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| Hijrah of Rasulullah SAW to Medinah - The Ultimate Sacrifice. |
The Sahabah , as a class, were an
example of righteousness. They attained a standard that is rather
difficult to copy in a modern society. We would be fortunate if we
really attain even a portion of their character. Some of their
qualities are peculiarly their own and self-sacrifice is one of
these. Allah
has made a mention of this in the Holy
Qur’aan in these words.
"They prefer others above
themselves, even though they are themselves in need. (SLIX : V9)."
Feeding the guest in darkness A Sahaabi
came to Nabi SAW and complained of hunger and suffering. At that time
Nabi SAW had nothing on hand, or in his home to feed him. He asked the
Sahaabah : "Would anybody entertain him as a guest on my behalf
tonight?"
One of the Ansaar said: "O, Nabi
of Allah! I will do that." The Ansaari took the person to his
house and instructed his wife:
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| In Allah SWT we trust |
"Look here, this man is a guest
of Nabi SAW. We will entertain him as best as we can and won't spare
anything in doing so." The wife replied: "By Allah! I have
no food in the house, except a very little which is just enough for
the children." The Ansaari said: "You put the children to
sleep without feeding them, while I sit with the guest over the small
meal. When we start eating, put out the lamp pretending to set it
right so that the guest may not become aware of my not sharing the
meal with him." The scheme worked out nicely and the whole
family, including the children, stayed hungry to enable the guest to
eat to his fill. It was over this incident that Allah revealed the
verse:
"They prefer others above
themselves, even though they are themselves in need. (SLIX: V9)."
There are quite a number of similar
incidents about the Sahaabah . The following is one of these:
Feeding a fasting Sahaabi One of the
Sahaabah was keeping fast after fast, as he could not get anything to
eat. Hadhrat Thabit came to know of this. He told his wife: "I
shall bring a guest tonight. When we sit at the meal, put out the
lamp, pretending to set it right and you are not to eat anything
until the guest has taken his fill." The scheme worked out as in
the last story. The husband and wife sat with the guest and the
simple soul never suspected in the least that neither of them had
partaken at all of the food,
though their hands and jaws seemed to
be moving.
When Hadhrat Thabitwent to Nabi's SAW presence the next morning, he was greeted with the happy news; "O,
Thabit! Allah has very much appreciated your entertainment of the
guest last night."
Over-payment
of Zakaat
Hadhrat Ubay bin Kaabsays: "Nabi SAW once sent me to collect Zakaat dues from a locality. I went to a
person there and asked about the details of his possessions. A baby
camel, one year old, was due from him in Zakaat. When he heard this,
he exclaimed, 'Of what use is a one year old baby camel? You can
neither milk it, nor ride it. Here is a fine grown up she- camel. You
had better take this instead.' I replied, 'My job does not permit me
to take more than what is actually due from you. Therefore, I cannot
accept what you offer. Nabi SAW is visiting this locality and tonight
he will be camping at a place not very far from here. It is better
that you go and place your offer before him.
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| Sacrifice material gain for the hereafter |
If he does not object, I would gladly
accept your offer, otherwise you shall have to give me exactly what
is due from you.'Thereupon, he took the she camel to Nabi SAW and
pleaded with him: 'O, Nabi of Allah! Your deputy came to receive
Zakaat from me. By Allah! I have never had the
honour of paying anything to Nabi SAW or his deputy before. I therefore
placed before him everything that I possessed. He decided that a one
year old baby camel was due from me. O, Nabi of Allah! This baby
camel is of no use. It can neither produce milk nor carry a load. I
therefore asked him to accept a fine grown up she camel instead which
he refused to accept without your permission. I have now come to you
with the she camel.' Nabi SAW replied, 'No doubt only that much is due
from you which he has worked out, but if you are willing to give more
than that from your own side, it would be accepted.' I then presented
the she camel to Nabi SAW, which he accordingly accepted and sought Allah's blessings
for the donor." Look with what generosity of heart the Sahaabah
parted with their best things for the sake of Allah . On the other
hand, we claim to be the true followers of Islam and dedicated
devotees of Nabi SAW, but leave alone the giving of charity in general
to the poor and the needy, we are most hesitant to pay the actual
fardh amount. Zakaat, as a pillar of Islam, is not even known to our rich classes.
Of the middle classes, only the
religiously conscious section of our community keep up a form of
paying Zakaat, so much so that even expenditure incurred on their own
relatives and associates and all other charitable donations, squeezed
out ofthem by the force of circumstances or as a face saving measure,
are also deducted from this account.
Hadhrat 'Umar trying to emulate
Hadhrat Abu Bakr, 'Umar narrates: "Once Nabi SAW asked for contributions in the path of Allah . In those days, I was
in possession of some wealth. I thought to myself that, 'Time and
again Hadhrat Abu Bakr has gone past me in spending for the sake of
Allah . I shall by the Grace of Allah beat him this time because I
have in my possession some wealth to spend'. I went home happy with
the idea. I divided my wealth into exactly two equal parts. One half
I left for my family and with the other half I rejoined Nabi SAW.
Nabi SAW asked me: 'Did you leave
anything for your family,
'Umar?'
'Yes, O Nabi of Allah,' I replied.
'How much 'Umar?' asked Nabi j.
'Exactly one-half,' I replied.
In the meantime, Hadhrat Abu Bakrcame
along with his contribution. It became apparent that he had brought
everything that he had possessed. Nabi SAW asked Hadhrat Abu Bakr:
'What did you leave for
your family, Abu Bakr?' Hadhrat Abu
Bakrreplied: 'I have left Allah and His Nabi SAW for them.' ”Hadhrat
'Umar says that on that day he admitted to himself that he could
never hope to beat Hadhrat Abu Bakr .
Allah says in his Holy Book,
"Compete with one another in good
works (V:48)."
Such healthy emulation in sacrifice is
therefore quite desirable and welcome. This incident happened at the
time of the Tabuk expedition, when the Sahaabahin response to Nabi's SAW appeal for help contributed beyond their means. This has already
been mentioned in Chapter II. May Allah grant them the best rewards on behalf of all
the Muslims!
