(Haarithah bin Nu’maan [radhiyallahu ‘anhu] #3)
On the occasion when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) performed hijrah to Madeenah Munawwarah, he sent for his family in Makkah Mukarramah so that they could also perform hijrah and join him in Madeenah Munawwarah.
In due course, the family members of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), as well as Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and Zaid bin Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), arrived from Makkah Mukarramah. On their arrival, it was Haarithah bin Nu’maan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) who had the privilege of hosting them in his home.
Further, many of the houses in the close vicinity of the musjid belonged to Haarithah bin Nu’maan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). This Sahaabi had a heart of such generosity that one-by-one, he gave all his houses to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to use as residences for his blessed family.
Similarly, when ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) were married, they were initially staying in a house that was at a slight distance from the homes of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). However, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) wanted Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) to live closer to him and thus advised them to look for a house that was nearer. Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) suggested to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that he ask Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) for his house. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) has moved from his house so many times for our sake that I feel shy to suggest to him that he move once again.”
As soon as Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) learnt of what had transpired, he moved out of his home and then presented himself before Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and said, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! I have learnt that you want Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) to move from where she is so that she can live closer to you. These are my houses, and from all the houses of the Banu Najjaar clan, they are the closest to you. I together with my wealth belong solely to Allah and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! By Allah! The wealth that you take from me is more beloved to me than the wealth that you leave for me!” Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) remarked, “You are true in what you say. May Allah Ta‘ala shower His blessings upon you.”
Accordingly, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) accepted the house from Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) moved into it.
(Tabaqaat Ibni Sa’d vol. 1, pg. 237, vol. 3, pg. 488 and vol. 8, pg. 166)
Lessons:
1. Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had such love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that he put the happiness and comfort of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) before his own happiness and comfort. In one hadeeth, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has mentioned that this is the sign of true imaan – that a person has more love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) than anything else (Saheeh Bukhaari #15). For us to show our love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), we should make fulfilling his wishes and pleasing him our main priority in life. Hence, we should strive our utmost to fulfil every sunnah, abstain from all sins and lead a life of piety and purity, as this is what will please Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) the most.
2. Although Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) knew well that Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) would have been pleased to give his home for Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) did not want to take advantage of him and impose on him, and hence did not ask him. Furthermore, in other ahaadeeth, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) taught us to place all our needs before Allah Ta‘ala. Similarly, we sometimes know of a person who, by nature, finds it difficult to turn people away and tell them “no”. We should not take advantage of such a person and put him into difficulty. Instead, we should turn to Allah Ta‘ala and trust in Him.
3. It is through pleasing Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that one will earn his precious du‘aa – as it was earned by Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). Similarly, there are certain righteous actions which are such that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) made special du‘aa for the person who carries them out. If we want to secure the special du‘aa of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), we must adhere to these actions as well as sacrifice our own desires to fulfil his desires.
4. We too should open our hearts and homes; firstly to guests and secondly to spending in the path of Allah Ta‘ala. If we cannot open our hearts and homes completely, it does not mean that we should close them completely. Rather, we should give what we can manage and make du‘aa to Allah Ta‘ala to accept it and bless us with the ability to give more.
