Hazrat Huzaifa (Radiyallahu Anhu) narrates: “One night during the battle of the trench it was unusually dark and windy, to the extent that a person was unable to see his own hand. The munafiqeen were returning to their homes. We were about three hundred men sticking to our post. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) approached every one of us and enquired about his welfare. I did not have much weaponry to defend myself against the enemy nor did I have sufficient clothing to guard myself against the cold. I only had one small sheet which was lent to me by my wife. I wrapped it around myself and sat with my knees clinging to the ground.
When Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) passed me he asked: “Who are you?” I replied: “Huzaifa!” I could not stand due to the cold hence I clung to the ground with shame. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Huzaifa! Stand up and bring us some information from the enemy camp.” Of all the Sahabah (Radiyallahu anhum) I was the most ill-equipped, but as soon as I got the order I stood up and left immediately. As I was going, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) made dua for me saying: “O Allah! Guard and protect him from every direction”. Huzaifa (radaiyallahu anhu) says: “By Allah! Immediately after this dua, I was completely relieved of my fear and cold. I now felt as though I was walking in a surrounding which was warm and conducive.”
As I was leaving, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) warned me: “Return immediately after observing what they are doing. Do not take any other step!”
On reaching their camp, I observed that the wind was very severe, which caused the ropes of their tents to snap and their animals were dying. The shouts of retreat were heard from all directions. I also found Abu Sufyaan, the commander-in-chief of the enemy forces, sitting near a fire warming himself. Taking this to be a golden opportunity to finish him off, I took out an arrow and placed it on to my bow to get a perfect shot when suddenly the instruction of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) ran through my mind: “Do not take any other step!” Hence I put the arrow back into my quiver and left the opportunity of assassinating Abu Sufyan. (Ad-Durrul Manthoor, pg.354, vol 5)
Lesson: Strictly adhering to the instructions and directives of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was a salient feature in the life of every Sahabi (radiyallahu anhu). This meant more to them than anything else in the world. They were prepared to forego and sacrifice even their own reasoning only in order to conform to the most blessed Sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). May Allah Ta’ala grant us a fraction of that spirit.