The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 2 of 4

346 THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD
Al-Bukh%i is alone in giving this hadith through this path.
It is related on a different path from accounts of Thabit and Qatada from
Anas, to the effect that H&tha was an observer and that the words used were,
"Your son was awarded the highest paradise."
This provides a fine indication of the special status of those present at Badr,
even if not engaged in the middle of the battle or the thick of the fray, but one
observing it from a distance. Though merely struck by a stray arrow while drinking
from the cistern, his position nevertheless won him that paradise that is the
highest of all the gardens, in the very centre of heaven. It is from there that those
rivers of heaven gush forth for which the law-giving Prophet (SAAS) recommended
that his nation make their requests to God.
If this be the reward of such a man, what would such be for those who actually
faced an enemy three times their own number?
Al-Bukh%i and Muslim both recounted, from Ishaq b. mhawayh, from 'Abd
All& b. Idris, from Husayn b. 'Abd al-Ralpnzn, from Sa'd b. Wbayda, from
Abn 'Abd d-Rahmm al-Sulami, from 'Ali b. Abii Talib, the story of Hatih b.
Abn Balta'a and his despatch of the latter to the people of Mecca in the year of
the conquest, and how Wmar sought the permission of the Messenger of God
(SAAS) to strike off his head for having betrayed God, His Messenger and the
believers. He responded, "He was present at Badr; do you realize that God
looked down at those who took part at Badr and said, 'Do whatever you wish, for
I have forgiven you!"' '
Al-Bukhari's text reads, "Is he not of those at Badr? Perhaps God looked
down on those present there and said, 'Do whatever you wish, for I have guaranteed
you heaven, and I have forgiven you.' Tears came to the eyes of Wmar, and
he said, 'God and his Messenger know best.'"
Muslim related from Qutayba, from al-Layth, from Abn al-Zubayr, from
Jahir, that a slave belonging to Hztib went to complain to the Messenger of God
(SAAS) about his master, saying, "0 Messenger of God, Hitcib will certainly go
to hell!" The Messenger of God (SAAS) replied, "You lie; he will not go there!
He was present at Badr and at al-Hudaybiyya."
Imzm Ahmad stated, "Sulayman b. Dz'nd related to us, quoting Abii Bakr h.
'Ayyash; and d-Acmash related to me, from Abn Sufym, from Jzbir, who said,
"The Messenger of God (SAAS) stated, 'No man who was present at Badr or
al-Hudaybiyya will go to hell!"'
Ahmad was alone in giving this, but it accords with the norms established by
Muslim.
Imam Ahmad stated that Yazid related to him, quoting Hammad b. Salama,
from 'Asim h. Abii al-Nujnd, from Abii Salih, from Abii Hurayra who quoted
the Prophet (SAAS) as saying, 'LGod looked down at those present at Badr and
said, 'Do what you wish, for I have forgiven you."'
Aha Da'nd related it from Ahmad b. Sinxu and Mnsa b. Ismacil, both of them
quoting Yazid b. Ham.