Our sahaba RA

Imaam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) narrates:

When Hazrat Yazid bin Abi Sufyaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was governor over Shaam, the people engaged in Jihaad and acquired booty and were victorious. Among the spoils of war was a beautiful slave girl who fell into the share of one of the Muslims. Shortly after, Hazrat Yazid bin Abi Sufyaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), the commander of the army, had taken this slave girl for himself from the soldier in whose share she had fallen. Hazrat Abu Zar Ghifaari (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was in Shaam at that time and this soldier went to him and sought his assistance in recovering his slave girl from Hazrat Yazid bin Abi Sufyaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) thus went to Hazrat Yazid bin Abi Sufyaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) with the man and thrice instructed Hazrat Yazid bin Abi Sufyaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to return the slave girl to him. Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) thereafter said, “Alas! By Allah! If you take the slave girl from this soldier unjustly then know that I have heard Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) saying, ‘The first person to change my blessed Sunnah will be a man from Banu Umayyah.’” Saying this, Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) turned and began to walk away. Hazrat Yazid bin Abi Sufyaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) quickly followed him and asked, “I beg you in the name of Allah! Tell me, do you think that I will be the person who is referred to in this hadith?” Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “No.” after which Hazrat Yazid bin Abi Sufyaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) returned the slave girl to the man.

After narrating the above incident, Imaam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) mentioned, “Hazrat Yazid bin Abi Sufyaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), the Sahaabi of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), was the leader of the armies of Shaam in the era of Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) referred to a person from Banu Umayyah changing his blessed Sunnah, Hazrat Yazid bin Abi Sufyaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) is not intended (as he was a Sahaabi of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and led an upright life conforming to the Sunnah). However, Imaam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) further explains that there was another person from the Banu Umayyah who shared the same name. He was Yazid bin Mu‘aawiyah, the son of Hazrat Mu‘aawiyah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and it seems that he was the one referred to in the Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Yazid, the son of Hazrat Mu‘aawiyah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), was responsible for the great damage which befell Islam during the rule of the Banu Umayyah.

(Dalaa’il-un-Nubuwwah 6/410)

When the Shi‘ah speak of the relationship between Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), they paint a picture of enmity and claim that Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) hated Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). However, from the incident below, we will realize that these allegations are completely false as Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) actually had immense respect and love for Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).

Hazrat ‘Urwah bin Zubair (rahimahullah) reports that on one occasion, a person began to revile and speak ill of Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) in the presence of Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). As soon as Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) heard what this person was saying, he rose in defense of Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).

Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) thus gestured towards the blessed grave of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and addressed the person saying, “Do you know who the occupant of this grave is? It is Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), the son of ‘Abdullah who is the son of ‘Abdul Muttalib, and Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) is the son of Abu Taalib who is the son of ‘Abdul Muttalib. Hence, when Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) is the cousin of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), you should not speak anything but good regarding him, for if you anger him then you will cause pain to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in his grave.”

(Fadhaa’il-us-Sahaabah lil-Imaam Ahmed #1089)
http://ihyaauddeen.co.za/?p=13156

on the authority of the well‐known historian, Ibn Kathir that Rabee bin Aamir (RA) was once sent by Hazrat Saad (RA) as his envoy to the court of Rustam, the commander‐in‐chief of Iran.

Rustam received him in a grand durbar hall which was decorated with magnificent carpets. The Commander in‐Chief, wearing a crown and robes which sparkled with gems, sat on a throne. Rabee, in contrast, was very poorly attired. He was almost in rags and carried a shield that was too small for him. His horse, too, was of a common breed, on which he rode straight towards Rustam, the pony trampling the costly carpets under its hoofs. On getting closer to the throne, he dismounted, tied the reins of the horse to a bolster and started walk up to Rustam, still wearing his helmet and arms. The officers of the court remonstrated against it, saying that he should, at least, take off the helmet before going in the presence of the Commander‐in‐Chief. But Rabee retorted, “I have come not of my own accord but at your request. If you do not want me, I will go back”.

Rustam, thereupon, intervened and told his officers to let him come as he liked. Rabee proceeded, leaning upon his lance and piercing the carpets with it at each step.

People enquired about the object of his visit and he said,“we have been sent by Allah :swt1: to deliver whom He pleases from the over lordship of His slaves (i.e. men) to His own over lordship, and from the narrow confines of this world to the boundlessness of the next and from the oppression of other religions to the fairness and justice of Islam”

[Al-Bidaya Wan-Nihaya,Vol III, p.9]

Hz al-Hasan ibn Ali, :ra: , gave all his money to the needy twice, seeking only the pleasure of Allah :swt1: , and then on three other occasions, he gave half his money to the needy.

He would even give a single shoe if someone needed it and would just retain the other, and he would give a single sandal (if someone’s sandal broke) and retain the other.

When he (Hz Al-Hasan) approached the door of the Masjid, he would say:

‘O Lord! Your guest is at Your gate. O Generous One! The transgressor has come to You. Forgive me my ugly deeds with Your Generosity. O Generous One!’

When he remembered death he wept.

When he thought of the grave he wept.

When he thought of the Resurrection and Day of Judgment he gasped so deeply and painfully that he fainted because of it.

When he recited the Qur’an and came across a verse addressing the faithful by these words:

‘O you who believe…,’ he said: ‘Here I am, my Lord, here I am…’

(Related by Imam Abu Nuaym Al-Asbahani in his Hilyatul Awliyah and Imam ibn Sa’d in his Tabaqat al-Kubra)

Haarithah bin Nu’maan [radhiyallahu ‘anhu]

On the occasion when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) performed hijrah to Madeenah Munawwarah, he sent for his family in Makkah Mukarramah so that they could also perform hijrah and join him in Madeenah Munawwarah.

In due course, the family members of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), as well as Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and Zaid bin Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), arrived from Makkah Mukarramah. On their arrival, it was Haarithah bin Nu’maan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) who had the privilege of hosting them in his home.

Further, many of the houses in the close vicinity of the musjid belonged to Haarithah bin Nu’maan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). This Sahaabi had a heart of such generosity that one-by-one, he gave all his houses to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to use as residences for his blessed family.

Similarly, when ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) were married, they were initially staying in a house that was at a slight distance from the homes of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). However, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) wanted Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) to live closer to him and thus advised them to look for a house that was nearer. Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) suggested to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that he ask Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) for his house. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) has moved from his house so many times for our sake that I feel shy to suggest to him that he move once again.”

As soon as Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) learnt of what had transpired, he moved out of his home and then presented himself before Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and said, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! I have learnt that you want Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) to move from where she is so that she can live closer to you. These are my houses, and from all the houses of the Banu Najjaar clan, they are the closest to you. I together with my wealth belong solely to Allah and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! By Allah! The wealth that you take from me is more beloved to me than the wealth that you leave for me!” Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) remarked, “You are true in what you say. May Allah Ta‘ala shower His blessings upon you.”

Accordingly, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) accepted the house from Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) moved into it.

(Tabaqaat Ibni Sa’d vol. 1, pg. 237, vol. 3, pg. 488 and vol. 8, pg. 166)

Hazrat Sa‘eed bin Abi Sa‘eed Al-Maqburi (rahimahullah) narrates the following incident:

On one occasion, we were present with Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) when Hazrat Hasan bin ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) came to us and greeted us with salaam. When the group heard him make salaam, they replied, after which Hazrat Hasan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) departed. However, Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was engaged in some work at that time due to which he was unaware that Hazrat Hasan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had come and made salaam.

When someone brought it to his attention that Hazrat Hasan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had come to the gathering, made salaam and thereafter left, he felt remorseful that he was unaware of Hazrat Hasan’s (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) presence and did not reply to his salaam. He immediately left the gathering and went to look for Hazrat Hasan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) in order to reply to his salaam. When he found Hazrat Hasan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), he replied to his salaam saying, “Wa ‘alaika ya Sayyidi (and may salaam be upon you, O my leader).”

A person later on asked Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), “Why did you address Hazrat Hasan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) with the title ‘Sayyidi’ (my leader)?” Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “The reason for me addressing him with this title is that I was once present with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) when I heard him referring to Hazrat Hasan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) saying that he is the Sayyid (leader) of this ummah.”

(Majma’uz Zawaa’id #15049 and Mustadrak Haakim #4792)

Hazrat Haarithah bin Nu’maan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was a wealthy Sahaabi of the Ansaar who lived in Madinah Munawwarah. Allah Ta‘ala had blessed him with such generosity and love for the Ahl-e-Bayt that his heart could be aptly described as a heart of gold. Whenever Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) married, Hazrat Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) gifted one of his houses to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) for his wife to live in.

When Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) married Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), they were initially residing at a slight distance from the house of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). It was the desire of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that his beloved daughter, Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), live close to him.

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) once addressed Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) saying, “O Faatimah! I desire to look for a house which is near my house so that you can relocate and live close to me.” Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) replied, “O Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! Why do you not request Hazrat Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to give us one of his houses that are close to you?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “I feel shy to request Hazrat Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) for a house for you as he has gifted many of his houses to me at the time of my nikaah to my wives.”

As soon as Hazrat Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) learnt of what had transpired, he came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and said, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! I have learnt that you desire for Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) to live close to you. Therefore, I have come to present all my houses to you so that you may choose whichever house you wish for your daughter. O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! I and my wealth belong entirely to Allah and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Therefore, you may choose whichever house you wish! O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! By Allah! The wealth that you take from me is more pleasing to me than the wealth that you leave!”

Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was extremely pleased with this Sahaabi and accepted his gift. On that occasion, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) bore testimony to the true love that Hazrat Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had in his heart for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Ahl-e-Bayt and said, “You are certainly true in your statement of love, and may Allah Ta‘ala shower His special blessings upon you.”

(Tabaqaat ibnu Sa’d vol. 3 pg. 372 and vol. 8 pg. 19)
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speaking about the companions :ra: and successors

Hz Hasan Basari :rh: said:

''I met some people who would not rejoice at the splendor of life when it came to them, nor dedicate their attention to any part of it that went away from them. This life was as worthless in their eyes as dust. One of them lived for fifty or sixty years during which he only owned the clothes that he wore, did not have a barrier between his body and the floor when he slept, and did not ask his family to cook a dish of food for him. When night came, they would be standing and then laying their foreheads on the floor (in Sujud [prostration]), with tears running down their cheeks.They begged their Lord to free their necks (from the Fire). Whenever they performed a good deed, they appreciated Allah :swt: for it and sked Him in supplication to accept it. Whenever they committed an error, they felt sad and begged Allah :swt: to forgive it for them, may Allah’s :swt: mercy and pleasure be on them. By Allah! They were not saved from the repercussions and evil consequences of sins, except through Allah’s :swt: forgiveness.

(Al-Ihya, vol.4, p.239)

‘Umaarah bin Hazm (rahimahullah) narrates the following incident from Sayyiduna Ubayy bin Ka’b (radhiyallahu ‘anhu):

On one occasion, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) sent me to collect the zakaat that was due on the people’s wealth. While collecting zakaat from the people, I passed by a Sahaabi who also needed to discharge his zakaat. Accordingly, this Sahaabi gathered all his camels and presented them to me so that I could calculate the zakaat due on the camels. After examining the camels, I determined that his zakaat on the camels amounted to a single one-year old she-camel.

I thus said to him, “You need to discharge a single one-year old she-camel as this is the zakaat due on your camels.” Hearing this, the man replied, “A one-year old she camel neither gives milk, nor can it be used as a conveyance (hence, there is very little benefit in it). Instead of a one-year old she camel, here is a young, strong, large and fat she camel. Take this camel.” I replied, “I cannot take that which I was not instructed to take. However, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is nearby. If you wish to go to him and present to him what you presented to me, you may do so. If Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) accepts your offer (to give a better camel in zakaat), I will take the camel from you, but if he does not accept your offer, I will not take the camel.”

The man replied, “I will do as you suggest.” He thus accompanied me to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), bringing with him the superior camel that he wished to give in zakaat. When we came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), he addressed him saying, “O Nabi of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! Your messenger came to me to collect the zakaat due on my wealth. By the oath of Allah! Neither Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) nor the messenger of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) have ever collected the zakaat due on my wealth before (i.e. this is the first time that I am fortunate enough to discharge zakaat on my animals). I thus gathered all my animals for your messenger who claimed that I only have to discharge a single one-year old she camel. However, such a camel neither provides milk nor can it be used as a conveyance. I presented him with a large, strong camel and asked him to take it, but he refused. Here is the camel, I have brought it to you, O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Please accept it from me.”
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “It is only a single one-year old she camel that is compulsory upon you. However, if you wish to voluntarily give a better camel, Allah Ta‘ala will reward you for it and we will accept it from you.” The man said, “Here it is, O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), so accept it from me!” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) thus accepted it from him, gave the instruction for the camel to be taken from him, and made special du‘aa for this Sahaabi to be blessed with barakah in his wealth.

Many years later, during the period of the rule of Mu‘aawiyah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), ‘Umaarah bin Hazm (rahimahullah) was sent to this very same Sahaabi to collect his zakaat. At this time, the zakaat due on the camels of this Sahaabi was 30 three-year old camels, as he now owned 1500 camels in total! (This was on account of the special du‘aa for barakah that Rasulullah [sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam] had made for him.)

(Sunan Abi Dawood #1583 and Musnad Ahmad #21280)

Once Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was seated with the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) when he said: “A man from the people of Jannah will appear before you now.” Just then a man from the Ansaar came with his beard dripping of his left-over wudhu water. The same happen for three days consecutively.

When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) left, ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) followed this Ansaari man and said to him: “I had an argument with my father and vowed not to go home for three days. Will you allow me to spend these three days at your place?” The man agreed to this. ‘Abdullah (radhiyallahu‘anhu) says that he spent those three nights with him (trying to ascertain what act of worship earned him this

glad tiding) but he did not find him carrying out any extra acts of worship apart from the fact that he only heard him speaking good. After the three nights passed, ‘Abdullah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said to him: “O servant of Allah! I did not have any problem with my father. Rather the only reason for me spending these nights with you was to discover your special act of worship which has earned you the glad tiding I heard from Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). However, I haven’t seen you do any extra actions. Now please tell me what has taken you to such a position?” The man replied: “I don’t do anything other than what you have seen.” When ‘Abdullah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) left, he called him back and said: “The only thing extra is that I do not harbour any ill-feelings in my heart for any believer and I am not jealous of anyone for the good that Allah Ta‘ala blesses him with.” ‘Abdullah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said: “This is the reason for you reaching this position and this is the thing that we are unable to do.”

(Musnad Ahmad #12697)

The battle of Badr is the greatest battle in Islam. The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) who participated in this battle are the most fortunate and are regarded among the greatest of Sahaabah.

Huzaifah bin Yamaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) had a burning desire to participate in this battle, but was unable to do so. Explaining the reason for this, he mentioned the following:

Prior to the battle of Badr, I left Makkah Mukarramah (to perform hijrah to Madeenah Munawwarah) with my father, Husail (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). On the way, we were captured by the Quraish. They wished to kill us and addressed us saying, “You are going to join Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to fight against us!” (To save our lives,) we replied, “We are only going to Madeenah Munawwarah.”

Accordingly, the Quraish released us and allowed us to proceed, but made us promise, in the name of Allah Ta‘ala, that after going to Madeenah Munawwarah, we would not fight with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) against the Quraish.

When we met Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and recounted our incident to him, we informed him about the promise we had made to the Quraish. We then said to him, “If you wish, we will fight with you.”

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “We will uphold the promise made to them, and we will seek the assistance of Allah Ta‘ala against them.”

(Saheeh Muslim #4639 and Mustadrak Haakim #5621)

During the Battle of Uhud, one of the painful tragedies suffered by Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was the martyrdom of his beloved uncle, Sayyiduna Hamzah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). The person responsible for killing Sayyiduna Hamzah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was none other than Sayyiduna Wahshi bin Harb (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). At that time, he was not a Muslim, but Allah Ta‘ala later on blessed him to accept Islam and become a Sahaabi. The incident of his accepting Islam is as follows:

After Allah Ta‘ala blessed Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) with the conquest of Makkah Mukarramah, the heart of Sayyiduna Wahshi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) became filled with fear. Being responsible for the death of Sayyiduna Hamzah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), he feared that the Muslims would seize him and kill him in retaliation, and hence he fled for his life. He would remain in hiding throughout the day and travel throughout the night in an effort to distance himself from the lands of the Muslims. Eventually, Sayyiduna Wahshi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reached the Himyar tribe and settled down in their area.

After some time, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) sent a messenger to Sayyiduna Wahshi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), inviting him to accept Islam. Sayyiduna Wahshi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “O Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! How can you invite me (towards Islam) whereas you claim (i.e. the Quraan Majeed mentions) the following regarding the one who commits murder, engages in shirk or indulges in zina:

يَلْقَ أَثَامًا ﴿٦٨﴾ يُضَـٰعَفْ لَهُ ٱلْعَذَابُ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ وَيَخْلُدْ فِيهِۦ مُهَانًا

He (who commits these sins) will meet a punishment. The punishment will be doubled for him on the Day of Qiyaamah and he will remain therein humiliated.
I have committed these sins, so do you find any chance for me (gaining forgiveness)?” On that occasion, the following verse of the Quraan Majeed was revealed:

إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا فَأُولَـٰئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ اللَّـهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ حَسَنَاتٍ وَكَانَ اللَّـهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

Unless he repents, brings imaan, and carries out righteous deeds, for Allah Ta‘ala will change the evil of such persons into good, and Allah Ta‘ala is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.

(On hearing this verse,) Sayyiduna Wahshi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) remarked, “O Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! This condition (of repenting, bringing imaan and remaining steadfast on righteous deeds without falling into sin) is difficult. Perhaps I will not manage to fulfil this condition completely?”

Allah Ta‘ala then revealed the following verse:

إِنَّ اللَّـهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ

Indeed, Allah Ta‘ala does not forgive that partners be ascribed to Him, but He forgives all other sins for whomsoever He wishes.
(Hearing this verse,) Sayyiduna Wahshi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) responded, “O Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! I see that in this verse, Allah Ta‘ala mentions that He will forgive the sins of those whom He wishes. However, I don’t know whether Allah Ta‘ala will wish to forgive me or not. Is there anything else that you can tell me (that will give me hope in the mercy of Allah Ta‘ala)?”

Thereupon, Allah Ta‘ala revealed the following verse of the Quraan Majeed:

يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَةِ ٱللَّـهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ يَغْفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

“O My servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the mercy of Allah Ta‘ala. Allah Ta‘ala forgives all sins, for He is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

Sayyiduna Wahshi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) exclaimed, “Yes! This verse (has given me hope)!” Saying this, he accepted Islam.

The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) then enquired from Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! Does this (promise of forgiveness) apply to us as well?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “This applies to all the Muslims.”

(Tabraani - Majma‘uz Zawaaid #11363 and Ad-Durrul Manthoor vol. 5, pg. 620)