it was either an exercise of independent judgment involving no sin, in which case there is nothing further to say. For it is authentically reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“When a judge exercises independent judgment and reaches the correct decision, he receives two rewards; when he exercises independent judgment and errs, he receives one reward.”

If, however, there was a sin, it has been established that Allah is pleased with these men and has forgiven them for what they did. Thus, whatever sins they committed—if any sin was indeed committed—will not harm them. Rather, if any of them committed a sin, Allah had erased it through one of the means by which He expiates sins. For example, he may have repented and Allah accepted his repentance; he may have had good deeds that erase evil deeds; or Allah may have expiated his sin through an affliction He visited upon him. For it is authentically reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“No fatigue, illness, worry, distress, sorrow, or harm befalls a believer without Allah thereby expiating some of his sins.”

As for those who came after these earliest pioneers—namely, those who embraced Islam after al-Hudaybiyah—they are included in the words of Allah Most High:

“To each Allah has promised the best reward.”

And in His words:

“And those who followed them in righteousness—Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him.”

Khālid ibn al-Walīd, ‘Amr ibn al-‘Ās, ‘Uthmān ibn Talhah al-Hajabī, and others embraced Islam before the conquest of Mecca. The people of Tā’if embraced Islam after those who had been set free, and they were the last people to embrace Islam. Among them was ‘Uthmān ibn Abī al-‘Ās al-Thaqafī, whom the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, appointed to govern the people of Tā’if. He was among the finest Companions, despite having embraced Islam late.