Page:Selections from Muhammadan Traditions - tr. William Goldsack (1923).djvu/321

 hand informed me." She said, "Yes (I poisoned it). I said ' If he be a prophet, then it will never hurt him; but if he be not a prophet, then we shall be rid of him.' ' Then the Apostle of God forgave her, and did not punish her. But his companions who ate of the mutton died. And the Apostle of God was cupped on the shoulder on account of what he had eaten of the mutton. Abu Hind cupped him with a horn and a knife. And he was a freedman of the Bani Bayadah of the Helpers.' Abu Ddud.

It is related from Ibn 'Abbas that, ' The Quraish conspired together on a certain night in Mecca. Some of them, referring to the Prophet, said, " When day dawns, then bind him with fetters." Others of them said, " Rather kill him." Others of them said, "Rather turn him out (of the city)." But God disclosed the matter to His Prophet; and 'Ali spent that night on the Prophet's bed. And the Prophet went forth until he reached a cave. And the polytheists passed the night watching ' Ali, thinking that he was the Prophet. Then when the morning dawned, they rushed upon him; and when they saw 'AH, God defeated their plans. Then they said, "Where is this friend of thine? " He replied, " I know not." Then they followed (the Apostle's) tracks; and when they reached the mountain they were confounded. And they ascended the mountain and passed by the cave. And they saw a spider's web across the entrance, and said, " If he had entered here, the spider's web would not be across its entrance." And he remained in it three nights.' Ahmad.

It is related from Usamah bin 'Zaid that, ' The Apostle of God said, " He who pretends that I have said what I did not say, let him make his resting-place in the fire." And that was because he sent a man, and he lied about him. Then the Apostle of God invoked a curse upon him. And he was found dead with his belly split open; and the earth would not receive him.' Al Baihaqi.

CONCERNING THE MIRACLES OF HOLY MEN

It is related from 'Ayesha that, ' When the King of Abyssinia died, we were remarking to one another that a light continued to be seen over his grave.' Abii Ddud.

It is related from Ibnu'l-Munkadir that, ' Safinah, a freed-