The Quarrel at the Well

ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb had a servant, and his servant was a Muhājir, and they were next to this well, fetching water, and this servant of ʿUmar got into a fight with one of the Anṣār. Because of the crowding at this well, they got in each other's way, and — one word, next word — then they had a dispute and a fight. So the Anṣārī said, Yā lal-Anṣār — he was calling the Anṣār to come and gang up against this Muhājir — and the Muhājir did the same. So a fight was almost going to break out between the two parties of Muslims, the Muhājirūn and the Anṣār, until the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) came in and mediated between them. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would not allow such things to happen. He would immediately be on the spot, and come in and stop such fitan when they're in the bud; he wouldn't allow them to grow. That's an important aspect of leadership: not to be unaware and neglectful of fitan that could end up breaking up the jamāʿah. So the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) steps in immediately, and he stops it early, before it gets out of control.