The narration of Abu Tharr asking Bilaal to step on his neck

6-6-2007 | IslamWeb

Question:

I heard that one of the Companions, may Allaah be pleased with them, insulted Bilaal, may Allaah be pleased with him, and he went and complained to the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. So the Companion, may Allaah be pleased with him, told Bilaal, may Allaah be pleased with him, to step on his face. Is this true? May Allaah reward you.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

 

Abu Tharr narrated, “I insulted a man with reference to his mother, then the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, told me: “You insulted him by his mother, you are indeed a man who has some characteristics of the pre-Islamic era of ignorance.” [Al-Bukhari] The man whom Abu Tharr insulted was Bilaal ibn Rabaah . However, we have not come across a sound narration which states that Abu Tharr asked Bilaal to step on his neck, nonetheless Al-Ghazaali and Ibn Al-Qayyim attributed this to be reported in a Prophetic narration which is not authentic.

It should be noted that despite the great status of faith and piety the Companions had, they were humans like us, and some of them might wrong their Muslim brother but they would rapidly reconcile. It is enough as a source of pride and glory to them that Allaah The Almighty praised them, Saying (what means): {Muhammad () is the Messenger of Allaah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allaah and [His] pleasure.} [Quran, 48:29]

Allaah Knows best.