In the meantime...

In the meantime, he sent word to the pigeon-fanciers asking them to come to his house. When they had arrived, he read out the Imam’s letter to them in full view of the previous group. Without wasting any time, the pigeon-fanciers left and while the previous group was still engaged in consuming the food, they returned, handed over a large amount of money to Mufaďďhal and then took his leave.

At this point, Mufaďďhal turned to the complainants and said: “Despite the fact that these youths help the religion when the occasion demands and there exists a great possibility that they may turn to the right path, you desire that I should not entertain them and associate with them?

Do you think Allah is in need of your prayers and fasts that you have become so haughty over them, but when it comes to money, you seek excuses and refuse to answer the call of the Imam (as)?” The elders who had viewed Mufaďďhal’s friendship with those youths with contempt, were left mortified and speechless as they departed from his house.[^3] The Conduct of the Noble Prophet The Noble Prophet (S) and a few other individuals were having their meal when a person, suffering from smallpox, came to the gathering.

His disease was so acute that the boils had become septic. Every person, near whom this diseased person tried to sit, would show his revulsion and loathing by rising up and moving away from him. (Noticing this) the Noble Prophet (S) made the person sit beside himself and exhibited great kindness towards him.  On another occasion, the Noble Prophet (S), together with a few of his companions, was busy having his food when a leper arrived in the gathering.

The people present expressed their abhorrence and detestation over his arrival but the Noble Prophet (S) asked him to sit next to himself and invited him to eat the food. A person from the Quraish, who had displayed his aversion, was afflicted with the same disease before meeting his death![^4] The Consequence of Holding Someone in Contempt There lived amongst Bani Isra`il, a person who was so sinful and immoral that they eventually had him expelled from their midst.

Once, while wandering around, he came across a pious worshipper, above whose head flew a pigeon casting its shadow over him (thus protecting him from the sun).