Whenever an army of Mujahideen moved
out from Madinah for battle, Nabi SAW inspected them at some distance
outside the town to ensure that nothing was short in men and
equipment. It was here that, he usually returned all those young
boys,back to Madinah Munawwarah, who had come out with the army in their wish to fight for Islam.
Rafe' and Samurah
While setting out for Uhud, Nabi SAW
carried out an inspection just outside Madinah Munawwarah. He ordered
the young boys to go back. Among them were Abdullah bin 'Umar, Zaid
bin Thabit, Usamah bin Zaid, Zaid bin Arqam, Bara bin Azib, Amr bin
Hazam, Usaid bin Zubair, 'Urabah bin Aus, Abu Sa'eed Khudri, Samurah
bin Jundub and Rafe' bin Khudaij . All of them had just entered their
teens.
Khudaij said to Nabi SAW: "O Nabi
of Allah! My son Rafe’ is a very good archer."
Rafe' RA stood on his
toes to show himself to be taller than he actually was. Nabi SAW
permitted him to stay on. When Samurah bin Jundub learnt about this,
he complained to his stepfather Murrah bin Sanan saying: "Nabi
SAW has allowed Rafe' RA and rejected me. I am sure to beat him in a
wrestling contest and therefore, I am more deserving of Nabi's SAW
favour."
This was reported to Nabi SAW who
allowed Samurah to prove his claim by wrestling with Rafe'. Samurah
did actually beat Rafe' in the fight and he too was permitted to join
the army. A few more boys made similar efforts to stay on and some of
them were given permission. Meanwhile it became dark. Nabi SAW made
necessary arrangements for the guarding of the camp during the
night,and then asked: "Now, who is going to guard my tent during
the night?"
A person (standing at his place): "I,
O Nabi of Allah!"
Nabi SAW: "What is your name?"
The person: "Zakwaan."
Nabi SAW: "All right. You take
your seat."
He again inquired: "Who else is
volunteering to guard my tent for tonight?"
A voice: "I, O Nabi of Allah!"
Nabi SAW, "Who are you?"
A voice: "Abu Saba' (father of
Saba')."
Nabi SAW : "All right. Sit down."
He enquired for the third time: "Who
will be the third man to guard my tent, tonight?"
Again a voice came from the crowd: ”I,
O Nabi of Allah!"
Nabi SAW: "Your name?"
The voice: "Ibn Abdul Qais (son of
Abdul Qais)."
Nabi SAW: "All right. You also sit
down."
Then Nabi SAW asked all the three
volunteers to come to him.
Only one person came forward. "Where
are your other two friends?"
The Person: "O Nabi of Allah! It
was I who stood up all three times."Nabi SAW blessed him with
his Duas and allowed him to guard his tent. He kept watching the tent
all night long. Just look! How eager the Sahabah were to face death
for the sake of Allah SWT and His Nabi SAW.
The children and adults,
young and old, men and women, all had the same feeling of sacrifice
and love. Rafe bin Khudaij RA had offered to fight in Badr too, but
he was not permitted. However, he was allowed to fight for the first
time in Uhud. Since then, he had been participating in almost all the
battled. In Uhud, the enemy's arrow struck him in his chest. When it
was taken out, a small piece remained inside his body. This caused a
wound, which finally caused his death in his old age.
Rafe’
bin Khudaij RA stood on his tip toes and puffed out his
chest to give the impression he was much taller and bigger than he
really was. His devotion to the Prophet SallAllahu alahi wasallam was
so great at such a tender age, and his mission to fight for the
Muslim army against the Qureysh at the Battle of Uhud filled with the
zeal of sacrifice. Many of his peers were fuelled with the same
intoxicating devotion, but had been refused to partake in this
expedition by Rasulullah SallAllahu alahi wasallam due to their young
age. Rafe’s father had insisted that he was an exceptional archer,
and it was this quality which the Prophet SallAllahu alahi wasallam
accepted him. However Samurah bin Jundud RadhiAllahu anhu, another
Ansari youth, when he heard that his friend Rafe’ has been honoured
with a place in this historic army, asked his step father Murrah bin
Sanan RadhiAllahu anhu to explain that Samurah RadhiAllahu anhu
possessed extraordinary wrestling skills which could easily defeat
Rafe’ RadhiAllahu anhu. So the Prophet SallAllahu alahi wasallam
staged a match between them, where Samurah RadhiAllahu anhu did prove
his strength and so was permitted to be part of the army.
The
seeds of Iman and Islam were deeply sown in the children of the
Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum. How their love for the Prophet SallAllahu
alahi wasallam knew no bounds, and their spirit of dedication such an
inspiration to our young ones today. Their fearless attitude to enter
into battle with the reality of knowing the possible consequences of
being wounded or attaining martyrdom was no impediment to their
passion for all that the Prophet SallAllahu alahi wasallam epitomized
in his teachings. Their Akhirah was vivid in their sight, and the
honour of following their beloved Rasul SallAllahu alahi wasallam
their motivation. SubahanAllah.
 |
| Masjid Sheikan or also known as Masjid wrestling. |
Masjid
Sheikhain today marks this memorable time and place. Also known as
the Masjid of Wrestling, the Masjid of the Shield and the Masjid of
Badaai’e as according to one narration Umm Salman RadhiAllahu anha
came to give food to Rasulullah SallAllahu alahi wasallam at the
time. The explanation for calling this the Mosque of the Two Sheikhs
is that two elderly men lived in tall houses so close together that
they could both stand at their respective windows conversing with
each other. And Allah knows best.
Masjid
Sheikhain (pink mark) is to the north of Masjid Nabawi and
approximately half way to the battle ground (green mark)at the foot
of Mount Uhud. The Prophet SallAllahu alahi wasallam inspected the
troops and the equipment here and finalized the strategy for the
encounter with the enemy.
Bilal
RadhiAllahu anhu called Adhan for Maghrib soon after they arrived,
and according to most narrations they stayed for Esha, departing in
the early morning darkness in order not to draw attention to the
Makkans of their position.Rasulullah SallAllahu alahi wasallam called
for volunteers to guard his tent during the night. From among the
crowd a voice replied offering him self for such a noble deed.
Rasulullah SallAllahu alahi wasallam then called for a second
volunteer to relieve the first, when a voice was heard giving his
name, and then for a third time, Rasulullah SallAllahu alahi wasallam
asked for another, with a reply from the eager Sahabah RadhiAllahu
anhum. Then Rasulullah SallAllahu alahi wasallam requested that the
three volunteers come forward to give them his instructions, but only
one person identified himself. When he was asked where the other two
were this Sahabah Dhakwan bin ‘Abd Qais RadhiAllahu anhu announced
that it was he who called out each time! How eager they were to face
whatever adversaries may befall them for the sake of Allah Ta’ala
and His Habib SallAllahu alahi wasallam.
May
their love for Rasulullah SallAllahu alahi wasallam grow day by day
as we all take on the responsibility of bringing the stories that
have been instrumental in fashioning the illustrious legacy of the
Sahabah RadhiAllahu anahum into their heart and hence a reality in
their lives. Ameen.
Those
who believe and do good deeds are the best of creation. Their reward
is with their Lord: Gardens of everlasting bliss graced with flowing
streams, Allah is pleased with them and they with Him. All this is
for those who stand in awe of their Lord. (98:
7-8)
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. Ameen.
