Zaid
bin Thabit RA is one of those famous Sahabah who were considered to
be most learned and whose opinions in religious matters carry much
weight. He was an expert in rules regarding necessary actions. It is
said that he was among the top Ulema and Qaris. He was only 11 years
old when Nabi SAW emigrated to Madinah Munawwarah. That is why, in
spite of his eagerness, he was not allowed to participate in the
early battles like Badr, etc.
He
had lost his father when he was six. When Nabi SAW arrived in
Madinah Munawwarah, people brought their children to him to receive
his blessing. Zaid RA was also brought to him for the same purpose.
He says: "When I was presented to Nabi SAW, he was informed that
I had then memorised seventeen surahs of the Qur’aan. In order to
test me, he asked me to recite some of these. I recited Surah Qaaf.
He rewarded me with his kind words.
When
writing letters to the Jews outside Madinah Munawwarah, Nabi SAW used
to use the services of the local Jews. Once he said to Zaid RA : "I
am not satisfied with what the Jews write and read for me. I fear
mischief from them in miswriting or misreading, I desire you to learn
the Jewish lan- guage." Zaid RA says: "In fifteen days, I
mastered Hebrew and after that I started doing all such work for Nabi
SAW."
According
to another Hadith, Zaid RA is reported to have similarly mastered the
Syriac language at the command of Nabi SAW . He managed this within
the short period of 17 days only.
Zaid ibn Thabit RA and Compiling the Qur’an
 |
| Reading the Quran |
Every
great religion in the world has its religious scripture (book). Islam
is no exception to the rule, but Islam is different, in a way, from
other religions in the sense that its Book has characteristics that
Muslims believe are unique to it.
Among
these special features of the Book of Islam, the Noble Qur'an, are:
1. Every
single word of it was divinely revealed to the Messenger of God;
hence it can be rightly called "the Words of God" in the
literal sense of the expression.For in Islam there is a clear distinction between the Qur'an (the words of God as revealed verbatim to Prophet Muhammad SAW) on one hand, and the Hadith (the words of Prophet Muhammad SAW or reports of his actions) on the other, a distinction not made in any other religious texts.
This
accounts for the fact that the verses that begin with the expression
"Qul
('Say')"
are preserved and recited as they are with that expression.
2.
The Qur'an is the only scripture which has been preserved intact
through both written and oral means. For:
A)
It has been memorized by heart in totality by thousands of people
from the days of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him) until today. Many of those people do not even speak the
Arabic language of the Qur'an (this alone being miraculous enough if
we realize that the Qur'an has more than six thousand verses).
B)
It was written in totality during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad
SAW (peace and blessings of Allah SWT be upon him), under his
direction and supervision, something never done with any other
religious scripture. The Qur'an is the only scripture which has
served as the constitution for many a government and state throughout
Islamic history. These are but a few features that give the Scripture
of Islam its unique distinction.
 |
| Early stage of Quran Compilation |
The
story of the role of Zaid RA begins thus:An-Nawwar,
ZaId's widowed mother, asked some of her male relatives to mention to
Prophet Muhammad SAW (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), her
son's desire to be closely associated with the Prophet through
constant companionship.
The
men went to the Prophet SAW and said, "O Prophet of Allah, this
child of ours knows by heart 17 chapters from the Book, and recites
them accurately as they were revealed to you. Besides, he is well
versed in the matters of reading and writing. He wishes to be close
to you. Listen to him, if you will."
The
Prophet Muhammad SAW listened to ZaId's recitation, which he found
very clear and accurate, revealing that teenager's special linguistic
talents. So he ordered him to learn Hebrew in order to facilitate the
Prophet's communication with the Jews.
Later,
ZaId ibn Thabit RA learn Syriac, thus becoming an official
interpreter and translator for the Prophet Muhammad SAW (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him). Eventually, our young hero became
one of the official scribes of the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allah SWT be upon him) who was called to write the Divine revelations
that came to the Prophet SAW from Heaven.
This
enabled the intelligent Zaid RA to observe the circumstances of the
revelations very closely, to become, later, the most important
reference in Qur'anic matters after the death of Prophet Muhammad SAW
(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
 |
| Scribe of Revalation |
His
deep knowledge of the Qur'an made even the great companions of the
Prophet SAW resort to him and show special respect to him, despite
the fact that he was much younger than most of them (being only 22 at
the death of Prophet Muhammad SAW ).
History
tells us that `Abdullah ibn `Abbas RA (may Allah be pleased with him,
who is very well known for his knowledge of matters of the faith,
once saw Zayd ibn Thabit RA about to mount his ride. He went up to
help him. Zaid RA said (out of respect to ibn `Abbas), "Do not
bother, O cousin of the Messenger of Allah." Ibn `Abbas said,
"Thus have we been instructed to treat our scholars."
It
is no wonder then that during and after the Battle of Yamamah in the
days of the first Caliph, Abu Bakr RA, Zaid RA was the man chosen
for the task of compiling the Qur'an in a book form, aided by `Umar
ibn Al-Khattab RA. The story runs as follows:
During
the Battle of Yamamah when a large number of the companions of the
Prophet SAW (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) who knew the
Qur'an by heart were killed, `Umar ibn Al-Khattab RA expressed his
great worry that some verses of the Qur'an known to some companions
might be forgotten due to the death of those companions. So he
suggested to Abu Bakr RA to have the Qur'an collected and compiled.
Abu
Bakr RA was hesitant in the beginning, because as he said, "This
is something not done by the Prophet SAW." However, he was later
convinced of the necessity of the matter, because in the lifetime of
the Prophet SAW there was no need for such an action, since the
source and conveyor of the revelation was living amongst them.
His
Assignment
The
Caliph found that Zaid ibn Thabit RA was the man for the job. Thus he
addressed Zaid RA (may Allah be pleased with him): "You are a
young man who is wise and trustworthy. And you used to write the
revelation for the Prophet, collect the Qur'an and compile it."
Zaid
RA reports, "I swear to God that had they asked me to move a
mountain, it would have been easier than that task assigned to me."
Upon
the compilation of the whole Book, it was kept with the Caliph Abu
Bakr RA, then his successor `Umar RA, who entrusted it upon his death
to his daughter Hafsah RA, a wife of Prophet Muhammad SAW(peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him), who was also known for her knowledge
of the Qur'an besides being one of the few literate people in the
community. In a little while we will look at a few details of the
great event of compiling the Book of Islam. But before we start, let
me remind our readers that the Qur'an was memorized by many
Companions of the Prophet of Islam during his life time.
It
was also written at his orders by his scribes, of whom Zaid ibn
Thabit RA is best known. However, many of those companions were
exposed to death, because of the wars between the armies of Islam and
those of the apostates (known in Islamic history as "the Wars of
Apostasy").
This
was the main reason why `Umar ibn Al-Khattab RA suggested the
compilation of the Qur'an. The task assigned to Zaid ibn Thabit RA
was to collect the portions scattered with different people, verify
the texts and put them in the order assigned to the verses and
chapters by the Prophet Muhammad SAW himself before his demised.
Though Zaid RA (the head of the committee) himself knew the whole
Qur'an by heart, along with many others, he followed a very
meticulous procedure in its compilation. Following is a brief
description:
- Everyone who knew a portion of the Qur'an came and reported it to be written by the committee. However, the report was not accepted unless it was heard by the reporting companion directly from the mouth of the Prophet SAW himself, and the text was checked with the Prophet SAW in his last year of life.
- The verses and chapters of the text were written in the order assigned to them by the Prophet SAW.
- In order to ensure authenticity, no text was accepted unless the person who reported it to the committee brought two witnesses who saw him hear the verses directly from the blessed Prophet's mouth.
Through
the above meticulous procedure the committee, which was headed by
Zaid ibn Thabit RA aided by `Umar ibn Al-Khattab RA, collected the
whole text of the Qur'an, which was then preserved and kept by the
Caliph Abu Bakr RA.
Then,
upon his death, by the second Caliph `Umar ibn Al-Khattab RA who
entrusted it, upon his death, to his daughter Hafsah RA, as we
mentioned earlier. It was the Caliph `Uthman ibn `Affan RA who had
the honor of supervising the distribution of the "standard"
version of the Qur'an during his reign. Again, the task was assigned
to our hero Zaid ibn Thabit RA, aided by a number of reputable
companions of the Prophet SAW. We learn from history that the Prophet
allowed his followers to recite the Holy Qur'an according to their
own dialects. But when the Islamic state expanded, the companions
spread all over the newly conquered areas. Each taught the Qur'an the
way he pronounced it.
This
caused some confusion, especially to many new converts who could not
understand such differences in pronunciation, however slight they
were. People almost started fighting over the corrections of each
other's way of reciting certain verses.
To
avert the chaos and confusion, the great Caliph `Uthman ibn `Affan
RA consulted the companions, and made the historical decision of a
"standard version" to be followed by everybody. He sent for
the text compiled earlier and kept with Hafsah RA, the widow of the
Prophet SAW and daughter of the second Caliph, and he ordered a
committee, that included our hero Zaid ibn Thabit RA, to make copies
of that text and have them sent to the major centers of the State,
Then
the Caliph `Uthman RA ordered that all other copies be destroyed;
thus ensuring the unification of the manner of reciting the Qur'an,
to protect the text from being tampered with, and to protect the
Muslim community from fighting over different ways of reciting it.
To
this day, whenever we open a copy of the Qur'an, we may find the
expression "according to the `Uthmani script" in reference
to those standard copies made at the order of the Caliph `Uthman ibn
`Affan and executed by Zaid ibn Thabit RA, with the aid of a few
illustrious companions of the Prophet Muhammad SAW (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him).
Zaid
ibn Thabit RA – Early Years of Eagerness for Jihad.
We
are in the second year of the Hijrah. Madinah the city of the Prophet
SAW is buzzing with activity as the Muslims prepare for the long
march southwards to Badr. The noble Prophet SAW made a final
inspection of the first army to be mobilized under his leadership to
wage Jihad against those who had tormented the Muslims for many years
and who were still bent on putting an end to his mission.
A
youth, not yet thirteen, walked up to the ranks. He was confident and
alert. He held a sword which was as long or possibly slightly longer
than his own height. He went up to the Prophet SAW , may God bless
him and grant him peace, and said: "I dedicate myself to you,
Messenger of God. Permit me to be with you and to fight the enemies
of God under your banner."
The
noble Prophet looked at him with admiration and patted his shoulder
with loving tenderness. He commended him for his courage but refused
to enlist him because he was still too young. The youth, Zaid ibn
Thabit RA turned and walked away, dejected and sad. As he walked, in
slow and measured paces, he stuck his sword in the ground as a sign
of his disappointment. He was denied the honor of accompanying the
Prophet SAW on his first campaign. Behind him was his mother,
an-Nawar bint Malik. She felt equally dejected and sad. She had
dearly wished to see her young son go with the army of mujahidin and
to be with the Prophet SAW at this most critical time.
One
year later, as preparations were underway for the second encounter
with the Quraish which too place at Uhud, a group of Muslim teenagers
bearing arms of various kinds - swords, spears, bows and arrows and
shields - approached the Prophet SAW. They were seeking to be
enlisted in any capacity in the Muslim ranks. Some of them, like Rafi
ibn Khadij RA and Samurah ibn Jundub RA, who were strong and
well-built for their age and who demonstrated their ability to
wrestle and handle weapons, were granted permission by the Prophet to
join the Muslim forces. Others like Abdullah the son of Umar RA and
Zaid ibn Thabit ra were still considered by the Prophet SAW to be too
young and immature to fight. He promised though to consider them for
a later campaign.
It was only at the Battle of the Ditch when ZaId RA was about sixteen years old that he was at last allowed to bear arms in defense of the Muslim community. Zaid ibn Thabit RA - Early Years of a energetic young men.
It was only at the Battle of the Ditch when ZaId RA was about sixteen years old that he was at last allowed to bear arms in defense of the Muslim community. Zaid ibn Thabit RA - Early Years of a energetic young men.
We
are in the second year of the Hijrah. Madinah the city of the Prophet
SAW is buzzing with activity as theMuslims prepare for the long march
southwards to Badr. The noble Prophet SAW made a final inspection of
the first army to be mobilized under his leadership to wage Jihad
against those who had tormented the Muslims for many years and who
were still bent on putting an end to his mission.
A
youth, not yet thirteen, walked up to the ranks. He was confident and
alert. He held a sword which was as long or possibly slightly longer
than his own height. He went up to the Prophet SAW , may God bless
him and grant him peace, and said: "I dedicate myself to you,
Messenger of God. Permit me to be with you and to fight the enemies
of God under your banner."
The
noble Prophet SAW looked at him with admiration and patted his
shoulder with loving tenderness. He commended him for his courage but
refused to enlist him because he was still too young. The youth, Zaid
ibn Thabit RA turned and walked away, dejected and sad. As he walked,
in slow and measured paces, he stuck his sword in the ground as a
sign of his disappointment. He was denied the honor of accompanying
the Prophet SAW on his first campaign. Behind him was his mother,
an-Nawar bint Malik. She felt equally dejected and sad. She had
dearly wished to see her young son go with the army of mujahidin and
to be with the Prophet SAW at this most critical time.
One
year later, as preparations were underway for the second encounter
with the Quraysh which took place at Uhud, a group of Muslim
teenagers bearing arms of various kinds - swords, spears, bows and
arrows and shields - approached the Prophet SAW. They were seeking to
be enlisted in any capacity in the Muslim ranks. Some of them, like
Rafi ibn Khadij RA and Samurah ibn Jundub RA, who were strong and
well-built for their age and who demonstrated their ability to
wrestle and handle weapons, were granted permission by the Prophet to
join the Muslim forces.
Others like Abdullah the son of Umar RA and ZaId ibn Thabit RA were still considered by the Prophet SAW to be too young and immature to fight. He promised though to consider them for a later campaign. It was only at the Battle of the Ditch when ZaId RA was about sixteen years old that he was at last allowed to bear arms in defense of the Muslim community.
Others like Abdullah the son of Umar RA and ZaId ibn Thabit RA were still considered by the Prophet SAW to be too young and immature to fight. He promised though to consider them for a later campaign. It was only at the Battle of the Ditch when ZaId RA was about sixteen years old that he was at last allowed to bear arms in defense of the Muslim community.
Found
in: Call
to Prayers (Adhaan)
Hadith no: 698
Narrated: Zaid bin Thabit
Allah's Apostle made a small room in the month of Ramadan (Sa'id said, "I think that Zaid bin Thabit said that it was made of a mat") and he prayed there for a few nights, and so some of his companions prayed behind him. When he came to know about it, he kept on sitting. In the morning, he went out to them and said, "I have seen and understood what you did. You should pray in your houses, for the best prayer of a person is that which he prays in his house except the compulsory prayers."
Hadith no: 698
Narrated: Zaid bin Thabit
Allah's Apostle made a small room in the month of Ramadan (Sa'id said, "I think that Zaid bin Thabit said that it was made of a mat") and he prayed there for a few nights, and so some of his companions prayed behind him. When he came to know about it, he kept on sitting. In the morning, he went out to them and said, "I have seen and understood what you did. You should pray in your houses, for the best prayer of a person is that which he prays in his house except the compulsory prayers."
Found
in: Prostration
During Recital of Quraan
Hadith no: 179
Narrated: Zaid bin Thabit
I recited An-Najm before the Prophet, yet he did not perform a prostration.
Hadith no: 179
Narrated: Zaid bin Thabit
I recited An-Najm before the Prophet, yet he did not perform a prostration.
Found
in: Virtues
of Madina
Hadith no: 108
Narrated: Zaid bin Thabit
When the Prophet went out for (the battle of) Uhud, some of his companions (hypocrites) returned (home). A party of the believers remarked that they would kill those (hypocrites) who had returned, but another party said that they would not kill them. So, this Divine Inspiration was revealed: "Then what is the matter with you that you are divided into two parties concerning the hypocrites." (4.88) The Prophet said, "Medina expels the bad persons from it, as fire expels the impurities of iron."
Hadith no: 108
Narrated: Zaid bin Thabit
When the Prophet went out for (the battle of) Uhud, some of his companions (hypocrites) returned (home). A party of the believers remarked that they would kill those (hypocrites) who had returned, but another party said that they would not kill them. So, this Divine Inspiration was revealed: "Then what is the matter with you that you are divided into two parties concerning the hypocrites." (4.88) The Prophet said, "Medina expels the bad persons from it, as fire expels the impurities of iron."
Found
in: Sales
and Trade
Hadith no: 393
Narrated: Zaid bin Thabit
Allah's Apostle allowed the owner of 'Araya to sell the fruits on the trees by means of estimation.
Hadith no: 393
Narrated: Zaid bin Thabit
Allah's Apostle allowed the owner of 'Araya to sell the fruits on the trees by means of estimation.
Found
in: Sales
and Trade
Hadith no: 398
Narrated: Zaid bin Thabit
In the lifetime of the Prophet (SAW), the people used to trade with fruits. When they cut their date-fruits and the purchasers came to recieve their rights, the sellers would say, 'My dates hace got rotten; they are blighted with disease, they are afflicted with Qusham (a disease which causes the fruit to fall before ripening).' They would go on complaining of defects in their purchases. Allah's Messenger (SAW) said, "Do not sell the fruits before their benefit is evident (i.e., free from all the dangers of being spoiled or blighted), by way of advice for they quarrelled too much." Kharija bin Zaid bin Thabit said that Zaid bin Thabit used not to sell the fruits of his lands till Pleiades appeared and the one could distinguish the yellow fruits from the red (ripe) ones.
Hadith no: 398
Narrated: Zaid bin Thabit
In the lifetime of the Prophet (SAW), the people used to trade with fruits. When they cut their date-fruits and the purchasers came to recieve their rights, the sellers would say, 'My dates hace got rotten; they are blighted with disease, they are afflicted with Qusham (a disease which causes the fruit to fall before ripening).' They would go on complaining of defects in their purchases. Allah's Messenger (SAW) said, "Do not sell the fruits before their benefit is evident (i.e., free from all the dangers of being spoiled or blighted), by way of advice for they quarrelled too much." Kharija bin Zaid bin Thabit said that Zaid bin Thabit used not to sell the fruits of his lands till Pleiades appeared and the one could distinguish the yellow fruits from the red (ripe) ones.
Found
in:Distribution
of Water
Hadith no: 573
Narrated: Zaid bin Thabit
The Prophet (SAW) permitted selling the dates of the Araya for ready dates by estimating the amount of the former (as they are still on the trees).
Hadith no: 573
Narrated: Zaid bin Thabit
The Prophet (SAW) permitted selling the dates of the Araya for ready dates by estimating the amount of the former (as they are still on the trees).