for my kin, according to one exegetical view. Another explanation of the Divine words, “save affection toward kinfolk,” is that you are to love me because of the blood-ties that link us.

In any event, this ḥadīth offers the Rāfiḍah no foothold for maligning the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ, for it can apply only to those who actually apostatized. As for those who remained upon Islam—whom the entire Muslim community unanimously regards as rightly guided and knowledgeable—they are not included in the ḥadīth. It is said that what limits the application of the report is precisely this consensus of the Muslims that the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, did not apostatize. Only a contingent of tribes revolted, and they were fought by Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq, may Allah be pleased with him; most of them then returned to Islam. Allah alone grants success.

166 Eleventh ḥadīth: ʿAbdullāh ibn Mughafal, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade al-khadhf (propelling small stones with the fingers) and said: “It neither kills game nor wounds an enemy, yet it can gouge out an eye and break a tooth.” Agreed upon.

In another narration: A relative of Ibn Mughafal once used such a pebble-thrower, whereupon Ibn Mughafal forbade him, saying, “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prohibited al-khadhf and said, ‘It does not hunt game.’” The man repeated the act, and Ibn Mughafal exclaimed, “I have just told you that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade it, and you go back to doing it! I shall never speak to you again.”