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THE PROPHET, praise and peace be upon him, AND THE PERSON ACCUSED OF HYPOCRISY

1567

“It was my (Itban, the son of Malik) practice to join my tribe, the Bani Salim in prayer, however, between them was a valley prone to floods, which, once flooded became difficult for me to make the crossing to the Mosque. So I went to the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, and said, ‘My eyesight is poor and I find it difficult to cross over the valley that separates me from my tribe when it is flooded. I would like it very much if you would come to my house and pray inside it so that I may assign that part as my place of prayer.’ The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, agreed. The next day, when the sun had risen high the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, came to my house with Abu Bakr and asked for permission to enter, which I gave. He asked me, ‘Where do you wish me to pray?’ So I pointed out the place to him. He stood for prayer and commenced with Allah is Great (the Takbir) and they lined up behind him. He prayed two units (rak'a) of prayer and they prayed behind him. After he had finished the prayer, I offered him some food prepared from sugar, milk and finely ground flour. When my neighbors heard that the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, was in my house they gathered there in large numbers. Someone asked, ‘What has happened to Malik, the son of Dakhsahm?’ Another said, ‘He is not here.’ Then another said, ‘He is a hypocrite. He does not love Allah and His Messenger, praise and peace be upon him.’ Upon hearing this the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, said, ‘Do not say that, don't you know that he has said: There is no god except Allah; seeking only the pleasure of Allah?’ The man said, ‘Allah and His Messenger, praise and peace be upon him, know best, but as for us we see that his friendship and conversation are confined to the hypocrites.’ The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, said, ‘Allah will protect whosoever bears witness that there is no god except Allah, seeking with it only the pleasure of Allah from the Fire.’"

Bukhari and Muslim with a chain up to Itban son of Malik who related that the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, said this.

WHEN IT IS PERMISSIBLE TO CRITICIZE