Stellar Sahabah Hudayr
Just as we can never reach the stars in the sky, so we could never reach the glowing examples of the lives of the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhu. But just as we can marvel at the brilliance of the celestial realms above, so we can marvel at the shining character displayed by the Companions RadhiAllahu anhum. Insha’Allah we try to take their brilliance into our hearts, where it can outshine any presence of darkness.
Such blessed ones, having an intimate closeness to our Noble Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. His tender teachings shaping their values, challenging their desires. Encouraging their hearts to look at the ephemeral and then reject it, to examine the pleasures and glitter of this world in favour of Allah Ta’ala’s promises in their Akhirah. His teaching sessions were not just confined to inside Masjid Nabawi, but combined with action, movement, facing the realities of all that Allah Ta’ala presented to them. Faith was alive, bubbling, and thus no time for stagnation of the heart. This journey of life is one of constant toil, at the end of which we are going to meet our Creator, Who tells us in His Book:
O mankind, Verily you are ever toiling on towards your Lord, painfully toiling, and you shall meet Him (86:6)
Hudayr RadhiAllahu anhu was one of the lesser known Sahabah, who embraced Islam after the opening of Makkah. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was preparing an army at a time when there was insufficient food and provisions. Hudayr RadhiAllahu anhu was part of this army. When the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was distributing the little food and provisions that was available he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam forgot to give any to Hadayr RadhiAllahu anhu. However Hudayr RadhiAllahu anhu still went with the army and happened to be at the very back of the contingent.
He patiently and constantly did dhikr of Allah Ta’ala saying:
“There is no god except Allah, Allah is the Greatest, All praise is to Allah, All Glorious is Allah, There is no power or might except with Allah.”
And then said:
“This is the best of provisions, O Lord”
Jibrail Alaihis Salam came to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and said: “My Lord has sent me to you to inform you that you have given all the companions food but have forgotten Hudayr RadhiAllahu anhu. He is at the very end of the caravan making dhikr to Allah Ta’ala. This dhikr that he is repeating constantly is Nur for him on the Day of Judgement, and it is now filling the space between the earth and the sky, so send him some provisions.”
The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam called upon a man to go and give Hudayr RadhiAllahu anhu some provisions and requested him to memorize what he was saying and to memorize what his response was when he received the food. Also tell him that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam is sending you his Salam and the Mercy of Allah. Explain that I had forgotten his provisions and that My Lord sent Jibrail Alaihis Salam to me to remind me of you.
The man approached Hudayr RadhiAllahu anhu and as he came closer he could hear him reciting the dhikr over and over. He conveyed all that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam had told him to do and then gave him the provisions sent by the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.
Hudayr RadhiAllahu anhu praised Allah Ta’ala and gave Salam to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and then said: “My Lord has remembered me from above the seven skies, from above His ‘Arsh, and He has had Mercy on my hunger and weakness. O Allah Ta’ala as You have not forgotten Hudayr, make Hudayr never forget You.”
The man returned to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and repeated what he had heard. Whereupon the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: "If you had raised your head when you heard Hudayr RadhiAllahu anhu supplicating to Allah Ta’ala and looked towards the sky you would have seen a brilliant light between the earth and the sky emanating from his words."
May we too toil, while forever keeping our eye on our destination throughout this arduous journey. And like the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum, conquering the distractions all around us by engraving our hearts with the Praises of Allah Ta’ala and His Habib SallAllahu alahi wasallam.
As Allah Ta’ala said in a Hadith Qudsi: "I am with my servant as long as he remembers Me."
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.
