The Holy Prophet (PBUH) and Noa’imaan

Morals

Allah, the Wise, has said:    

(And certainly, you stand on sublime morality.)(1)

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said:   

Short Explanation

For man, good morals bring grace and elegance in this world, and relief and happiness in the hereafter. They elevate a person’s status in proximity to God and aid him in the perfection of his religion. All the Prophets, auliya, and the chosen ones of God possessed exemplary morals and every believer ought to adorn himself with such morals, in order that his Scales of deeds become weightier on the Day of Judgement. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) has said: The Haatim of our time is one, who possesses good morals. Bad morals cause a person to suffer the squeezing of the grave and the (punishment of) hell (in the hereafter), and a lack of friends in this world.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) and Noa’imaan

Noa’imaan Ibn A’mr Ansaari was one of the early companions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and had a jovial and jocose nature. It has been reported that a tribal Bedouin once arrived in Medina and, resting his camel behind the mosque, entered inside to be in the presence of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Some of the Prophet’s companions incited Noa’imaan by saying, “If you kill this camel, we could distribute its meat amongst ourselves, and the Holy Prophet (PBUH) would have to pay its price to the owner.”‌

Following their advice, Noa’imaan killed the animal. When the owner came out of the mosque and discovered his dead camel, he was furious and decided to bring the matter to the attention of the Holy Prophet. Noa’imaan, in the meantime, had taken flight.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) came out of the mosque, saw the dead camel and inquired, “Who is responsible for this act?”‌

Those around him accused Noa’imaan so the Holy Prophet (PBUH) despatched someone to bring Noa’imaan before him. Word spread around that Noa’imaan was hiding in the house of Dhubaa’h Bint Zubair, (4) which was near the mosque. He had climbed into a pit and covered himself with fresh grass. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was told about Noa’imaan’s hideout and he and his companions set out towards Dhubaa’h’s house. Once there, the envoy revealed Noa’imaan’s hideaway to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), who ordered him to uncover the pit. When it was done, Noa’imaan emerged, his cheeks and forehead covered with fresh grass. On seeing him, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) asked:

“O’ Noa’imaan! What is this that you have done?”‌

He replied, “O’ Prophet of Allah! By Allah! Those people who have led you to my hiding-place,were the same ones who persuaded me to kill the camel.”‌

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) smiled and brushed away the grass from Noa’imaan’s cheeks and forehead with his holy hands. He then paid the price of the camel to the Bedouin (5) on Noa’imaan’s behalf.

Taken from Anecdotes for Reflection Part 1 by Sayyid Ali Akbar Sadaaqat

Notes:

1. Holy Qur’an, ch. Al-Qalam, vs. 4.

2. Jaame’ al-Sa’adaat, vol. 1, pg. 23

3. Tadhkirah al-Haqaiq, pg. 57.

4. She was the cousin of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) and the wife of Miqdad Ibn al-Aswad

5. Lataaif al-Tawaaif, pg. 26

Other links:

Do You Want to Stay away from Sins?

The story of Moses and the Lost Sheep

O Allah (SWT) Hide my Sins..!