Volume 4 – 35 – The Acceptance of Gifts from the Polytheists by the Head of State
Abdullah ibn al-Hawzini (may Allah be pleased with him) related:
I met Bilal, the mu'adhdhin of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him), in Haleb. I said to him, “O Bilal, how was the provision of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him)?”
Bilal replied, "He had nothing." I was responsible for his sustenance from the day Allah appointed him as a Prophet until his death. A Muslim would come naked, and I would see him, and he would order me [to seek assistance], so I would go and borrow [it]. I would clothe those Muslims and feed them. Even a polytheist met me and said, “O Bilal, my resources are vast; do not borrow from anyone but me.” And I did so. One day, I performed ablution and prepared to give the call to prayer, and behold, that polytheist was among a group of merchants, and when he saw me, he called out, "O Ethiopian!" I said, “At your service." He greeted me with a harsh face and spoke offensive words to me. He asked me, "How many days are there between you and the moon?" I replied, "It is near.” The polytheist said, "There are four days between you and the moon; I will take you in place of this debt, as I did before, and send you tending sheep." My nafs (self) was taken by distress. When it was the time for Isha prayer, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) returned home. I asked permission to enter [his household], and he allowed me.
I said, “O Messenger of Allah, may your mother and father be sacrificed for my sake! This polytheist who lent me money spoke to me in this manner. I have nothing with which to pay the debt, and if I do not find a way, I will fall into a difficult situation. Allow me to go to one of these Muslim tribes until I am able to provide sustenance for the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) and repay my debt.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) then left. I went home. I placed my sword, my quiver, my sandals, and my shield at my head, intending to leave as soon as the false dawn appeared like a white pole.
Then a man came running and calling out, “O Bilal, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) is asking for you; come!” I went to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him). Behold, there were four camels saddled with their loads. I asked permission to enter [his presence]. He said, "Good news, O Bilal! Allah has brought wealth that will pay your debt.” Then he said, “Do you not see these four camels that have been saddled?” I replied, “Yes.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said: “They are yours and what is on them. There is clothing and food on them. The chief of Fadak has given them as a gift; take them and pay your debt." And I did so.
He mentioned the rest of the hadith. Then he related that he went to the mosque, and behold, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) was sitting in the mosque. He greeted him. “What did you do with the wealth?” he asked. I replied, "Yes, Allah Almighty has paid all the debts upon the Messenger." I said, "May I not return to my family until You relieve me from this [situation] and distribute it among them?" He commanded.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) called me when he performed Isha prayer. “What happened to the wealth?” he asked. I replied, "No needy person came to us with you." The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) spent the night in the mosque [without returning home].
He related the remainder of the hadith and continued: (The next day), when he performed Isha prayer, he called me. “What happened to the wealth?” He asked. I replied, "Allah has relieved you from it, O Messenger of Allah.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said Takbir and praised [Allah] because he feared death would come while that wealth was with him. Then I followed him. When he came to his wives, he greeted each one of them individually and went to his bed; this is the provision of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) about which you asked me.”
The Prophet (ﷺ) responded to my request with silence.
This silence felt heavy upon me.
Iyaz ibn Himar, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated:
I presented a female camel to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Have you become Muslim?”
I said, “No.” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "I have been forbidden from accepting gifts from polytheists." [24]