Investigating the Confederates’ Escape
The Messenger kept abreast of the news of the confederates and wanted to closely investigate their situation, so he said: “The man who brings me the news of the enemy shall be ranked with me on the Day of Judgment by Allah [the Glorious and Exalted].” [Muslim] He said that three times to encourage the Companions, but none of them responded, so he resorted to giving a command and chose one of them himself, saying: “Get up Huthayfah and bring me the news of the enemy, and do nothing that may provoke them against me.” [Muslim]
From an instructive point of view, this indicates that successful leadership directs its soldiers to achieve its goals by encouraging them, and only resorts to commands and firmness when necessary.
Huthayfah, may Allah be pleased with him, commented,
When I left him, I felt as warm as if I was walking in a heated bath [despite the cold rainy weather] until I reached them. I saw Abu Sufyaan warming his back against a fire, so I put an arrow in the middle of the bow to shoot him, but I recalled the words of the Messenger to not do anything that might provoke the polytheists against him. If I had shot him, I would have hit him. So I headed back, feeling warm as if I was walking in a heated bath. I returned to the Messenger feeling the cold as soon as I settled, and told him the information I had. The Messenger wrapped me in a part of a blanket that he wore for prayer to warm me.
I slept until morning when the Messenger said: “Get up, O heavy sleeper.” [Muslim]
Lessons to be learned from Huthayfah’s story:
1- The Messenger knew the mettle of men, as he chose Huthayfah, may Allah be pleased with him, to scout the confederates, bearing in mind that he was a fine man of rare courage who was eloquent, intelligent, agile and able to evade critical situations.
2- Huthayfah, may Allah be pleased with him, possessed military discipline. He had the opportunity to kill the leader of the confederates and was about to do so, but then he remembered the order of the Messenger not to provoke the polytheists against him and that he was only assigned to bring their news, so he removed the arrow from his bow.
3- Huthayfah bin Al-Yamaan, may Allah be pleased with him, was blessed with a supernatural event when he walked to obtain news of the confederates. It was very cold and rainy, but for him it was as if he was walking in a heated bath, and he continued in that state when he was in the confederates’ camp until he returned to the Muslims’ camp. This was certainly a supernatural event with which Allah The Almighty blesses His believing servants.
4- The kindness of the Prophet with Huthayfah when he returned. The Prophet was gentle and kind with his Companions. Though he was engrossed in Tahajjud (late night) prayer, relishing private supplication and praising Allah The Almighty, the Prophet responded kindly to Huthayfah, may Allah be pleased with him, who had brought the finest and truest of news. He wrapped him in a blanket that he was wearing for prayer to warm him. He left him covered in it until he finished his night prayer.
When Fajr prayer was due, the Prophet woke him up in a kind and humorous manner, saying: “Get up, O heavy sleeper;” such a sweet and compassionate manner of jesting! This is an ideal portrayal of the mercy and compassion of the Messenger and the unique refined manner which he showed to his noble Companions. Indeed, Allah The Almighty Says the truth in the verse (what means): {And to the believers [he] is kind and merciful.} [Quran 9:128]
5- We pause at the presence of mind of the noble Companion when he was among the polytheists. In a narration by Az-Zurqaani Abu Sufyaan asked that every one took the hand of the one sitting next to him. Without delay, Huthayfah, may Allah be pleased with him, laid his hand on the hand of the man sitting on his right and asked him who he was, and the man replied that he was Mu‘aawiyah bin Abi Sufyaan. Then he laid his hand on the hand of the man on his left and asked him who he was and the man replied that he was ‘Amr bin Al-‘Aas. Thus, by taking the initiative, he did not give them the opportunity to ask him who he was, and so he escaped a critical situation that might have cost him his life.