Kindness of the Holy Prophet (sa) for him

There is another account in relation to the kindness of the Holy Prophet (sa) towards Hazrat Jabir. The person relating the account says, “I approached Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah and said to him to narrate whatever he had heard from the Holy Prophet (sa).

Hazrat Jabir replied, ‘I was once accompanying the Holy Prophet (sa) on a journey.’” The narrator says that he was unaware whether this journey was in relation to a battle or Umrah [non-mandatory, lesser form of pilgrimage]. “Nevertheless, when we returned to Medina, the Holy Prophet(sa) said that whoever wished to return to his family sooner may do so.” Hazrat Jabir said, “Upon hearing this, we quickly departed. I was riding on one of my camels, which was khaki in colour without any marks. People were following behind me. I was riding ahead when all of a sudden, the camel came to a complete halt and despite my efforts, refused to move any further. The Holy Prophet (sa) saw this and said to me, ‘O Jabir! Sit firmly on the camel’. Following this, the Holy Prophet (sa) tapped the camel with his stick, as a result of which the camel jumped from its place and started to walk briskly. The Holy Prophet (sa) asked, ‘Are you willing to sell this camel?’ I replied ‘Yes, I am willing to sell it.’ When we reached Medina, the Holy Prophet (sa) entered the mosque with several of his companions. I also went with him and tied the camel in a corner on the stoned floor in front of the mosque. I said to the Holy Prophet (sa), ‘Here is your camel.’ The Holy Prophet (sa) came outside and walked around the camel. The Holy Prophet (sa) then said, ‘This camel now belongs to us.’ The Holy Prophet (sa) then sent several gold coins and stated, ‘Give this to Jabir.’ He then said, ‘Have you received the payment in full?’ I responded, ‘Yes, I have received it.’ The Prophet (sa) said, ‘This payment and the camel is yours.’”

(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitabul Jihad, Hadith No. 2861)

Very affectionately, the Holy Prophet (sa) returned the camel and paid for it as well. One possible reason for this could be that according to one narration that camel was used to transport water and Hazrat Jabir’s uncles and relatives would also use it for that purpose. So perhaps they had objected as to why it was sold and how would they now transport the water.

(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitabul Jihad, Hadith No. 2967).

Nevertheless, such was the affection of the Holy Prophet (sa) towards his Companions and the children of those Companions who offered great sacrifices.

May Allah Almighty elevate the status of these Companions. I often share various incidents such as these; may He enable us to continue in their virtues and apply them in our own lives.