Hadhrat Waa;il bin Hajar (Radhiyallaho anho) says:
“I once visited the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) when the hair on my head was long. While I was sitting with him, he uttered the words, ‘Zubab, Zubab’ (Meaning something evil or ominous). I though he was referring to my hair. I returned home and had my hair cut. Next day when I again went to him, he said, ‘I never referred to your hair when I uttered those words yesterday. Any how, it is good that you had your hair cut.”
This shows the frame of mind of those people. They tolerated to delay in acting upon the wishes of the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), whether they understood it rightly or wrongly. They never thought it necessary to further inquire or clarify.
In the early years, talking in Salaat was permissible. Once Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood (Radhiyallaho anho) visited the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) while he was saying his Salaat. He greeted him with “Assallamo‘alaikum” but received no reply, as to talk in Salaat had meanwhile been forbidden. He says:
“For receiving no reply, all sorts of explanations began to hunt my mind. I thought perhaps he is displeased with me, or he is angry with me on such and such account, and so on.’ At last when the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) finished his Salaat and informed me that Allah had forbidden talking in Salaat I heaved a sign of relief.”
Saturday, July 4, 2009
1. Hadhrat Ibn Amr (Radhiyallaho anho) burns his sheet.
Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Amr ibnul Aas (Radhiyallaho anho) says:
“Once we were accompanying the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) on a journey. I went to see him and I was wearing a saffron coloured sheet. He said to me, ‘What is this that you are wearing?’ I felt that he did not like my wearing a dress of that colour. When I reached home, I found a fire burning in my hearth. I threw my garment into the fire. The next day when I went to the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), he inquired, ‘Where is that sheet?’ I told him what I had done with it. He remarked, “You could have given it to one of the ladies in your house, women are permitted to wear clothes of that colour.”
In fact, Abdullah was so much perturbed at the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam’s) displeasure that he did not hesitate to avail of the first opportunity of doing away with the sheet that caused the displeasure. He did not even think of making any other use of that garment. If we had been in his place, we would have through of some excuse or the other for keeping it, or at least finding some other use of it.
“Once we were accompanying the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) on a journey. I went to see him and I was wearing a saffron coloured sheet. He said to me, ‘What is this that you are wearing?’ I felt that he did not like my wearing a dress of that colour. When I reached home, I found a fire burning in my hearth. I threw my garment into the fire. The next day when I went to the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), he inquired, ‘Where is that sheet?’ I told him what I had done with it. He remarked, “You could have given it to one of the ladies in your house, women are permitted to wear clothes of that colour.”
In fact, Abdullah was so much perturbed at the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam’s) displeasure that he did not hesitate to avail of the first opportunity of doing away with the sheet that caused the displeasure. He did not even think of making any other use of that garment. If we had been in his place, we would have through of some excuse or the other for keeping it, or at least finding some other use of it.
PLEASING THE PROPHET (SALLALLAHO ALAIHE WASALLAM)
Obedience to Allah and His Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) was the guiding factor in the Sahabah’s life. Stories given exclusively in this chapter are to enable us to examine our way of living and see how far we are prepared to please Allah and His Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), in order to deserve the necessary progress and other blessings, which the Sahabah received. If we are desirous of similar results, we shall have to live the way they lived.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
5. The story of Ali bin Ma'bad (Rahmatullah alaih).
Ali bin Ma'bad (Rahmatullah alaih) is a Mohaddith. He says:
"I was living in a rented house. Once I wrote something which I wanted to dry up quickly. The house walls were of mud and I intended to scrape a little mud from there to dry up the ink. But I thought: 'This house is not mine, and I cannot scrape the walls without the owner's permission.' After a moment I reflected: 'after all what difference does it make? It is only a very little mud that I am using.'So I scraped a little mud from a wall and used it. That night, while asleep, I saw a person in my dream, admonishing me: 'Perchance tomorrow, on the Day of judgement, you may rue that saying of yours: (It is, only a very little mud that I am using)."
The dictates of piety are different with different persons. The high rank of the Mohaddith demanded that he should have been scrupulous even about a small quantity of mud, though for a common man it was insignificant and therefore within permissible limits.
"I was living in a rented house. Once I wrote something which I wanted to dry up quickly. The house walls were of mud and I intended to scrape a little mud from there to dry up the ink. But I thought: 'This house is not mine, and I cannot scrape the walls without the owner's permission.' After a moment I reflected: 'after all what difference does it make? It is only a very little mud that I am using.'So I scraped a little mud from a wall and used it. That night, while asleep, I saw a person in my dream, admonishing me: 'Perchance tomorrow, on the Day of judgement, you may rue that saying of yours: (It is, only a very little mud that I am using)."
The dictates of piety are different with different persons. The high rank of the Mohaddith demanded that he should have been scrupulous even about a small quantity of mud, though for a common man it was insignificant and therefore within permissible limits.
4. Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho) gives his garden to Bait-ul-Maal.
Ibn-Seereen writes:
"When Hadhrat abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho) was about to die, he said to his daughter, Hadhrat Aishah (Radhiyallaho anho), 'I did not like to take anything from the Bait-ul-Maal, but Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) insisted on it, to relieve me of my occupation, and to enable me to devote my full time to the duties of the 'Khilafat' and I was left no choice. Now make over that garden of mine to my successor, in lieu of what I have received from the Bait-ul-Maal'.
When Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho) died, Aishah (Radhiyallaho anho) asked Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) to take over that garden, as desired by her late father. Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) remarked:
"May Allah bless your father! He has left no choice for anybody to open his lips against him."
Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho) received his subsistence allowance from the Biat-ul-Maal in the interest of all the Muslims, and that too at the request of the most prominent Sahabah. Again the amount taken was almost the minimum possible, and hardly sufficient for him, as we have already seen in the story (in the last chapter) about his wife's inability to cook one sweet dish during the whole month. In spite of all this he was so scrupulous that he had received from the public funds.
"When Hadhrat abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho) was about to die, he said to his daughter, Hadhrat Aishah (Radhiyallaho anho), 'I did not like to take anything from the Bait-ul-Maal, but Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) insisted on it, to relieve me of my occupation, and to enable me to devote my full time to the duties of the 'Khilafat' and I was left no choice. Now make over that garden of mine to my successor, in lieu of what I have received from the Bait-ul-Maal'.
When Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho) died, Aishah (Radhiyallaho anho) asked Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) to take over that garden, as desired by her late father. Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) remarked:
"May Allah bless your father! He has left no choice for anybody to open his lips against him."
Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho) received his subsistence allowance from the Biat-ul-Maal in the interest of all the Muslims, and that too at the request of the most prominent Sahabah. Again the amount taken was almost the minimum possible, and hardly sufficient for him, as we have already seen in the story (in the last chapter) about his wife's inability to cook one sweet dish during the whole month. In spite of all this he was so scrupulous that he had received from the public funds.
3. Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) vomits out milk of Sadaqah.
A person once brought some milk for Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho). When he took it, he noted its queer taste, and asked the person as to how he had come in possession of the milk. He replied:
"The camels given in Sadaqah were grazing in the desert, and the attendants gave me this milk out of what they got from them."
Upon this, Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) put his hand in his throat and vomited all that he had taken.
These Allah-fearing people not only totally abstained from 'haraam' food, but were most anxious to avoid any doubtful morsel finding its way inside them. They could not dare taking anything that was 'haraam', which is so usual these days.
"The camels given in Sadaqah were grazing in the desert, and the attendants gave me this milk out of what they got from them."
Upon this, Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) put his hand in his throat and vomited all that he had taken.
These Allah-fearing people not only totally abstained from 'haraam' food, but were most anxious to avoid any doubtful morsel finding its way inside them. They could not dare taking anything that was 'haraam', which is so usual these days.
2. The Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) Sleepless Night.
Once the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) spent a sleepless night. He would turn from side to side and could not sleep. His wife asked him:
"O, Prophet of Allah! Why can you not sleep?"
He responded:
"A date was lying about. I took it up and ate it, lest it should be wasted. Now I am troubled lest it might be from Sadaqah."
Most probably the date belonged to the Prophet himself, but because people sent him their 'Sadaqah' as well (for distribution), he could not sleep with the apprehension that it might be of Sadaqah. This is the last word in scruples of a suspicion in his mind. How would it go with those who claim themselves to be the slaves of that very master but indulge in usury, corruption, theft, plunder and every other type of 'haraam' business without the least scruple.
"O, Prophet of Allah! Why can you not sleep?"
He responded:
"A date was lying about. I took it up and ate it, lest it should be wasted. Now I am troubled lest it might be from Sadaqah."
Most probably the date belonged to the Prophet himself, but because people sent him their 'Sadaqah' as well (for distribution), he could not sleep with the apprehension that it might be of Sadaqah. This is the last word in scruples of a suspicion in his mind. How would it go with those who claim themselves to be the slaves of that very master but indulge in usury, corruption, theft, plunder and every other type of 'haraam' business without the least scruple.
1. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) accepts a woman's invitation.
The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) was once returning from a funeral, when a woman invited him to partake of some food at her house. He went in with some of his Sahabah. When the food was served, it was noticed that the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) was trying to chew a morsel, but it would simply not go down his throat. He said:
"It seems that the animal has been slaughtered without the permission of its owner."
The woman said:
"O, Prophet of Allah! I had asked a man to purchase a goat for me from the market, but he could not obtain one. My neighbour also had recently purchased a goat. So I sent the man thither with some money to buy the same from him. My neighbour was out and his wife made over the goat to my man."
The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) directed her to go and serve the meat to the captives.
It has been noted of pious and saintly Muslims that food obtained from doubtful sources would simply not go down their throats. So this is not a surprising thing in the case of the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), who is the fountain-head of all piety.
"It seems that the animal has been slaughtered without the permission of its owner."
The woman said:
"O, Prophet of Allah! I had asked a man to purchase a goat for me from the market, but he could not obtain one. My neighbour also had recently purchased a goat. So I sent the man thither with some money to buy the same from him. My neighbour was out and his wife made over the goat to my man."
The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) directed her to go and serve the meat to the captives.
It has been noted of pious and saintly Muslims that food obtained from doubtful sources would simply not go down their throats. So this is not a surprising thing in the case of the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), who is the fountain-head of all piety.
PIETY AND SCRUPULOUSNESS
The habits and traits of character of the Sahabah, as a whole, are worth following, as they were the people specially chosen and selected by Allah to be the companions of His beloved Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam). The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) says:
"I have been sent in the best period of human history."
The time of the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) was itself a blessed period, and the people favoured with his company were really the cream of that age.
"I have been sent in the best period of human history."
The time of the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) was itself a blessed period, and the people favoured with his company were really the cream of that age.
3. Hadhrat Ammaar (Radhiyallaho anho) and His Parents.
Hadhrat Ammaar (Radhiyallaho anho) and his parents were also subjected to the severest afflictions. They were tormented on the scorching sands of Mecca. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) while passing by them would enjoin patience giving them glad tidings about paradise. Ammaar's father Yasir (Radhiyallaho anho) died after prolonged sufferings at the hands of persecutors, and his mother Sumayya (Radhiyallaho anha) was killed by Abu Jahl, who put his spear through the most private part of her body, causing her death. She had refused to renounce Islam in the face of terrible torture in her old age. The blessed lady was the first to meet martyrdom in the case of Islam. The first mosque in Islam was built by Ammaar (Radhiyallaho anho).
When the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) emigrated to Madinah, Ammaar (Radhiyallaho anho) offered to build a structure for him where he could sit, take rest in the afternoon, and say his Salaat under its roof. He first collected the stones and then built the musjid in Quba. He fought against the enemies of Islam with great zeal and courage. Once he was fighting in a battle when he said delightedly:
"I am to meet my friends very soon, I am to meet Muhammad (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) and his companions."
He then asked for water. He was offered some milk. He took it and said:
"I heard the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) saying to me, "Milk shall be the last drink of your worldly life."
He then fought till he met his coveted end. He was then aged about ninety-four.
When the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) emigrated to Madinah, Ammaar (Radhiyallaho anho) offered to build a structure for him where he could sit, take rest in the afternoon, and say his Salaat under its roof. He first collected the stones and then built the musjid in Quba. He fought against the enemies of Islam with great zeal and courage. Once he was fighting in a battle when he said delightedly:
"I am to meet my friends very soon, I am to meet Muhammad (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) and his companions."
He then asked for water. He was offered some milk. He took it and said:
"I heard the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) saying to me, "Milk shall be the last drink of your worldly life."
He then fought till he met his coveted end. He was then aged about ninety-four.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
2. MARTYRDOM OF HADHRAT ANAS BIN NADHR (RADHIYALLAHO ANHO)
Hadhrat Anas bin Nadhr (Radhiyallaho anho) was one of the Sahabah who could not take part in the campaign of Badr. He very much regretted to have missed the honour of participating in the first and the most illustrious battle for Islam. He longed for a chance wherein he could make amends for Badr. He did not have to wait for long. The battle of Uhud came about in the following year. He joined the army with the most determined zeal. Despite heavy odds, the Muslims were gaining the upper hand, when some people made a blunder and the Muslims had to suffer a reverse. The Prophet (Salallaho alaihe wasallam) had posted a band of fifty archers to guard a pass in the rear against the enemy cavalry. They had definite instructions not to move from their position till further orders from him. But when they the Muslims gaining victory and the enemy in the full flight, they left their position in the belief that the battle was over and it was time to join in the pursuit and get on to the booty.
1. The Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) Journey to Taif.
For nine years, since his selection by Allah for His mission, the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) had been delivering the message of Allah in Mecca and making all out efforts to guide and reform his community. Excepting a few persons who had either embraced Islam or who helped his through not accepting his creed, all the rest in Mecca left no stone unturned in persecuting and deriding him and his followers. His uncle Abu Talib was one of those good hearted people who helped him, in spite of his not entering into the fold of Islam.
The following year, on the death of Abu Talib, the Qureysh got a free hand and therefore accelerated their sinister pursuits without check and hindrance. At tTaif, the second biggest town of Hijaz, there lived Banu Thaqif, a clan strong in number. The Prophet(Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) left for Taif with the hope of winning them over to Islam. On reaching Taif he visited the three chieftains of the clan separately, and called upon them to stand by his Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said: Instead of accepting his message, they refused even to listen to him and, notwithstanding the proverbial Arab hospitality, each of them treated him most contemptuously and rudely. They plainly told him that they did not like his stay in their town. The Prophet (Salallaho alaihe wasallam) had expected a civil, even a cordial treatment and due courtesy in speech from them, as they were the heads of the clan. But one of them sneered:
"Hey, Allah has made you a Prophet!"
The other exclaimed with derision:
"Could Allah not lay His hand on anyone else, beside you to make his His Prophet?"
The third one gibed at him:
"I do not want to talk to you, for if you are in fact a Prophet, then to oppose you is to
invite trouble, and if you only pretend to be one, why should I talk with an
impostor?"
The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), who was a rock of steadfastness and perseverance, did not lose heart over this check from the chieftains, and tried to approach the common people; but nobody would listen to him. Instead they asked him to to clear off from their own town and go wherever hi liked. When he realised that further efforts were in vain, he decided to leave the town. But they would not let him depart in peach, and set the street urchins after him ti hiss, to hoot, to jeer at, and to stone him. He was so much pelted at with blood, and his shoes were clogged to his feet. He left the town in his woeful plight. When he was far out of the town, and safe from the rabble, he prayed to Allah thus:
"O, My Allah! To thee I complain of the feebleness of my strength, of my lack of resources and my being unimportant in the eyes of people. O, Most Merciful of all those capable showing mercy! Thou art the Lord of the weak, and Thou art my own Lord. To whom art Thou to entrust me: to an unsympathetic foe who would sullenly frown at me, or to an alien to whom Thou hast given control over my affairs? not in protection for myself. I seek shelter in Your light-the light which illuminates the Heavens and dispels all sorts of darkness, and which controls all affairs in this world as well as in the hereafter. May it never be that I should incur thy wrath, or that Thou should be displeased with me. I must remove the cause of thy displeasure till Thou art pleased. There is no strength nor power but through Thee."
The heavens were moved by the prayer, and Jibrail (Alayhis salaam) appeared before the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), greeting him with Assalamu Alaikum and said:
"Allah knows all that has passed between you and these people. He has deputed an angel in charge of the mountains to be at your command."
Saying this, Jibrail (Alayhis aslaam) ushered the angel before the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam). The angel greeted the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) and said:
"O Prophet of Allah! I am at your service. If you wish, I can cause the mountains overlooking this town on both side to collide with each other, so that all the people therein would be crushed to death, or you may suggest any other punishment for them."
The merciful and noble Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said:
"Even if these people do not accept Islam, I do hope from Allah that there will be persons from among their progeny who would worship Allah and serve His cause."
Behold the conduct of our noble Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), whom we profess to follow! We get so much irritated over a little trouble or a mere abuse from somebody that we keep on torturing and talking our revenge throughout our lives in every possible manner. Does it become people who claim to follow the magnanimous Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam)? Look, even after so much suffering at the hands of the Taif mob, he neither curses them nor does he work for any revenge, even when he has the full opportunity to do so.
The following year, on the death of Abu Talib, the Qureysh got a free hand and therefore accelerated their sinister pursuits without check and hindrance. At tTaif, the second biggest town of Hijaz, there lived Banu Thaqif, a clan strong in number. The Prophet(Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) left for Taif with the hope of winning them over to Islam. On reaching Taif he visited the three chieftains of the clan separately, and called upon them to stand by his Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said: Instead of accepting his message, they refused even to listen to him and, notwithstanding the proverbial Arab hospitality, each of them treated him most contemptuously and rudely. They plainly told him that they did not like his stay in their town. The Prophet (Salallaho alaihe wasallam) had expected a civil, even a cordial treatment and due courtesy in speech from them, as they were the heads of the clan. But one of them sneered:
"Hey, Allah has made you a Prophet!"
The other exclaimed with derision:
"Could Allah not lay His hand on anyone else, beside you to make his His Prophet?"
The third one gibed at him:
"I do not want to talk to you, for if you are in fact a Prophet, then to oppose you is to
invite trouble, and if you only pretend to be one, why should I talk with an
impostor?"
The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), who was a rock of steadfastness and perseverance, did not lose heart over this check from the chieftains, and tried to approach the common people; but nobody would listen to him. Instead they asked him to to clear off from their own town and go wherever hi liked. When he realised that further efforts were in vain, he decided to leave the town. But they would not let him depart in peach, and set the street urchins after him ti hiss, to hoot, to jeer at, and to stone him. He was so much pelted at with blood, and his shoes were clogged to his feet. He left the town in his woeful plight. When he was far out of the town, and safe from the rabble, he prayed to Allah thus:
"O, My Allah! To thee I complain of the feebleness of my strength, of my lack of resources and my being unimportant in the eyes of people. O, Most Merciful of all those capable showing mercy! Thou art the Lord of the weak, and Thou art my own Lord. To whom art Thou to entrust me: to an unsympathetic foe who would sullenly frown at me, or to an alien to whom Thou hast given control over my affairs? not in protection for myself. I seek shelter in Your light-the light which illuminates the Heavens and dispels all sorts of darkness, and which controls all affairs in this world as well as in the hereafter. May it never be that I should incur thy wrath, or that Thou should be displeased with me. I must remove the cause of thy displeasure till Thou art pleased. There is no strength nor power but through Thee."
The heavens were moved by the prayer, and Jibrail (Alayhis salaam) appeared before the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), greeting him with Assalamu Alaikum and said:
"Allah knows all that has passed between you and these people. He has deputed an angel in charge of the mountains to be at your command."
Saying this, Jibrail (Alayhis aslaam) ushered the angel before the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam). The angel greeted the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) and said:
"O Prophet of Allah! I am at your service. If you wish, I can cause the mountains overlooking this town on both side to collide with each other, so that all the people therein would be crushed to death, or you may suggest any other punishment for them."
The merciful and noble Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said:
"Even if these people do not accept Islam, I do hope from Allah that there will be persons from among their progeny who would worship Allah and serve His cause."
Behold the conduct of our noble Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), whom we profess to follow! We get so much irritated over a little trouble or a mere abuse from somebody that we keep on torturing and talking our revenge throughout our lives in every possible manner. Does it become people who claim to follow the magnanimous Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam)? Look, even after so much suffering at the hands of the Taif mob, he neither curses them nor does he work for any revenge, even when he has the full opportunity to do so.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
STEADFASTNESS IN THE FACE OF HARDSHIPS
It is really very hard for the Muslims of to-day to imagine, and much less to endure or even to attempt to endure, the hardships that were borne by the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) and his illustrious companions in the path of Allah. Books of history are full of stories of there sufferings. It is a pity that we are so indifferent to those events and our knowledge is so poor in this regard. I open this chapter with a story about the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) himself to get the blessings of Allah, which are sure to attend his auspicious mention.
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