The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 3 of 4

IMAM ABO AL-FIDA' ISMA'IL IBN KATHiR 259
throw stones at it. God will discharge your security from you Himself.' He
did so, and the herd returned to its Jewish master, who realized that his slave
had accepted Islam. The Messenger of God (SAAS) then arose and addressed
his men."
He went on to relate the hadith of him having given the banner to 'Ali, the
approach of the latter to the fort of the Jews, and his killing of Marhab. (The
account states) "Also killed (while) with 'Ali was that black slave, who was home
by the Muslims to their camp and brought into the main tent. They claim
that the Messenger of God (SAAS) looked inside the tent, then turned to his
Companions and commented, 'God has honoured this slave and led him to good.
Islam was truly within his heart. At his head I saw two of the hour~s of paradise.'"
The ha& d-Bayhaqi narrated through Ibn Wahb, from Haywa h. Shurayh,
from Ibn d-Hadd, from Shur&bil b. Sa'd, from Jabir b. 'Abd AUgh, who said,
"We were with the Messenger of God (SAAS) at the expedition to Khaybar. A
raiding party went out and they captured a man who was shepherding a herd."
He went on to relate roughly the same story of the black slave and said of him,
"He died a martyr and had not made a single prayer prostration to God!"
Al-Bayhaqi then stated that Muhammad b. Muhammad b. Mubmmad
al-Faqih related to him, quoting Abii Bakr d-Qatmn, quoting Abii al-Azhar,
quoting Miisa h. Ismacil, quoting Hammad, quoting Thabit, from Anas, that a
man came to the Messenger of God (SAAS) and said, "Messenger of God, I'm
a man who is black in colour, ugly of face and who owns nothing. If I fight those
people until I'm killed, will I enter paradise?" "Yes," he replied.
(Anas's account continues that) "the man then went forth and battled until
he was killed. When the Messenger of God (SAAS) was brought to his body, he
said, 'God has made your face handsome, sweetened your smell and increased
your wealth.' Then he said, 'I saw his two wives, hourzs, competing to take off his
gown; they were entering the space between his skin and his gown."'
Al-Bayhaqi then narrated through Ibn Jurayj as follows, '"Ikrima b. Khglid
informed me, from Ibn Abii 'Amma, from Shaddad b. al-Hadd, that a bedouin
came to the Messenger of God (SAAS), expressed his belief in him and followed
him, saying, 'I will go forth with you.' The Prophet (SAAS) gave hi
into the
charge of one of his Companions. At Khaybar the Messenger of God (SAAS)
received booty and divided it up, including a portion for this man which he gave
to the Companions of this man for he had been guarding their rear. When he
came to them they gave it to hi. He asked, 'What is this?' They replied, 'The
portion assigned to you by the Messenger of God (SAAS).' He responded, 'It
was not for this that I followed you! I followed you so that I might be shot right
here.' And he pointed with an arrow at his throat. 'So I would die and enter
heaven!' He (the Messenger of God (SAAS)) then said, 'If you keep trust with
God, he will keep trust with you.'
"They then arose to battle the enemy. Later he was carried in to the Messenger
of God (SAAS); he had been struck with an arrow where he had pointed! The