Life-of-Muhammad

222Life of Muhammad saanybody in conversation no attention would be paid tohim." On hearing this the Prophet sa observed: "Theworth of this poor man is much greater than the value ofa quantity of gold sufficient to fill the whole universe"(Bukhari, Kitabur Riqaq).A poor Muslim woman used to clean out the HolyProphet's sa mosque in Medina. The Prophet sa did not seeher in the mosque for some days and made inquiriesconcerning her He was told that she had died. He said:"Why was I not informed when she died? I would havewished to join her funeral prayers," and added,"perchance you did not consider her worthy ofconsideration as she was poor. This was not right.Direct me to her grave." He then proceeded to her graveand prayed for her (Bukhari, Kitabus Salat). He used tosay that there were people with tangled hair whosebodies were covered with dust and who were notwelcomed by those who were well-to-do but who were sohighly valued by God that if, trusting in God'sbeneficence, they swore in His name that a certainmatter would take a certain turn He would supportthem." (Muslim, Kitabul Birr Was Sila). On one occasionsome Companions of the Holy Prophet sa who were freedslaves were sitting together when Abu Sufyan ra (who wasa chieftain among the Quraish and had fought theMuslims up to the surrender of Mecca and had acceptedIslam only on that occasion) happened to pass by. TheseCompanions ra , addressing him, recalled the victory thatGod had bestowed upon Islam. Abu Bakr ra also heardthis and did not approve of a chieftain of the Quraishbeing reminded of their humiliation and he reprimandedthe group of Companions ra . He then went to the HolyProphet sa and related the incident to him. The Prophet sasaid: "O Abu Bakr ra ! I fear you may have hurt thefeelings of these servants of God. If that should be so,God would be offended with you." Abu Bakr ra at oncereturned to those people and inquired: "Brothers ofmine! Did you feel hurt over what I said?" To which they