ALMISKEENAH

 

Saqeefa

 

Saqeefa (the dark blue circled area) is one of the few tiny patches of garden 200 meters north-west of Masjid Nabawi. Banu Sa’edah, an eminent tribe of the Ansar resided here at the time of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Saqeefa derives its name from an old tradition in Madinah of building a small meeting place for the village or community. They were constructed in a unique way to combat the heat, having brick walls built on the east, west and southern sides, with the northern side left open to facilitate air circulation, with a window inserted in the eastern wall to further enhance any breeze. The roof was built from the trunks of the date palm, covered by the branches and mats of palm leaves.

Sa’d bin Ubadah RadhiAllahu anhu was the chief of Banu Sa’edah, who was so highly respected by Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam that he was the first to be appointed to be in charge of Madinah whilst the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam went out on one of the early expeditions to intercept Makkah caravans returning from the north.

It is also narrated that one day he was ill, and Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam went to visit him. On the way he had to pass the rich fortress of Ibn Ubayy, who was sitting in the shadow of the walls. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam stopped to greet him and sat for a while with him and others gathered around, reciting Qur’an and inviting them to Islam. When he had finished, Ibn Ubayy said," Naught could be better than this discourse of thine, were it but true. Sit then at home in thine own house, and who so cometh unto thee, preach unto him thus, but who so cometh not, burden him not with thy talk, nor enter into his gathering with that which he liketh not." "Nay." Said a voice," come unto us with it, and visit us in our gatherings and our quarters and our houses, for that do we love, and that hath God given us of His Bounty, and there unto He had guided us." This was ‘Abd Allah ibn Rawaahah, a man Ibn Ubayy thought he could count on for support. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam went away deeply saddened, and when he entered the house of Sa’d ibn Ubadah RadhiAllahu anhu, his face revealed this state. Sa’d immediately asked what was troubling him and when the incident was relayed to him he said to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, "Deal gently with him O Messenger of Allah, for when Allah brought thee to us, even then we were fashioning a diadem wherewith to crown him: and he seeth that thou has robbed him of a kingdom."

Ibn Ubayy did eventually embrace Islam, but many of the believers at the time never came to truly trust him.

Abu Dujanah RadhiAllahu anhu was also a member of this tribe. He was the honoured one in the Battle of Uhud, when the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam chose him over and above so many others, including, Umar and Az-Zubair RadhiAllahu anhum to carry the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam ’s sword with the promise to fight with it until death. It has been recorded that Adu Dujanah RadhiAllahu anhu improvised a poem which he recited at the joy of this great honour:

"I am the person with whom my Beloved made a pact

While we were on the foot of the hill near the date palm grove."

The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used to visit Saqeefa, offering Salat there, sitting in the shade with his Companions. Sahl ibn Sa’d RadhiAllahu anhu drew water for him from a nearby well called Bir Budha’ah. This well existed just north of Saqeefa until the second Saudi extension of Masjid Nabawi.

When Sahl ibn Sa’d RadhiAllahu anhu was married and brought his wife Hind bint Ziyat RadhiAllahu anha to his house, she was surprised to see that the masjid for Banu Sa’edah was in the middle of the meeting hall. She inquired, "Why don’t you offer Salat near a wall?" Her new husband said, "This was the place where the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam offered Salat, hence we keep this exact place for our Salat."

Leaders of a tribe or community would meet in Saqeefa to discuss and solve social and cultural issues, so it was here that the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum met to choose the first Caliph.

During the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam’s final days he directed Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu to lead the prayers. Ayesha RadhiAllahu anha intervened to suggest that her father not be entrusted with this responsibility. She said that her father had a tender heart, and he would burst into tears while reciting the Holy Quran in the course of the prayer. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam overruled the objection and insisted that Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu alone should lead the prayers. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam assisted by Ali RadhiAllahu anhu entered the Masjid when Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu was about to lead the prayer. When he saw the presence of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam he stood back for him to take his place in leading the prayer, but Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam indicated that Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu should continue. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam paid a glowing tribute to Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu when he said: "There has been none more bountiful to me for his unwavering loyalty, devotion and sacrifice of wealth than Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu. If I were to choose a bosom friend it would be he, but Islam has made a closer brotherhood among us all." The Prophet also directed: "Let every door that leads into the mosque be closed, except the door of Abu Bakr." I recall these last moments, as they reflect the esteem Rasulullah had for his devoted companion, emphasizing to the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum at the time, the loyalty Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu had for Islam. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam did not name a successor; however his actions may have indirectly favoured his "companion in the cave."

Confusion and disbelief followed the announcement of our Most Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam’s demise. Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu is reported to have said, "Master, sacred you were in life, and sacred you are in death. Since you have tasted of death ordained by God, henceforth you will be immune from its clutches. Your abode will now be in the Paradise close to Allah. From Allah you came, and to Allah you have returned" While Umar RadhiAllahu anhu was in such shock and disbelief that he was saying to all those assembled in the Masjid, "Who says that the Prophet is dead? I testify that he is alive, and has gone to Allah like Moses, and would return to us after some time." It was the calm composure of Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu in reassuring words saying, "Listen to me, ye people. Those of you who worshipped Muhammad know that he is dead like any other mortal. But those of you who worship the God of Muhammad know that He is alive and would live for ever."

A hushed silence fell on the assembly. They were stunned and bewildered with the poignancy of grief. Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu wiped the tears from his eyes, and turning to the people recited the following verses from the Quran: "Muhammad is but a messenger, Messengers of God have passed away before him; What, if he dies or is killed? Will you turn back upon your heels? And whosoever turns back upon his heels will by no means do harm to Allah, and Allah will reward the thankful." Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu added." Verily Muhammad the great Prophet of Allah was a mortal. Having fulfilled his mission he has gone back to his Master. From God he came, and to God he has returned."

The effect of Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu’s address was electrical. It appeared as though the people did not know that the verses of the Holy Quran had come down until Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu had recited them that day. Umar RadhiAllahu anhu said: "By Allah when I heard Abu Bakr recite these words I was dumb-founded so that my legs would not bear me, and I fell to the ground knowing that the Prophet was indeed dead."

The death of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam led to the question as to who was to be the leader of the Muslims after the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. While the noble body of the Prophet of Islam SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was being prepared for burial the Ansar of Madinah assembled at their meeting place Saqeefa Bani Sa’edah to discuss the question of succession.

At the meeting of the Ansars at Saqeefa Bani Sa’edah, Sa’d ibn Ubadah RadhiAllahu anhu, made a passionate plea that the successor to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam for managing the temporal affairs of the Muslims should be chosen from the Ansars. He argued that as they were the people who had protected Islam and offered a home for the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and his companions when they were persecuted by their own people, the Ansars had right to the leadership of the Muslims. It was through the efforts of the Ansars that Islam had grown and spread; their city was capital of the Muslim state, and it was but meet that an Ansar should be the head of the State after the Prophet. When Sa’d RadhiAllahu anhu concluded his speech, he was applauded by the Ansars. The arguments advanced by him appealed to them, and it appeared that they were poised to choose him as their leader in succession to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

While this meeting was being held at Saqeefa Bani Sa’edah it was reported to the emigrants assembled in the Prophet’s mosque that the Ansars had assembled to choose a successor to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. It was a delicate situation. The burial of the Holy Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was a matter that needed priority, but the question of choosing a successor was critical. Abu Bakr, Umar and Abu Ubaidah RadhiAllahu anhum accordingly decided among themselves to proceed to Saqeefa Bani Sa’edah to negotiate the matter with the Ansars.

When they reached Saqeefa the Ansars were on the verge of electing Sa’id ibn Ubadah RadhiAllahu anhu, the Ansar leader, as the successor to the Prophet. Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu spoke about the gravity of the problem. He pointed out that the matter did not concern the citizens of Madinah alone; it was a matter of concern for all the Arabs who had become Muslims, who were not likely to accept the leadership of the Ansars, particularly when there were differences among the two principal tribes of the Ansars themselves. Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu pointed out that under the circumstances the Quraysh who were the custodians of the Ka’aba could alone provide the leadership for the Muslim community. Addressing his appeal to the Ansar he said: "O Ansar, none can deny the superiority of your position in religion or the greatness of your eminence in Islam. You were chosen by Allah as the helpers of His religion and His Apostle. To you the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was sent on his emigration from Makkah and from you come the majority of his companions and his wives. Indeed in position you are next only to the earliest companions. Therefore it would be fair if we take the Amirat and you accept the ministry. You should not be obstinate in your stand. We assure you that we will do nothing without consulting you." After the address of Abu Bakr, Habab bin Mandhar an Ansar leader rose to say that the Amirat was the right of the Ansars and they could not forego their right. He added that the utmost concession that they could make in favor of the emigrants was that they could have two Amirs, one from the Ansars and the other from the emigrants,

Umar RadhiAllahu anhu added that Islam stood for unity-one God, one Prophet, and one Quran. It followed as a necessary corollary that the Muslim community should have one Amir. If the proposal of having two Amirs was once accepted, other people would later lay claim to the election of an Amir from them. Such multiple Amirat would lead to the disintegration of the Islamic polity. Umar emphasized that in the interest of the solidarity of Islam they could not have more than one Amir, and it was imperative that such Amir should be from the Quraysh, the tribe of the Prophet. Then Abu Ubaida RadhiAllahu anhu appealed to the Ansars saying: "O Ansars you were the first to help Islam: do not now be the first to take steps towards the disintegration of Islam." That appeared to have some effect on the Ansars, and they seemed to hesitate to press their demand. Thereupon Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu said: "Allah is our witness that we are not pressing the claim of the Quraysh because of any selfish interest. The proposal is based solely on the interest and solidarity of Islam. To give you a proof positive of our sincerity I declare before you that I do not covet the office. Here are Umar and Abu Ubaida RadhiAllahu anhuma. You may choose any one out of these two." That softened the attitude of the Ansars. Zaid bin Thabit RadhiAllahu anhu an eminent Ansar leader rose to say: "In fact the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was among the Quraysh. There is considerable force in the proposal that after him his successor should also be selected from among the Quraysh. God chose the ‘Ansars’ as helpers, and it is but meet that they should continue to play the role of helpers." Supporting him another Ansar leader Bashir bin Sa’d RadhiAllahu anhu said: "O Ansars, if we have secured a position of superiority in holy wars against the polytheists and gained precedence in the matter of religion it was with the object of pleasing our Allah and obeying the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. It is not proper for us to make this a ground for self-aggrandizement. We should leave our reward to Allah. We must realize that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam came from the Quraysh, and that the Quraysh have the strongest claim for his succession. We should not quarrel with the Quraysh on this issue." That turned the tables, and the Ansars now appeared to be inclined to choose the leader from among the Quraysh. Taking advantage of this situation, Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu repeated his proposal that they might choose any one out of Umar, or Abu Ubaida. At the offer of Abu Bakr, Umar RadhiAllahu anhu rose quickly to say: "O Abu Bakr, how can I or Abu Ubaida be preferred to you? You are undoubtedly the most excellent of the Muslims. You were the ‘Second of the Two’ in the Cave. You were appointed as ‘Amir-ul-Haj’. During his illness the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam appointed you as the Imam to lead the prayers. Of all the companions you were the closest and the dearest to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. As such you are dear to us. Stretch your hand so that we may offer our allegiance to you." Umar RadhiAllahu anhu made Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu stand, and then touched his hand reverently in token of allegiance. Abu Ubaida RadhiAllahu anhu was the next to pay allegiance. Thereafter all the Ansars assembled there offered their allegiance to Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu one by one. Only Sa’d ibn Ubadah RadhiAllahu anhu did not offer allegiance. Thus Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu, at Saqeefa, was elected as the successor to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam on the very day of the death of Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

The first  address Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu delivered as Caliph, is a unique and universal document for the guidance of all rulers "Gentlemen, I have been placed in authority, though by Allah I was averse to the assumption of authority. I would have been pleased if any of you had taken over the office, and I would have assisted him. I have been made to rule over you though I am not the most worthy among you. If you expect me to act as did the Prophet of Allah, know that I cannot do so, for the Apostle of Allah was a servant whom the Lord honored with His inspiration and preserved him thereby from error I am an ordinary mortal and not better than any of you. Therefore, watch over me. When you see that I am steadfast and obey Allah and His Prophet, then obey me when you see that I turn aside from the right path do not obey me. Help me if I am in the right; set me right if I am in the wrong. Know that I have a devil that seizes upon me. Therefore, when you see me enraged avoid me for at that time I cannot be influenced by your counsels or glad salutations. We have the Quran for our guidance. We have also with us the instructions of the Holy Prophet. These will be our unerring guides. Know O men that piety is the most solid goodness, and the vilest of what is evil is vice. Truth is a trust, falsehood a treason. The weak among you shall be strong with me till Allah willing his rights have been vindicated; and the strong among you shall be weak with me till, if the Lord wills, I have taken what is due from him."

In the following sermon, Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu set the guidelines for the conduct of the faithful: "Beware you of following vain desire, for verily he prospers who is preserved from lust, greed and anger; and beware you of pride for what pride belongs to him who is made of earth, and whom the worms devour after death, To day you are alive; tomorrow you may be dead. Therefore act uprightly from day to day and hour to hour. Be you patient for every work is accomplished through patience. Be you watchful for watchfulness is profitable. Act uprightly for a good act is acceptable to Allah. Refrain from things against which the Lord has warned you under pain of His wrath. Vie you with one another in hastening to obtain the things that the Lord has promised you in His mercy. Be heedful and in fear for the Lord has declared to you things for which He destroyed those that were before you and things through which He delivered those before you. Verily He has manifested to you in His book His commands and His prohibitions, the works He approves and that He abhors. Allah is He Whose assistance should be implored. There is no power or strength but in the Lord. Obey Allah, preserve your portion of excellence. Make your charitable donations even when you are poor. O Servants of Allah, think of your brethren and companions who have departed. Verily, the Lord has no co-partner, and between Him and any of His creatures there is no mediatory influence that can bestow good upon him or avert from him evil save in His worship and obedience to His commands for verily there is no good after which comes hell fire, and no evil after which comes heaven."

Insha’Allah, if you are called to this Mubarak Radiant City, take the time to visit Saqeefa. A secluded, shaded sanctuary where birds chirp as if in memory of Allah Ta’ala’s moment of guiding the First Rightly Guided Caliph, Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu to this trustworthy position.

 

The other marked places will be covered in the next "tour" Insha’Allah.

 

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.