In The Presence

20. EVER IN THE PROPHET’S ATTENDANCE

The Sahaba considered serving Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) as the highest privilege. Hence, most of the senior Sahaba had dedicated himself or herself to a particular service to the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam).

Sayyiduna Bilaal, right from the proclamation of the Prophethood, took over the job of house-keeping and suffered many hardships while fulfilling his duties. Whenever any poor Muslim visited the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) and had no clothes on his body, the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) ordered Sayyiduna Bilaal who, after borrowing some money, arranged clothes and food for the person in need.

On one occasion, Sayyiduna Bilaal borrowed money from a pagan who caught him one day and said harshly: “O Negro! Do you know how many days are left in the month? Only four days and I will realize my money within this period otherwise I will make you look after my goats as you were doing before.” Sayyiduna Bilaal felt the pain of his words deep into his heart and came to the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) after the Isha prayer and said: “The pagan has said like this. We do not have any source to repay his loan. He is harassing me with insulting remarks. Should I take refuge with the Muslim tribes till the loan is repaid?” Then, Sayyiduna Bilaal came home. As he was about to leave, the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) received divine assistance to repay the loan by that morning. 1

1 Abu Da’ood

Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Mas’ood had the privilege of helping the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) to put on his shoes while leaving for a place. He walked ahead of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) carrying his stick. When the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) reached the destination and wanted to settle at that place, Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Mas’ood helped him to put off the shoes and gave him the stick. He used to accompany the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) 2 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk

till he returned home. He used to make a cover when the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) took bath. He had the duty of waking the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) up from his sleep. When the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) set out for a journey, Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Mas’ood used to carry his bed, toothbrush and water for ablution. Hence, he was called the storekeeper of the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). 2

2 Tabqaat

3 Musnad Ibn-e- Hambal, Vol. IV, pp. 58-59

4 Abu Da’ood

5 Abu Da’ood

6 Abu Da’ood

Sayyiduna Rabi’ahh Aslami was also in attendance to the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) day and night. When the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) retired to his residence after the Isha prayer, Sayyiduna Rabi’ahh sat at the door to attend to any possible need. Once Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) asked him to marry, he refused, as this would hamper his service to the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). But when the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) insisted repeatedly, he agreed to marry. 3

Sayyiduna Aqabah Bin Aamir also attended the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) regularly. He used to pilot the camel of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) during a journey. 4

Sayyidah Salmah, a lady companion of the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) served him with such a dedication that she was given the title of “The Prophet’s Maid-servant”. 5

Sayyidah Safinah was the slave of Sayyidah Salmah’s mother. She agreed to set him free on the condition that he would spend the rest of his life in the service of the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). He said: “Even otherwise I have decided to be in attendance to the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) till the end of my life”. 6 3 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk

Other Sahaba who accompanied the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) also enjoyed the opportunity to serve him in one way or the other. Once, the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) sat to answer the call of nature. Sayyiduna Omar stood behind him with a vessel full of water. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) asked: “What is there, O Omar ?” He said: “Water for your ablution.” The Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “You need not carry it always like this”. 7

7 Abu Da’ood, Kitaabul Taharah

8 Abu Da’ood

9 Abu Da’ood, Kitaabul Taharah

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra always remained in service and had the privilege of helping Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) in making ablution after an answer to the call of nature. 8

On one ocassion, Sayyiduna Imam Husain urinated while he was over the lap of the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). Sayyiduna Lubabah said to the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam): “Put on some other dress and give me the wrapper to wash it.” The Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “It is enough to sprinkle a little water over the wet cloth.”

Sayyiduna Abu Samh also attended the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) most of the time. Whenever Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) took a bath, Abu Samh stood with his back towards the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) providing him a cover.

Once, Imam Hasan or Imam Husain urinated over his chest. He wanted to wash his chest but the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “It is better to sprinkle a little water over the urine of a boy.” 9

When during the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) wished to stone the Satan, Sayyiduna Usamah and Sayyiduna Bilaal accompanied him. One of them held the reins and 4 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk

the other covered Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) with a long cloth to save him from the scorching sun. 10

10 Abu Da’ood

11 Usdul-Ghaaba

12 Abu Da’ood

The Hadith says: “The Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) said: ‘You cannot be a true believer unless you hold me dearer to your parents, your children and all others.’” The Sahaba possessed that very height of belief.

When Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Amr, father of Sayyiduna Jaabir decided to set out to participate in the battle of Uhud, he said to his son: “I am surely going to achieve martyrdom. Be my witness that I am not holding anyone dear to me except Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). Repay my debts and treat your brothers in kindness”. 11

The Sahaba expressed their affection to the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) in various ways. On one ocassion, a companion called on the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) and turned over his shirt and kissed his chest and hugged him very warmly. 12

Sayyiduna Usaid Bin Hudhair was a witty Companion of the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). Once when he was sitting with the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) and conversing with him in light mood, the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) pricked his buttock with his stick. Sayyiduna Usaid said: “I want to take the revenge.” The Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) agreed. Sayyiduna Usaid said: “But you have the shirt on your body while I was naked when you pricked me.” Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) immediately put off his shirt. When Sayyiduna Usaid saw the body of the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam), he hugged him and kissed his body and said: “O Allah’s Apostle this was the only objective of mine.” 5 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk

When the delegation of Abdul Qays called on the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam), the members of the delegation dismounted their conveyance and rushed to the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) and kissed his hands and feet. 13

13 Abu Da’ood, Kitaabul Adab

14 Shama’il-e-Tirmidi

15 Adab-ul-Mufarrad

16 Nisaai

Sayyiduna Zaahir was a Bedouin companion of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) who loved him very much and used to send him gifts regularly. The Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) also loved him and said: “Zaahir is my Bedouin (villager) and I am his civilian friend.”

One day Sayyiduna Zaahir was shopping in the market when the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) reached there and caught him from the back. He asked who it was. The Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) did not answer. When Sayyiduna Zaahir turned back, he saw it was the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) himself who was holding him. He started rubbing his back repeatedly against the chest of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). 14

The Arabs believed that if the feet get numbed and the person remembers his beloved, it immediately relieves him of the numbness. Once, the feet of Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Omar got numbed. Someone said: “Remember your beloved one”. He said: “O Muhammad !” 15

Sayyidah Umm-e-Atiyyah, a lady companion of the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) mentioned the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) with the phrase: “My parents be sacrificed for him.” 16

The Sahaba took utmost care of the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam)’s comforts. There was a lady who cleaned Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam)’s Mosque regularly. When she died, the Sahaba buried her without informing the 6 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk

Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). When the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) came to know about the death of the lady, he asked the Sahaba why they did not inform him. They said: “You were observed fast and taking rest at that time. Hence we did not disturb you.”

The Sahaba held anything dear, which the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) liked. Sayyiduna Anas Bin Maalik liked cucumber because Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) very much liked it. Once, he was eating cucumber, he said: “O cucumber! You are dearer to me because my master liked you.” 17

17 Tirmidi

18 Tirmidi

19 Musnad Ibne-Hambal, Vol. 6, p. 343

The love towards the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) had made every gesture of the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) very dear to the Sahaba.

The Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) always started any work with his right hand, so did the Sahaba.

Once, the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) was sitting in the house of Sayyidah Maimoona with Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Abbas on his right and Sayyiduna Khalid Bin Waalid on the left. Sayyidah Maimoona brought some milk for him. The Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) drank a little and gave to Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Abbas and said: “You have the right over this but you can sacrifice your right in favour of Khalid”. He said: “I cannot part with anything, which you have touched or tasted.” 18

On one occasion, the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) drank little milk or water and gave the rest to Sayyidah Umm-e-Haani. She said: “Although I am fasting, yet I cannot refuse anything that you have tasted”. 19 7 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk

Once, a Companion of the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) called on him. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam), who was taking his food at that time, invited him to join but as the companion was observing a fast he could not accept the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam)’s invitation. He lamented on his fate that he could not eat in the company of the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). 20

20 Ibne-Maaja

21 Muslim

22 Ibne-Maaja

23 Usabah, Vol. 4, p.291

24 Tirmidi

The Sahaba felt happy with the happiness of the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) and felt sad if Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) was sad. When the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) separated himself from his wives for one month, the Sahaba came to his mosque and started crying. 21

When the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam), during his last illness, wanted to appoint Sayyiduna Abu Bakr as Imam, Sayyidah Ayesha said: “My father is a very soft-hearted man and when he will not see you in the Mosque he will cry and make other Sahaba cry”. 22

Sayyiduna Amr Bin Al-Jamuh was a generous companion of the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). Whenever the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) married a lady, Sayyiduna Amr arranged a reception on behalf of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). 23

Whenever the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) set out for a Battle, the lady companions took pledges or his safe return. Once, he came back from a Battle, Sayyidah Jariyah Sawda said: “O Allah’s Apostle, I had taken a pledge that I will play the tambourine and sing before you on your coming back safe.” 24 8 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk

The Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) always led a life of poverty. The Sahaba observed his domestic life very keenly and their eyes shed tears when they saw that the person who was ruling over the hearts of millions was leading a life of sacrifice and suffering.

On one ocassion, Sayyiduna Omar entered the House of the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) and saw him lying on a mat which had no sheet over it. He noticed that the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) had nothing but a wrapper around his waste and the mat had left deep imprints on his back. Sayyiduna Omar could not find anything but a handful of barley in the storehouse of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). He started crying. The Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “What makes you cry Omar ?” He said: “Why should I not cry? The rulers of Rome and Persia are enjoying the worldly pleasures while you are suffering like this”. The Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “Don’t you like that we should have the joy of the Hereafter while they have the pleasures in this world alone?” 25

25 Muslim

26 Ibne-Maaja

27 Shama’il-e-Tirmidi

Whenever the Sahaba remembered the sufferings of the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) after his demise, they cried in pain.

Once, Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra, on seeing the breads before him, cried in agony as it reminded him that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) never saw breads. 26

One day, Sayyiduna Abdur Rahmaan Bin Awf offered his friends mutton and bread. He cried and said: “The Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) never ate barley bread stomach full throughout his life”. 27

When the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) passed away, the Sahaba purchased a special cloth for his shroud. 9 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk

But later, some other cloth was used for his shroud. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr purchased the special cloth with the intention that it would be used for his shroud. But later he said: “If it was not Allah’s will that this cloth should have been used for the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam)’s shroud, why should I use it.” Then he sold it and donated the amount in alms. 28

28 Muslim

29 Usdul-Ghaaba, Vol.4, p.291

30 Muslim, Kitaabul Wasiyat

31 Bukhari, Kitaabul Manaquib

The Battle of Tabuk was waged during summer season. A companion of the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam), Sayyiduna Abu Khaithmah, could not participate in the Battle. One day, he came to his house and saw that his wives had made special arrangements for his comforts. They had sprinkled water over the terrace, cooled the drinking water and prepared specious food. He said: “How can Khaithmah benefit from shade, cold water, specious food and beautiful women when Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) struggles with hot winds in open plane. By Allah, this is no justice. I will never go to the terrace.” Then he prepared for the journey and set out for Tabuk. 29

The Sahaba cried profusely whenever they remembered the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) after his demise.

One day, Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Abbas said: “The Thursday, and how hard was the Thursday”. Then he cried so much that the ground got wet with his tears. Sayyiduna Sa’eed Bin Jubair asked: “What do you mean by the Thursday?” He said: “It was the day when the condition of the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) had worsened”. 30

On one ocassion, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Sayyiduna Abbas attended an assembly of the Ansaar and saw the people crying. When asked the reason, the Ansaar told that they were crying remembering the assembly of the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam).31 Hafiz Ibn-e-Hajar, elaborating this Hadith says: “This 10 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk

incident dates back to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam)’s illness when the Ansaar feared that if the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) passes away they will never have such gatherings. Hence they cried in agony. Sayyiduna Abdullah Omar shed tears whenever he mentioned Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam).” 32

32 Tabqaat