ALMISKEENAH

 

One cannot be but awestruck when performing Ziyarah to the Noble Hujrah of our Master Muhammad SallAllahu alaihi wasallam with the realization that also within such a confined space were so many of the houses of the esteemed Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum.

The focus in a previous post was on the houses of the Mothers of the Believers RadhiAllahu anhunna, while this entry looks at the tight-knit community of houses immediately surrounding Masjid Nabawi. The loving intimacy of the greats, the first generation of the Ummah, was not only between their hearts but also in their living arrangements.  

Imagine that we are standing immediately in front of the Mubarak Hujrah, as in the photo above, at the time when our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was surrounded by his esteemed wives and Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum. We would be standing in the house of our Lady Hafsah RadhiAllahu anha, which was across a very narrow alley from that of our Lady Aishah RadhiAllahu anha. Their rooms were so close that they would talk to each other while in their respective homes. 

While just to the left was the house of Jaafar Radhiallahu anhu, (see 7 on the southern side in the diagram below) who was gifted this piece of land so close to the mihrab, by our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam upon his return from Habsha. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used to call Jaafar RadhiAllahu anhu Abu Miskeen, the father of the poor saying: ‘Jaafar resembles me very much in figure and character.’ He also became known as Jaafar Tayyar, the flying Jaafar, after his martyrdom when the Prophet SallAllahu alahi wasallam saw him flying with the Angels, SubhanAllah.

Adjacent to the left of Jaafar’s house was that of Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib RadhiAllahu anhu, (8) the Uncle of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. The land was also gifted from the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam who made the following Du’a for his Uncle: ‘O Allah, please shower Your blessings on this home’, and it is recorded that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam personally attached the water spout on the roof while standing on the shoulders of his Uncle.

Umar RadhiAllahu anhu during his Caliphate planned for the Masjid to be extended on the southern side, thus needing the land where Abbas’ house was situated. The following account from the same publication as the diagram below details the events of this story:

  “Omar (RU) purchased several houses for the extension of the Prophet’s Mosque. Abbas’ (RU) house was adjacent to the Mosque. Hence Omar (RU) said to Abbas (RU), “Abu Fadhl, the Mosque needs extension. Please sell your house for it and I shall pay you for your house generously from the government treasury.” Abbas (RU) refused to sell his house. Omar (RU) asked him to pick one of the following three choices. Sell your house and I shall pay for it fully. Secondly, I am willing to build a house for you in Madina at a site of your choice. Thirdly, donate your property for the benefit of the Muslims. Abbas (RU) refused to accept any of the above options. Omar (RU) suggested to him to pick an arbitrator between them to solve this problem. Abbas (RU) nominated Obai bin Kaab (RU) who used to write the revelations for the Prophet (SAS). Omar (RU) said, “We have both appointed you our arbitrator. We both will accept your judgment.”

Obai bin Kaab (RU) said to Abbas (RU), “Please relate your side of the story.” Abbas (RU) said, “The land on which I built my house, was granted to me by the Prophet (SAS). Even the Prophet (SAS) took part in construction of the house. He fixed this spout with his own hands.” After this Omar (RU) narrated his side of the story. Obai bin Kaab (RU) said to both of them, “Permit me to relate to you a Hadith of the Prophet (SAS).” Both eagerly agreed. Obai bin Kaab (RU) said to them that I personally heard that the Prophet (SAS) saying, “Allah (SWT) ordered Dawud (AS) to build a house where people may do worship. A site was also earmarked for it that happened to be where Masjid Aqsa is. This piece of land was not a perfect square. There was a house of an Israelite on one corner of it. Dawud (AS) requested this owner to sell his house in order to build a house for the worship of Allah (SWT). The owner flatly refused. Dawud (AS) said to him, “I shall take this corner of the house by force to achieve the noble task.” Allah (SWT) said to Dawud (AS), “O Dawud, I only asked you to build a house for the worshippers. You wish to use force for it. This is not appropriate for My Highness. Consequently you better give up the intention of building the mosque for the worshippers.”

On hearing this Omar (RU) said, “You have related something even more stringent than my intention to extend the Mosque.” Omar (RU) brought them to the Mosque where they saw a few companions sitting together as a group. Obai bin Kaab (RU) said to the participants of this group meeting. “Did anyone of you hear the Hadith about Dawud (AS) pertaining to the construction of Masjid Aqsa from the Prophet (SAS)?” Abu Dhur Gaffari (RU) promptly said, “I heard this Hadith from the Prophet (SAS).” Another companion said, “I heard it too.” Now Obai bin Kaab (RU) said to Omar (RU). “You blamed me about the authenticity of this Hadith.” Omar (RU) said, “O Abu Mundhar, I did not mean to blame you. I only wanted that the Hadith become clearer to us.” Omar (RU) now said to Abbas (RU), “You may go. I shall never say to you anything concerning your house.” At this Abbas (RU) said, “I willingly donate my house for the extension of the Mosque without any compensation for it. If however you try to seize it by force, I shall not let you have it.” Omar (RU) got a house built for Abbas (RU) at another site in Madina from the government treasury and part of Abbas’ house was included in the extension of the Prophet’s Mosque.”

Sisters do not have access to the southern side, but Alhumdulillah, the houses that were on the northern side are within the area allocated for the sisters Ziyarah. One of my favourite places to sit is where the inherited second house of Sayyidatuna Umm Habibah RadhiAllahu anha was (7 on the northern side). It is said that she was naturally calm, peaceful and magnanimous, with a heart firm in faith like high mountains. I like to think that by gravitating to this place there is a hope to be endowed with such qualities, or at least sit and meditate on such noble traits.

May Allah Ta’ala be please with all of these Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum. May He make their abodes honourable and let us join them in the group of His righteous slaves, Ameen.

 

Allahumma salli ala Muhammadin Nabi yil Ummi yi wa Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa baarik wa sallim

 

Diagram from: The Houses of the Companions around the Prophet’s Mosque, an excellent publication worth downloading and printing as a reference and guide to this Mubarak area. The more we can learn from how our illustrious Companions lived the more the heart loves to embrace their noble characters. (with many children being on holidays during this time one could encourage them to make a project on this topic by copying the diagram, colouring and labelling the various details and then writing incidents about some of the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum, 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. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.