Leave it, for it is disgraceful

Explanation

The Prophet (ﷺ) was traveling on an expedition with his Companions from the Muhājirīn and the Ansār (may Allah be pleased with them). A man from the Muhājirīn struck the back of a man from the Ansār with his hand. The Ansāri cried: Help me, O Ansār! and the Muhājiri cried: Help me, O Muhājirīn! The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) heard this and said: What is this? They said: A man from the Muhājirīn struck the back of a man from the Ansār with his hand. The Ansāri said: Help me, O Ansār! and the Muhājiri said: Help me, O Muhājirīn! The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Abandon this pre-Islamic practice, for it is vile, detestable, and harmful. It is when a man, if overpowered by his opponent, calls upon his tribe, and they rush to his aid—whether he is the oppressor or the oppressed—out of ignorance and tribalism. Jābir said: The Ansār were more numerous when the Prophet (ﷺ) first arrived in Madīnah as an emigrant, but later the Muhājirīn increased in number. The chief of hypocrisy, ‘Abdullah ibn ’Ubay ibn Salūl, said: Has the matter really reached this extent?! By Allah, when we return to Madīnah, the mightier ones—meaning himself and his followers—will surely expel the weaker ones—meaning the Prophet (ﷺ) and his followers—from Madīnah. ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Let me, O Messenger of Allah, strike the neck of this hypocrite. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Leave him, so that people will not say that Muhammad kills his followers—even those who only outwardly appear to be among them.

Benefits

• The prohibition of the blameworthy practices and traditions of the pre-Islamic era of ignorance, whether in speech or action. Indeed, Islam came to distance people from that and guide them to what is correct and right for them.
• Warning against false partisanship and caution against it, like caution from something foul and repulsive.
• The prohibition of everything that stirs up enmity and rancor.
• An-Nawawi said: His naming that (behavior) as a call of pre-Islamic ignorance indicates his disapproval of it, for it was among the practices of the pre-Islamic era, where tribes would support each other in worldly matters and their attachments. The pre-Islamic people used to secure their rights through tribal solidarity and clans, but Islam came to abolish that and settle disputes through legal rulings. If a person transgresses against another, the judge rules between them and imposes the appropriate consequence for the aggression, as established by the principles of Islam.
• As-Sindi said: This clarifies that supporting someone merely because he belongs to one's tribe, as was the practice of the people of the pre-Islamic era, is invalid. Therefore, there is no justification for everyone to call upon their tribe for help. However, supporting the truth is a necessary and obligatory duty for every believer, whether the person (in need of support) is from their tribe or not.
• The hypocrites were characterized by foul language and audacity toward the Prophet (ﷺ) and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them).
• The immense forbearance and patience the Prophet (ﷺ) showed in the face of harm inflicted on him by the hypocrites.
• Warning against any action that repels people from entering Islam. This is why the Prophet (ﷺ) refrained from killing the hypocrites, lest people say: Muhammad kills his Companions.

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