Sahih al-Bukhari 6207

Abu al-Yaman informed us: Shuayb informed us, from al-Zuhri. Ismail narrated to us, saying: My brother told me, from Sulayman, from Muhammad ibn Abi Atiq, from Ibn Shihab, from Urwah ibn al-Zubayr, that Usamah ibn Zayd, may Allah be pleased with them both, informed him that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, rode a donkey with a Fadaki velvet covering, with Usamah behind him, to visit Sad ibn Ubadah among Banu al-Harith ibn al-Khazraj, before the Battle of Badr. They traveled until they passed a gathering where Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul was present, before Abdullah ibn Ubayy had become Muslim. The gathering included a mixture of Muslims, polytheists who worshipped idols, and Jews. Among the Muslims was Abdullah ibn Rawahah. When dust raised by the animal reached the gathering, Ibn Ubayy covered his nose with his cloak and said, “Do not cover us with dust.” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, greeted them, stopped, dismounted, invited them to Allah, and recited the Quran to them. Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul said to him, “Man, nothing is better than what you say, if it is true. So do not disturb us with it in our gatherings. Whoever comes to you, tell it to him.” Abdullah ibn Rawahah said, “Indeed, Messenger of Allah, come to our gatherings, for we love that.” The Muslims, polytheists, and Jews then traded insults until they were nearly about to attack one another. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, kept calming them until they fell silent. Then he mounted his animal and went on until he entered upon Sad ibn Ubadah. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Sad, did you hear what Abu Hubab”—meaning Abdullah ibn Ubayy—“said? He said such-and-such.” Sad ibn Ubadah replied, “Messenger of Allah, may my father be your ransom, excuse him and pardon him. By the One who sent down the Book to you, Allah has brought you the truth He revealed to you. The people of this settlement had agreed to crown him and bind the royal turban around him. When Allah turned that away through the truth He granted you, he was choked with resentment over it; that is why he acted as you saw.” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, pardoned him. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and his Companions used to pardon the polytheists and the People of the Book, as Allah had commanded them, and patiently endure harm. Allah, Exalted is He, said: “You will surely hear much that will grieve you from those who were given the Scripture...” and He said: “Many of the People of the Book wish...” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, continued to act upon Allah’s command to pardon them until He gave him permission concerning them. When the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, went on the campaign of Badr, Allah killed there those whom He killed among the foremost disbelievers and Quraysh leaders. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and his Companions returned victorious and with spoils, bringing with them as captives some of the foremost disbelievers and Quraysh leaders. Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul and the polytheists who were with him said, “This matter has now gained the upper hand, so pledge allegiance to the Messenger of Allah in Islam.” And they became Muslims.