Who is the companion that an angel defended?
I have heard that a man cursed a Companion and the Companion kept silent; an angel defended him. When he answered, the angel left and Satan arrived. Is it true?
Dear Brother / Sister,
The narration regarding the issue is as follows:
While the Prophet (pbuh) was sitting with some of his Companions, a man came, insulted at Hz. Abu Bakr and saddened him. However, Hz. Abu Bakr remained silent. He did not respond to the man. The man insulted him again. Hz. Abu Bakr remained silent again. When the man insulted him for the third time, Hz. Abu Bakr responded to him.
Thereupon, the Prophet (pbuh) got up and walked away.
Hz. Abu Bakr ran and caught up with him. Then, he said, “O Messenger of Allah! Are you cross with me?”
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) answered, “No.” Then, he added,
“An angel came down from the sky and he was denying what the man said to you. When you responded, Satan came down. I would not sit in a place when Satan came.” (Abu Dawud, Adab, 41/4896)
"The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah. for ((Allah)) loveth not those who do wrong." (ash-Shura, 42/40) "And if ye do catch them out, catch them out no worse than they catch you out: But if ye show patience, that is indeed the best (course) for those who are patient." (an-Nahl, 16/126) As it is explained in the verses above, it is permissible for a person to respond to the oppressor in a way that is equivalent to his cruelty, that is, by not exceeding what he does, and to claim his rights but it is better and rewarding for him to show patience in the face of his oppression and to forgive him.
Hz. Abu Bakr showed patience in the face of the first two attacks against him and responded to the third one in a way that would not transgress the limits, by responding to him as much as the man said to him; thus, he acted in accordance with both ways (rukhsah: permission and azimah: strict rule) mentioned in the verses and protected himself from transgressing the limits and violating another person’s right. However, the Prophet (pbuh) advised him the way of azimah in this regard since it would be better for him, and stated that an angel would respond on his behalf as long as he followed the way of azimah, and stated that if he followed the way of rukhsah, the dispute would continue and, in that case, Satan would step in.
What a good piece of advice for those who know what is behind the scenes and act accordingly!
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