How the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Saved Ibn Jubayr from His Mistake: Lessons from a Moment of Discovery"

One day, Ibn Jubayr set out with the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the other companions on a journey towards Medina. When the caravan stopped for a rest, as usual, the companions set up their tents to prepare for the night.

Ibn Jubayr, known for his fondness for women and flirting, was still attached to these interests even after his conversion to Islam. After he had finished setting up his tent, he went out to check things and saw a group of women sitting alone, talking and laughing.

Seeing them, Ibn Jubayr was immediately captivated. He rushed back to his tent, took out a fine garment from his saddlebag, put it on, and went to join the women, engaging in conversation with them.

Unfortunately for him, the Prophet ﷺ saw him in this situation. As Ibn Jubayr was talking with the women, suddenly he heard a voice from behind him saying, "O Abu Abdullah, what are you doing sitting with them?" (Abu Abdullah was Ibn Jubayr's nickname).

Ibn Jubayr turned around to see the Prophet ﷺ looking at him. He immediately stood up, nervous and unable to answer clearly. He said, "O Messenger of Allah, my camel strayed, and I wanted to ask the women if they had seen it."

The Prophet ﷺ smiled faintly and continued on his way. Later, Ibn Jubayr saw the Prophet ﷺ going to the water to perform ablution, then returning to his tent to pray with calm and tranquility.

After finishing his prayer, the Prophet ﷺ came out again and approached Ibn Jubayr, asking, "O Abu Abdullah, what happened to your camel?" (meaning, did you find it or not).

Embarrassed, Ibn Jubayr replied, "No, O Messenger of Allah."

As the caravan moved on, the Prophet ﷺ would periodically pass by Ibn Jubayr and repeat the question, "O Abu Abdullah, what happened to your camel?" Each time, Ibn Jubayr felt as if a spear was piercing his heart because he had to lie.

When they returned to Medina, Ibn Jubayr quickly went home to avoid encountering the Prophet ﷺ and the repeated questioning. Feeling remorseful for his deceit, he avoided sitting with the Prophet ﷺ.

A few days later, Ibn Jubayr entered the mosque when it was empty to pray quickly and leave. But a surprise awaited him: as soon as he began his prayer, the Prophet ﷺ entered the mosque from one of the doors connected to the houses of the wives of the Prophet.

Ibn Jubayr found himself in an uncomfortable situation. The Prophet ﷺ sat against the wall of the mosque and watched Ibn Jubayr pray. Initially, Ibn Jubayr tried to prolong his prayer, hoping the Prophet ﷺ would leave, but the Prophet ﷺ understood what Ibn Jubayr was trying to do and said, "O Abu Abdullah, pray as long as you wish, for I will not leave until you finish."

Hearing this, Ibn Jubayr resolved to apologize to the Prophet ﷺ once his prayer was done. After finishing, he immediately sat in front of the Prophet ﷺ, who was leaning against the mosque wall. The Prophet ﷺ greeted him with his usual question, "Peace be upon you, O Abu Abdullah. What happened to that camel?"

Ibn Jubayr responded, "By the One who sent you with the truth, I will never do that again." He then began to apologize to the Prophet ﷺ, asking for forgiveness for his lie and for talking to the women.

The Prophet ﷺ listened to Ibn Jubayr’s words and said, "Now, O Abu Abdullah." Then he said, "May Allah have mercy on you, O Abu Abdullah," repeating it three times.

The Prophet ﷺ then rose, gave Ibn Jubayr one last glance with a gentle smile, placed his blessed hand on Ibn Jubayr’s chest, and prayed, "O Allah, grant him the sweetness of faith," before leaving the mosque.

Sources:
- Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir 4/204, by Al-Tabarani
- Its narrators are the narrators of Sahih al-Bukhari