Hatib · a Light

He wrote to the enemy and Badr saved him

In 630, while the march on Makkah was being prepared in secret, Hatib ibn Abi Balta'a sent a letter warning Quraysh. It was intercepted by riders sent after the woman carrying it. Asked why he had done it, Hatib said he had no doubt about the religion, but that he had no clan in Makkah to protect his family and had wanted a favour owed to him there. Umar asked permission to strike his neck. The Prophet ﷺ refused, saying that Hatib had been at Badr, and that Allah had looked upon the people of Badr and forgiven them. He was not executed, and the report is preserved with his excuse intact, including the part where he admits the letter was his.

Hatib ibn Abi Balta'a · Madinah, 630 CE

Source · Bukhari 3007