Introduction
AUTHOR’S FOREWORD
We glorify Allah Ta’ala and send blessings and salutations of peace on our noble Nabi ﷺ and his Sahaabah ﷺ and those who follow him in upholding the cause of Deen. It was in the year 1353 A.H. (1934) that an eminent Sheikh, who is my mentor and for whom I have every respect, asked me to compile a book containing stories of the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ of Nabi ﷺ , with special mention of the belief and Practices of the women and children of his time. The main idea of this request was that Muslim mothers, while going to bed at night, instead of telling stories and fables to their children, may narrate to them the real and true incidents of the golden age of Islam that would create an Islamic spirit of love and esteem in them for the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ and thereby strengthen their ‘Imaan’. The proposed book will be a useful substitute for the current story books. It became essential for me to fulfil the desire of my Sheikh, for, besides being under moral debt and obligation to him for his immense beneficence, I consider the good will of such pious people to be the source of success in this world and the Hereafter. I knew my shortcomings and difficulties and, therefore, had been postponing the carrying out of this work for four years, when in Safar 1357 A.H., it so happened that I was advised by the doctors to suspend my regular responsibility of teaching for some time. I decided to utilize this period of rest for complying with the long-standing desire of the Sheikh, with the belief that even if my attempt did not meet up to his expectation, it would anyhow be a pleasant engagement for me and in addition bring me spiritual blessings. It is an admitted fact that the stories of the pious people deserve to be studied rather deeply, in order to derive proper benefit from them. This is more important in case of the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ , who were chosen by Allah Ta’ala for the company of His beloved and our dear Nabiﷺ . Their stories not only help to strengthen our Imaan and make us practice on Deen but also cause Allah Ta’ala’s blessings and mercy to descend on the readers.
Junaid Baghdaadi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , a head of the Soofis, once said: “Stories of the pious and saintly people are Allah Ta’ala's special ways, which strengthen the hearts of those who strive in His Path.” Somebody inquired of Junaid رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ if he could mention something in support of his statement. He replied: “Yes; Allah Ta’ala has said in His Book:
Translation: “And we narrate to you (O Muhammad ﷺ ) all the stories of the Rasools so that your heart may be strengthened (consoled) by them. In these (stories) the truth has come to you as well as advice and a reminder for the Mu’mineen.” (Surah Hood - Aayah 120)
One cannot lay too much stress on the point that whether these be the sayings of Nabi ﷺ or the stories of other pious people, or the books on Islamic practices, or the advices and written discourses (majlis) of the Auliyaa. It is not enough to go through them once only, but they have to be studied over and over again in order to derive proper benefit from them. Abu Sulaymaan Daaraani رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , a famous saint, writes: “I attended a discourse (majlis) by a Sheikh at his residence. It had some effect on me, but only till the time that I rose from the meeting. I went to his audience for the second time to listen to his advices, and this time the effect remained with me till I reached my home. When I visited him for the third time, the effect of his advices stayed with me even after reaching home. Then I broke the shackles that had kept me away from Allah Ta’ala, and set out on His path to seek His pleasure.” The case with Deeni books is similar; a quick reading hardly produces the desired effect; rather a frequent and thorough study of these books is therefore necessary. For the convenience of the readers, and to create more interest in them, I have divided this book into the following twelve chapters together with an important note in conclusion.
faced with difficulty.
Ta’ala.
Important note in conclusion – The Virtues and Privileges of the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ .