Muhammad Ibn Maslamah RA
(The Slayer of Ka'ab al Ashraf - The Jews-Traitor)
Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA or
Muhammad bin Maslama Ansari (Born:589- Die
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In 622 when Rasulullah SAW arrived
in Madinah he paired off each Muhajir with one of the Ansar, joining Muhammad
ibn Maslamah RA with Abu Ubaidah ibn
al-Jarrah RA. Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA took part in all the military
engagements of Rasulullah SAW except the
Battle of Tabuk. On that occasion, he and Saidina Ali RA were put in charge of
an army which was left behind to protect Madinah. After sometime at his late
age, he relate these battles to his ten
children.
Before the Battle of Uhud,
Rasulullah SAW and the Muslim force numbering some seven hundred persons spent
a night in an open camp. He put fifty men under the command of Muhammad ibn
Maslamah RA and entrusted him with patrolling the camp at night. During the
battle itself, after the disastrous rout of the Muslims by the Quraish, a small
band defended Rasulullah SAW till the
tide of battle turned. Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA was among them.
During the caliphate of Saidina
Umar Al Khattab RA (634 - 644), Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA was put
in charge of a special office established to investigate complaints against
officers of the state. When Amr ibn al-Aas RA requested reinforcements during
his expedition to Egypt, Saidina Umar Al Khattab RA sent him four detachments of one thousand men
each, led by Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA, az-Zubayr ibn aI-Awwam RA, Ubadah ibn
as-Samit RA and al-Miqdad ibn al-Aswad RA.
Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA also
served Saidina Umar's successor, Saidina Uthman RA. When the latter was killed
in 656 and civil war broke out Muhammad Al Maslamah RA did not participate, deliberately broking the
sword he always used and which was given to him by Rasulullah SAW. During this
time, he was known as the "Knight of Rasulullah" and by refusing to
use the sword against Muslims he preserved this reputation.
Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA died in
Madinah, April 666 at the age of seventy seven.
He was involved in the expulsion
of the Banu Nadir from Madinah, one the Jewish tribe which broke the agreement
or the well-known Commonwealth of Madinah. He Killed Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf the
leader of the Jewish tribe and Muhammad Al Maslamah RA was married with two
sons.
Black, tall and sturdy, Muhammad
ibn Maslamah RA towered above his
contemporaries. He was a giant among the companions of Rasulullah SAW, a giant
in body and a giant in deeds. Significantly he was called Muhammad even before
he became a Muslim. It would seem that his name was itself a pointer to the
fact that he was among the first of the Yathribites (Madinah) to become a
Muslim and to follow the teachings of the great Rasulullah. (The name Muhammad
was practically unknown at the time but since the Rasulullah SAW encouraged Muslims to name themselves after
him, it has become one of the most widely used names in the world.) Muhammad
ibn Maslamah RA was a halif or an ally of the Aus tribe in Madinah indicating
that he himself was not an Arab. He became a Muslim at the hands of Musab ibn
Umair RA, the first missionary sent out by Rasulullah from Makkah to Madinah. He accepted Islam even
before men like Usaid ibn Hudair RA and Sad ibn Muadh RA who were influential
men in the city. When the Prophet, peace be on him, came to Madinah, he adopted
the unique method of strengthening the bonds of brotherhood between the
Muhajirin and the Ansar. He paired off each Muhajir with one of the Ansar. This
arrangement also helped to relieve the immediate needs of the Muhajirin for
shelter and food and created an integrated community of believers.
Rasulullah SAW was a keen
observer of character and temperament and was concerned to join in brotherhood
persons of similar attitudes and tastes. He joined in brotherhood Muhammad ibn
Maslamah RA and Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah RA. Like Abu Ubaidah RA, Muhammad ibn
Maslamah RA was quiet and pensive and had a strong sense of trust and devotion.
He was also brave and resolute in action. He was a distinguished horseman who
performed feats of heroism and sacrifice in the service of Islam. Muhammad ibn
Maslamah RA took part in all the
military engagements of Rasulullah SAW except the expedition to Tabuk. On that
occasion, Muhammad Al Maslamah RA and Saidina
Ali RA were put in charge of an army which was left behind to protect Madinah.
Later in life, he would often relate scenes of these battles to his ten
children.
There are many instances in the life of
Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA which showed what a dependable and trustworthy person
he was. Before the start of hostilities at the Battle of Uhud, Rasulullah SAW and the Muslim force numbering some seven
hundred persons spent a night in an open camp. He put fifty men under the
command of Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA and entrusted him with the task of
patrolling the camp the whole night. During the battle itself, after the
disastrous rout of the Muslims by the Quraish during which abo ut seventy
Muslims lost their lives and many fled in every possible direction, a small
band of the faithful bravely defended Rasulullah SAW till the tide of battle
turned. Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA was among them. Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA was
quick to respond to the call of action. He once stood listening to Rasulullah
SAW as he spoke to the Muslims about the designs of some of the Jewish leaders
in the region.
At the beginning of his stay in Madinah,
Rasulullah SAW had concluded an agreement with the Jews of the city which said
in part: "The Jews who attach themselves to our commonwealth shall be
protected from all insults and harassment. They shall have equal rights as our
own people to our assistance...They shall join the Muslims in defending Madinah
against all enemies...They shall not declare war nor enter in treaty or
agreement against the Muslims." Jewish leaders had violated this agreement
by encouraging the Quraish and tribes around Madinah in their designs against
the state. They were also bent on creating, discord among the people of Madinah
in order to weaken the influence of Islam. After the resounding victory of the
Muslims over the Quraish at the Battle of Badr, one of the three main Jewish
groups in Madinah, the Banu Qaynuqa was especially furious and issued a
petulant challenge to Rasulullah SAW.
They said: "O Muhammad! You
really think that we are like your people (the Quraish)? Don't be deceived. You
confronted a people who have no knowledge of war and you took the chance to
rout them. If you were to fight against us you would indeed know that we arc
men." They thus spurned their agreement with Rasulullah SAW and issued an
open challenge to fight. The Qaynuqa however were goldsmiths who dominated the
market in Madinah. They were depending on their allies, the Khazraj, to help
them in their declared war. The Khazraj refused. Rasulullah SAW placed the Banu
Qaynuqa's quarters under a siege which lasted for fifteen nights. The fainthearted
Qaynuqa finally decided to surrender and ask Rasulullah SAW for a free passage
out of Madinah.
Rasulullah SAW allowed them to
leave and the tribe - men, women and children - left unharmed. They had to
leave behind them their arms and their goldsmith's equipment. They settled down
at Adhraat in Syria. The departure of the Qaynuqa did not end Jewish feelings
of animosity towards Rasulullah SAW although the nonaggression agreement was
still in force. One of those who were consumed with hatred against Rasulullah
SAW and the Muslims and who openly gave vent to his rage was Kab ibn al-Ashraf.
Kab's father was in fact an Arab who had fled to Madinah after committing a
crime. He became an ally of the Banu Nadir, another important Jewish group, and
married a Jewish lady name Aqilah bint Abu-l Haqiq. She was Kab's mother. Kab
was a tall and impressive looking person. He was a well-known poet and was one
of the richest men among the Jews.
He lived in a castle on the
outskirts of Madinah where he had extensive palm groves. He was regarded as a
Jewish leader of importance throughout the Hijaz. He provided means of support
and sponsorship to many Jewish rabbis. Kab was openly hostile to Islam. He
lampooned Rasulullah SAW, besmirched in verse the reputation of Muslim women,
and incited the tribes in and around Madinah against Rasulullah SAW and Islam.
He was particularly distressed when he heard the news of the Muslim victory at
Badr. When he saw the returning army with the Quraish prisoners of war, he was
bitter and furious. He took it upon himself then to make the long journey to
Makkah to express his grief and to incite the Quraish to take further revenge.
He also went to other areas, from tribe to tribe, urging people to take up arms
against Rasulullah SAW. News of his activities reached Rasulullah SAW, who
prayed: "O Lord, rid me of the son of Ashfar, however You wish."
Kab had become a real danger to
the state of peace and mutual trust which Rasulullah SAW was struggling to
achieve in Madinah. Kab returned to Madinah and continued his verbal attacks on
Rasulullah SAW and his abuse of Muslim women. He refused, after warnings from Rasulullah
SAW, to stop his dirty campaign and sinister intrigues. He was bent on fomenting
a revolt against Rasulullah SAW and the Muslims in Madinah. By all these
actions, Kab had openly declared war against Rasulullah SAW and Islam. He was
dangerous and a public enemy to the nascent Muslim state. Rasulullah SAW was
quite exasperated with him and said to the Muslims: "Who will deal with Kab
ibn al-Ashraf? He has offended Allah and His Rasul." "I shall deal
with him for you, O Rasul of Allah," volunteered Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA.
This, however, was no easy undertaking. Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA, according to
one report, went home and stayed for three days without either eating or
drinking, just thinking about what he had to do. Rasulullah SAW heard of this,
called him and asked him why he had not been eating or drinking. He replied:
"O Rasulullah, I gave an undertaking to you but I do not know whether I
can accomplish it or not." "Your duty is only to try your
utmost," replied Rasulullah SAW. Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA then went to
some other companions of Rasulullah SAW and told them what he had undertaken to
do. They included Abu Nailah, a foster brother of Kab ibn al-Ahsraf. They
agreed to help him and he devised a plan to accomplish the mission. They went
back to Rasulullah SAW to seek his approval since the plan involved enticing
Kab ibn Asraf from his fortress residence through some deception. Rasulullah
SAW gave his consent on the principle that war involved deceit.
Both Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA (who was in fact a nephew of Kab by
fosterage) and Abu Nailah then went to Kab's residence. Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA
was the first to speak: "This man (meaning Rasulullah SAW) has asked us
for sadaqah (charitable tax) and we cannot even find food to eat. He is
oppressing us with his laws and prohibitions and I thought I could come to you
to ask for a loan." "By God, I am much more dissatisfied with
him," confessed Kab. "We have followed him but we do not want to
leave him until we see how this whole business will end. We would like you to
lend us a wasaq or two of gold," continued Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA.
"Isn't it about time that you realize what falsehood you are tolerating
from him? Asked Kab as he promised to give them the loan. "However,"
he said, "You must provide security (for the loan)." "What
security do you want?" they asked. "Give me your wives as
security," he suggested. "How can we give you our wives as security,"
they protested, "when you are the most handsome of Arabs?" "Then
give me your children as security," Kab suggested. "How can we give
you our children as security when any one of them would thereafter be ridiculed
by being called a hostage for one or two wasaqs of gold? This would be a
disgrace to us. But we could give you our (means of) protection (meaning
weapons) since you know that we need them." Kab agreed to this suggestion
which they had made to disabuse his mind of any notion that they had come
armed. They promised to come back to him again to bring the weapons.
Meanwhile, Abu Nailah also came
up to Kab and said: "Woe to you, Ibn Ashraf. I have come to you intending
to mention something to you and you do not encourage me." Kab asked him to
go on and Abu Nailah said: "The coming of this man to us has been a source
of affliction to our Arab customs. With one shot he has severed our ways and
left families hungry and in difficulties. We and our families are
struggling." Kab replied: "I, Ibn al-Ashraf, by God, I had told you,
son of Salamah, that the matter would end up as I predicted." Abu Nailah
replied: "I wish you could sell us some food and we would give you
whatever form of security and trust required. Be good to us. I have friends who
share my views on this and I want to bring them to you so that you could sell
them some food and deal well towards them. We will come to you and pledge our
shields and weapons to you as security." "There is loyalty and good
faith in weapons," agreed Kab. With this they left promising to return and
bring the required security for the loan.
They went back to Rasulullah SAW
and reported to him what had happened. That night, Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA,
Abu Nailah, Abbad ibn Bisnr RA, Al-Harith ibn Aws RA and Abu Abasah ibn Jabr RA
all set off for Kab’s house. Rasulullah SAW went with them for a short distance
and parted with the words: "Go forth in the name of Allah." And he
prayed: "O Lord, help them." Rasulullah SAW returned home. It was a
moonlit night in the month of Rabi al-Awwal in the third year of the hijrah.
Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA and the four with him reached Kab's house. They called
out to him. As he got out of bed, his wife held him and warned: "You are a
man at war. People at war do not go down at such an hour." "It is
only my nephew Muhammad ibn Maslamah and my foster brother, Abu Nailah..."
Kab came down with his sword drawn. He was heavily scented with the perfume of
musk.
"I have not smelt such a
pleasant scent as today," greeted Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA. "Let me
smell your head." Kab agreed and as Muhammad bent over, he grasped Kab's
head firmly and called on the others to strike down the enemy of Allah.
(Details of this incident vary somewhat. Some reports state that it was Abu
Nailah who gave the command to strike down Kab and this was done after Kab had
emerged from his house and walked with them for some time. ) The elimination of
Kab ibn al-Ashraf struck terror into the hearts of those, and there were many
of them in Madinah, who plotted and intrigued against Rasulullah SAW. Such open
hostility as Kab's diminished for a time but certainly did not cease. At the
beginning of the fourth year of the hijrah, Rasulullah SAW went to the Jewish
tribe of Banu Nadir on the outskirts of Madinah to seek their help on a certain
matter. While among them, he found out that they were planning to kill him then
and there. He had to take decisive action. The Banu Nadir had gone too far.
Straight away, Rasulullah SAW went back to the center of the city. He summoned
Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA and sent him to inform the Banu Nadir that they had to
leave Madinah within ten days because of their treacherous behavior and that
any one of them seen after that in the city would forfeit his life.
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| Illustration Only: Muhammad ibn Maslamah - Slayer of the Ka'ab. |
One can just imagine Muhammad ibn
Maslamah RA addressing the Banu Nadir. His towering stature and his loud and
clear voice combined to let the Banu Nadir know that Rasulullah SAW meant every
word he said and that they had to stand the consequences of their treacherous
acts. The fact that Rasulullah SAW chose Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA for the task
is a tribute to his loyalty, courage and firmness. Further details of the
expulsion of the Banu Nadir from Madinah do not concern us here: their plan to
resist Rasulullah SAW with outside help; Rasulullah’s siege of their district
and their eventual surrender and evacuation mainly to Khaibar in the north of
Madinah. Two of the Banu Nadir though
became MusIims - Yamin ibn Umair RA and Abu Sad ibn Wahb RA. All this happened
exactly one year after the elimination of Kab ibn al-Ashraf. Both during the
time of Rasulullah SAW and after, Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA was known for
carrying out any assignment he accepted exactly as he was ordered, neither
doing more nor less than he was asked to do. It was these qualities which made Saidina
Umar RA choose him as one of his ministers and as a trusted friend and guide.
When Amr ibn al-Aas RA requested reinforcements during his expedition to Egypt,
Saidina Umar Al Khattab RA sent him four detachments of one thousand men each.
Leading these detachments were Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA, az-Zubayr ibn aI-Awwam
RA, Ubadah ibn as-Samit RA and al-Miqdad ibn al-As wad RA. To Amr, Saidina Umar
RA sent a message saying, "Let me remind you that I am sending Muhammad
ibn Maslamah RA to you to help you distribute your wealth. Accommodate him and
forgive any harshness of his towards you."
Ibn Maslamah RA went to Amr RA in
Fustat (near present-day Cairo).. He sat at his table but did not touch the
food. Amr RA asked him: "Did Saidina Umar RA prevent you from tasting my
food?" "No," replied ibn Maslamah RA, "he did not prevent
me from having your food but neither did he command me to eat of it." He
then placed a flat loaf of bread on the table and ate it with salt. Amr RA became
upset and said: "May Allah bring to an end the time in which we work for Saidina
Umar ibn al-Khattab! I have witnessed a time when al-Khattab and his son Umar
were wandering around wearing clothes which could not even cover them properly
while Al-Aas ibn Wail (Amr's father) sported brocade lined with gold..."
"As for your father and the father of Umar, they are in hell,"
retorted Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA, because they did not accept Islam. "As
for you, if Saidina Umar RA did not give you an appointment, you would have
been pleased with what you got from their udders," continued Ibn Maslamah RA
obviously disabusing Amr's mind of any ideas he might have of appearing
superior because he was the governor of Egypt. "Assemblies must be
conducted as a form of trust," said Amr RA in an attempt to diffuse the
situation and Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA replied: "Oh yes, so long as Saidina
Umar RA is alive." He wanted to impress upon people the justice of Saidina
Umar RA and the egalitarian teachings of Islam. Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA was a
veritable scourge against all arrogant and haughty behavior. On another
occasion and at another end of the Muslim state under his caliphate, Saidina Umar
RA heard that the famous Sad ibn Abi Waqqas RA was building a palace at Kufa. Saidina
Umar RA sent Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA to deal with the situation. On reaching
Kufa, Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA promptly burnt the palace down. One does not
know whether people were more surprised by the instructions of Saidina Umar RA
or by the humiliation of Sad ibn Abi Waqqas RA, the famed fighter, conqueror at
Qadisiyyah, and the one praised by Rasulullah SAW himself for his sacrifices at
Uhud.
Sad ibn Abi Waqqas RA did not say
a word. This was all part of the great process of self-criticism and
rectification which helped to make Islam spread and establish it on foundations
of justice and piety. Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA served Saidina Umar's successor,
Saidina Uthman ibn Affan RA, faithfully. When, however, the latter was killed
and civil war broke out among the Muslims, Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA did not
participate. The sword which he always used and which was given to him by Rasulullah
SAW himself he deliberately broke. During the time of Rasulullah SAW, he was
known as the "Knight of Rasulullah". By refusing to use the sword against
Muslims he preserved this reputation undiminished. Subsequently, he made a
sword from wood and fashioned it well. He placed it in a scabbard and hung it
inside his house. When he was asked about it he said: "I simply hang it
there to terrify people." Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA died in Madinah in the
month of Safar in the year 46 AH. He was seventy seven years old.
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| Illustration Only: At Bani Qanuqa - The Traitor |
ANOTHER VERSION
Biographies - Sahabah of Rasulullah SAW – Muhammad
Ibn Maslamah RA
It takes a great mind to achieve
great things and only men of distinct virtues go the extra mile to achieve the
impossible. When the rolls of sages of the Ummah are to be called, Muhammad ibn
Maslamah RA would rank among the highest. Black, tall and sturdy in status, ibn
Maslamah RA is a giant in status and in deeds. The blessed body of our model in
this issue housed the noblest of virtues inherited through intimate interaction
with the best of creation, Habibullah, Muhammad SAW al Mustafa . Muhammad ibn
Maslamah RA was also known as Muhammad before embracing Islam at the hand of
the exalted Mus'ab ibn Umair RA the
first envoy of Islam to Madina Al Munawarrah.
Quiet and pensive, Muhammad ibn
Maslamah RA combined strong sense of trust, devotion, bravery with being
resolute in action. Paired with the noble Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah RA when the
Muhajir arrived, they formed a two man army of minds that enemies feared more
than battalions of ordinary men.
History recorded this great sage
to be a non-Arab but an ally of the Aws tribe of Madina. He embraced Islam with
the fervour of a soul desperately in search of guidance, even ahead of great
Ansar like Usaid ibn Hudair and Saad ibn Muadh.
Rated as the distinguished
horseman of great heroism and sacrifice in the service of Islam, volumes of
books would be inadequate to detail his feat of heroic deeds in the cause of
Allah SWT.
Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA embraced Islam and laid down his blood,
and his life to support it. The fact that he participated in all military
engagements of Rasulullah SAW except the expedition of Tabuk is enough a
testimony to the resolute commitment of this noble personage to the success of
Allah's Deen. It is on record that this
exalted sage had the special honour of commanding the army left to defend the
city of Rasulullah alongside the exalted Saidina Ali RA . Countless are events
depicting the heroic exploits of ibn Maslamah
RA showing how dependable and trustworthy he was. He ranked among the
most famous in the Battle of Uhud. The first night at Uhud witnessed Muslims
numbering about seven hundred sleeping in the open. The exalted Rasulullah SAW
appointed fifty men to stay awake patrolling the camp throughout the night.
Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA was the head of this special force.
When the battle proper came and
things went so hard that seventy great Muslims attained martyrdom, a small band
of men with large hearts staked their lives to defend Rasulullah u until the tide
of the battle turned. Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA was among them.
It is one great feat to be
resolutely committed to a noble cause because the worth of man is the value of
what he lives for. But it is an invaluable status to always be at the ready to
stick out one's neck at the most difficult periods of threats and dangers to
one chosen cause. This is where Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA ranked among the
noblest fore runners of Islam. The accounts here-under are sample testimonies
to this reality.
When Allah's I most beloved,
Muhammad Mustafa honored Madinah with
his presence, he entered into agreement with the blessed city’s Jewish population
regarding issues of mutual respect, equal rights to assistance, joint defense
of the city’s Jewish and prohibition of war declaration against the Muslims
etc. The treaty was faithfully respected almost to the details until the
victory of Muslims against the Makkans at Badr. The success of Badr and the
rapid growth of the Muslim population sent fear down the spines of the notables
of the Jews. The most insolent of the clans is the Banu Qaynuqa, who dominated
the goldsmith market in Madinah. They were not respected for valor’s in war but
always count on the Khazraj to aid them. This clan was so upset by the victory
of the Muslims that they decided to stake everything in order to snuff life out
of the blossoming seedling of Islam. They, among other insults, threw an open
challenge by writing to the exalted Prophet u saying:
O Muhammad! You really think that
we are like your people (the Quraish of Makkah)? Do not be deceived. You
confronted a people who have no knowledge of war and you took the chance to
rout them. If you were to fight against us you would indeed know that we are
men.
They, with this challenge, braced
up for war counting on the support of the Khazraj. The Khazraj were clever
enough to see that defeat would become the lots of those who confront these men
of light who see their success in holding the banner of Islam aloft alive or
dead.
The real death is the death of
the soul
Since the body is a cage for
temporal sojourn
Sages remain alive though they
are dead
And their enemies dead though
alive.
The Khazraj refused to support
the Banu Qaynuqa and their quarters was under complete blockade from outside
world for fifteen days. The faint-hearted Qaynuqa finally surrender requesting
a free passage out of Madinah. They left Madinah with their women and children
having to leave behind their smith equipment. They settled down at Adhraat in
Syria.
The passage of the Qaynuqa was a
short relief for it also heightened the fear of other Jewish clans in Madinah
and environs. The tall, impressive looking and stinkingly rich Kab of Banu
Nadir was specially infuriated by the growing influence of Islam. About the
richest man of the Jews, with a special castle with extensive palm groves on
the outskirt of Madinah, Kab did his best to bring down the influence of Islam
and the reputation of the Muslims, especially that of the exalted Rasulullah
SAW. Kab wrote poems insulting Allah’s Rasul and incites tribes in around Madinah
against the growing community of Muslims. The exalted Rasulullah SAW, who is
mercy on the creation, sent warning messages to Kab to desist from his dirty
campaigns and open enmity against the Muslims. Alas, warning only increases the
insolence of the wicked and so it was with Kab. When all avenues to peace were
closed and Kab who counted much on his wealth and strong security became a
public threat, Rasulullah SAW then prayed: ‘O Allah, rid me of the son of
Ashraf, however You wish.’ And then talking to his exalted companions, he asked:
‘Who will deal with Kab ibn al Ashraf for me? He has offended Allah I and His
Rasul.’
Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA readily
offered his service saying: 'I shall deal with him for you, Ya Rasulullah.’ The
task of dealing with Kab and ending his insolence and sinister intrigues was
anything but easy. Kab is a man of war, living in a fortified castle with
extensive groves, guards and numerous supporters. The task weighed so much on
Ibn Maslamah RA that he stayed home, thinking of how to get rid of the nuisance
called Kab, for three days without eating and drinking.
When Rasulullah SAW heard of this
state of affairs, he sent for ibn Maslamah RA and asked for the reasons of his
abstinence from food and drink. Ibn Maslamah RA replied, ‘O Messenger of Allah,
I gave an undertaking to you but I do not know whether I can accomplish it or
not.’
Rasulullah SAW promptly replied;
'Your duty is only to try your utmost.’ Allah SWT helped Muslims to remove an
avowed enemy through the hands of Muhammad bn Maslamah RA, Abu Nailah, Abbad bn
Bishr, Al-Harith bn Aws and Abu Hassan ibn Jabr . Kab fell on a moonlit night
in the auspicious month of Rabiul-Awwal in third year of Hijra.
Ever ready to lay his life down
in the service of Rasulullah SAW, ibn Maslamah RA presented the best example of
'if you finish, then further your struggle'. The elimination of the haughty Kab
was no mean achievement but this would not in any way suggest the end of the
war between the forces of evil and forces of right. This confrontation would
last from the beginning to the end of creation, but the end belongs to the
steadfast among the believers.
The end of Kab struck terror into
the hearts of plotters and promoters of intrigues against Islam. They went
under but never gave up. About a year after Kab, Rasulullah SAW went to the
Jewish tribe of Banu Nadir on the outskirts of Medina to discuss some issues.
The Jews saw this as an opportunity to kill Rasulullah SAW. Allah saved Rasulullah
SAW and straight away, the exalted Rasulullah SAW went to the center of the
city where he sent for Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA. When he turned up, Rasulullah
SAW sent him to inform the Banu Nadir that they have to pay for their treachery
by living Madinah within ten days. This is one great day of honour in the life
of ibn Maslamah t. He addressed the Banu Nadir with the force and voice of a
man living with reality, his towering figure and clear tone registering in
unmistaken terms the fact that the Prophet u meant every word of his directive.
This great speech evokes light in the hearts of Yamin ibn Umair and Abu Sad ibn
Wahby who promptly accepted Islam. This and other tasking assignment given to
ibn Maslamah RA whenever the Ummah was in danger is a testimony to his loyalty,
courage and firmness.
After the passing away of Rasulullah
SAW, ibn Maslamah RA remained absolutely committed to the uplift of the Deen.
As a matter of fact Saidina Umar Al Khattab RA chose him not only as his
ministers, but also a trusted friend and guide.
When Amr al- As RA one of the
greatest genius the world has seen requested re-enforcements during his expedition
to Egypt, Saidina Umar RA promptly sent four detachments of one thousand men
each. Leading these detachments were Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA, Zubayr ibn
Awwam, Ubada ibn as-Samit and Miqdad ibn al-Aswad. As ibn Maslamah RA left with
his men, Saidina Umar RA wrote a note to Amr bn al-As RA which says among other
things: Let me remind you that I am sending Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA to you to
help you distribute your wealth. Accommodate him and forgive any harshness of
his towards you. When ibn Maslamah RA visited Amr bn al-As RA in Fustat near present day
Cairo he sat at his table but refused his delicious meal. Surprised, Amr bin Al
As RA asked: ‘Did 'Umar asked you not to take my food?’ To this question he
replied; 'No, he did not asked me to avoid your food neither did he command me
to eat it.' He then placed a flat loaf of bread on the table and ate it with
salt.
Muhammad ibn Maslamah’s RA life
remains that of austerity and ease when Islam has become the religion of
millions just as it was when Islam was a religion of few. Indeed, he spent his
blessed days emphasizing moderate living. History recorded that his first
assignment on the reaching Kufa at the instance of Sasidina Umar RA was the
demolition of the state palace constructed by noble and exalted Sa'ad ibn Abi
Waqqas RA, the famous fighter, the conqueror of Qadisiyyah and the one
deserving a special praise from the exalted Rasulullah SAW for his gallantry.
Sa'ad, kept silent as his palace went into ruin in the spirit of self-criticism
and rectification, he submitted his affairs to Allah and His Rasul.
Saidina Uthman bn Affan RA too
could not dispense with the service of Muhammad bn Maslamah RA who served him
faithfully until his martyrdom. After the passing away of Saidina Uthman ibn
Affan RA and commencement of hostilities among camps of believers, ibn Maslamah
RA immediately broke his invaluable sword, a special gift from Habibullah
Rasulullah SAW. The sword was to repel the enemies but never to shed Muslims'
blood. The sun of guidance, loyalty and rectitude set in Madinah in the month
of Safar in the year 46 A.H. Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA left taking much of the world's loyalty and
selfless service with him. He was seventy years old.
To lay one's life
down for a noble cause
Is among the
treasures we should crave in life
The value of man is
the total worth
Of his aspiration
here on the earth
The sages of Islam
ranked the highest
Among the few with
focus on Allah
Blessed are the
fore-most among the best
Like ibn Maslamah the
conqueror of Kab
Selected
Hadiths narrated or mentioned of Muhammad Ibn Maslamah RA
There are more than 500
hadiths,where Muhammad ibn Maslamah RA mentioned as part of the narrators or
being the narrator himself:
Narrated: Sad bin Abi Waqqas
that the Messenger of Allah (saw)
said: “Whoever says, when he hears the Mu’adh-dhin, ‘Wa ana Ash-hadu an la
ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lahu, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammad (SAW)an
‘abduhu wa rasuluhu, radaytu Billahi rabban wa bil-Islami dinan wa bi Muhammad
(SAW)in nabiyyan (And I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped
but Allah alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad (SAW) is His
slave and Messenger, and I am content with Allah as my Lord, Islam as my
religion and Muhammad (SAW) as my Prophet),’ his sins will be forgiven to him.”
(Sahih)
Relevance: 8.5412 (Found In:
Sunan Ibn Majah Chapter No: 5, The Chapters on the Adhan and the Sunnah
Regarding it)
Narrated: Jabir bin Abdullah
“Jibrail, peace be upon him, came
to the Prophet (saw) when the sun had passed its zenith and said: ‘Get up, O
Muhammad (SAW), and pray Zuhr when the sun has passed its zenith.’ Then he
waited until a man’s shadow was equal to his height. Then he came to him for
Asr and said: ‘Get up, O Muhammad (SAW), and pray Asr.’ Then he waited until
the sunset, then he came to him and said: ‘Get up, O Muhammad (SAW), and pray
Maghrib.’ So he got up and prayed it when the sun had set. Then he waited until
the twilight disappeared, then he came to him and said: ‘Get up, O Muhammad
(SAW), and pray ‘Isha’,’ So he got up and prayed it. Then he came to him when
dawn broke and said: ‘Get up, O Muhammad (SAW), and pray.’ So he got up and
prayed Subh. Then he came to him the next day when a man’s shadow was equal to
his height, and said: ‘Get up, O Muhammad (SAW), and pray.’ So he prayed Zuhr.
Then Jibrail came to him when a man’s shadow was equal to twice his length and
said: ‘Get up, O Muhammad (SAW), and pray.’ So he prayed Asr. Then he came to
him for Maghrib when the sun set, at exactly the same time as the day before,
and said: ‘Get up, O Muhammad (SAW), and pray.’ So he prayed Maghrib. Then he
came to him for Isha when the first third of the night had passed, and said:
‘Get up and pray.’ So he prayed Isha. Then he came to him for Subh when it had
become very bright, and said: ‘Get up and pray.’ So he prayed Subh. Then he
said: ‘The time of prayer are between those two (limits).’” (Hasan)
Relevance: 8.3212(Found In: Sunan
An-Nasai Chapter No: 6, The Book of the Times (of Prayer))
Narrated: Miswar bin Makhramah
"Umar bin Khattab consulted
the people concerning a woman who had been caused to miscarry. Al-Mughirah bin
Shubah said: 'I saw the messenger of Allah (saw) rule that a slave, male or
female, be given as blood money (for a fetus).' 'Umar said: 'Bring me someone
who will testify alongside you. So he brought Muhammad bin maslamah to testify
along with him.'"
Relevance: 11.2806 (Found In:
Sunan Ibn Majah Chapter No: 24, The Chapters on Blood Money)
Narrated: Abbas ibn Sahl Saidi
that Abu Humayd, Abu Usayd, Sahl
bin Sa'd and Muhammad ibn maslamah (RA) assembled somewhere and discussed the
prayer of Allah's Messenger (SAW). Abu Humayd said that he knew of it more than
anyone of them. When the Prophet (SAW) sat down for tashahhud, he stretched his
left foot and turned the toes of the right foot to the qiblah. Then he put his
right hand over his right knee and left over the left knee, and indicated with
his index finger.
Relevance: 1Narrated: Abbas bin
Sahl As-Sadi
"Abu Humaid, Abu Usaid
As-Sadi, Sahl bin Sad, and Muhammad bin maslamah came together and spoke about
the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (saw). Abu Humaid said: 'I am the most
knowledgeable of you about the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (saw). The
Messenger of Allah (saw) stood up and said Allahu Akbar, and raised his hands,
then he raised them when he said Allahu Akbar for Ruku, then he stood up and
raised his hands, and stood straight until every bone had returned to its
place.'" (Sahih)
Relevance: 8.9526(0.5789(Found
In: Sunan at-Tirmidhi (Jami-al-Tirmidhi) Chapter No: 2, Salah (Prayers))
Narrated: Ruwayfi ibn Thabit
Shayban al-Qatbani reported that
maslamah ibn Mukhallad made Ruwayfi' ibn Thabit the governor of the lower parts
(of Egypt). He added: We travelled with him from Kum Sharik to Alqamah or from
Alqamah to Kum Sharik (the narrator doubts) for Alqam. Ruwayfi' said: Any one
of us would borrow a camel during the lifetime of the Prophet
(peace_be_upon_him) from the other, on condition that he would give him half
the booty, and the other half he would retain himself. Further,
one of us
received an arrowhead and a feather, and the other an arrow-shaft as a share
from the booty. He then reported: The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him)
said: You may live for a long time after I am gone, Ruwayfi', so, tell people
that if anyone ties his beard or wears round his neck a string to ward off the
evil eye, or cleanses himself with animal dung or bone, Muhammad has nothing to
do with him.
 |
| Illustration Only: The Pious Warrior of Islam. |
Relevance: 8.5593(Found In: Sunan
Abu Dawood Chapter No: 1, Purification (Kitab Al-Taharah))
Narrated: Ibn Dhuaib
"A grandmother came to Abu
Bakr Siddiq and asked him for her inheritance. Abu Bakr said to her: 'You have
nothing according to the Book of Allah, and I don't know of anything for you
according to the Book of Allah, and I don't know of anything for you according
to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saw). Go back until I ask the people.'
So he asked the people and Al-Mughirah bin Shubah said: 'I was present with the
Messenger of Allah (saw) and he gave her (the grandmother) one sixth.' Abu Bakr
said: 'Is there anyone else with you (who will corroborate what you say)?'
Muhammad bin maslamah Al-Ansari stood up and said something like what Mughirah
bin Shubah had said. So Abu Bakr applied it in her case." "Then the
other grandmother, on the father's side came to Umar and asked him for her
inheritance. He said: 'You have nothing according to the book of Allah. The
ruling that was passed applied to someone other than you, and I will not make
any addition to the shares of inheritance. But it is one sixth. If there are
two of you then it is to be shared between you, and if one of you is alone then
it all belongs to her.' " Sahih
Relevance: 8.1704(Found In: Sunan
Ibn Majah Chapter No: 26, The Chapters on Shares of Inheritance)
