As Ibn Sa’d has narrated about him that before embracing...

As Ibn Sa’d has narrated about him that before embracing Islam he was hired for Ibn Affan and his son Ghazwan with his wage being only food for sustenance. And after his converting to Islam, when he was a lodger at the Siffah, he has done (indecent) things that were demonstrated by al-Bukhari himself and other scholars, which it is out of scope to refer to them here.

Whereas the third and last slip being the Doctor’s doubt regarding what I narrated, that Abu Hurayrah used to eat mudirah with Mu’awiyah and perform his prayers behind Ali, and that how it would be feasible for Abu Hurayrah to behave in this way with being in safe from being accused by any of the two sects with hypocrisy and espionage!

First of all, I would like to tell that references were made to this report in numerous works for eminent historians and scholars like: Shadharat al-dhahab of al-Imad al-Hanbali; al-Sirah al-Halabiyyah of Burhan al-Din al-Halabi; al-Zamakhshari in Rabi’ al-Abrar and Asas al-balaghah; Badi’ al-Zaman al-Hamadani who not only was among renowned writers, but also – as known from his biography – a trustable (thiqah) traditionist having full knowledge in rijal and texts; beside al-Tha’alibi in al-Mudaf wa al-mansub.

It is needless to mention all the reference books containing this report, though he who so doing would not fear any loss, since it was commonly known that he (Abu Hurayrah) was neither here nor there (of no use), and was never among the warriors, keeping throughout all his life to be a man of pacifistic nature. Concerning the harshness in my style (of speech) observed by Dr.

Taha, my response is, had he got to know the abundance of slanders and abuses I encountered since the day of publishing some chapters of this book in al-Risalah journal before having the book printed, he would have excused me for what I stated.

However, I have reviewed my writings and revised all the severe statements I made in the book, deleting them from this edition, preferring to repel evil with that which is better, heeding to God’s commandment, passing then by whatever befalling me with dignity (forbearance), with addressing whoever vexing me with the word of peace.

In regard of the severity against Abu Hurayrah, to which the Professor referred, it was never on our part, but it was verily the strength and decisiveness of the proofs encircling him from all sides. These were brief lines about the slips referred to by Dr. Taha Husayn in his book.