Sahih al-Bukhari 6682 (Book 88, Hadith 21)

Narrated: Abu `Abdur-Rahman and Hibban bin ‘Atiyya had a dispute. Abu `Abdur-Rahman said to Hibban,
“You know what made your companions (i.e. `Ali) dare to shed blood.” Hibban said, “Come on! What
is that?” `Abdur-Rahman said, “Something I heard him saying.” The other said, “What was it?”
`AbdurRahman said, “`Ali said, Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) sent for me, Az-Zubair and Abu Marthad, and all of
us were cavalry men, and said, ‘Proceed to Raudat-Hajj (Abu Salama said that Abu ‘Awana called it
like this, i.e., Hajj where there is a woman carrying a letter from Hatib bin Abi Balta’a to the pagans
(of Mecca). So bring that letter to me.’ So we proceeded riding on our horses till we overtook her at
the same place of which Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) had told us. She was traveling on her camel. In that letter
Hatib had written to the Meccans about the proposed attached of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) against them. We
asked her, “Where is the letter which is with you?’ She replied, ‘I haven’t got any letter.’ So we made
her camel kneel down and searched her luggage, but we did not find anything. My two companions
said, ‘We do not think that she has got a letter.’ I said, ‘We know that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) has not told a
lie.'”
Then `Ali took an oath saying, “By Him by Whom one should swear! You shall either bring out the
letter or we shall strip off your clothes.” She then stretched out her hand for her girdle (round her
waist) and brought out the paper (letter). They took the letter to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ). `Umar said, “O
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! (Hatib) has betrayed Allah, His Apostle and the believers; let me chop off his neck!”
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “O Hatib! What obliged you to do what you have done?” Hatib replied, “O
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! Why (for what reason) should I not believe in Allah and His Apostle? But I intended
to do the (Mecca) people a favor by virtue of which my family and property may be protected as there
is none of your companions but has some of his people (relatives) whom Allah urges to protect his
family and property.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “He has said the truth; therefore, do not say anything to him
except good.” `Umar again said, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! He has betrayed Allah, His Apostle and the
believers; let me chop his neck off!” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Isn’t he from those who fought the battle of
Badr? And what do you know, Allah might have looked at them (Badr warriors) and said (to them),
‘Do what you like, for I have granted you Paradise?’ ” On that, `Umar’s eyes became flooded with tears
and he said, “Allah and His Apostle know best.”