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Nawawi_2_Traveling, page : 11
They were over eighty people and the Prophet, praise and peace be
upon him, accepted their excuses and renewed their oaths. Then he
prayed for forgiveness for them and committed to Allah whatever
they had in their minds.
When it came to my turn and I greeted him; he smiled, but
displeasure was visible in his smile, and he said, „Come forward.‟
So, I stepped forward and sat down before him. He asked, „What
kept you back, had you not purchased your mount?‟ I replied, „O
Messenger of Allah, if I had been confronted by someone other than
yourself; such as a man of the world, I could easily escape his
displeasure with some excuse, because I am gifted with skill of
plausibility. However, I knew that if I were to concoct a false story to
you today, which might even convince you, without doubt Allah will
soon arouse your anger against me over something else. But, if I tell
you the truth and you are angry with me, I can still hope for mercy
from Allah, the Exalted. By Allah I have no excuse. I was never
stronger or more affluent than when I held back from accompanying
you.' The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, said,
upon him, accepted their excuses and renewed their oaths. Then he
prayed for forgiveness for them and committed to Allah whatever
they had in their minds.
When it came to my turn and I greeted him; he smiled, but
displeasure was visible in his smile, and he said, „Come forward.‟
So, I stepped forward and sat down before him. He asked, „What
kept you back, had you not purchased your mount?‟ I replied, „O
Messenger of Allah, if I had been confronted by someone other than
yourself; such as a man of the world, I could easily escape his
displeasure with some excuse, because I am gifted with skill of
plausibility. However, I knew that if I were to concoct a false story to
you today, which might even convince you, without doubt Allah will
soon arouse your anger against me over something else. But, if I tell
you the truth and you are angry with me, I can still hope for mercy
from Allah, the Exalted. By Allah I have no excuse. I was never
stronger or more affluent than when I held back from accompanying
you.' The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, said,