Likewise, when he testified that the Ten would enter Paradise, this did not imply that no one else would enter Paradise; rather, he mentioned it because a particular circumstance called for it.
Likewise, when he said of al-Hasan and Usāma, “O Allah, I love them both, so love them both, and love whoever loves them both” (1), this did not imply that he loved no one else. Rather, there were others whom he loved even more.
Likewise, when he said, “No one who pledged allegiance beneath the tree will enter the Fire” (2), this did not imply that everyone besides them would enter it.
Likewise, when he likened Abū Bakr to Abraham and Jesus *, this did not preclude (3) there being among his community and Companions (4) someone who resembled Abraham and Jesus * (5). Likewise, when he likened Umar to Noah and Moses, this did not preclude (6) there being within his community someone who resembled Noah and Moses.
If it is said, “These two are the best among his community of those who resemble them,” the reply is: Their uniquely possessing this resemblance in its fullest degree does not preclude others from sharing (7) in the basic resemblance.
Likewise, when he said of Urwa ibn Masūd, “He is like the man mentioned in Surah Yā Sīn” (8).
(1) This hadith was cited previously, 4/39.
(2) This hadith was cited previously, 2/28.
(3) B reads: “it was not impossible that…”
(4) “and his Companions” is omitted from B.
(5) The passage between the two asterisks is omitted from S.
(6) M reads: “did not prevent…”
(7) M reads: “participation.”
(8) This is Urwa ibn Masūd ibn Mutib ibn Mālik al-Thaqafī. Ibn Hajar wrote in *al-Isāba*, 2/470: “Urwa ibn Masūd is mentioned in an authentic hadith concerning the events of al-Hudaybiyya, and he played a distinguished role in securing the truce.” He then wrote: “According to Ibn Ishāq’s account, he followed the Prophet’s trail when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) withdrew from al-Tāif. He embraced Islam and sought permission to return to his people. The Prophet said, ‘I fear that they will kill you.’ He replied, ‘If they found me asleep, they would not wake me.’ He granted him permission. Urwa called them to Islam and counseled them sincerely, but they disobeyed him and subjected him to verbal abuse. Near dawn, he stood atop an upper chamber of his and gave the call to prayer. A man from Thaqīf shot him with an arrow and killed him. When news of this reached the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he said, ‘Urwa is like the man mentioned in Surah Yā Sīn: he called his people to Allah, and they killed him.’” The report appears in *Sīrat Ibn Hishām*, 4/182; *Zād al-Maād*, 3/498; and *Imtā al-Asmā*, pp. 489–90.