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THE REWARD OF GUIDING A PERSON TO ISLAM

1408

“Before the Battle of Khaybar the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, announced: ‘Tomorrow I shall give the standard to a man in whose hands Allah will bestow victory upon us. He loves Allah and His Messenger, praise and peace be upon him, and Allah and His Messenger love him.’

The Companions spent the night guessing and discussing who they thought would receive the standard. Next morning they went to the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, each hoping that they would be the recipient. The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, asked, ‘Where is Ali, the son of Abu Talib?’ He was told Ali had sore eyes, so he said, ‘Send for him.’ When he came, the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, put his saliva in his eyes and prayed for him. Thereupon Ali recovered as if his eyes had never been troubled. Then the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, gave him the standard.

Ali asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, shall I fight them till they become like us?’ He replied, ‘Continue until you reach them. Then invite them to Islam and explain to them their obligations to Allah. If just one person is guided by Allah through you that will be better for you than a herd of (valuable) red camels.’"

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