and judgment and strategy?”

He replied: “Rather (1), it is a matter of warfare, judgment and strategy.” Al-Hubāb said: “This is not a suitable position for battle.” [He said:] (2) He therefore adopted al-Hubāb’s advice (3).

Likewise, on the day of the Battle of the Trench, he had considered making peace with Ghatafān in exchange for half of Medina’s dates, so that they would withdraw from the fighting. Sa‘d (4) came to him and said: “O Messenger of Allah, if Allah has commanded you to do this, we hear and obey,” or words to that effect. “But if you have done this only for our benefit, then in the days of pre-Islamic ignorance they could not obtain a single date (5) from Medina except by purchase or rental. Now that Allah has honoured us through Islam, are we to give them our dates (6)? We will give them nothing but the sword,” or words to that effect. The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—accepted his advice (7).

During the expedition to Tabūk, when he permitted them to slaughter their riding camels, ‘Umar advised him instead to gather their provisions and pray for them to be blessed. He accepted his advice (8).

‘Umar also advised him to recall Abū Hurayrah after he had sent him with his sandals to give glad tidings of Paradise to anyone he met beyond this wall who testified that there is no god but Allah. ‘Umar feared that they would become complacent, and he accepted his advice (9).