44.

The Book of the Merits of the Companions

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كتاب فضائل الصحابة رضى الله تعالى عنهم

Ibn Shihab transmitted on the authority of Ibn Musayyib that Abu Huraira (رضي الله تعالى عنه) said, people say that Abu Huraira (رضي الله تعالى عنه) transmits so many Ahadith, whereas Allah is the Reckoner, and they say, how is it with Muhajirs and the Ansar that they do not narrate Ahadith like him (like Abu Huraira)? Abu Huraira (رضي الله تعالى عنه) said, I tell you that my brothers from Ansar remained busy with their lands and my brothers Muhajirs were busy in transactions in the bazars, but I always kept myself attached to Allah's Apostle (صلى هللا ْعليه ْو آله وسلم) with bare subsistence. I remained present whereas they had been absent. I retained in my mind (what the Prophet ﷺ said), whereas they forgot it. One day Allah's Apostle (صلى هللا عليه ْو آله وسلم) said, he who amongst you spreads the cloth and listens to my talk and would then press it against his chest would never forget anything heard from me. So, I spread my mantle and when he had concluded his talk, I then pressed it against my chest and so I never forgot after that day anything that he said. And if these two verses would not have been revealed in the Book, I would have never transmitted anything (to anybody) – [Those who conceal the Clear Signs and Guidance We have sent down, after We have made it clear to people in the Book, Allah curses them, and (they are also) cursed by them who (fall victim of this) curse. Except for those who repent and correct themselves and make things clear; for those I will accept their repentance, and I am the Most forgiving, the Most Merciful.] (Al-Baqara: 159-160).