204 THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMADAha Dz'iid Al-Tayzlisi said, "Wuhayh informed us from Dz'iid Ihn Ahii
Hind from Aha Nadra, from Aba Sacid who said: "When the Prophet (SAAS)
undertook the excavation of the trench, people generally carried one brick each.
'Ammar however, who was recuperating from an ailment, carried two hricks at a
time. Aha Sacid said: 'A Companion informed me that the Prophet (SAAS)
would wipe the dust off his head and say: 'Alas for you, Ibn Sumayya! The evil
gang will kill you!"'
Al-Bayhaqi stated, 'LHe distinguished between what he had himself heard and
what he heard from his Companions."
He said, "It seems that his reference to 'the trench' is imagined, or that he said
this to him both while building the mosque and while digging the trench. But
God knows best."
My own comment is that carrying hricks while digging a trench makes no
sense. It seems obvious that there is confusion here. But God knows best.
This hadith comes from the Dalzld al-Nubnwwah (Slgns of the Prophethood)
wherein the Messenger of God (SAAS) tells 'Ammiir that the evil gang will kill
hi.
In fact he was killed by the Syrians at the battle of Siffin, 'Ammiir having
fought with 'Ali and the Iraqis.
'Ali had greater right to rule than did Mulzwiya. But their being called
bughat, unjust, does not imply that the supporters of Mu'zwiya have become
unbelievers, as some ignorant persons do who belong to the Shi'a, along with
others as well. For even if they were essentially rebellious, they had in fact erred
in their interpretation of the circumstances surrounding the conflict. And not
everyone who undertakes interpretation is right; those who are right receive
double reward, while those in error receive only one.
There are some who add after the words, "the evil gang will kill you" further
words, "may my intercession not include them on Judgement Day". In making
such an addition they are falsely attributing statements to the Messenger of God
(SAAS); he did not say this, since it is not transmitted by any reputable source.
But God knows best.
Regarding the words, "He invites them to paradise, while they invite him to
the fire", they refer to CAmm and his friends inviting the Syrians to friendship
and to unity, while the Syrians wanted to give preference to some over those
whose right was greater, which would result in the people being divided, each
one having its own leader. This would have led to dissention and division with-
in the nation and resulted inevitably from their philosophy and policies, even
though this was not what they intended. But God knows best.
But the subject at hand here relates mainly to the huilding of the mosque of
the Prophet, may the best of blessings and peace he upon its constructor.
The hzfis al-Bayhaqi stated in Dalzlil (The Signs) as follows, "The Aha
(Ahd All* related to us by dictation, Ahii Bakr h. Ishaq related to us, 'Uhayd h.