle of Badr, Rasulullah (S) advised them to honor their promise to the Kuffar. This shows us that Rasulullah (S) was not just a military leader, but also a moral guide. He wanted his followers to be people of integrity and honesty.

                    The story of Hudaifah (R) and Abu Hasil (R) also reminds us that Allah is always watching over us and knows our intentions. Even though they were not able to fight in the Battle of Badr, they were still rewarded by Allah for their sincerity and their willingness to sacrifice for Islam.

In conclusion, the story of Hudaifah (R) and Abu Hasil (R) is a reminder to all Muslims of the importance of keeping our promises, even to our enemies. It also teaches us that Allah is always watching over us and knows our intentions.