Faithfulness

19. FAITHFULNESS

At the time of the negotiations of the Treaty of Hudaybiah, Arwah said to the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam): “I see some faces with you who will flee away leaving you alone.” This sentence annoyed Sayyiduna Abu Bakr’s heart. He said angrily: “We shall never run away from the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) leaving him behind”. This was a sort of pledge which almost all the Sahaba fulfilled on all occasions.

Once, the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) was praying during the initial days of Islam, when Aqabah Bin Abi Muheet came over there and tried to strangle the Beloved Nabi. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr pushed him away and said: “You want to kill a man only because he says that there is one God. He has come with strong arguments to prove him claim.” 1

1 Bukhari

2 Tirmidi

After the migration to Madinatul Munawwara, the life of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) faced more dangers as the hypocrites and Jews joined the ranks of pagans as the sworn enemies of Islam. The Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) often needed a physical guard. The Sahaba were ever prepared to face any danger in safeguarding the most precious life of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). Immediately after he arrived in Madinatul Munawwara, the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) got up one night and said: “If I could get a virtuous man to guard me tonight.” After sometimes he heard the sounds of arms. When enquired, someone said: “I am Sa’d Bin Abi Waqqas.” The Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) asked why he had come. He said: “I had the fear that your life is in danger, so I rushed to protect you”. 2

The hearts of the Sahaba throbbed heavily if they could not see the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) for a long time. Once, the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) was sitting with his Companions when suddenly he stood up to attend some urgent 2 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk

work. When he did not come back for quite a long time, the Sahaba got worried. Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra set out in his search. He reached an orchard of an Ansaar but could not find the gate of the orchard to enter it. Suddenly, he saw a drain hole in the wall. He entered through the hole and reached to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) and reported to him the condition of the Sahaba. 3

3 Muslim, Kitaabul Imaan

4 Abu Da’ood

During the Battle of Dhat-ul-Riqa, a companion of the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) arrested the wife of a pagan. The pagan pledged that he would not take rest unless he kills one of the companions of Sayyidina Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) When the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) returned from the Battle, the pagan chased him. The Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) stopped over a place and said: “Who among you takes the responsibility of guarding me?” Two companions, one each from Muhaajir and Ansaar, got up and volunteered themselves to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). He directed them to go and guard the entrance of the valley. They took up their positions. After sometimes, the Muhaajir went to sleep and the Ansaar started praying. The pagan came over there and made out that they are the guards. He darted three arrows at them, which penetrated their bodies, but they did not leave the place. 4

When Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) set out for the battle of Hunain, one of his companions informed him in the evening that he had seen from above the hill that the tribe of Hawazin had brought its men and women and animals to intercept the Muslim forces. The Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) smiled and said: “Who will guard me today?” Sayyiduna Anas Bin Abi Marsad Ghanavi volunteered. The Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “Mount your horse”. When he came on his horse, the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “Go up the hill and stay there.” When the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) got up for the Fajr next morning, he said to the Sahaba: “Have you got any news about your horseman?” They replied in the negative. 3 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) then attended the congregation. During the Salaah he repeatedly turned towards the valley. After the completion of the Salaah, he said: “Congratulations! Your horseman has arrived.” Sayyiduna Anas arrived there and greeted the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) and said: “I mounted the highest peak of the hill where you had appointed me. I scanned both the valleys but could not find a single man.” The Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “Did you ever climb down the hill?” He said: “Yes, only for Salaah and for answering the nature’s call”. The Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “You have won Paradise. Now it will make no difference if you do not perform any (virtuous) deed.” 5

5 Abu Da’ood, Kitaabul Jihad

6 Musnad Ibne-Hambal, Vol.4, p.134

7 Bukhari

During a battle, the Sahaba stayed on a hill. The weather was so chilled that they dug a trench and after entering into it covered themselves with their shield. The Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) noticed this and said: “Who will guard me tonight? I will bless him.” One Ansaari Companion volunteered himself. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) called him closer and asked his name and blessed him for quite a long time. Sayyiduna Abu Rehana heard the blessings and said: “I will be the second guard”. The Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) called him close, asked his name and blessed him too. 6

During the Battle of Badr, when the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) gave a call to the Sahaba, Sayyiduna Maqdad said: “We are not like the companions of Sayyiduna Musa  who had said, ‘O Moses! We will never enter (the land) while they are in it. So go you and your Lord and fight! We will sit here. (5:24)’ we will fight from your right and left, from front and back.” The face of the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) brightened with pleasure. 7

The Sahaba’s sense of sacrifice became evident most in the Battle of Uhud. At one place the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) was 4 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk

left by only nine companions who included seven Ansaari and two Quraish (Sayyiduna Talha and Sayyiduna Sa’d ). The pagans suddenly attacked him. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “Who among you can repel these enemies from here?” One Ansaari came forward and laid down his life. The Pagans continued their attack. The Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) repeatedly called his companions to repel the enemy and every time the Ansaari companions came forward and fought. All the seven Ansaari companions laid down their life one by one in defending the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). It was the turn of Sayyiduna Talha and Sayyiduna Sa’d. The Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) offered him his own arrows and said: “Throw these arrows at the enemy. My parents be sacrificed for you”. Sayyiduna Abu Talha covered the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) with his shield and continued arching. He darted the arrows so vehemently that two of his bows broke down. He requested the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam): “Don’t raise your head to observe the movement of the enemy, lest an arrow reaches you. I have covered you with my chest.” 8

8 Bukhari

9 Tabqaat

During the Battle of Uhud, Sayyiduna Shamas Bin Sayyiduna Uthman fought so bravely that it was the reflection of his sword, which was observed prominent at the right and left of the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). When Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) got injured and felt weak, Sayyiduna Shamas covered him with his body and achieved martyrdom in that very position. 9

In the same Battle, the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) sent one of his companions in search of Sayyiduna Sa’d Bin Rabi Ansaari. He started searching him among the dead bodies. Sayyiduna Sa’d himself spoke: “What are you searching?” He said: “The Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) has sent me to find you out.” He said: “Go and say my Salaam to him and tell him that I have received twelve wounds of spears and announce in your tribe that if the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) passes away and a 5 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk

single man among them survives, Allah will not entertain any excuse on the Day of Judgment.” 10

10 Muatta Imam Maalik

11 Isti’ab

Not only the male, but the female Companions of the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) were also yearned for sacrificing their lives for the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). Sayyiduna Taleeb Bin Umair embraced Islam and informed his mother Urwa, the daughter of Abdul Mut’talib. She said: “You have helped him who deserved it most. If we had the strength and capacity like men we would have also safeguarded him and fought in his defense.” 11