That Allah's Messenger (PbUH) rode over a donkey covered with a Fadakiya (velvet sheet) and Usama was riding
behind him. He was visiting Sa`d bin 'Ubada (who was sick) in the dwelling place of Bani Al-Harith
bin Al-Khazraj and this incident happened before the battle of Badr. They proceeded till they passed
by a gathering in which `Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salul was present., and that was before `Abdullah bin
Ubat embraced Islam. In that gathering there were Muslims, pagan idolators and Jews, and among the
Muslims there was `Abdullah bin Rawaha.
When a cloud of dust raised by (the movement of ) the animal covered that gathering, `Abdullah bin
Ubai covered his nose with his garment and said, "Do not cover us with dust." Allah's Messenger (PbUH) greeted
them, stopped, dismounted and invited them to Allah (i.e. to embrace Islam) and recited to them the
Holy Qur'an. On that `Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salul said to him, "O man! There is nothing better than
what you say, if it is the truth. So do not trouble us with it in our gatherings, but if somebody comes to
you, you can preach to him." On that `Abdullah bin Rawaha said "Yes, O Allah's Messenger (PbUH)! Call on us
in our gathering, for we love that." So the Muslims, the pagans and the Jews started abusing one
another till they were about to fight with one another. Allah's Messenger (PbUH) kept on quietening them till all
of them became quiet, and then Allah's Messenger (PbUH) rode his animal and proceeded till he entered upon
Sa`d bin 'Ubada. Allah's Messenger (PbUH) said, "O Sa`d! Didn't you hear what Abu Habab said?" (meaning
`Abdullah bin Unbar). "He said so-and-so." Sa`d bin Ubada said, "O Allah's Messenger (PbUH)! Let my father be
sacrificed for you ! Excuse and forgive him for, by Him Who revealed to you the Book, Allah sent the
Truth which was revealed to you at the time when the people of this town had decided to crown him
(`Abdullah bin Ubai) as their ruler.
So when Allah had prevented that with the Truth He had given you, he was choked by that, and that
caused him to behave in such an impolite manner which you had noticed." So Allah's Messenger (PbUH) excused
him. (It was the custom of) Allah's Messenger (PbUH) and his companions to excuse the pagans and the people of
the scripture (Christians and Jews) as Allah ordered them, and they used to be patient when annoyed
(by them). Allah said: 'You shall certainly hear much that will grieve you from those who received the
Scripture before you.....and from the pagans (3.186)
He also said: 'Many of the people of the scripture wish that if they could turn you away as disbelievers
after you have believed. .... (2.109) So Allah's Messenger (PbUH) used to apply what Allah had ordered him by
excusing them till he was allowed to fight against them. When Allah's Messenger (PbUH) had fought the battle of
Badr and Allah killed whomever He killed among the chiefs of the infidels and the nobles of Quraish,
and Allah's Messenger (PbUH) and his companions had returned with victory and booty, bringing with them
some of the chiefs of the infidels and the nobles of the Quraish as captives. `Abdullah bin Ubai bin
Salul and the pagan idolators who were with him, said, "This matter (Islam) has now brought out its
face (triumphed), so give Allah's Messenger (PbUH) the pledge of allegiance (for embracing Islam.)". Then they
became Muslims.