As reported in Mishkat u’l Masabih (Book 2, Chapter 12, p. 187), the beloved Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam used to ask Hadrat Hassaan bin Thabit Rady Allahu ’Anhu to answer his enemies on his behalf.
Indeed, he had a pulpit erected within the mosque for him to stand upon and recite poetry deprecating the unbelievers and praising the beloved Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam.
Bara’ reported that Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said to Hassaan bin Thabit (RadiyAllahu Anhu) at the battle of Quraizah:
“Satirize the polytheists for Gabriel is with you.”
Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu ’alayhi wa Sallam) was saying to Hassaan:
“Respond on my behalf. O Allah! Help him with the Holy Spirit.”
[Bukhari and Muslim]
(Sayyidatina) ’Aisha (RadiyAllahu Anha) reported that Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) kept a pulpit within the mosque for Hassaan that he might take his stand thereon to praise Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) or to meet opposition.
The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) used to say:
“Allah helps Hassaan with the Holy Spirit as long as he meets opposition or contends on behalf of Allah’s Messenger.”
[Bukhari]
A similar Hadith has been narrated in Sahih al‐Bukhari, Vol 1, p. 264, Chapter (68) titled “(What is said about) to recite poetry in the mosque.”
Sayyidi wa Murshidi al‐Habib Ahmad Mash’hur bin Taha al Haddad talks about this in his classical masterpiece Miftah u’l Jannah (Key To The Garden) and sums it up as follows:
“This was done through poetry, and in the mosque, so see what rank a poet may reach who rises to defend religion and make known the good qualities of the Master of the Messengers ‐ his degree is not less than that of a preacher who summons and guides, for they both stand on the pulpit of summoning to Allah, defending religion and subduing its enemies.” (p. 120)
In fact, the whole of Chapter 1026 in Sahih al‐Muslim is about “The Merits Of Hassaan bin Thabit Rady Allahu ‘Anhu.”
And in the following (part of a longer) Hadith from that chapter (Vol. 4, Book 29, p.1328), we get a glimpse of how Hadrat Hassaan bin Thabit Rady Allahu ‘Anhu actually replied. (6081)
(Sayyidatina) ’Aisha (RadiyAllahu Anhu) said: ‘I heard Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu ’alayhi wa Sallam) as saying to Hassaan: “Verily Ruh ul Quds would continue to help you as long as you put up a defense on behalf of Allah and His Messenger.”
And she said: I heard Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) as saying: “Hassaan satirized against them and gave satisfaction to the Muslims and disquieted the non‐Muslims.”
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“You satirized Muhammad, but I replied on his behalf, And there is reward with Allah for this.
You satirized Muhammad, virtuous, righteous, The Apostle of Allah, whose nature is truthfulness.
So verily, my father and his father and my honour Are a protection to the honour of Muhammad;
May I lose my dear daughter, if you don’t see her Wiping the dust from the two sides of Kada, (2792)
They pull at the reins, (2793) going upwards; On their shoulders are spears thirsting (for the blood of the enemy);
Our steeds are sweating ‐ Our women wipe them with their mantles.
If you had not interfered with us, We would have performed the ‘Umra.
And (then) there was the Victory; and the darkness cleared away;
Otherwise wait for the fighting on the day in which Allah will honour whom He pleases.
And Allah said: I have sent a servant who says The Truth in which there is no ambiguity;
And Allah said: I have prepared an army ‐ They are the Ansar whose object is fighting (the enemy).
There reaches everyday from Ma’add abuse, Or fighting, or satire;
Whoever satirizes the Apostle from amongst you, Or praises and helps, it is all the same, (2794)
And Gabriel, the Angel of Allah is among us, And the Holy Spirit who has no match.”
[Muslim]
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Footnotes:
2792. A hill near Makkah
2793. i.e. the horses
2794. It does not matter much to him.