Respect

18. RESPECT TO THE HOLY PROPHET

(SALLALLHU ALAIHI WASSALLAM)

The Sahaba showed their respect to the Holy Propjet in hundred and one ways. They wore special dress while visiting the court of the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). The never attended Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam)’s court or shook hands without total purification.

Once, Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra met the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) on a way to Madinatul Munawwara. Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra, who needed a bath of purification, could not face the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) and diverted his course. He came back to the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) after taking the bath. The Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “Where had you been, Abu Hurayra?” He said: “I did not dare to sit with you as I was not clean”. 1

1 Abu Da’ood, Kitaabul Taharah

2 Abu Da’ood

3 Muslim

The Sahaba sat in the court of the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) with utmost reverence. The Hadith reports: “They sat in front of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah in such a manner as if birds were sitting over their heads.” 2

The Sahaba paid utmost respect to the name of the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) and never used “Muhammad” as the name of their child. Once a child was born to a companion of the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) and he kept his name “Muhammad”. But his people said: “We will not allow, you to keep this name nor will we call you with that surname. Better go to the Prophet and ask for yourself.” The Companion called on the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) along with the child and narrated the whole episode. The Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “You can call your children by my name but don’t call them by my surname”. 3 2 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk

The Sahaba, in their respect to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam), avoided sharing the conveyance with him. Once Sayyiduna Aqabah Bin Aamir was pulling the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam)’s mule when he said: “Why don’t you ride on it?” Sayyiduna Aqabah thought it against the manner to share the same conveyance with the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). But when Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) insisted, he rode the mule up to some distance. 4

4 Nisaai

5 Abu Da’ood

The Sahaba did not like preference over the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) in any matter. During the Battle of Tabuk, the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) separated himself from the caravan to answer the call of the nature. The time of Fajr Salaah reached. The Sahaba did not wait for the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) and started congregational prayers under the leadership of Sayyiduna Abdur Rahmaan Bin Awf. When the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) joined them, they had already completed half of the Salaah. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) joined them in the second Rakaah. After the completion of the Salaah, the Sahaba started chanting, “Subhan-Allah, Subhan-Allah”, considering that they had committed a crime by performing the Salaah without waiting for the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). The Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “You did a good thing (by not waiting for me).” 5

Once, the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) went to the Banu Amr Bin Awf tribe to settle a dispute. The time of prayer reached. The Muezzin came to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and requested him to lead the prayers. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr was leading the prayer when the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) arrived and joined the congregation. People started clapping to divert the attention of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr. He turned back and saw the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) who signaled him to continue to lead the prayer. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr first thanked Allah that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) liked his Imamat and then 3 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk

withdrew himself from the Imam’s place. The Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) went forward and led the prayer. After the completion of the Salaah, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “Why did you withdraw yourself when I had instructed you to remain in your place?” Sayyiduna Abu Bakr said: “The son of Abu Quhafah had no face to lead the prayers in the presence of the Messenger of Allah.” 6

6 Abu Da’ood

7 Abu Da’ood

8 Abu Da’ood

9 Abu Da’ood

Once, the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) was going on foot when a Companion came there riding a donkey. When he saw Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) on foot, he requested him to sit on the back of the donkey ahead of him. The Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “You deserve most to sit in front. I can sit in front only if you allow me.” 7

Whenever the Sahaba got a chance to take food along with the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam), they never started eating before the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). 8

The Sahaba never dared to compete with Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). Once, some Sahaba, belonging to the Aslam tribe, were participating in an archery competition. The Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “O Banu Ismail (the Children of Ismail)! Dart your arrow as your father was an archer, and I am with that tribe.” People of other group stopped arching. The Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) asked why they did not dart their arrow. They said: “How can we compete with that tribe when you are with it.” The Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “Aim your arrows; I am with all of you.” 9

The Sahaba never liked a thing which could appear as an insult to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). After migrating to Madinatul Munawwara, the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) stayed at the residence of Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub Ansaari. He lived on 4 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk

the ground floor while Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub and his family lived on the upper storey. One-night Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub Ansaari got up and said to himself: “How dare we are staying above the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam).” He then asked his family to stay in a corner of the upper storey. Next morning, he requested the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) to shift to the upper storey. The Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “The ground floor is most suitable for me.” Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub said: “We cannot stay at a floor which is above you.” Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) had to shift to the upper storey. 10

10 Muslim

11 Tirmidi

12 Abu Da’ood

13 Abu Da’ood

Some Sahaba were elder to the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) but did not like to be called elderly. On one ocassion, Sayyiduna Uthman asked another companion: “Who is elderly between you and the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam)?” He said: “Elderly is the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam); I was born a little earlier than him.” 11

The Sahaba felt ashamed if they unknowingly uttered a derogatory term to the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam). A lady companion of the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) was mourning over the death of her child when Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) reached there and said: “Fear Allah and keep patience.” She said: “Why should you bother for my calamity.” When she came to know that it was the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) who addressed her like that, she rushed to him and said: “I could not recognize you. Please forgive me.” 12

Once, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr came to the house of the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) and saw Sayyidah Ayesha shouting at a high pitch. He raised his hand and said to her: “I should not see you again raising your voice in front of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam)”. 13 5 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk

The Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) owed some money to a person. Once the person came to him and demanded his money back in a very insulting manner. The Sahaba started beating him. The Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) himself interfered to save the person from the wrath of the Sahaba. 14

14 Ibne-Maaja

15 Tirmidi

16 Muslim

On one ocassion, the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) was travelling when a Bedouin came to him and addressed in a harsh tone, “O Muhammad! O Muhammad!” The Sahaba silenced him saying: “Don’t address the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) like this as Allah has forbidden it.” 15

Once Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “Banu Najjar is most superior among the families of Ansaar, then Banu Abdul Ashhal, followed by Banu Harth Bin Al-Khazrej, followed by Banu Saa’idah. Other families of Ansaar are good.” Sayyiduna Sa’d Bin Ubadah, who belonged to tribe of Banu Saa’idah, came to know that his tribe has been mentioned at fourth place. He got annoyed and ordered his servant: “Prepare my donkey. I myself will go to the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) and talk to him about this matter.” His nephew Sayyiduna Sahl said: “Do you want to contradict the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) who knows better than anyone one about the superiorities. Is it less honour that he mentioned you at fourth place?” 16

The pagans and the Muslims intermingled with each other after the Treaty of Hudaybiah. On one ocassion, Sayyiduna Salmah arrived and lay under the shade of a tree. There came four pagans and started abusing Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). Sayyiduna Salmah could not tolerate this and shifted to other place. The Pagans hung their weapons by the tree and went to sleep. Suddenly, somebody announced that Sayyiduna Ibn-e-Zaneem has been killed. Sayyiduna Salmah availed this opportunity, took out his sword, attacked the pagans and snatched their weapons and said: “By 6 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk

Him Who has raised the status of Muhammad, I will crush your head if move a little”. 17

17 Muslim, Kitaabul Jihad

18 Musnad Ibne-Hambal, Vol. 4, p. 216

19 Bukhari

20 Nisaai

Sayyiduna Omar saw a man abusing another man whose name was “Muhammad”. He called him close and said: “It is because of you that Muhammad is being abused. From this day you will never be addressed by that name.” Sayyiduna Omar changed his name to Abdur Rahmaan and sent a message to Banu Talha tribe asking them to change the names of the persons who bear the name “Muhammad”. There were seven such persons. The name of their chief was also “Muhammad”. He said: “The Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) himself has given me this name”. Sayyiduna Omar said: “Then I am helpless in your matter.” 18

The Sahaba did not even tolerate the children to do anything, which appeared insulting to the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). Sayyidah Umm-e-Khalid came to the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) along with her father. Out of the curiosity of a child, she started playing with the Seal of the Prophethood, which was on the shoulder of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). Her father admonished her harshly. The Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “Let her play”. 19

During the Qaza Umrah, Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Ruwahah walked ahead of the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) and recited some couplets. Sayyiduna Omar saw him and said: “How dare you reciting the couplets within the limits of Haram and that too in front of the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) ?” But the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) himself allowed him to recite. 20

Once, on a Friday, some people started talking very loudly in front of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam)’s pulpit. 7 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk

Sayyiduna Omar admonished them saying: “Don’t raise your voice in front of the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam)’s pulpit.” 21

21 Muslim

22 Ibne-Maaja

23 Bukhari

The Sahaba maintained this sense of reverence towards the Beloved Habbeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) even after his demise. When the Glorious Prophet of Islam (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) passed away, there arose a controversy among the Sahaba about the kind of grave to bury the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam). People started a hot debate. Sayyiduna Omar said: “You are not supposed to shout in front of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) even after his demise.” 22

During the negotiations of the Treaty of Hudaybiah, Arwah, as the representative of the Quraish, repeatedly wanted to touch the beard of the Holy Prophet (Sallallhu Alaihi Wassallam) as per the Arab tradition of diverting one’s attention. But, Sayyiduna Mughirah Bin Sha’bah intercepted his hand with his sword. Arwah became very conscious and started observing the manners of the Sahaba. When he returned to the pagans, he said: “I have seen the Courts of Caesar and Najashi but I never saw the respect, which the Companions of Muhammad show to him. They take the saliva of Muhammad into their hands and never let it drop down and rub the saliva on their faces. When Muhammad gives them some order, they compete with each other to carry out that order. They fight with each other to take the water, which flows after Muhammad’s ablution. When they speak in front of him, they lower their voices and never look at his face directly.” 23