Sharḥ Riyāḍ al-Ṣāliḥīn - Ibn al-'Uthaymin - (1/141)

Sharḥ Riyāḍ al-ṢāliḥīnIbn al-'Uthaymin

to him, for proximity makes advice, rebuttal, and gentle censure more impactful. For that reason the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to him, “Come closer.”

Seventh: The depth of Kaʿb ibn Mālik’s certainty—may Allah be pleased with him—is clear from his remark: “I could invent an excuse that would satisfy the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, but I could never escape Allah’s displeasure tomorrow after having secured his approval today.”

Eighth: Allah knows what is secret and what is even more hidden. Kaʿb feared that Allah might hear his words and his conversation with the Messenger—peace and blessings be upon him—and then reveal Qur’ān about him, just as He revealed verses concerning the woman who came to the Prophet complaining that her husband had pronounced ẓihār (a form of divorce) against her. Regarding her, Allah said: “Allah has indeed heard the statement of her who pleads with you concerning her husband and complains to Allah; Allah hears the dialogue between you both. Truly Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing” (al-Mujādilah 1).

Kaʿb relates that he went to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, spoke truthfully, and informed him that he had no excuse—neither with respect to his body nor his wealth. In fact, he had never possessed two mounts at once for any expedition prior to this.

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, then said, “As for this man, he has spoken the truth.” It is distinction enough that the Prophet described him as truthful. He added, “Go until Allah decides concerning you whatever He wills.” So the man departed, fully submitting to Allah’s decree and believing that whatever Allah wills comes to pass and whatever He does not will cannot be.

Some members of his clan, Banū Salamah, followed him and began to entice him to retract his admission. They said, “You have never committed a sin before this—meaning you have never stayed behind from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. It would be enough if the Messenger of Allah sought forgiveness for you, and if he seeks forgiveness for you…”

منه؛ لأن هذا أبلغ في الأخذ والرد والمعاتبة، فلذلك قال له الرسول ﵊: ((ادن)) . سابعاً: كمال يقين كعب بن مالك- ﵁ حيث أنه قال: أنني أستطيع أن اخرج بعذر من الرسول ﵊ ولكن لا يمكن أن أخرج منه بعذر يعذرني فيه اليوم ثم يغضب الله على فيه غداً. ثامناً: إن الله يعلم السر وأخفي، فإن كعباً خاف أن يسمع الله قوله ومحاورته للرسول- ﵊ فينزل الله فيه قرآناً، كما أنزل في قصة المرأة المجادلة التي جاءت إلي الرسول ﵊ تشكو زوجها حين ظاهر منها، فأنزل الله فيها آية من القرآن:) قَدْ سَمِعَ اللَّهُ قَوْلَ الَّتِي تُجَادِلُكَ فِي زَوْجِهَا وَتَشْتَكِي إِلَى اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ يَسْمَعُ تَحَاوُرَكُمَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ بَصِيرٌ) (المجادلة: ١) . يقول كعب: إنه أتي إلي الرسول صلي الله عليه وسلم وصدقه القول وأخبره أنه لا عذر له لا في بدنه ولا في ماله، بل إنه لم يجمع راحلتين في غزوة قبل هذه. فقال النبي صلي الله عليه وسلم: ((أما هذا فقد صدق)) ويكفي له فخراً أن وصفه النبي ﵊ بالصدق: ((أما هذا فقد صدق، فاذهب حتى يقضي الله فيك ما شاء)) . فذهب الرجل مستسلماً لأمر الله ﷿ مؤمناً بالله، وأنه ما شاء الله كان، وما لم يشأ لم يكن. فلحقه قوم من بني سلمه من قومه وجعلوا يزينون له أن يرجع عن إقراره، وقالوا له: إنك لم تذنب ذنباً قبل هذا، يعني مما تخلفت به عن رسول الله صلي الله عليه وسلم ويكفيك أن ستغفر لك رسول الله صلي الله عليه وسلم وإذا استغفر لك