17 Dec
Forbearance in the face of abuse
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that a man abused Abu Bakr while Nabi (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was sitting. Appreciating the forbearance and patience of Abu Bakr (RA), he kept smiling, but when the man went on at length and Abu Bakr (RA) replied to some of the things he said; Rasulullah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) became angry and left. Abu Bakr (RA) went after him and said: O Rasulullah! He was abusing me in your presence, but when I replied to some of what he said, you became angry and left. He replied: There was an angel with you, replying to him on your behalf but when you replied to him, Shaitan got in, and I am not supposed to sit with Shaitan. He then added: O Abu Bakr! There are three things, all of which are true:
1. Anyone who is wronged and he ignores it for the sake of Allah Azza wa Jaal, Allah will help him out and strengthen him.
2. Anyone who begins to give intending thereby to unite ties of relationship, Allah provides him with much more because of it.
3. Anyone who opens a door of begging, desiring to increase his wealth, Allah Azza wa Jaal increases his scantiness because of it. (Musnad Ahmad)
