We have thus far read
about the success and sacrifice of the Sahabah in their time was in
because of their love for Allah SWT and for His Nabi SAW. Love, was a
powerful force in the Sahabah's lives. It was this force that made
them sacrifice their luxuries, forget their lives, give up all their
desires or wealth, ignore all suffering and have no fear of death.
There is no place for any other worry (except that of the beloved) in
a heart filled with love. May Allah SWT through His Grace grant us
his own love and that of his Nabi SAW, so that we may be blessed with
correct worship and have solutions in all difficulties faced in His
service.
Abu Bakr's RA - Suffering for Islam
To those who accepted
Islam in the beginning had to keep their faith secret as far as
possible. As the Muslims were being constantly badly-treated by the
Quraish, even Nabi SAW advised all new converts to practice Islam
secretly, so that they might not have to suffer at the hands of
Quraish. However, when the number of Muslims reached 39, Abu Bakr RA
made a suggestion for the open preaching and practicing of Islam.
Nabi SAW would not
agree, but when Abu Bakr RA insisted, he gave his permission and so
all of them went to the Haram for Tabligh. Abu Bakr RA began to speak
and the Khutbah (lecture) given by him was the first ever delivered
in the history of Islam. Hamzah RA , who was Nabi's SAW uncle and
the Chief of the shuhada accepted Islam on that very day, while 'Umar
RA came into the Islam on the third day after this lecture.
When Abu Bakr RA started
speaking, the idol worshipers and disbelievers from amongst the
Quraish attacked the Muslims from all sides. Despite the fact that he
was considered to be one of the noblest and most respectable of all
the people in Makkah Mukarramah, Abu Bakr RA was beaten to such an
extent that his nose, ears and his entire face was covered in blood.
He was kicked, thrashed with shoes, trampled and handled most roughly
and cruelly. He became unconscious and half-dead. No one hoped that
he would ever survive this cruel attack.
Banu Teem, the people of
his clan, came and carried him to his house. They also announced in
the Haram that if Abu Bakr RA passed away because of the injuries,
they would in revenge take the life of Utbah bin Rabee'ah, who had
taken the most active part in the attack. Abu Bakr RA remained
unconscious the whole day. People around him shouted his name again
and again to know if he was in his senses, but he would not speak.
However, late in the evening he opened his eyes and showed signs of
consciousness. As soon as he was able to speak, he asked: "How
is Nabi SAW?" The people were most disappointed with him and
they said: "How is it that, despite all this hardship and after
remaining close to death all day long because of Nabi SAW, as soon as
he has come back to consciousness he has nothing else to talk about,
but Nabi SAW himself."
They left Abu Bakr RA , disgusted at
his love for Nabi SAW, while they were satisfied that he was out of
danger. They advised his mother Umme Khair to give him something to
eat. However, not worried about his food, Abu Bakr would again and
again and impatiently ask his mother the same question i.e. "How
is Nabi SAW ?" Because she did not know about the condition of
Nabi SAW , Abu Bakr begged her to go to Umme Jamil (Umar's sister)
and find out from her the latest news about Nabi SAW. The mother
could not refuse the request of her son in this sorry condition and
hurried to Umme Jamil's house to ask about the condition of Muhammad
SAW. Like other Muslims of that time, Umme Jamil was also keeping her
faith secret. She therefore hid her knowledge about Nabi SAW saying:
"Who is Muhammad and who is Abu Bakr? I am sorry to learn about
the condition of your son; if you like, I can go with you to see
him."
Ummi Khair agreed and
they both came to Abu Bakr RA . On seeing Abu Bakr RA in that
miserable condition, Umme Jamil RA could not control herself and
began to cry, saying: "Destruction to the thugs for what they
have done to a man like Abu Bakr RA . May Allah punish them for their
bad behavior!" Regardless of what Umme Jamil said, Abu Bakr had
the same words on his; lips: "How is Nabi SAW?"Umme JamilV
(pointing towards Umme Khair):"Is it safe to say anything in her
presence?"
Abu Bakr RA: "Do not worry about
her. Tell me quickly how is Nabi SAW?"
Umme Jamil RA: "He is quite well."
Abu Bakr RA"Where is he at this
moment?"
Umme Jamil RA: "He is at Arqam's
place."
Abu Bakr RA : "By Allah! I will
not eat anything until I see him."
His mother was very eager
to feed him. She knew that when he had sworn by Allah SWT, he would
not break his oath, therefore, he would not eat under any
circumstances. She therefore agreed to take him to Arqam's place. She
had to wait till the street was quiet and she was then able to take
him to that place unnoticed by the Quraish. When they both reached
Arqam's place, Abu Bakr RA saw Nabi SAW and held onto him weeping
profusely. Nabi SAW also cried, and all the Muslims who were present
there also began to weep over the condition oF Abu Bakr .RA .Abu Bakr
then introduced his mother Umme Khair to Nabi SAW , saying: "She
is my mother, O, Nabi of Allah! Make dua for her and encourage her to
accept Islam." Nabi SAW fisrt made dua for her and then gave her
dawah towards Islam. She accepted Islam there and then.
Many people can claim to
be lovers while in ease and comfort, but a true lover is he who is
able to prove his love even in difficulty and hardship.
'Umar's RA Grief at Nabi's SAW
Demised
Everyone knows of the
bravery, courage and strength of ‘Umar Al Khattab RA . Even after
1400 years, hearts are shivering with awe and respect when his name
is mentioned. Islam could not be spoken about and preached openly
before 'Umar's coming into Islam. As soon as he accepted Islam, the
Muslims started saying Solah in the Haram, as none could dare harm
them with 'Umar RA on their side.
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Notwithstanding all this,
he could not bear the shock of Nabi SAW passing away. So much so
that he stood with sword in his hand, very confused and dazed saying:
"I shall cut off the head of the person who says that Nabi SAW
has passed away. Nabi SAW has only gone to visit his Lord, just as
Musa had gone to Tur. He will shortly return and cut off the hands
and feet of those who were spreading the false news of his death."
On the other hand, 'Uthmaan RA was
stunned with grief on this event. He could not utter a single word,
even till the next day and walked about without speaking. Ali RA
too, was in terrible grief. He was still and couldn’t move. Only
Abu Bakr RA, with all his love for Nabi SAW as we have seen in the
last story, stood firm as a rock against this terrible storm of grief
and did not lose his understanding. He calmly entered Nabi's SAW
house,kissed his forehead and came back to the people. He called
'Umar RA to sit down, and began to speak to the people. He said:
"Whoever worshiped Muhammad SAW, let him know that Muhammad is
no more and whoever worshiped Allah should know that Allah is Ever
living and forever. He then recited the following verse of the
Qur’aan:
"Muhammad is but a
Rasulullah, many Rasuls have passed away before him. Will it be that
when he dies or is killed, you will turn back on your heels? He who
turns back does not hurt Allah SWT , and Allah SWT will reward those
who are grateful."(S3 : V144). As Abu Bakr RA was supposed to be
the Khalifah after Nabi SAW, it is important that, unlike other
Sahabah , he behaved with the calm and patience that were needed on
an occasion like this. Again, it was Abu Bakr RA alone who knew
better than anybody else about the laws regarding the burial,
inheritance, etc, of Nabi SAW.
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When a difference of
opinion arose among the Sahabah whether the burial place of Nabi SAW
be at Makkah Mukarramah or Madinah Munawwarah or Jerusalem, it was
Abu Bakr who settled the difference by saying on the authority of
Nabi SAW that, Ambiyaa are buried where they have died. There were
several other Ahaadith known only to Abu Bakr that helped solve many
of the other problems on the death of Nabi SAW. Some of these
Ahaadith were:
- "Ambiyaa have no heirs. All that a Nabi leaves behind is Sadaqah."
- "Allah's curse is on the Amir who does not take proper interest and does not take proper care in the appointment of his deputies."
- The leadership shall remain in the custody of Quraish.
