ALMISKEENAH

 

 

 

Stellar Sahabiah

The names of the two Sahabiah mentioned in the stories following are written so feintly that they remain anonymous. But the example they shine to us eternally glows. Jewels of the Madanian society, inspiring our contemporary lives until this day. May we have the courage to emulate their noble qualities. Ameen.

We learn from Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "A woman is married for four reasons: her property, her rank, her beauty and her religion. So marry one for her religion; may you thus prosper." (Bukhari and Muslim)

Abdullah ibn Amr RadhiAllahu anhu said that the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "The world, all of it, is something to benefit from. Of the things of the world a righteous woman is the best from which one may benefit." (Muslim)

Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu said that the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "When someone with whose religion and character you are satisfied asks your daughter in marriage, accede to his request. If you do not do so there will be temptation in the earth and extensive corruption." (Mishkat and Tirmidhi)

According to Aisha RadhiAllahu anha, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "The marriage that involves the least burden is one that produces most blessing." (Baihaqi)

 

Once, Sayyiduna Saad RadhiAllahu anhu came to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and exclaimed, "Oh Prophet Allah! I want to get married but not a single person is willing to grant me his daughter, I am black and moneyless, nevertheless, I belong to a noble family, I am Ansari, but no one accepts my proposal." The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "Go to Amar Bin Wahab Thaqafi RadhiAllahu anhu and tell him to give you his daughter."

Amar RadhiAllahu anhu was well off and his daughter was quite pretty.

Saad RadhiAllahu anhu went to Amar’s house and called out "ajib rasula rasulillah" "Reply to the call of the messenger of Allah’s Prophet"

He hastily came out and answered "marhaban bi rasuli rasulillah" "Welcome oh thou who has been sent from the Prophet of Allah." Amar asked him what the matter was, whereupon Saad RadhiAllahu anhu informed him of the Prophet’s SallAllahu alaihi wasallam message requesting he marry his daughter to him.

Alas, Amar was a father, he could see the vast difference; great poverty on one side, and wealth on the other, unattractive on one side, and beauty on the other, so he hesitated, he stammered a bit, and answered that it isn’t possible.

Hearing this, Saad RadhiAllahu anhu turned and went away.
The daughter had listened to this conversation while sitting inside, so when her father appeared she said, "ya abata! annajaat annajat qabla an yafdhaha ka al wahu" I accept it. Amar RadhiAllahu anhu scurried after Saad RadhiAllahu anhu.

Meanwhile, Saad RadhiAllahu anhu had already informed the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam that the proposal has been rejected, so when Amar arrived, He said, "anta alladhi radadta ala’ rasulillahi maa radadta?" "Are you the one who replied as you replied?" He answered, "Oh Prophet of Allah! After all, I am the father. Now I am ready to carry out whatever you enjoin me to." The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam told him to marry his daughter. He answered "Oh Prophet of Allah! You marry her."
The marriage took place and the dowry was 400 dirhams. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam ordered Saad RadhiAllahu anhu to hand over the dowry. But Saad exclaimed; "Oh Prophet of Allah! I don’t even have 4 pennies, how can I afford 400?"
Thus, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam requested Ali, Abu Bakr and Abdur Rahman RadhiAllahu anhum to arrange some money for him. They collected 800 dirhams for him. Saad was delighted, it was much more than he needed. He proceeded to the bazaar to buy some things he was in need of for his married life.

While he was in the market a voice from the Masjid called out, "yaa khailalllahi irkabee." This announcement used to be called when someone was needed for Jihaad. "Oh horsemen of Allah! Ride, away/ take off/ mount (on your horses)."

There used to be minor attacks on Medinah launched by the Arab Bedouins. This was one of the occasions where the Bedouins had invaded Medinah, and as soon as the news arrived there was an announcement from the Masjid "Ya khailallahi! Irkabee."

On hearing this, Sayyiduna Saad RadhiAllahu anhu, who was planning to greet his bride, momentarily stood dazed. He looked at the sky, exclaiming; "Subhanallah, Allahumma ilahas samaawaati wal ardh" "Oh lord of the heavens and the earth" "wa ilaaha Muhammadin SallAllahu alaihi wasallam " "And Oh Lord of Muhammad SallAllahu alaihi wasallam " "la ajalanna haadhihi ddaraahima feemaa yu hibbullahu wa rasuuluhu wal mu’minun" "Witness that I will utilize this money for that which Allah Ta’ala and His Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and the believing people would desire/prefer."

So with the money that he was planning to do some shopping for some essentials for his marriage, he now goes and buys a horse, a shield and a sword. Hanging the sword on the horse, and with one vault he joins the other Sahabah congregating to follow the commands of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.
Saad veiled his face with his turban. Everyone was quite curious as to who this person with the hidden face was, "manil mutalathim"
"Who is it with the veiled face?" Ali RadhiAllahu anhu hushed them saying what does it matter? Maybe he hid his face fearing that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam would return him if he saw him, wondering why he was there when he had just married.

Anyway, when the attack was launched he ensued and in the first attack his horse was wounded, lurching forward, making him stumble, but he regained his balance and continued fighting. He came upon the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam who recognized him, and exclaimed, "awa Saadun!" "Aren’t you Saad?", "Yes indeed I am Saad", "bi abee ant yaa rasulallallhi" "abshir" "congratulations to you (of Jannah)" The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "asbahta saeeda" "you are
glorified " (Saad and Saeed mean blessed/lucky/fortunate/redeemed.) "Oh Saad you have become Saeed!" "That’s all I desire Oh Prophet of Allah." Suddenly he leapt into the crowd and fought till he was severely injured and tumbled down. The Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum exclaimed, "Useeba Saadun Ya rasulallah" "Oh Prophet of Allah! Saad is hurt." On hearing this, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam hurried towards him and put Saad’s head in his lap. Saad’s head was in the Prophet’s lap with the Prophet’s SallAllahu alahi wasallam tears mixing with the mud on Saad’s face. As the Prophet’s tears were trickling on his face, the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam exclaimed, "maa atyaba reehak wa ahaabbaka ilallahi wa rasulihi yaa Saad!" "How lovely is your fragrance Oh Saad! And you are so greatly adored by Allah and His Prophet" "waradal haudha wa rabbil Kaaba" "I swear by the Lord of the Kaaba! He has already arrived at the Haudh of Kauthar" and he smiled, then turned his face away.

Abu Lubaaba RadhiAllahu anhu was standing nearby. When the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said this, Abu Lubaaba RadhiAllahu anhu asked, "What is this Haudh Oh Rasulallah?" The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam replied, "It is the fountain of Kauthar, it is as white as milk, sweet as honey and cold as ice, you drink one sip and you will never feel thirsty." Then he asked, "Oh Rasulallah! First you cried, then smiled, then you turned your face away, why was that? Raitu minka thalaatha khis’alin" "I noticed three expressions" The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam answered, "amma bukaai fa shauqan ilaa Saadin" "I cried in woe of Saad’s death", "wa amma dhihkee fa mimma raitu manzilatahu indallah" " whereas my smiling was because of the high degree which he was rewarded, "wa amma iraadhee fa limaa raaitu azwaajahu minal hurilain" "and as for the turning of my face, it was because of the Hur’s I saw. They were his wives" "kaashifaatin suqahunna wa baadiyaatin
khalaakheelahunna fa a’radhtu anhunna hayaan" "They were running so
fast that their legs became uncovered exposing their ankles, so I turned
my head away in embarrassment." The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam then asked that a message be sent to Saad’s wife, telling her that Allah Ta’ala has awarded him the most beautiful of wives in Jannah.

Read also the moving story of Julaybib RadhiAllahu anhu.

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen.