Chapter 11: CHILDREN AND THEIR LOVE FOR ISLAM

The true love of Islam in the children of Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ was because of how they were brought up. Parents nowadays spoil their children by over petting them. If, instead, they teach them the importance of Islamic practices, these will become their habits when they grow up. When we see a child doing something wrong, we say, ‘He is only a child.’ Some foolish parents actually feel proud when their beloved child misbehaves. We bluff ourselves when we say that, ‘he will be all right when he grows up.’ How can a bad seed grow up into a good plant? If you really wish your child to be a good Muslim when he is grown up, then you have to plant the seed of Imaan and Islam in his heart right from childhood. The Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ were very careful about training their children Islamically and they kept a watchful eye over them. In Hadhrat ‘Umar’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ time, a person was arrested by the police for drinking in Ramadhaan. When he was brought before Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , he told him: “Destruction to you! Even our children are fasting in this month.” The person was punished with eighty lashes and was chased away from Madinah Munawwarah forever.

Hadhrat Rubbayi’ bint Mu’awwaz رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “Once Nabi ﷺ asked us to fast on the tenth of Muharram. Since then we have always fasted on that day. Even the children were made to fast with us. When they cried out of hunger, we kept them busy with toys till the time of Iftaar.” From the Ahaadith we learn that even the breastfeeding mothers of those days would not feed their babies during the fast. They could manage all this, as their health and strength were far better than ours. But, are we really doing even what we could easily manage? Surely we should not force on our children what they cannot manage, but we must encourage them do what they can easily manage.

Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا was given in nikah to Nabi ﷺ when she was six years old. She started living with Nabi ﷺ when she was nine years old. She was only eighteen years old at the time of Nabi’s ﷺ passing away. Despite her age, she is responsible for reporting many Ahaadith and Islamic laws. Masrooq رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ says: “I saw many famous Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ coming to Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ for seeking knowledge about Islamic laws.” ‘Ata رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ says: “Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was more learned than many of the men of her time.” Hadhrat Abu Moosa عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ says: “With the help of Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , an answer was found to each and every problem we had regarding Islamic knowledge.” The books of Hadith contain as many as 2210 Ahaadith narrated by Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا . She says: “I was a child and playing with my friends in Makkah Mukarramah when the following Aayah, was revealed to Nabi ﷺ .”

Translation: “The fact is that the Hour (Qiyaamah) is their appointment and the Hour (Qiyaamah) shall e most severe and most bitter.” (Surah Qamar – Aayah 46)

We know that she made hijrat to Madinah Munawwarah when she was only eight years old. She would have been much younger when this Aayat was revealed in Makkah Mukarramah. This clearly shows her great thirst and love for Islamic knowledge right from her childhood.

Hadhrat ‘Umair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was a slave of Abul Lahm رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and was very young. Every person in those days, young or old wished to go out in the path of Allah Ta’ala. ‘Umair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ asked Nabi ﷺ to allow him to fight in the Battle of Khaibar. His master also recommended him very strongly. Nabi ﷺ allowed him and gave him a sword, which ‘Umair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ hung around his neck. Now the sword was so big for him that he had to drag it. He fought in the battle till it ended in victory. As ‘Umair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was a minor and a slave, he was not allowed a full share in the booty. However, Nabi ﷺ gave him a share as a very special case.

Note: Hadhrat ‘Umair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was so eager to fight in the battle that he asked others to intercede on his behalf, even though he knew that he will not get any share from the booty. What could be his reason other than the reward of the Aakhirat, as promised by Allah Ta’ala and His Nabi ﷺ ?

Hadhrat ‘Umair bin Abi Waqqaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was a young Sahaabi who had accepted Islam in its early days. He was a brother of Hadhrat Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , the famous Muslim General. Hadhrat Sa’ad رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “At the time when we were preparing to march to Badr, I noticed ‘Umair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ trying to hide himself. This surprised me. I told him, ‘What has happened to you? What makes you hide like this?’ He replied, ‘Although I wish to go and get martyred in the path of Allah Ta’ala, I am afraid that Nabi ﷺ may stop me from taking part in the battle because of my young age.”

‘Umair’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ fear turned out to be true. Nabi ﷺ spotted him and then stopped him from going with the army. Hadhrat ‘Umair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ could not bear this and began to cry. When Nabi ﷺ was informed of this eagerness and disappointment, he allowed him to go. He fought in the battle and his other desire was fulfilled, he was martyred in the battle. Hadhrat Sa’ad رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , Hadhrat Umair’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ brother, says: “The sword of Umair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was too big for him. I had to put a number of knots in the belt, so that it might not touch the ground.”

Hadhrat Abdur Rahmaan bin ‘Auf رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ ,who is a famous Sahaabi, says: “In the battle of Badr, I was standing in the fighting line when I noticed two Ansaari youngsters, one on either side of me. I thought that it would have been better if I had been between strong men who could help me in need. Suddenly one of the boys caught my hand and said, ‘Uncle, do you know Abu Jahl?’ I said, ‘Yes, but what do you mean by this?’ He said, ‘I have come to know that this terrible man speaks bad things about Nabi ﷺ . By Him who holds my life in His hand, if I see him, I will not leave him until I kill him or I am killed.’ His words left me amazed. Then the other boy had a similar talk with me. I happened to notice Abu Jahl moving about in the battlefield on horseback. I told the boys, ‘There is Abu Jahl.’ Both of them immediately rushed towards him and attacked him with their swords, until I saw him fall from his horse.”

Note: These boys were Hadhrat Muaaz bin Amr bin Jamooh رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and Muaaz bin ‘Afra رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . Muaaz bin Amr bin Jamooh رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “I had heard the people say, ‘No one can kill Abu Jahl. He is very well guarded.’ At that time, I promised to finish him. Abu Jahl was arranging his lines for attack, when he was spotted by Hadhrat Abdur Rahmaan bin Auf رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . The boys were on foot, while Abu Jahl was on horseback. This made it difficult for them to attack Abu Jahl, thus one of the boys hit a leg of the horse and the other that of Abu Jahl. This caused both to fall down and Abu Jahl was unable to get up. The boys left him in this condition. Mu’awwaz bin Afra رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , the brother of Hadhrat Muaaz bin Afra رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , then went and wounded him even more with his sword, so that he might not drag himself to his camp. Finally, Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ attacked him and cut-off his head from his body.” Hadhrat Muaaz bin Amr bin Jamooh رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “When I hit Abu Jahl with my sword, his son Ikramah was with him. He attacked me on my shoulder and cut off my arm, leaving it hanging by the skin only. I threw the broken arm over my shoulder and kept on fighting with one hand, but when it became too difficult, I separated it from my body by placing it under my foot and pulling myself up and threw it away.”

Whenever an army of Mujaahideen came out of Madinah Munawwarah ﷺ for battle, Nabi inspected them outside Madinah Munawwarah to see that nothing was short in the men and the equipment. It was here that he usually returned all the young boys to Madinah Munawwarah, who had come out with the army wishing to fight for Islam. While setting out for Uhud, Nabi ﷺ carried out an inspection just outside Madinah Munawwarah. He ordered the young boys to go back. Among them were Abdullah bin ‘Umar, Zaid bin Saabit, Usaamah bin Zaid, Zaid bin Arqam, Baraa bin Aazib, Amr bin Hazam, Usaid bin Zuhair, ‘Uraabah bin Aus, Abu Sa’eed Khudri, Samurah bin Jundub and Raafi’ bin Khudaij رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . All of them were around the ages of thirteen to fourteen. Khudaij said to Nabi ﷺ : “O Nabi of Allah! My son Raafi’ is a very good archer.” Hadhrat Raafi’ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ stood on his toes to show himself to be taller than he actually was. Nabi ﷺ allowed him to stay on. When Samurah bin Jundub رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ learnt about this, he complained to his step-father Murrah bin Sanaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ saying: “Nabi ﷺ has allowed Raafi’ and rejected me. I am stronger than him and I am sure to beat him in a wrestling match.

This was mentioned to Nabi ﷺ who allowed Samurah to wrestle with Raafi’. Samurah did actually beat Raafi’ in the fight and he too was allowed to join the army. A few more boys tried to stay on and some of them were given permission. Meanwhile it became dark. Nabi ﷺ made the arrangements for the guarding of the camp during the night, and then asked: “Now, who is going to guard my tent during the night?” A person (standing at his place) replied: “I, O Nabi of Allah!” Nabi ﷺ asked: "What is your name?” The person replied: “Zakwaan.” Nabi ﷺ said: “All right. Sit down.” He again asked: “Who else will guard my tent tonight?” A voice replied: “I, O Nabi of Allah!” Nabi ﷺ asked: “Who are you?” A voice replied: “Abu Saba’ (father of Saba’).” Nabi ﷺ said: “All right. Sit down.” He asked for the third time: “Who will be the third man to guard my tent tonight?” Again a voice came from the crowd: “I, O Nabi of Allah!” Nabi ﷺ asked: “Your name?” The voice replied: “Ibn Abdul Qais (son of Abdul Qais).” Nabi ﷺ said: “All right. You also sit down.” Then Nabi ﷺ asked all three to come to him. Only one person came forward: “Where are your other two friends?” The person replied: “O Nabi of Allah! It was I who stood up all three times.” Nabi ﷺ blessed him with his duas and allowed him to guard his tent. He kept guarding the tent all night long.

Note: Just look! How eager were the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ to face death for the sake of Allah Ta’ala and His Nabi ﷺ . The children and adults, young and old, men and women, all had the same burning spirit of sacrifice and love. That is why success greeted them at every step. Raafi’ bin Khudaij رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ had offered to fight in Badr too, but he was not allowed. However, he was allowed to fight for the first time in Uhud. Since then, he had been taking part in almost all the battles. In Uhud, the enemy’s arrow struck him in his chest. When it was taken out, a small piece remained inside his body. This caused a wound, which finally caused his death in old age.

Hadhrat Zaid bin Saabit رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was six years old when his father passed away. At the time of Hijrah he was eleven years old. He wanted to join in the battle of Badr, but was sent back because of his young age. He again tried to join in the battle of Uhud. He was not allowed this time also. After Uhud, he took part in all the battles. When the Muslims were marching towards Tabuk, the flag of the Banu Maalik family was held by Ammaarah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . Nabi ﷺ took the flag from him and gave it to Zaid رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . Ammaarah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ thought that perhaps this was because of some fault of his, which had displeased Nabi ﷺ . He therefore asked: “O, Nabi of Allah! Did somebody complain about me?” Nabi ﷺ said: “No, but Zaid knows more Qur-aan than you. His Qur-aan has given him preference over you.”

Note: It was the noble habit of Rasulullah ﷺ that he chose people according to their good qualities. Although over here it was the occasion of fighting and there was no direct link with regards to having more knowledge of the Qur-aan, yet Rasulullah ﷺ had given preference to him to carry the flag. In most instances Rasulullah ﷺ would give preference to this, so much so that if there was a need to bury many people in one grave the one who was more learned in the Qur-aan was given preference like was done in the Battle of Uhud.

Hadhrat Abu Sa’eed Khudri رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says, “When I was thirteen years old, I was brought to Nabi ﷺ by my father for fighting in Uhud. My father recommended me saying: ‘O, Nabi of Allah! He has a very good body. His bones are very well formed.’ Nabi ﷺ looked at me again and again and finally sent me back due to my young age. However, my father took part in the battle and was killed. He left me nothing to live on. I went to Nabi ﷺ to ask for help. Before I could even speak, he said: “Abu Sa’eed! Whoever asks for patience from Allah Ta’ala, Allah Ta’ala blesses him with patience, whoever asks for chastity from Him, He protects his chastity, and whoever asks for contentment from Him will surely be blessed with it.” After hearing this, I returned home without asking him for anything. Because of this, Allah Ta’ala blessed him with such a high position that, from the younger Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ , there was nobody gifted with so much knowledge and learning as Hadhrat Abu Sa’eed رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ .

Note: Look at the patience of Hadhrat Abu Sa’eed رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ at such a young age. As we know, in Uhud, he had lost his father, who had left him nothing to live on and, therefore, he fully deserved all the help yet a few words of Nabi ﷺ stopped him from talking of his suffering and asking for a favour. Can a person much older than him show such strength of character? In fact, the persons selected by Allah Ta’ala for the company of his dear Nabi ﷺ did really deserve that honour. That is why Nabi ﷺ had said: “Allah has preferred my Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ over all other men.”

Ghaabah was a small village about four or five miles (approximately seven to eight kilometers) from Madinah Munawwarah. The camels of Nabi ﷺ were sent there for grazing. Abdur Rahmaan Fazari and a few kuffaar killed the person looking after the camels and stole them. The robbers were on horseback and all of them were armed. That morning Salamah bin Akwah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was walking in that direction with his bow and arrows when he saw the robbers. Although he was only a boy, he ran very fast. It is said that he could beat the fastest horse in a race. He was also a very good archer. As soon as he saw the robbers, he climbed up a hill and shouted towards Madinah Munawwarah to call for help. He then chased the robbers till he got close and started shooting arrows at them one after the other. He did this so quickly that the robbers thought they were being chased by a large number of people. If any of the robbers turned his horse towards him, he hid behind a tree and shot the animal with his arrows. The robbers at once ran off at full speed to save themselves from getting caught. Salamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “I kept on chasing the robbers until all the camels stolen by them were left behind me. While escaping they left behind thirty spears and thirty sheets of cloth of their own. Meanwhile, Uyaynah bin Hisn (another robber) and his group arrived to help the robbers. They had meanwhile come to know that I was all alone. They now came towards me in large numbers and I was forced to climb up a hill. As they were about to come close to me, I shouted, ‘Stop. First listen to me. Do you know who am I? I am Ibnul Akwah. By Him who has given honour to Nabi Muhammad ﷺ , if anyone of you wishes to catch me, he will not be able to do so. But if I choose to attack any of you he cannot escape me.’ I kept on talking to them in this manner to buy some time till, I thought, help would reach me from Madinah Munawwarah. I looked anxiously through the trees, as I talked to them when at last I noticed a group of riders headed by Akhram Asadi رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ coming towards me. As Akhram رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ approached the robbers, he attacked Abdur Rahmaan and cut one leg of his horse. As Abdur Rahmaan fell down from his horse, he attacked Akhram and killed him. Abu Qataadah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ had meanwhile arrived. In the fighting that took place, Abdur Rahmaan lost his life and Abu Qatadah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ lost his horse.”

Note: It is written in some books of history that, when Akhram was going to attack Abdur Rahmaan, Salamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ advised him to wait till the rest of his people had joined him but he did not wait, saying: “I wish to die in the path of Allah Ta’ala.”

He was the only person killed from the Muslims. The robbers lost many of their men. More help reached the Muslims and the robbers ran away. Salamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ asked for Nabi’s ﷺ permission to go after the robbers saying: “O, Nabi of Allah! Let me have one hundred men, I shall teach them a lesson.” Nabi ﷺ said: “No. They would have reached their homes by now.” Most of the historians say that Salamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was about twelve or thirteen years old at that time. Look how a boy of such a young age was able to chase so many robbers by himself. He recovered all the stolen goods and also took a great amount of booty from them. This was the result of Imaan and Ikhlaas, which Allah Ta’ala had filled in the hearts of the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ .

The battle of Badr was the greatest battle ever fought by the Muslims in virtue and importance. It was a very difficult occasion. The Muslim army were faced with a well-equipped army of the enemy. The Muslim army had 313 men, three horses, seventy camels, six or nine coats of armour and eight swords, while on the other hand the Quraish had about 1000 men, 100 horses, 700 camels and were fully armed. The Quraish were so sure of victory that they had brought with them musical instruments and female singers to celebrate the victory. On the other hand, Nabi ﷺ was very worried because of the extreme weakness of the Muslims. Nabi ﷺ made dua to Allah Ta’ala saying: “O, Allah! Your faithful slaves are on foot, You and only You can provide them with animals to ride upon. They are naked, You and only You can clothe them. They are hungry, only You can fill their bellies. They are poor, You and only You can look after their needs.” Allah Ta’ala accepted his dua and gave the Muslims a most wonderful victory. Although they knew the strength of the Quraish, Abdullah bin ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and Baraa bin Aazib رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , wanted to join the battle and came out with the Mujahidin. However, because of their young age, Nabi ﷺ did not allow them to go to the battlefield. As we have already seen, both these boys were also sent back for the same reason at the time of Uhud, which took place one year after Badr. Look at the youngsters of that time. They were restless to get permission to take part in every battle.

During the famous battle of Banul Mustaliq in 5 A.H., a Muhaajir and an Ansaari had some misunderstanding. Each of them called his own people for help and there was a serious danger of a fight between the two groups of the Muslims, but this was avoided through the efforts of some sensible people. Abdullah bin Ubayy, who was the chief of the Munaafiqeen, was a very bitter enemy of Islam. Outwardly he acted like a Muslim, and was treated as one by the other Muslims. And this was the general approach towards all the Munaafiqeen. When he came to know of this incident, he used some rude words for Nabi ﷺ and told his people: “All this is because of what you people have done with your own hands. You provided a home to these strangers (meaning the Muhaajireen) in your town and shared your wealth equally with them. If you take back your help from them, they will be forced to go back.” He also said: “By Allah! After returning to Madinah Munawwarah, we, the respected people, shall chase out these evil people from there.” Hadhrat Zaid bin Arqam رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , an Ansaari boy, was listening to him. He could not tolerate these words and at once replied angrily by telling him: “By Allah! You are evil. Even your own people look down upon you, and nobody will support you. Muhammad ﷺ is most honoured. He is given respect by Rahmaan (Allah Ta’ala) and respected by his followers.” Abdullah bin Ubayy said: “All right. Do not mention it to anybody. It was only a joke. I was not serious in what I said.” However, Hadhrat Zaid رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ went straight to Nabi ﷺ and told him what the Munaafiq had said. Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ asked for Nabi’s ﷺ permission to kill Abdullah bin Ubayy but Nabi ﷺ refused.

When Abdullah bin Ubayy learnt that Nabi ﷺ had received the news about his disrespectful talk, he came to him and swore by Allah saying: “I never said such a thing. Zaid is a liar as he has given you false news.” A few of the Ansaar were also sitting with Nabi ﷺ . They also supported him by saying: “O, Nabi of Allah! He is the chief of his tribe and is a noble man. His words are more reliable than those of a young boy. It is possible that Zaid might have misheard or misunderstood him.” Nabi ﷺ accepted this statement and took no action against him. When Zaid رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ came to know that the Munaafiq had lied to Nabi ﷺ through false oaths, he would not come out for shame of being called a liar by the people. He would not even go to Nabi ﷺ . At last, Allah Ta’ala revealed Surah Al-Munaafiqoon, in which the words of Zaid رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ were shown to be true and the Munaafiq was shown to be a liar. After this, all the people began to honour Hadhrat Zaid رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and look down upon the Munaafiq. The Munaafiq (Abdullah bin Ubayy) had a son. His name was also Abdullah and he was a very sincere Muslim. When the Mujaahideen were about to reach Madinah Munawwarah, he pulled out his sword and stood just outside the town and, in a challenging tone, told his Munaafiq father: “I will not allow you to enter Madinah Munawwarah, until you admit with your own tongue that it is you who is mean and Muhammad ﷺ is most honoured.”

This surprised him very much, as the son had always been very respectful to him, but now he was prepared to kill him, his own father, for the honour of Nabi ﷺ . The Munaafiq had to say: “By Allah! I am mean, and Muhammad ﷺ is most honoured.” He was then allowed to enter the town.

When the Battle of Uhud was over and the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ had just returned to Madinah Munawwarah, they got the news that Abu Sufyaan was prepairing to attack them. They were very tired and even injured. The Quraish, on their way back to Makkah Mukarramah, camped at a place called Hamraaul Asad. Their chief, Abu Sufyaan, sat in a meeting with his chiefs. They spoke among themselves: “The Muslims were defeated in Uhud so their confidence must be very low. This is the best time to kill Muhammad. We do not know if we will get another opportunity or not.” They, therefore, decided to return and attack Madinah Munawwarah. When Nabi ﷺ heard about this meeting, he ordered all those Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ who had taken part in Uhud, and who had just returned from the battle, to move out of Madinah Munawwarah and meet the enemy on the way. Although the Muslims were very tired, they all got ready to go. Because Nabi ﷺ ’s instruction was that, only those people who participate in Uhud should go out again. Hadhrat Jaabir رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ made a request to Nabi ﷺ saying: “O, Nabi of Allah! I was very eager to fight in Uhud, but my father stopped me from going, saying that there was no other male in the house to look after my seven sisters and that only one of us could join the battle. As he had made up his mind to go, he asked me to remain with the family. He was killed in Uhud. Now I am very eager to go with you and fight the Quraish.” Nabi ﷺ allowed him to go. He was the only person in that battle who had not fought in Uhud.

Note: Hadhrat Jaabir’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ request is worthy of admiration. Since, Hadhrat Jaabir’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ father had just been martyred in Uhud. He left Jaabir رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ a big family to look after and large debts to pay. The debts were due to one of the Jews, who as we know hardly ever have mercy in their hearts for their debtors. And in this case, they were been put under a lot of pressure. Besides this, his seven sisters, for whose sake he was not allowed to go to Uhud, still had to be cared for. Now look! In spite of all these difficulties, Jaabir رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ requests Nabi ﷺ for permission to go to battle. His enthusiasim for jihaad is really wonderful!

In 26 A.H. the Khalifah ‘Usmaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ appointed Abdullah bin Abi Sarah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ as the Governor of Egypt in place of Amr bin Aas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . Hadhrat Abdullah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , with 20 000 Mujaahideen, went to meet the Roman Army of 200 000. It was a very fierce battle. The Roman commander Jarjir made an announcement saying: “The person who kills Abdullah, will get my daughter’s hand in marriage and also 100 000 Dinars in prize.” Some of the Muslims became worried over this announcement. When Abdullah bin Zubair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was informed of this, he said: “There is nothing to worry about. We may also announce that the person killing Jarjir will get Jarjir’s daughter in marriage, 100 000 Dinars in prize, and also a chance to rule over Jarjirs’ land.” The fighting was very fierce and went on for a long time. Ibn Zubair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ saw Jarjir seated behind his army, under an umbrella of peacock feathers held by two maids. Ibn Zubair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا went immediately around the Roman army and approached Jarjir directly, who mistakenly thought that somebody was coming to ask for a truce. He attacked Jarjir with his sword and cut off his head from the body. He then fixed the head onto his spear and returned to his camp, to the utter amazement of both the armies at his fantastic bravery.

Note: When the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ emigrated to Madinah Munawwarah, no son was born to any of them for one year. The Jews of Madinah Munawwarah said: “We have put a spell on the newcomers. They cannot have any sons born to them.” Abdullah bin Zubair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was the first male child born to the Muhaajireen. The Muslims were, therefore, very happy over his birth. Nabi ﷺ would usually not allow the children to take the oath of allegiance to him (i.e. hold his hand and promise to obey him) but Abdullah bin Zubair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ had the honour of pledging allegiance to Nabi ﷺ when he was only seven years old. During this battle, he was in his early twenties (twenty-four or twenty-five). To go alone and kill the commander, after by-passing his army of 200 000 men, at this age is really marvellous.

Hadhrat Amr bin Salamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “We lived with our father at a place on the caravan road to Madinah Munawwarah. When a caravan from Madinah Munawwarah passed our village, we asked those people about Nabi Muhammad ﷺ . What’s the latest about the person who claimed to be receiving wahi (revelation) from Allah Ta’ala?. They would give us information and would also read a few Aayaat of the Qur-aan to us to give us an idea about his claim. I was still a child, but I would immediately learn those Aayaat. In this way, I remembered a good part of the Qur-aan Shareef even before I accepted Islam. All the desert tribes were waiting for Makkah Mukarramah to come into the control of Nabi ﷺ before they accepted Islam. When he conquered Makkah Mukarramah, people from all the tribes began to come to Nabi ﷺ in order to accept Islam. My father was in charge of the group who went to Nabi ﷺ to pledge allegiance to him on behalf of our tribe. Nabi ﷺ taught them the basic rules about Salaah and other Islamic practices. He taught them the method of Salaah with jamaat and said, “it is best that the person who knows more Qur-aan should lead (be the Imaam) in Salaah.” Because I used to memorise the Aayaat that had been revealed, it so happened that no one in my tribe knew so much Qur-aan as I did. They looked for an Imaam, but they could not find a person who knew more Qur-aan than me. I was therefore, made the Imaam. At that time, I was only about six or seven. I led the Jamaat Salaah and Janaazah Salaah.”

Note: It was his natural liking and attraction towards Islam that made him remember so much of the Qur-aan when he was only a boy and he had not even accepted Islam. There is a diffenerce of opinion (amongst the Fuqaha) as to whether a child can perform the Salaah or not. Those who say that it is permissible then there is no objection and those who say that it is not permissible say that Rasulullah ﷺ mentioned to these people that the one who knows the most amount of Qur-aan amongst you should lead the salaah, he did not mean a child in this statement.

Ikramah رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ the slave of Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ is one of the well-known Ulama. He says: “During my days of learning the Qur-aan and Hadith, I was chained up by my master, so that I might not go anywhere.”

Note: In fact, real knowledge can only be learnt when one is totally devoted. The students who are in the habit of roaming about, going to shopping centres and enjoying themselves are ruining their lives. It was because of this effort that Ikramah رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ was later on called. “The ocean of knowledge” and “The most learned man of the Ummah.” Qatadah رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ says: “There are four most learned men among the Tabi'ees and Ikramah is one of them.”

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ used to tell the people: “Come to me for understanding the Qur-aan. I memorised it while I was only a child.” Once he said: “I finished reading the Qur-aan when I was only ten years old.”

Note: The reading of the Qur-aan by Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ was not done like the reading by the non-Arabs of today. Whatever they read, they read with full meaning and explanation. Anything memorised in childhood is very deep and lasting, so Abdullah bin Abbaas رضِرالله عَنّهُ is accepted as the Imaam in Tafseer. None of the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ has narrated more Ahaadith explaining the meaning of Qur-aan than was done by Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا . Abdullah bin Mas’ood رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “Abdullah bin Abbaas ارضى الله عَنه is the best commentator (explainer) of the Qur-aan.”

Abu Abdur Rahmaan رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ says: “The Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ from whom we learnt Qur-aan used to say, “We learnt ten Aayaat of the Qur-aan at a time from Nabi ﷺ . We would not take the next lesson until we mastered and began practising those ten Aayaat.” Abdullah bin Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was thirteen years old at the time of Nabi’s ﷺ death. It is a miracle that he knew so much of the Qur-aan and Hadith at such a young age. Many senior Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ used to come to him to solve their difficulties about the meanings of the Qur-aan. However, this was all due to the fruits of the dua of Nabi ﷺ , who, once while coming out from the toilet, had found water kept ready for his use and asked, “Who placed this water here?” Somebody said: “Ibn Abbaas.” Nabi ﷺ was very happy and made dua for Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا saying: “O, Allah! Give him the knowledge and understanding of the Qur-aan and the practices of Islam.” On another occasion, Nabi ﷺ was performing his Salaah. Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا joined him in Salaah by standing behind him. Nabi ﷺ caught him by the hand and pulled him to his side. (When there is only one follower in Salaah with Jamaat, he stands by the side of Imaam and not behind him). While Nabi ﷺ was busy in Salaah, he moved back a little. When the Salaah was over, Nabi ﷺ asked him: “What made you go back?” He said: “You are the Nabi of Allah! How could I stand in line with you?” On this occasion too, Nabi ﷺ made dua for his knowledge and understanding.

Abdullah bin Amr bin Aas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was one of the most pious Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ . He used to fast daily and finish one Qur-aan during the night.

Nabi ﷺ stopped him from this difficult program and said: “You will get weak by fasting daily, and your eyesight will suffer by keeping awake every night. You owe some duty to your body, the members of your family and those who come to visit you.” He says: “Nabi ﷺ then advised me to take a month to finish one Qur-aan. I said, ‘O, Nabi of Allah! This is too little. Let me make full use of my strength while I am still young.’ He then reduced the period to twenty days. I kept on repeating my words and Nabi ﷺ continued reducing the period, till finally I was permitted to take three days in finishing one reading of the Qur-aan.” He had compiled a collection of Ahaadith compiled by him which he had named “Saadiqah (True).” He says: “I used to write down all that I heard from Nabi ﷺ . People once told me that, Nabi ﷺ is after all a human being and many words said by him in anger or humour are actually not meant by him. You should not write down each and every thing spoken by him. I accepted the advice. When I told this to Nabi ﷺ , he said, ‘You keep doing as before. By Him who holds my life in His hand, my lips do not say anything except the truth even in anger or joy.’”

Note: Abdullah bin Amr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ is most well-known for his excessive ibaadat. In spite of this, he had collected many Ahaadith. Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “No one has narrated from Nabi ﷺ more than me, except Abdullah bin Amr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . This is because he used to write down what he heard, while I relied on my memory.” From this we understand that his narrations of Ahaadith is much more than that of Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . Although in our times we see that the narrations of Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ are much more than that of Abdullah bin Amr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . There are many reasons for this. This is really wonderful, especially when we know that most of his time was spent in reading the Qur-aan and other ibaadat.

Hadhrat Zaid bin Saabit رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ is one of those famous Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ who were known to be the most learned in his time and whose words in deeni matters was most reliable. He was an expert in regulations regarding inheritance. It is said that he was from the most learned Ulama, Qadhis (judges) and Qurra of this Ummat. He was only eleven years old when Nabi ﷺ made Hijrat to Madinah Munawwarah. That is why he was not allowed to take part in the early battles like Badr, etc. although he very much wanted to. He had lost his father when he was six years old. When Nabi ﷺ came to Madinah Munawwarah, people brought their children to him for duas. Zaid رضِىَ اللهُ عَنا was also brought to him. He says: “When I was brought to Nabi ﷺ , he was told that I was a youngster from the Banu Najjaar and that I had already memorised seventeen surahs of the Qur-aan. In order to test me, he asked me to read some of these. I read Surah Qaaf. He rewarded me with his kind words.” When Nabi ﷺ used to write letters to the Jews outside Madinah Munawwarah, he used the local Jews to write for him. Once he told Zaid رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ : “I am not at ease with what the Jews write and read for me. I fear mischief from them in writing or reading incorrectly. I want you to learn the Jewish language.” Zaid رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “I mastered Hebrew (the Jewish language) in fifteen days and after that I started doing all the correspondence for Nabi ﷺ .” Zaid رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ is reported to have also mastered the Syrian language at the command of Nabi ﷺ . He managed this within the short period of only seventeen days.

The head of the Sayyids (family of Nabi ﷺ ), Hadhrat Hasan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was born in 3 A.H., in the month of Ramadhaan. He was, therefore, a little over seven years old at the time of Nabi’s ﷺ death. What could a child of this age accomplish in the field of knowledge. In spite of his young age, quite a few Ahaadith have been narrated by him. Someone once asked him: “Do you remember any sayings of Nabi ﷺ ?”

He said: “Yes. Once I was going with him. On the way I saw a large amount of the dates of Sadaqah kept in one place. I took a date from the pile and put it into my mouth. Nabi ﷺ shouted, 'Kakh! Kakh!' (No! No!) and then took out the date from my mouth with his finger, saying: ‘Eating Sadaqah is not allowed for us (i.e. family of the Nabi).’ Nabi ﷺ had taught me how to read my five times daily Salaah.” Hasan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “Nabi ﷺ advised me to read the following dua in my Witr Salaah;

Translation: “O, Allah! Guide me together with those whom you have guided. Keep me in ease together with those whom you have kept in ease. Be my protecting friend together with those whose protecting friend you have been. Bless me in what you have given me. Give me protection against the bad effects of what may have been ordered for me, for Your decision is final and nobody can decide against your will. He who has You as the protecting friend cannot be disgraced. O, Our Rabb! You are blessed and You are the Highest.”

Hadhrat Hasan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that he heard Nabi ﷺ saying: “The person who keeps sitting till sunrise at the place where he read his Fajr Salaah shall be saved from the fire of Jahannam.” Hadhrat Hasan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ performed his Haj many times by going from Madinah Munawwarah to Makkah Mukarramah on foot and when asked about his reasons for going through such hardships, he said: “I feel ashamed to face Allah Ta’ala (after my death) without going to His House, Makkah Mukarramah walking for Haj.” Hadhrat Hasan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ is famous for his piety and tolerance and is the narrator of many Ahaadith collected by Imaam Ahmad رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ in his Musnad. The author of ‘Talqih’ has included Hasan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ among those who have reported as many as thirteen Ahaadith. To have remembered so many Ahaadith at the age of seven shows his love for Islam and his amazing memory. It is unfortunate that we have not even taught our children the basics of Islam at this age.

Hadhrat Husain رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was one year younger than Hadhrat Hasan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , his brother. He was a little over six at the time of Nabi’s ﷺ death. Nothing much can be expected from a child of this age, but there are quite a few Ahaadith narrated by Hadhrat Husain رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . Muhadditheen count him from those Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ who narrated at least eight Ahaadith. The following Ahaadith are from those narrated by Hadhrat Husain رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ :

1. “Each time any Muslim, male or female, recites ‘Inna-lillahi-wa-inna-Ilaihi-raaji-oon’ when he remembers a difficulty which he experienced before, he receives a reward from Allah Ta’ala just as he would have had at the time of the actual difficulty.”

Translation: “In the name of Allah Ta’ala shall it travel and anchor. Certainly! My Rabb is surely, most forgiving, most Merciful.” (Surah Hood – Aayah 41)

Rabee’ah رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ says: “I once asked Hadhrat Husain رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ if he remembered any incident in the life of Nabi ﷺ . He said, ‘Yes. I once found a few dates lying near a window and put one of them into my mouth. Nabi ﷺ made me take it out and throw away the dates, as we (i.e. his family members) were not allowed to eat anything from Sadaqah.” Many other Ahadith have also been narrated from him. Husain رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ had gone twenty-five times for haj on foot to Makkah Mukarramah. He was very punctual in fasting, reading Nafl Salaah, spending on the poor and particular about all matters of Deen.

Note: We find quite a few Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ narrating many Ahadith in their childhood. Mahmood bin Rab-ee’ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was only five at the time of Nabi’s ﷺ death. He says: “Once Nabi ﷺ came to our house. We had a well inside the house. He filled some water in his mouth from that well and then squirted it on my face. I shall never forget this incident.” We are in the habit of useless talk with our children confusing their minds by telling them made up stories and by frightening them about giants and jinns. If, instead, we ask them to read the lives of the great men of Islam, tell them stories of the pious people and warn them of the punishment of Allah’s disobedience, they will benefit in this world and in the Hereafter. Children’s memories are very good. Anything that they memorise is not forgotten. If children are made to memorise the Qur-aan, they will be able to do so very easily and quickly. I have heard very often from the elderly ladies of my family and from my respected father himself that he had memorised one quarter (¼) of the 30th para of the Qur-aan even before he was weaned (before the age of two). When he was only seven years old, he had finished memorising the whole Qur-aan and in addition to that, he had studied a few standard books in Persian literature (on his own). He once told me: “When I had finished memorising the Qur-aan, my father required me to repeat (from memory) the full Qur-aan once daily, and allowed me to play for the rest of the day. In the summer months, I used to sit on the roof of the house and start reading the Qur-aan just after Fajr. I would finish the whole Qur-aan in about seven hours. I then had my lunch. In the evening, I used to have lessons in Persian, though it was not compulsory for me. I did this for six months.” It is not something small for a child of seven to read the Qur-aan once daily for a full six months, together with learning other things. As a result, he would never forget or make a mistake when reading the Qur-aan from memory.

As a livelihood, he used to sell kitaabs. He was found reading the Qur-aan with his lips, even when his hands were busy in his job. Sometimes he would even teach us, boys (who wanted to learn from him out of madrasah), while he himself read the Qur-aan while doing his work. He thus did three things at the same time. However, his way of teaching with us was different from that of the normal madrasah. He simply listened to the student reading, translating and explaining the meaning. If the student was correct, he simply said, ‘Go ahead,’ but if the student made a mistake or needed some explanation, then only would he correct or explain. Now, this story is not of olden times; this has happened only recently. It is, therefore, wrong to believe that the Muslims of today, with weak bodies cannot try to follow the footsteps of the pious people of the past in Islam.