- “The Holy Spirit will continue to support you so long as you contend in defense of Allah and His Messenger.”
Muslim recorded it (7/164–165) from Abū Salamah ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān, from ʿĀʾishah, who related that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Compose satire against Quraysh, for it is harsher upon them than a volley of arrows.”
He sent for Ibn Rawāḥah and said, “Satirize them.” He did so, but the Prophet was not satisfied. He then sent for Kaʿb ibn Mālik, and then for Ḥassān ibn Thābit. When Ḥassān entered, he said, “It is time for you to send for this lion that strikes with its tail!” Then he thrust out his tongue and began moving it, saying, “By Him Who sent you with the truth, I shall rend them with my tongue as a hide is rent.”
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Do not be hasty, for Abū Bakr knows Quraysh best in regard to their genealogies, and I have ties of lineage among them. Wait until he clarifies my lineage for you.”
So Ḥassān went to him, then returned and said, “O Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, he has clarified your lineage for me. By Him Who sent you with the truth, I shall draw you out from among them as a hair is drawn from dough.”
ʿĀʾishah said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say to Ḥassān the words cited above.” She also said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say: ‘Satirize them, Ḥassān; it will bring relief and satisfaction.’”
Ḥassān said:
“You reviled Muhammad, so I answered on his behalf;
with Allah lies the recompense for that.
You reviled Muhammad—a righteous and upright man,
the Messenger of Allah, whose trait is faithfulness.
My father, his father, and my honour
are a shield for Muhammad’s honour against you.
May my little daughter be bereaved of me if you do not see them
raising dust from the two sides of Kadāʾ,
Racing with the reins as they ascend,
with thirsty spears upon their shoulders.
Our fine steeds remain drenched,
while women strike them with their veils.
If you turn away from us, we shall perform the lesser pilgrimage;
then victory will come, and the covering will be lifted.
Otherwise, await a day of battle
on which Allah honours whomever He wills.
Allah has said: ‘I have sent a servant
who speaks the truth, in which there is no obscurity.’
Allah has said: ‘I have prepared an army—
the Anṣār—whose purpose is battle.
Each day they encounter men of Maʿadd
in invective, combat, or satire.
Thus, whoever among you reviles the Messenger of Allah,
and whoever praises and supports him, are alike.
Gabriel, the Messenger of Allah, is among us,
and the Holy Spirit has no equal.’”