The Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ were not afraid of death at all. Therefore, they were fearless and brave. A person who is not afraid of death is ready for anything. They neither had love for wealth nor any fear for the enemy. I wish I could also acquire this quality from the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ .
One day before the Battle Uhud, Abdullah bin Jahsh رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ told Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ : “O, Sa’ad! Come, let us make dua together. Let each one ask Allah Ta’ala to accept his only wish, whilst the other would say ‘Aameen’ to it. In this way, the duas are more likely to be answered by Allah Ta’ala.” Sa’ad رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ agreed, and they both went to a corner to make dua. Sa’ad رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was first to ask Allah Ta’ala, saying: “O Allah! When the battle starts tomorrow, let me face a very strong and fierce enemy. Let him attack me with all his might and power, and let me fight him with all my strength. Then, O Allah! let me be successful by killing him for your sake, and allow me to have his belongings as booty.” Abdullah رض الله عَنه said: “Aameen.”
Then Abdullah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ started his dua, saying: “O Allah! let me face one of the toughest fighters from the enemy tomorrow. Let him attack me with full force and let me attack him with my full strength. Then let him overpower and kill me. He may cut my nose and ears from my body. When I appear before you on the Day of Qiyaamah, You may ask me, ‘How did you lose your nose and ears, O, Abdullah!’ and I will say, ‘These were lost in the way of Allah Ta’ala and His Nabi ﷺ .’ Then You will say, ‘Yes! Surely these were lost in My way.’” Hadhrat Sa’ad رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said: “Aameen.” In the battlefield the next day, both of the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ saw their duas answered exactly as they had asked. Sa’ad رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “Abdullah’s رضى الله عَنه dua was better than mine. In the evening I noticed his ears and nose tied with string.” This story shows the great courage and bravery of Sahaabah رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَنْ تُمْ , who were anxious to face the brave and the strong from amongst the enemy, and on the other hand it shows their devotion and their love for Allah Ta’ala. Abdullah اللّهعَنه wishes Allah Ta’ala to prove on the Day of Qiyaamah that his sacrifice was really for His sake.
Not understanding Nabi’s ﷺ orders properly changed the victory at Uhud into a loss for a short while, the details of which we have already seen in Chapter one. This was a very hard time for the Muslims. They were caught between two groups of the enemy and many of them were killed. Nabi ﷺ himself was surrounded by the enemy, who spread the rumour that he had been killed. Most of the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ could not think properly when they heard this rumour and this was the main cause of their confusion.
Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “We were surrounded by the enemy and I could not see Nabi ﷺ . I first looked for him among the living and then among the dead, but I could not find him anywhere. I told myself that, ‘It is impossible for him to run away from the battlefield. It seems that Allah Ta’ala is angry with us because of our sins and he has lifted Nabi ﷺ to the heavens. There is no way left for me except to jump into the enemy and fight till I am killed.’ I therefore attacked the enemy, clearing them with my sword, till I saw Nabi ﷺ . I was very happy and was sure that Allah Ta’ala had been protecting him through His Malaa’ikah. I came to him and stood by his side. Meanwhile a group of the enemy tried to attack Nabi ﷺ . He told me, ‘Ali go and stop them.’ I fought and chased them away by myself, killing quite a few of them. After this, yet another group came to attack him. He again called out, ‘Ali go and stop them.’ I fought with that group also myself till they ran away.” Hadhrat Jibraa-eel عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ came and praised Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ for his bravery and his love for Nabi ﷺ . Nabi ﷺ said:
Translation: “Ali belongs to me and I belong to him.”
Then, Hadhrat Jibraa-eel عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ said:
Translation: “I belong to you both.”
Look at the bravery of Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . When he cannot find Nabi ﷺ , he jumps into the enemy all alone. This shows his genuine love for Nabi ﷺ .
When the Battle of Uhud started, Hadhrat Hanzalah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ had just been married and therefore did not join the battle from the beginning. It is said that he had just left the bed of his wife and had hardly started taking his bath, when he heard somebody announcing about the defeat. He delayed the bath and with sword in hand, rushed towards the battle-field. He jumped into the enemy lines, fighting and going forward into the enemy, until he was killed. The body of the person killed in the path of Allah Ta’ala is not washed, unless a bath has been compulsory on him before his death. The Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ did not know that he had needed a bath and, therefore, buried him without a bath. Just before his burial, Nabi ﷺ said: “I see the Malaaikah washing Hanzalah’s ارضِواللّهُ عَنهُ body.” Hadhrat Abu Sa’eed Sa’adi رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “After hearing this from Nabi ﷺ , I went to have a look at Hanzalah’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ face and I noticed drops of water flowing down from his hair.” When Nabi ﷺ returned to Madinah, he made enquiries and found out that Hadhrat Hanzalah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ had delayed his bath. This again shows the courage of those people. A brave person cannot accept any delay and jumps into the jaws of death. Hadhrat Hanzalah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ also could not wait to finish the bath which was compulsory on him.
‘Amr bin Jamooh رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ would limp and walk because he was lame. He had four sons, who often spent time with Nabi ﷺ and took part in many battles. On the occasion of Uhud, Amr ﷺ also wished to join the battle. People told him: “You have an excuse because you are lame. You don’t have to join the battle.” He replied: “How sad that my sons go to Jannah and I stay behind.” His wife also wanted him to fight and get martyred. To encourage him, she told him: “I do not believe that people have stopped you from going. It seems that you are yourself afraid to go to the battlefield.” Hearing this, Hadhrat ‘Amr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ took his weapons and facing the Qiblah, made dua to Allah Ta’ala:
Translation: “O, Allah! Do return me to my family.”
He then went to Nabi ﷺ and said: “I had always wished for shahadat (martyrdom), but my people have always stopped me from going to the battlefield. O, Nabi of Allah! I cannot wait any more. Please allow me to join the battle. I hope to walk in Jannah with my lame foot.” Nabi ﷺ told him: “You have an excuse. There is no harm if you stay behind.” However he still insisted, and at last Nabi ﷺ allowed him to fight. Hadhrat Abu Talha رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “I saw ‘Amr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ fighting. He walked proudly and said, ‘By Allah! I am fond of Jannah.’ One of his sons was following him from behind. Both the father and the son fought till they were killed.” After hearing about the death of her husband and son, his wife came with a camel to fetch their bodies. When the bodies were loaded on the camel, it refused to stand up. When it was forced to stand up after a big struggle, it would not go to Madinah and would turn towards Uhud, again and again. When Nabi ﷺ was told about this, he said: “The camel has been commanded to do that. Did ‘Amr رَضو اللهُ عَنهُ say anything at the time of leaving his home?” His wife told Nabi ﷺ that whilst facing Qiblah he had made dua to Allah Ta’ala,:
Translation: “O Allah! Do not return me to my family”
Nabi ﷺ said: “This is why the camel refuses to go towards his home.” Look at Hadhrat ‘Amr’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ wish to die in the path of Allah Ta’ala. It was their love for Allah Ta’ala and his Nabi ﷺ that made the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ attain such heights. Even after his death, ‘Amr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ wanted to remain in the battlefield and therefore the camel refused to take his body back to Madinah.
Hadhrat Mus’ab bin ‘Umair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ had been brought up with great love and affection by his wealthy parents. Before accepting Islam, he lived in luxury and comfort. It is said that he was the best dressed youth of Makkah. His parents would buy clothes worth two hundred dirhams for him. He accepted Islam in its early days, without informing his parents. When they came to know of it, they tied him up with a rope and forced him to stay at home. He got a chance to escape and emigrated to Abyssinia. After returning from Abyssinia, he again emigrated to Madinah. Thus, a person like him who was brought up in luxury and comfort, was now living a life of poverty and difficulty. Once, Nabi ﷺ was sitting with the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ when Mus’ab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ passed in front of them. He had only one sheet of cloth to cover his body. This sheet had many patches, including one of leather. Nabi ﷺ with tears in his eyes mentioned Mus’ab’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ life of luxury before Islam. In the Battle of Uhud, Mus’ab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ held the flag of Islam. When the Muslims were temporarily scattered in confusion, he held the flag and stood at his post like a rock. An enemy came and cut his hand with a sword, so that the flag might fall resulting in the defeat of the Muslims. He at once took the flag in the other hand. The enemy then cut the other hand also. He held the flag to his chest with the help of his bleeding arms. The enemy at last stabbed his body with an arrow. He fell down dead and with him fell the flag that he had not allowed to fall while he was alive. Another Muslim ran and took over the flag. At the time of his burial, he had only one sheet of cloth to cover his body. This sheet was too short for his size. When it was pulled to cover the head, the feet would be left open, and when it was pulled to cover the feet, the head would become uncovered. Nabi ﷺ said: “Cover his head with the sheet and his feet with ‘Azkhar’ leaves.” Such was the end of the youth who was brought up in luxury and comfort. The person who used to wear clothes worth two hundred dirhams does not have enough clothing to cover his dead body. Look with what bravery he tried to keep up the flag and did not allow it to fall till he was dead. This is the miracle of Imaan. Once Imaan gets into a person, it makes him forget everything else, whether wealth, luxury or life itself.
In the Iraq expedition, Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ wanted to lead the army himself. There were discussions (mashwara), over several days, separately among the common people and among the leaders, whether Ameer-ul-Muminin should lead the expedition or stay in Madinah so that he could direct the operations and arrange for reinforcements from the headquarters. The common people were in favour of Hadhrat ‘Umar ٦٠٢٧٧ leading the expedition, and the leaders in favour of him staying in Madinah. Somebody mentioned the name of Hadhrat Sa’d bin Abi Waqqaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ as a substitute for Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ to command the expedition. Both the groups agreed, and it was decided that Hadhrat Sa’d رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ should lead the expedition and Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ should stay behind in Madinah. Hadhrat Sa’ad رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was very brave and was one of the heroes of Arabia. Iraq was part of the Persian Empire, and Yazdjard was the emperor at that time. He called one of his best generals named Rustam and ordered him to stop the Muslim army. Rustam did not want to go to battle because of his fear of the Muslims. He asked the emperor again and again to keep him back, saying: “I shall make all the arrangements from here and I shall be of use to you when you will need any advice.” The Emperor did not agree and he had to go to the battlefield. When Hadhrat Sa’ad رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was about to leave Madinah, Hadhrat Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ gave him the following advices: “O, Sa'd! Let not this fact deceive you that you are a Sahaabi of Nabi ﷺ and that people call you his uncle. Allah Ta’ala does not stop evil with evil, but He stops evil with good. Allah Ta’ala has no relationship with His creation. All men, high and low, are equal before Him, because all are His creation and He is their only Rabb. One can win His favours only if he devotes himself to His service. Remember that the Sunnah of Nabi ﷺ is the only correct way of doing things. You are going on a very heavy mission. You can only complete it by following the truth. Inculcate good habits in yourself and your companions. Choose the fear of Allah Ta’ala because this will lead you to His obedience and stop you from His disobedience. Obedience to the commandments of Allah Ta’ala is for those who hate this world and love the Hereafter.” Sa’ad رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ faced the huge army with full hope in Allah Ta’ala. When both armies were ready to fight, he sent a message to Rustam, which read:
Translation: “Rustam! There are people with me to whom death (in the path of Allah Ta’ala) is more enjoyable than is wine to the people in your army.”
Ask the people who are addicted to liquor, how much they love to taste it. The Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ loved to meet death in the Path of Allah Ta’ala even more. This was the main cause of their success.
Wahb bin Qabus رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was a shepherd and had been a Muslim for some time. He lived in his village in the desert. When he came to Madinah to see Nabi ﷺ , he brought with him his nephew and his herd of goats, which he had tied with a rope. He learnt that Nabi ﷺ was in Uhud. He left his goats and went to Uhud to fight by the side of Nabi ﷺ . A group of the enemy was at that time about to attack Nabi ﷺ .
Nabi ﷺ announced: “The person who gets rid of these people will be my friend in Jannah.” Hadhrat Wahb رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ attacked them fiercely and forced all of them back. A second and third group of the enemy tried to come forward and each time it was Hadhrat Wahb رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ who fought them and chased them away by himself. Nabi ﷺ gave him the good news of Jannah. As soon as he heard this he jumped into the enemy and fought till he was killed.
Hadhrat Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “I have never seen a person fighting so bravely as Wahb رَضَ اللهُ عَنهُ . I saw Nabi ﷺ standing beside his body, saying, ‘O Wahb! You have pleased me. May Allah Ta’ala be pleased with you.’” Although Nabi ﷺ himself was wounded in this battle, yet he buried Wahb’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ body with his own hands. Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ used to say: “I never envied anybody more than Wahb رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . I wish I could appear before Allah Ta’ala with a record as good as his.” What was there in life of Hadhrat Wahb رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ that makes a famous person like Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ envy him? It is the same quality of sacrifice for the sake of Allah Ta’ala and His Nabi ﷺ even though Hadhrat Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and other Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ have better deeds.
At Bi’r Ma’oona, seventy Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ were made shaheed. All of them were Hafiz of the Qur-aan. They were called the Jamaat (group) of Quraa and were mainly from the Ansaar. Nabi ﷺ loved them very much because they busied themselves in Zikr and reading the Qur-aan during the night. During the day they remained in the service of Nabi ﷺ and his family. A person by the name of Aamir bin Maalik who was known as Abu Bara, from the Bani Aamir tribe of Najd, came to Nabi ﷺ and took this Jama’at with him for the Tabligh (preaching) and the Ta’leem (teaching) of his people. Nabi ﷺ was worried saying: “I fear that some harm may come to my Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ .” However, the person guaranteed him that he will himself see to their safety. After much thought, Nabi ﷺ agreed to send the group of seventy Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ with him. He also gave them a message for ‘Aamir bin Tufail (the head of the tribe), inviting him to Islam. The group of Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ camped at Bi’r Ma’oona. Hadhrat ‘Umar bin Umayyah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and Hadhrat Munzir bin ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ took the camels for grazing and Hadhrat Haraam رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ with two Sahaaba went to deliver Nabi’s ﷺ message to ‘Aamir bin Tufail.
When they reached near his place, Hadhrat Haraam رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ told his friends: “You both stay here while I shall go to him alone. If I am safe, you may also come after me, but if I am killed then you should escape from here, as the loss of one person is better than the loss of three.” ‘Aamir bin Tufail was the nephew of ‘Aamir bin Maalik, who had brought the group. He was a bitter enemy of Islam and bitterly hated the Muslims. When Hadhrat Haraam رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ delivered Nabi’s ﷺ message to him, he did not even read it and attacked Hadhrat Haraam رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ with his spear which pierced his body. Hadhrat Haraam رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ shouted out, “By the Rabb of the Ka’bah, I am successful,” and passed away. The cruel person did not worry about the guarantee given by his uncle, or for the accepted rule all over the world, that nobody will kill the envoy (messenger). He then called the people of his tribe and encouraged them to kill all the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ camping at Bi’r Ma’oona. The people were hesitant because of the guarantee given by ‘Aamir bin Maalik. He then gathered a large number of people from the neighbouring tribes and attacked the Muslims. They murdered each one of them except Hadhrat Ka’b bin Zaid رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , who still had some life left in him,but the enemy thought that he was dead. While grazing the camels, Hadhrat Munzir رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ noticed vultures flying in the air. They said, “Something terrible has happened,” and returned to the camp. They saw from a distance that their friends were dead and the murderers were standing around their bodies with bloody swords in their hands. They stopped a while to think of what they should do. Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said: “Let us go back to Madinah and tell Nabi ﷺ .”
Hadhrat Munzir رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ did not agree. He said: “Nabi ﷺ will get the news sooner or later. I do not like to miss martyrdom and run away from the place where our friends are lying in their peaceful sleep. Let us go forward and meet them.” They both went and jumped into the thick of battle. Hadhrat Munzir رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was killed and Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was captured. Since ‘Aamir’s mother had to set free a slave because of an oath that she had made, ‘Aamir set Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ free and let him go. ‘Aamir bin Fuhairah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , a slave of Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , was also among those who were killed at Bi’r Ma’oona. Jabbaar bin Sulami, who killed him, says: “When I stabbed my spear through him, he said ‘By Allah, I have been successful’ and to my surprise I saw his body moving up towards the sky. I asked later on as to what was the success that ‘Aamir bin Fuhairah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ meant when he said, ‘By Allah, I have been successful.’ I was told that it was that of entering into Jannah. This made me accept Islam.” These are the wonderful people, of whom Islam is proud. Death was more enjoyable for them than wine for their enemies. They felt most successful at the time of their death as they had done those deeds which had made Allah Ta’ala happy with them.
In the Battle of Badr, Nabi ﷺ was sitting in a tent. He encouraged the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ to fight, saying: “Rise up and race with one another for a Jannah as wide as the Heavens and the Earth, prepared for the Muttaqeen (pious).” Hadhrat ‘Umair ibnul Humaam رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was also listening to this. He said: “Bakh! Bakh! How wonderful.” Nabi ﷺ asked Hadhrat ‘Umair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ what he meant by saying that. He said: “I wish to be one of those for whom this Jannah has been prepared.” Nabi ﷺ said: “Certainly, you are one of them.” Hadhrat ‘Umair رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ then took out a few dates from his bag and began to eat. While he was eating, he suddenly said: “To wait till the dates finish will be a very long time. I cannot do that.” Saying this, he threw away the dates, and with sword in hand jumped into the battlefield and fought till he was killed. The fact is that these people appreciated the value of Jannah because their Yaqeen (faith) was firm. If we too get that Yaqeen in our hearts, nothing will be too difficult or too much for us.
Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ is well known for his bravery by one and all. In the beginning, when the Muslims were very weak, Nabi ﷺ made dua to Allah Ta’ala to strengthen the Muslims with Hadhrat ‘Umar رضو الله عَنهُ accepting Islam. This dua was answered by Allah Ta’ala in no time, (as we have seen in Chapter one) Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “We could not read our Salaah in the Haram till Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ had accepted Islam.” Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “People emigrating to Madinah Munawwarah left Makkah Mukarramah quietly and secretly, because they feared the Quraish. However, when Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ decided to go, he hung his sword from his neck, held his bow in his hand and took a large number of arrows with him. He first went to the Haram Shareef, performed Tawaaf comfortably, performed his Salaah most calmly and then went to the different groups of the Quraish, saying to each of them, ‘Whoever does not mind his mother crying for him, his wife becoming a widow and his children becoming orphans, may come out of Makkah Mukarramah and face me.’ No one was prepared to accept his challenge.”
Of the letters that Nabi ﷺ sent to various kings, inviting them to Islam, one was sent to the King of Busra with Hadhrat Haaris bin Umair Azdi رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . When Hadhrat Haaris رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ reached Moota, he was killed by Shurahbeel Ghassani, one of the governors of the emperor Caesar. The murder of the envoy (messenger) was against all laws. Nabi ﷺ was very upset when the news reached him. He collected an army of 3 000 Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ , to fight against the enemy. Nabi ﷺ said, “Hadhrat Zaid bin Haarisah عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ will be the Amir of the army, If Zaid رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ is killed, then Ja’far bin Abi Taalib رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ will be your Amir and if he also passes away, then Abdullah bin Rawaahah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ will be your Amir. If he also dies, then you can choose an Amir from amongst yourselves.”
A Jew who was listening to this, said: “All three must die. This is exactly how the earlier Ambiyaa عَلَيْهِم السَّلَامُ used to foretell about future events.” Nabi ﷺ gave Hadhrat Zaid ﷺ a white flag which he personally made. He then walked with the army for some distance out of Madinah and made dua for them saying: “May Allah Ta’ala bring you back safely and successfully. May He guard you against all evils.” At that moment Hadhrat Abdullah bin Rawaahah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , who was a poet, recited the following three couplets:
“I only wish forgiveness of my sins and a sword to cause my blood to gush out like water from a fountain,
Or a spear to stab me through my liver and stomach, And when people pass my grave they should say:
‘May you, who have died for Allah’s Ta’ala cause, be successful and do well. You are really successful.’”
Shurahbeel received the news about this army. He prepared himself to meet them with an army of 100 000 men. When the Muslim army proceeded further, they heard the news that the emperor Caesar himself was coming with another army of 100 000 men to help Shurahbeel. The Sahaabah رَضِىَ اللّهُ عَنْ ثُمْ , who were only 3 000, began to doubt whether they should fight this army or ask Nabi ﷺ what to do. At this Hadhrat Abdullah bin Rawaahah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ called aloud: “Friends! What are you worried about? What are you here for? You are here to attain shahaadat. We have never fought because of our strength in weapons and numbers. We have always fought on the strength of Islam, through which Allah Ta’ala has honoured us. You are sure of one of two successes, either victory or Martyrdom (shahaadat).” After being encouraged by Hadhrat Abdullah bin Rawaahah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ decided to go on till they faced the Christian army in the battlefield of Moota. Hadhrat Zaid رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , with the flag in his hand, gave out instructions on the battlefield. A fierce battle started and Shurahbeel’s brother was killed in action. Shurahbeel himself escaped and hid in a fort. He sent a message to the emperor Caesar, who immediately sent an army, of 200 000 men. The Muslims were fighting against a very huge army. Hadhrat Zaid رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was killed and the flag was taken over by Hadhrat Ja’far رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . He intentionally disabled his horse to remove any thought he had about returning home. He then read a few couplets, which meant:
“O, people! What a beautiful place Jannah is. How fine and how cool is its water. The Roman army’s doom is near. I must finish them all.”
With the flag in one hand and his sword in the other, he jumped into the enemy. The enemy cut his right hand, which held the flag with. He at once carried it with his left hand. When that too was cut off, he held the flag with his teeth and supported it with his bleeding arms. His body was cut into two by somebody from behind and he fell dead. He was thirty-three years old at that time. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “When we removed him from the battlefield, we counted as many as ninety wounds on his body which were all on the front.” When Hadhrat Ja’far رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was killed, Hadhrat Abdullah bin Rawaahah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was eating a piece of meat in a corner of the battle-field. He had been hungry for three days. On hearing about the death of Hadhrat Ja’far رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , he threw away the piece of meat, telling himself: “Abdullah! You are busy eating, while Ja’far has reached Jannah.” He took the flag and began to fight. His finger was severely injured and hung loose. He placed the hanging finger under his foot and tore it off from the hand, and then rushed forward. Knowing that the Muslims were fighting a very large army, he paused for a moment in despair. He at once recovered from his despair and told himself: “O, heart! What makes you wait now? Is it for the love of the wife? If so, then I divorce her this very moment. Is it for the slaves? Then I set them all free. Is it for the garden? I then give it over in Sadaqah.” He then read a few couplets, which meant: “O, Abdullah! You have to die one day whether you like it or not. You have had enough good times. Oh you! Who are a drop of dirty fluid, See how the kuffaar are attacking the Muslims. Why does Jannah not attract you? Even if you are not killed in this battle, remember you have to die one day.”
He then got down from his horse. Meanwhile his cousin brought him a piece of meat, saying, “You have not eaten or slept for many days. Eat this and take a little rest before you fight.” He held the slice and was about to eat it when he heard the enemy attack from one side. He at once threw away the slice and jumped into the crowd, striking with his sword till he was killed. The history of Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ is full of stories which show that the pleasures of this world were nothing in their eyes, and their only concern was to be successful in the Hereafter.
We see the same qualities even in the Tabi’een (those people who saw the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ ). I close this chapter with the story of Sa’eed bin Jubair رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , who is a famous Tabi’ee. Nabi ﷺ has said:
Translation: “To speak the truth in the face of a cruel ruler is the best Jihaad.”
This is a story of Jihaad of that type. At that time, Hajjaaj bin Yusuf, the well-known murderer was the governor of an area. Hajjaaj’s cruelty and oppression is well known to all. The rulers in those days, in spite of their shortcomings, never lagged behind in propagating Deen, yet we treat them as the worst among rulers because of comparing them to the just and Allah-fearing rulers. It was for this reason that people disliked such rulers. He was the governor of King Abdul Malik bin Marwaan over Hejaz and Iraq. The King lived in Damascus and Hajjaaj had his base at Koofah. Sa’eed bin Jubair رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ had fought against Hajjaaj. After the defeat, Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ ran away and hid in Makkah Mukarramah. The Government sent a very strict person as the Governor of Makkah, with instructions to arrest Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ . The Governor gathered all the people of Makkah Shareef and read to them the order of Abdul Malik, which said: “Any person who gives shelter to Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ shall be killed with Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ .” He then announced to the people: “By Allah, I must kill the person who gives shelter to Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ .His and his neighbour’s houses would be demolished.” Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ was arrested with great difficulty and sent to Koofah. When he was brought before Hajjaaj, the following conversation took place: Hajjaaj asked: “What is your name?” Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ replied: “My name is Sa’eed (which means fortunate).” Hajjaaj asked: “What is your father’s name?” Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ replied: “Jubair (which means trimmed).” Hajjaaj remarked: “No, you are in fact Shaqi (which means terrible), son of Kusair (which means a broken thing).” Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ said: “My mother knew my name better than you do.” Hajjaaj remarked: “You are despicable and your mother is also despicable.” Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ said: “The Knower of the hidden things is someone else.” Hajjaaj said: “Look! I am going to kill you.” Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ said: “Then my mother was right in giving me this name.” Hajjaaj said: “I shall send you to Jahannam.” Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ said: “If I knew that you had that power, I would have taken you as my god.” Hajjaaj asked: “What is your belief about Nabi ﷺ ?” Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ replied: “He was a messenger of Mercy and a Nabi of Allah Ta’ala, sent with the best guidance for the whole creation.” Hajjaaj asked: “What do you say about the Khulafaa?”
Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ replied: “I am not a guardian over them. Everybody is responsible for his own actions.” Hajjaaj asked: “Who is the highest of the four Khulafaa?” Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ replied: “The one who had been able to please Allah Ta’ala the most.” Hajjaaj asked: “Which of them had been able to please Allah Ta’ala the most?” Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ replied: “This is known only to Him, Who knows what is hidden in the hearts.” Hajjaaj asked: “Is Ali in Jannah or in Jahannam?” Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ replied: “I can only answer that after I visit the two places and meet their people.” Hajjaaj asked: “What will happen to me on the Day of Qiyaamah?” Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ replied: “I have no knowledge of the unseen?” Hajjaaj said: “You do not wish to tell me the truth.” Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ replied: “But I did not tell a lie either.” Hajjaaj asked: “Why do you never laugh?” Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ replied: “I do not see anything to laugh at. Why should one laugh when he is created from dust and has to appear on the Day of Qiyaamah and is always surrounded by problems?” Hajjaaj said: “But I laugh.” Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ replied: “Allah Ta’ala has created us differently.” Hajjaaj said: “I am going to kill you now.” Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ replied: “The time and manner of my death has already been decided.” Hajjaaj said: “Allah Ta’ala has favoured me over you.” Hadhrat Saeed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ replied: “Nobody can be proud of his closeness to Allah Ta’ala, unless he knows his position; and Allah Ta’ala is the only knower of the unseen.” Hajjaaj asked: “Why should I not be proud of my relationship with Allah Ta’ala, when I am with the Ameer-ul-Mu’mineen and you are with the rebels?”
Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ replied: “I am with the other Muslims. I myself avoid mischief, but nobody can change the decision of Allah Ta’ala.” Hajjaaj asked: “What do you say about what we collect for the Ameer-ul-Mu’mineen?” Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ replied: “I do not know what you collect for him.” Hajjaj sent for gold, silver and dresses from the treasury and showed these to Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ . Hadhrat Saeed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ said: “These are useful, provided you are able to obtain with them the things that may provide you peace on the Day of Qiyaamah, when every nursing mother will forget her child and every pregnant one will be delivered of her burden, and when nothing but good deeds will be of any benefit.” Hajjaaj asked: “Are our collections not good?” Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ replied: “You have collected them, and you are the best judge.” Hajjaaj asked: “Do you like any of these things for yourself?” Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ replied: “I only like the things which Allah Ta’ala likes.” Hajjaaj said: “Curse to you!” Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ replied: “Curse is for the person who cannot go to Jannah and is made to enter Jahannam.” Hajjaaj angrily asked: “Tell me how I should kill you?” Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ replied: “As you would like to be killed yourself.” Hajjaaj asked: “Should I forgive you?” Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ replied: “Allah’s forgiveness is real. Your forgiveness is of no value.” Hajjaaj ordering the executioner: “Kill this man!” Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ laughed while he was being taken to be killed. Hajjaaj was told of this. He called him back. Hajjaaj asked: “What made you laugh? Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ replied: “Your courage with Allah Ta’ala and His mercy to you.” Hajjaaj said: “I am killing a person who has caused disunity amongst the Muslims.” Hajjaaj ordering the executioner: “Kill him in front of me.”
Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ requested: “Let me perform two rakaats salaah.” After finishing Salaah, he faced the Qiblah and read:
Translation: “Verily I have turned my face (my devotion and worship) to that being Who created the heavens and earth, as a Haneef (one who worships Allah Ta’ala alone and is not inclined to any deviation) and I am not from those who ascribe partners to Allah Ta’ala” (Surah An’aam – Aayah 79)
Hajjaaj: “Turn him away from our Qiblah and let him face the Qiblah of the Christians who also caused problems amongst their people.” His face was immediately turned towards the other direction. Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ replied:
Translation: “And whichever direction you turn, there is Allah Ta’ala's presence”, (Surah Baqarah - Aayah 115)
Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ said: “Allah Ta’ala knows about the Imaan that is concealed within me” Hajjaaj said: “Make him face towards the ground. We are only responsible to act on what is apparent to us.” (Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ was made to lie on his face.) Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ :
Translation: “From it (the earth) did we create you, and into it shall we return you, and from it shall we bring you out once again.” (Surah Thaahaa - Aayah 55)
Hajjaaj said: “Kill him” Hadhrat Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ said: “I call you to witness what I say;
Translation: I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah, who is all alone and who has no partner and I bear witness that Muhammad (ﷺ ) is His slave and His Nabi.”
He was then beheaded (his head was cut off).
Translation: “Indeed to Allah we belong and to him shall we return”
After his killing, a great amount of blood flowed from Hadhrat Sa’eed’s رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ body. Hajjaaj himself wondered at this. When he asked the doctors the reason for this, they said: “His calmness at the time of death had kept his blood normal. Usually, people who are going to be killed are scared and so afraid of death that their blood becomes thick and does not flow easily.” There are many such stories about the Taabi’een. Hadhrat Imaam Abu Hanifah رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , Hadhrat Imaam Maalik رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , Hadhrat Imaam Ahmad bin Hambal رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ and other pious people had to suffer alot because of their truthfulness; but they remained firm on the right path.