The Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent me, Zubayr bin Awwam, and Abu Marthad al-Ghanawi, all of us mounted horsemen. He said, "Set out until you reach the meadow of Khakh. There you will find a woman from the polytheists carrying a letter from Hatib bin Abu Balta to the polytheists."We caught up with her riding her camel at the very spot the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had described to us.We said, "Where is the letter you are carrying?"She replied, "I have no letter with me."So we made her camel kneel and searched her belongings, but we found nothing.My two companions said, "We see no letter."I said, "I know the Messenger of Allah ﷺ has not lied. By the One he swears by, you will produce the letter, or I will strip you bare."When she saw I was serious, she reached for the waistband of her wrap, where she was tucking a cloak, and brought out the letter.We took it to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and he said, "Hatib, what made you do this?"He answered, "Nothing led me to it except that I am a believer in Allah and His Messenger. I have not changed nor altered my faith. I wanted to have a hand of favor with these people through which Allah might protect my family and property in Mecca. There is not one of your companions there who does not have someone through whom Allah protects his family and property."The Prophet ﷺ said, "He has spoken the truth. Say nothing to him but good."Umar bin Khattab said, "He has betrayed Allah, His Messenger, and the believers. Let me strike off his head."The Prophet ﷺ said, "Umar, what do you know? Perhaps Allah has looked upon the people of Badr and said, 'Do as you wish, for Paradise has been guaranteed to you.'"Umar's eyes filled with tears, and he said, "Allah and His Messenger know best."
حدثنا يوسف بن بهلول حدثنا ابن إدريس قال حدثني حصين بن عبد الرحمن عن سعد بن عبيدة عن أبي عبد الرحمن السلمي
بعثني رسول الله ﷺ والزبير بن العوام وأبا مرثد الغنوي وكلنا فارس فقال انطلقوا حتى تأتوا روضة خاخ فإن بها امرأة من المشركين معها صحيفة من حاطب بن أبي بلتعة إلى المشركين قال فأدركناها تسير على جمل لها حيث قال لنا رسول الله ﷺ قال قلنا أين الكتاب الذي معك قالت ما معي كتاب فأنخنا بها فابتغينا في رحلها فما وجدنا شيئا قال صاحباي ما نرى كتابا قال قلت لقد علمت ما كذب رسول الله ﷺ والذي يحلف به لتخرجن الكتاب أو لأجردنك قال فلما رأت الجد مني أهوت بيدها إلى حجزتها وهي محتجزة بكساء فأخرجت الكتاب قال فانطلقنا به إلى رسول الله ﷺ فقال ما حملك يا حاطب على ما صنعت قال ما بي إلا أن أكون مؤمنا بالله ورسوله وما غيرت ولا بدلت أردت أن تكون لي عند القوم يد يدفع الله بها عن أهلي ومالي وليس من أصحابك هناك إلا وله من يدفع الله به عن أهله وماله قال صدق فلا تقولوا له إلا خيرا قال فقال عمر بن الخطاب إنه قد خان الله ورسوله والمؤمنين فدعني فأضرب عنقه قال فقال يا عمر وما يدريك لعل الله قد اطلع على أهل بدر فقال اعملوا ما شئتم فقد وجبت لكم الجنة قال فدمعت عينا عمر وقال الله ورسوله أعلم