Mu’adh Ibn Jabal RA

Mu’adh Ibn Jabal RA

The Most Learned of Halal and Haram

Muadh ibn Jabal RA was a young man growing up in Yathrib (Madinah) as the light of guidance and truth began to spread over the Arabian Peninsula. Muadh ibn Jabal RA was a handsome and imposing character with black eyes and curly hair and immediately impressed whoever he met. Muadh ibn Jabal RA was already distinguished for the sharpness of his intelligence among young men of his own age.

The young Muadh ibn Jabal RA became a Muslim at the hands of Musab ibn Umayr, the daie (missionary) whom Rasulullah ﷺ had sent to Yathrib before the hijrah. Muadh ibn Jabal RA was among the seventy-two Madinan who journeyed to Makkah, one year before the hijrah, and met Rasulullah ﷺ at his house and later again in the valley of Mina, outside Makkah, at Aqabah. Here the famous second Aqabah Pledge was made at which the new Muslims of Yathrib, including some women, vowed to support and defend Rasulullah ﷺ at any cost. Muadh ibn Jabal RA was among those who enthusiastically clasped the hands of the blessed Rasulullah ﷺ then and pledged allegiance to him.

Among the seventy-man delegation of the Ansar who took the oath of allegiance to Rasulullah ﷺ in the Second Allegiance of 'Aqabah sat a young man with a bright face, graceful eyes, and a radiant smile. When Muadh ibn Jabal RA was silent, he attracted attention with his profound peacefulness and devoutness. On the other hand, when he talked, he held his people spell-bound. This young man was Muadh ibn Jabal RA. Muadh ibn Jabal RA belonged to the Ansar, and he was among the foremost believers who gave the second oath of allegiance to Rasulullah ﷺ. Naturally, a man of such precedence, faith, and certainty would not miss for the world a battle or an expedition. Muadh ibn Jabal RA uppermost quality was his knowledge of fiqh (jurisprudence)- the practical aspect of Muhammad's message. He reached the apex in knowledge and fiqh, to the extent that made Rasulullah ﷺ say, "The most learned man of my nation in halal and haram is Mu'adh Ibn Jabal."

Muadh ibn Jabal RA resembled 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattab RA in his enlightenment, courage, and intelligence.

When Rasulullah ﷺ sent him to Yemen, he asked him, "How will you give a judgment or settle a dispute?"

Muadh ibn Jabal RA answered; "I will refer to the Qur’an."

Rasulullah ﷺ then asked, "What will you do if you do not find the decree you are looking for in the Qur’an?"

Muadh ibn Jabal RA answered, "I will refer to the Prophet's Sunnah."

Rasulullah ﷺ asked, "But what will you do if you do not find a decree even in the Sunnah?"

Muadh ibn Jabal RA readily answered, "I will be judge between mankind by resorting to juristic reasoning (ijtihaad) to the best of my power."

Now, Muadh ibn Jabal RA's staunch commitment to Allah's Book and the Sunnah Rasulullah ﷺ does not mean that he closed his mind to the countless and endless hidden or equivocal facts that await someone to unravel and adjudicate.

As soon as Muadh ibn Jabal RA returned to Madinah from Makkah, he and a few others of his age formed a group to remove and destroy idols from the houses of the mushrikun in Yathrib. One of the effects of this campaign was that a prominent man of the city, Amr ibn al-Jamuh, became a Muslim.

When the noble Rasulullah ﷺ reached Madinah, Muadh ibn Jabal RA stayed in his company as much as possible. Muadh ibn Jabal RA studied the Quran and the laws of Islam until he became one of the well-versed of all the companions in the religion of Islam.

Perhaps both Muadh ibn Jabal RA's ability in juristic reasoning and the courageous usage of his intelligence enabled him to master the fiqh, excelling all other scholars. Rasulullah ﷺ justifiably described Muadh ibn Jabal RA as "the most learned man of my nation in halal and haram."

History portrays him as a man of remarkably enlightened, resolute, and decisive mind. For instance, 'Aaez Allah Ibn 'Abd Allah narrated that one day he entered the mosque with the Companions of Rasulullah ﷺ at the dawn of 'Umar Ibn Al Khattab  caliphate. Then he sat among more than thirty men. Let us hear him narrate the story:

"I sat with a group of more than thirty men. They were recalling a hadith of Rasulullah ﷺ. In this ring sat a dark, swarthy young man who had a sweet voice and a radiant face. Whenever they disputed about a hidden or ambiguous meaning in the hadith, they at once sought his legal instruction or judgment. He seldom, if ever, spoke unless he was asked. When their meeting was over, I approached him and asked him, "Who are you, 0 Allah's Slave?"  He answered, "I am Mu'adh Ibn Jabal." So I instantly felt close to him.

Also, Shahr Ibn Hawshab said, "Whenever Muadh ibn Jabal RA was present when the Companions of Rasulullah ﷺ were holding a meeting; they looked at him with reverence."

Saidina Umar Ibn Al-Khattab RA, the Commander of the Faithful, often consulted him. It seemed that Mu'adh ibn Jabal RA had a highly disciplined mind and a captivating and convincing logic that moved peacefully and knowledgeably. When we look at Muadh ibn Jabal RA historical background, we will always see him at the center of attention. He always sat there surrounded by people. Muadh ibn Jabal RA always maintained a discrete silence that was only broken whenever people were anxious to hear his judgement and whenever they were in dispute. When he spoke he looked, as one of his contemporaries described, "as if light and pearls were emanating from his mouth rather than speech." Muadh ibn Jabal RA reached his high rank in knowledge and reverence when Rasulullah ﷺ was alive and maintained it after his death, notwithstanding his youth, for Muadh ibn Jabal RA died during Saidina Umar Ibn Al Khattab's caliphate at the age of thirty-three years.

Muadh ibn Jabal RA was generous, magnanimous, well-mannered, and good-natured. If anyone asked him for money, he would readily and gladly give it to him. Muadh ibn Jabal RA generosity made him spend all his money on charity and aid. When Rasulullah ﷺ, Muadh ibn Jabal RA was still in Yemen, where Rasulullah ﷺ had sent him with the task of teaching Muslims their religion and fiqh.

When Muadh ibn Jabal RA returned from Yemen during Saidina Abu Bakr As Siddique RA caliphate, Saidina Umar Ibn Al Khattab RA was informed that Mu'adh Ibn Jabal RA become wealthy, and he suggested to Saidina Abu Bakr As Siddique RA that the community should have half of Mu’adh’s wealth. "Saidina Umar Ibn Khattab RA did not waste much time as he rushed to Mu'adh's house and told him about what he and Saidina Abu Bakr As Siddique had agreed on. Muadh ibn Jabal RA was an honest and trustworthy man. The fact that he had made a fortune did not make him vulnerable to suspicion or sin; therefore, he turned down "Umar's suggestion and refuted his viewpoint. Finally, 'Umar left him. The next day, Muadh ibn Jabal RA hurried towards 'Umar's house and no sooner had he laid his eyes on him than he hugged him. His tears flowed as he said, “Last night, I saw in my dream that I was crossing deep water. I nearly drowned were it not for your help, 'Umar." Afterwards, they both went to Abu Bakr's presence where Mu'aadh asked him to take half his money, but Abu Bakr said," No, I will take nothing from you." "Umar glanced at Muadh ibn Jabal RA and said, "Now it is halal and blessed."

First, the pious Abu Bakr would not take from Muadh ibn Jabal RA one penny unless he was absolutely positive that he had earned it in a lawful halal way. Second, Umar was not trying to accuse or cast suspicion on Muadh ibn Jabal RA. In the final analysis, this epitomizes the era of ideals which was filled with people who were in perpetual competition to climb their way up to the apex of perfection allowed to human beings. Thus some of them soared up to the sky with their good deeds. Some were foremost and the rest followed a middle course. Yet, all of them were travelers on a caravan of goodness.

After a while, Muadh ibn Jabal RA immigrated to Syria, where he lived among its people and the expatriates as a teacher and a scholar of fiqh. When Abu Ubaidah Ibn Al Jarrah RA, the governor of Syria and a close friend of Muadh ibn Jabal RA, died, the Commander of the Faithful 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattab assigned Muadh ibn Jabal RA to take his place as a ruler. Only a few months had elapsed after his taking over when he died, humble and repentant to Allah. 'Umar RA used to say, "If I were to grant Muadh ibn Jabal RA succession and Allah asked me, 'Why did you make him your successor?' I would readily answer, 'I heard Rasulullah ﷺ say that when those who have knowledge stand before Almighty Allah, Muadh ibn Jabal RA will be among them.'"

The succession that 'Umar meant here was not merely over a country or a governorship but overall the Muslim lands. When 'Umar was asked before his death, "If you choose your successor now, we will give him our allegiance," he answered, "If Muadh ibn Jabal RA were alive and I made him my successor to the caliphate, then I died and met Allah Who asked me, 'Whom did you assign to rule Muhammad's nation?' I would answer, 'I assigned Muadh ibn Jabal RA to rule it after I heard Rasulullah ﷺ say Muadh ibn Jabal is the Imam of those who have knowledge of Judgement Day.”

Rasulullah ﷺ said one day, "O Mu'adh, by Allah I love you dearly, so do not forget to recite after every prayer, 'Allah help me in remembering You, in offering thanks to You, and in worshiping You properly.'"

Indeed, Rasulullah ﷺ supplicated Allah SWT to help him to remember Him. Rasulullah ﷺ persevered in stressing this great fact that tells people that authority belongs to Allah, He has the power over all, and there is no power or any might except with His permission, for He is Most High and Most Great.

Definitely, Muadh ibn Jabal RA had learned and fully grasped this fact. Muadh ibn Jabal RA did his utmost to cherish and apply this fundamental basis in his life from that moment onwards.

The Tomb of Mu'adh Ibn Jabal in Jordan

One day, Rasulullah ﷺ ran into him so he asked him, "How are you this morning Mu'adh?

Muadh ibn Jabal RA answered;

 "This morning I woke up as a true believer."

Rasulullah ﷺ said;

"Every truth has its manifestations, so what are the manifestations of your true belief?"

Muadh ibn Jabal RA readily answered;

"I have never woken up without believing that I might die before nightfall. I have never slept without believing that I might die before the morning and have never taken a step without believing that I might die before taking the next. It always seems to me that I can see each nation humbled to its knees and each nation called to its record of deeds. It always seems to me that I can see the dwellers of Paradise, wherein are delighted everlasting, and the dwellers of Hell, wherein they are in disgracing torment."

Rasulullah ﷺ commented;

 "Now you know, so stick to the truth as long as you live."

Indeed, Muadh ibn Jabal RA had submitted him and his destiny to Allah, for Allah was all that mattered to him. It was just that Ibn Mas'ud described him as "an Ummah, a leader having all the good and righteous qualities, obedient to Allah and Hanifah, who worshiped none but Allah. We used to liken him to Ibrahim (Abraham) (PBUH)."

Wherever Muadh ibn Jabal RA went, people would refer to him for legal judgments on matters over which they differed. This is not strange since he was brought up in the school of Rasulullah ﷺ himself and learned as much as he could from him. Muadh ibn Jabal RA was the best pupil of the best teacher. Muadh ibn Jabal RA knowledge bore the stamp of authenticity. The best certificate that he could have received came from Rasulullah ﷺ himself when he said: "The most knowledgeable of my Ummah in matters of Halal and haram is Muadh ibn Jabal."

One of the greatest of Muadh ibn Jabal RA contributions to the Ummah of Rasulullah ﷺ was that he was one of the group of six who collected the Quran during the lifetime of Rasulullah ﷺ. Whenever a group of companions met and Muadh ibn Jabal RA was among them, they would look at him with awe and respect on account of his knowledge. Rasulullah ﷺ and his two Khalifah after him placed this unique gift and power in the service of Islam.

On another concise version about the life and demise of Muadh ibn Jabal RA.

After the liberation of Makkah, the Quraysh became Muslims en masse. Rasulullah ﷺ immediately saw the need of the new Muslims for teachers to instruct them in the fundamentals of Islam and to make them truly understand the spirit and letter of its laws. Rasulullah ﷺ appointed Attab ibn Usay RA as his deputy in Makkah and Rasulullah ﷺ asked Muadh ibn Jabal RA to stay with him and teach people the Quran and instruct them in the religion.

Sometime after Rasulullah ﷺ had returned to Madinah, messengers of the kings of Yemen came to him announcing that they and the people of Yemen had become Muslims. They requested that some teachers should be with them to teach Islam to the people. For this task, Rasulullah ﷺ commissioned a group of competent du’at (missionaries) and made Muadh ibn Jabal RA their Amir. He then put the following question to Muadh:

"According to what will you judge?"

"According to the Book of God," replied Muadh ibn Jabal RA.

"And if you find nothing therein?"

"According to the Sunnah of the Prophet of God."

"And if you find nothing therein?"

"Then I will exert myself (exercise ijtihad) to form my own judgment."

Rasulullah ﷺ was pleased with this reply and said: "Praise be to God Who has guided the messenger of the Prophet to that which pleases the Prophet."

Rasulullah ﷺ personally bade farewell to this mission of guidance and light and walked for some distance alongside Muadh ibn Jabal RA as he rode out of the city. Finally, he said to him:

"O Muadh, perhaps you shall not meet me again after this year. Perhaps when you return you shall see only my mosque and my grave." Muadh ibn Jabal RA wept. Those with him wept too. A feeling of sadness and desolation overtook him as he parted from his beloved Rasulullah ﷺ.

Rasulullah ﷺ premonition was correct. The eyes of Muadh ibn Jabal RA never beheld Rasulullah ﷺ after that moment. Rasulullah ﷺ demised before Muadh ibn Jabal RA returned from the Yemen. There is no doubt that Muadh ibn Jabal RA wept when he returned to Madinah and found there was no longer the blessed company of Rasulullah ﷺ.

During the caliphate of Umar, Muadh ibn Jabal RA was sent to the Banu Kilab to apportion their stipends and to distribute the sad aq ah of their richer folk among the poor. When he had done his duty, he returned to his wife with his saddle blanket around his neck, empty handed, and she asked him:

"Where are the gifts which commissioners return with for their families?" "I had an alert Supervisor who was checking over me," he replied. "You were a trusted person with Rasulullah ﷺ and with Saidina Abu Bakr As-Siddique RA. Then Saidina Umar Ibn Al-Khattab RA came and he sent a supervisor with you to check on you!' she exclaimed. She went on to talk about this to the women of Saidina Umar's household and complained to them about it. The complaint eventually reached Saidina Umar Ibn Al-Khattab RA, so he summoned Muadh ibn Jabal RA and said:

"Did I send a supervisor with you to check on you?"

"No, Amir al-Muminin," he said, "But that was the only reason I could find to give her." Saidina Umar Ibn Al-Khattab RA laughed and then gave him a gift, saying, "I hope this pleases you."

Also during the caliphate of Saidina Umar Ibn Al-Khattab RA, the governor of Syria, Yazid ibn Abi Sufyan sent a message saying:

"O Amir al-Muminin! The people of Syria are many. They fill the towns. They need people to teach them the Quran and instruct them in the religion."

Saidina Umar Ibn Al-Khattab RA thereupon summoned five persons who had collected the Quran in the lifetime of Rasulullah ﷺ. They were Muadh ibn Jabal RA, Ubadah ibn Aṣ-Ṣāmit RA, Abu Ayub al-Ansari RA, Ubayy ibn Kab RA and Abu Ad-Darda RA.

He said to them:

"Your brothers in Syria have asked me to help them by sending those who can teach them the Quran and instruct them in the religion. Please appoint three among you for this task and may Allah bless you. I can select three of you myself if you do not want to put the matter to the vote."

"Why should we vote?" they asked. "Abu Ayub is quite old and Ubayy is a sick man. That leaves three of us." "All three of you go to Homs first of all. If you are satisfied with the condition of the people there, one of you should stay there, another should go to Damascus and the other to Palestine."

So it was that Ubadah ibn as-Samit RA was left at Homs, Abu ad-Darda RA went to Damascus and Muadh ibn Jabal RA went to Palestine. There Muadh ibn Jabal RA fell ill with an infectious disease. As he was near to death, he turned in the direction of the Kabah and repeated this refrain:

"Welcome Death, Welcome. A visitor has come after a long absence . . ." And looking up to heaven, he said: "O Lord, You know that I did not desire the world and to prolong my stay in it . . . O Lord, accept my soul with goodness as you would accept a believing soul..."

Muadh ibn Jabal RA then passed away, far from his family and his clan, a daiy in the service of Allah and a Muhajir in His path.

Muadh ibn Jabal RA advocated knowledge and the remembrance of Allah. Moreover, Muadh ibn Jabal RA invited mankind to seek the useful and true knowledge saying:

 "I warn you against the deviation of wise men. You will know the truth when you see it, for it has a distinctive light!"

Muadh ibn Jabal RA believed that worship was an end and a means to reach justice.

One day a Muslim asked him;

"Teach me."

Muadh ibn Jabal RA asked him:

 "Will you obey me if I teach you?"

The man answered;

 "I will not disobey you in anything."

Muadh ibn Jabal RA said then;

 "Fast, then break your fast. Pray during the night but you must get some sleep. Earn what is halal and what is rightfully yours and do not earn sin . Die as a true Muslim. Finally, I warn you against the supplication of those who have been wronged or oppressed."

Muadh ibn Jabal RA believed that education meant knowledge and practice; therefore, he said:

 "Learn whatever you like to learn, yet Allah SWT will not make your learning worthwhile unless you practice what you have learned.”

Muadh ibn Jabal RA believed that belief and remembrance of Allah SWT meant the perpetual calling to mind of His greatness and the perpetual calling of oneself to account for deeds before Allah does so.

Al-Aswad Ibn Hilal RA reported. As we were walking with Muadh ibn Jabal RA one day, he said;

 "Let us sit down for a while to meditate on Allah."

Perhaps the reason behind his discrete silence was his unremitting meditation and contemplation.

Likewise, Muadh ibn Jabal RA once telling Rasulullah ﷺ that he never took a step without believing that he might die before taking the next was due to his engrossment in the remembrance of Allah and in calling himself to account for his deeds.

At the end, death summoned Muadh ibn Jabal RA. It was time to meet Allah. When the stupor of death creeps upon someone, his subconscious takes the reins and spurs the tongue - if it is able to - to disclose the reality of all mankind in concise words that summarize his life story. In those blessed moments, Muadh ibn Jabal RA faintly uttered great words that revealed a great believer, for he gazed up into the sky and humbly supplicated Allah, the Most Merciful, saying;

 "Allah I used to fear You but now I implore You. Allah, You know that I did not devote my life to travel in the lands or to earn money or property but rather consecrated it to knowledge, faith and obedience, notwithstanding intense heat or hardships."

Muadh ibn Jabal RA stretched his hand as if he were shaking death and went into a coma. Muadh ibn Jabal RA last words were, "O Death, welcome! You are a long-awaited beloved."

At last Muadh ibn Jabal RA ascended to Allah's Paradise.

Selected Hadiths Narrated by and Attributed to Mu’adh Ibn Jabal RA

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Found In: Imam Malik's Muwatta Chapter No: 47, Good Character

Hadith no: 1 

Narrated: Malik

Yahya related to me from Malik that Muadh Ibn Jabal said, "The last advice Rasulullah ﷺ, gave me when I put my foot in the stirrup was that he said, 'Make your chaRActer good for the people, Muadh Ibn Jabal!' "

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Found In: Sunan Ibn Majah Chapter No: 2, The Chapters of Purification and its Sunnah

Hadith no: 328

Narrated: Abu Said Al-Himyari

That Muadh bin Jabal used to narrate something that the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (saw) had not heard, and he used to keep quiet about what they had heard. News of this report reached Abdullah bin Amr, and he said: “By Allah, I never heard Rasulullah ﷺ say this, and Muadh will put you into difficulty with regard to relieving yourself.” News of that reached Muadh, so he met with him (Abdullah). Muadh said: “O Abdullah! Denying a Hadith from Rasulullah ﷺ is hypocrisy, and its sin is upon the one who said it (if it is not true). I did indeed hear the Rasulullah ﷺ say: ‘Beware of the three things which provoke curses: Relieving oneself in watering places, in places of shade and in the middle of the street.’” (Daif)

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Found In: Sunan Ibn Majah Chapter No: 11, The Chapters on Marriage

Hadith no: 1853

Narrated: Abdullah bin Abu Awfa

“When Muadh bin Jabal came from Sham, he prostrated to Rasulullah ﷺ who said: 'What is this, O Muadh?'  He said: 'I went to Sham and saw them prostrating their bishops and patricians and I wanted to do that for you.' Rasulullah ﷺ said: 'Do not do that. If I were to command anyone to prostrate to anyone other than Allah, I would have commanded women to prostrate to their husbands. By the one in who hand is the soul of Muhammad! No woman can fulfill her duty towards Allah until she fulfills her duty towards her husband. If he asks her (for intimacy) even if she is on her camel saddle, she should not refuse.' "

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Found In: Sunan Ibn Majah Chapter No: 7, The Chapters of Establishing the Prayer and the Sunnah Regarding Them

Hadith no: 836

Narrated: Jabir

That Muadh bin Jabal led his companions for the Isha and he made the prayer too long for them. Rasulullah ﷺ said: “Recite ‘By the sun and its brightness,’[Al-Shams (91)] ‘Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High,’ [Al-Ala (87)] ‘By the night as it envelops,’ [Al-Lail (92)] or, ‘Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has created.’” [Al-Alaq (96)] (Sahih)

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Found In: Imam Malik's Muwatta Chapter No: 9, Shortening the Prayer

Hadith no: 2

Narrated: Muadh bin Jabal

Yahya related to me from Malik from Abu'z-Zubayr al-Makki from Abu't-Tufayl Amir Ibn Wathila that Muadh Ibn Jabal told him that they went out with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in the year of Tabuk, and the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, joined Dhur with Asr and Maghrib with Isha. Muadh said, "One day he delayed the prayer, and then came out and prayed Dhur and Asr together. Then he said, 'Tomorrow you will come, insha' Allah, to the spring of Tabuk. But you will not get there until well into the morning. No one who arrives should touch any of its water until I come.' We came to it and two men had got to it before us and the spring was dripping with a little water. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, asked them, 'Have you touched any of its water?' They said, 'Yes.' The Messenger of Allah, May Allah bless him and grant him peace, reviled them and said what Allah wished him to say. Then they took water with their hands from the spring little by little until it had been collected in something. Then the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, washed his face and hands in it. Then he put it back into the spring and the spring flowed with an abundance of water and the people drew water from it. The Messenger of Allah, May Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'If you live long enough, Muadh, you will soon see this place filled with gardens.' "

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Found In: Sunan An-Nasai Chapter No: 10, The Book of Leading the Prayer (Al-Imamah)

Hadith no: 832

Narrated: Jabir

“A man from the Ansar came when the Iqamah for prayer had been said. He entered the Masjid and prayed behind Muadh, and he (Muadh) made the prayer lengthy. The man went away and prayed in a corner of the Masjid, and then he left. When Muadh finished praying, it was said to him that so-and-so had done such and such. Muadh said: ‘Tomorrow I will mention that to Rasulullah ﷺ’ So Muadh came to Rasulullah ﷺ and told him about that. Rasulullah ﷺ sent for him and asked him: ‘What made you do what you did?’ He said: ‘O Rasulullah, I had been working on my camel to bring water all day, and when I came the Iqamah for prayer had already been said, so I entered the Masjid and joined him in the prayer, then he recited such and such a Surah and made it lengthy, so I went away and prayed in a corner of the Masjid.’ Rasulullah ﷺ said: ‘Do you want to cause hardship to the people, O Muadh; do you want to cause hardship to the people, O Muadh; do you want to cause hardship to the people, O Muadh?’” (Sahih)

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Found In: Sunan An-Nasai Chapter No: 1, The Book of Purification

Hadith no: 4

Narrated: Abu Burdah

That Abu Musa said: “I came to Rasulullah ﷺ when he was using the Siwak and with me were two men of the Asharis - one on my right and the other on my left - who were seeking to be appointed as officials. I said: 'By the One Who sent you as a Prophet with the truth, they did not tell me why they wanted to come with me and I did not realize that they were seeking to be appointed as officials.' And I could see his Siwak beneath his lip, then it slipped and he said: 'We do not' - or; 'We will never appoint as an official anyone who seeks that. Rather you should go.'” So he sent him (Abu Musa) to Yemen, then he sent Muadh bin Jabal to go after him - may Allah be pleased with them. (Sahih)

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Found In: Sunan An-Nasai Chapter No: 6, The Book of the Times (of Prayer)

Hadith no: 588

Narrated: Abu At-Tufail Amir bin Wathilah

That Muadh bin Jabal told him that they went out with Rasulullah ﷺ in the year of Tabuk, and Rasulullah ﷺ was joining Zuhr and Asr, and Maghrib and Isha. He delayed the prayer one day then he went out and prayed Zuhr and Asr together, then he went in and came out again and prayed Maghrib and Isha. (Sahih)

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Found In: Sunan Ibn Majah Chapter No: 1, The Book of the Sunnah

Hadith no: 154

Narrated: Anas bin Malik

Rasulullah ﷺ said: “The most merciful of my Ummah towards my Ummah is Abu Bakr; the one who adheres most sternly to the religion of Allah is Umar; the most sincere of them in shyness and modesty is Uthman; the best judge is Ali bin Abu Talib; the best in reciting the Book of Allah is Ubayy bin Kab; the most knowledgeable of what is lawful and what is unlawful is Muadh bin Jabal; and the most knowledgeable of the rules of inheritance (Faraid) is Zaid bin Thabit. And every nation has a trustworthy guardian, and the trustworthy guardian of this Ummah is Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah.” (Sahih)

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Found In: Sahih Muslim Chapter No: 1, Faith (Kitab Al Iman)

Hadith no: 46

Narrated: Muadh bin Jabal

I was riding behind Rasulullah ﷺ and there was nothing between him and me but the rear part of the saddle, when he said: Mu'adh b. Jabal: To which I replied: At your beck and call, and at your pleasure, Messenger of Allah! He moved along for a few minutes, when again he said: Mu'adh b. Jabal: To which I replied: At your beck and call, and at your pleasure, Messenger of Allah! He then again moved along for a few minutes and said: Mu'adh b. Jabal: To which I replied. At your beck and call, and at your pleasure. Rasulullah ﷺ said: Do you know what right has Allah upon His servants? I said: Allah and His Messenger know best. Rasulullah ﷺ said: Verily the right of Allah over His servants is that they should worship Him, not associating anything with Him. Rasulullah ﷺ with Mu'adh behind him, moved along for a few minutes and said: Mu'adh b. Jabal: To which I replied: At your beck and call, and at your pleasure, Messenger of Allah! Rasulullah ﷺ said: Do you know what rights have servants upon Allah in case they do it (i. e. they worship Allah without associating anything with Him)? I (Mu'adh b. Jabal) replied: Allah and His Messenger know best. (Upon this) Rasulullah ﷺ remarked: That He would not torment them (with the fire of Hell).

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Found In: Imam Malik's Muwatta Chapter No: 21, Jihad

Hadith no: 43

Narrated:

Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya Ibn Said that Muadh Ibn Jabal said, "There are two military expeditions. There is one military expedition in which valuables are spent, the contributor is willing, the authorities are obeyed, and corruption is avoided. That military expedition is all good. There is a military expedition in which valuables are not spent, the contributor is not willing, the authorities are not obeyed, and corruption is not avoided. The one who fights in that military expedition does not return with reward."

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Found In: Sahih Bukhari Chapter No: 23, Funerals (Al-Janaaiz)

Hadith no: 373 

Narrated: Usamah bin Zaid RA

The daughter of Rasulullah ﷺ sent (a messenger) to Rasulullah ﷺ requesting him to come as her child was dying (or was gasping), but Rasulullah ﷺ returned the messenger and told him to convey his greeting to her and say: "Whatever Allah takes is for Him and whatever He gives, is for Him, and everything with Him has a limited fixed term (in this world) and so she should be patient and hope for Allah's reward." She again sent for him, swearing that he should come. Rasulullah ﷺ got up, and so did Sad bin 'Ubadah RA, Muadh bin Jabal RA, Ubai bin Ka'b RA, Zaid bin Thabit RA and some other men. The child was brought to Rasulullah ﷺ while his breath was disturbed in his chest (the sub-narrator thinks that Usamah added: ) as if it was a leather water-skin. On that the eyes of Rasulullah ﷺ started shedding tears. Sad RA said, "O Allah's Apostle! What is this?" Rasulullah ﷺ replied, "It is mercy which Allah has lodged in the hearts of His slaves, and Allah is merciful only to those of His slaves who are merciful (to others).

Relevance: 12.7745

Selected Video about Saidina Mu'adh Ibn Jabal RA

Video 1-  English

Video 2 - English

Video 3 - German 1

Video 4 - German 2

Video 5 - German 3

Video 6 - German 4

Video 7 - English

Sa'ad Ibn Mu’adh RA

Promise of Paradise - Rejoice Abu Amr!!

Sa’ad ibn Mu'adh (Arabic: سعد ابن معاذ‎) was the chief of the Banu Aws tribe in Madinah and one of the prominent companions of Rasulullah ﷺ during early Madinan period who died shortly after the Battle of the Trench or Khandak.

He committed himself to Islam at the age of 31 and won martyrdom at 37. This seven years lapse was a tough one in which Sa'ad Ibn Mu’adh RA exerted all his energy in the service of Allah and Rasulullah ﷺ. Rasulullah ﷺ

Look! Do you see that handsome, gallant, tall man with a radiant face? He is the one. Sa'ad Ibn Mu’adh RA.

 

Illustration Only: Among the earliest to embrace Islam
from the Dakwah of Musaib Ibn Umayr RA.

Sa'ad Ibn Mu’adh ran quickly to As'ad Ibn Zurarah to see this man who came from Makkah, Musa’ab Ibn 'Umair RA, whom Rasulullah ﷺ had sent to Al-Madinah to call people to commit themselves to Islam and monotheism. Sa'ad Ibn Mu’adh was going there to drive this stranger out of Al-Madinah along with his religion! But no sooner had he approached Musa'ab's assembly at the house of his nephew, As'ad Ibn Zurarah, than his heart was revived by a sweet pacifying breeze. No sooner had he reached those men who gathered there, taken his place among them and listened intently to Musa’ab's words than Allah The Most Exalted guided him to the right path that illuminated his heart and soul. In one of the incredible miracles of fate, the leader of the Ansar put aside his spear and shook hands with Musa’ab ibn Umair RA as a sign of his allegiance to Rasulullah ﷺ.

A new sun shone above Al-Madinah as soon as Sa'ad Ibn Mu'adh RA committed himself to Islam. It would encompass many hearts that would revolve in the sphere of Islam later on. Sa'ad Ibn Mu'adh RA committed himself to Islam and withstood the hardships that ensued with much heroism and greatness. When Rasulullah ﷺ emigrated to Al-Madinah, the houses of Bani Al-Ashhal — Sa’ad's tribe — welcomed the Muhajirun, and their money was utterly at their disposal without arrogance, abuse, or limitation.

When the Battle of Badr was about to take place, Rasulullah ﷺ gathered his Companions, both Ansar and Muhajirun, to consult them on the preparations for war. His amiable face turned towards the Ansar and he addressed them saying, "I want to know your opinion about what should be done concerning the imminent battle."

Sa'ad Ibn Mu'adh RA stood up and said "O Rasulullah, we firmly believe in you, and we witness that what descends on you is the truth. We swore a solemn oath and gave you the allegiance, so go ahead with whatever you want, and we shall stand by your side. We swear by Allah Who has sent you with the truth that if you reach the sea and cross it, we will cross it hand in hand with you. No man will lag or stay behind. We are absolutely ready to go to war against our enemy tomorrow for we are given to terrible warfare and we are sincere in our desire to meet Allah. I hope that Allah will make us do what will make you proud of us. So go on with whatever is in your mind. Allah blesses you."

 

Illustration Only: The noblest of warrior and devout followers
of  Muhammad PBUH.

Sa'ad Ibn Mu'adh RA's words made Rasulullah ﷺ’s face brighten with satisfaction and happiness as he addressed the Muslims and said, "Rejoice, for Allah promised me one of the two parties of the enemy (either the army or the caravan). By Allah I can almost see with my own eyes where each one of the enemy will be killed."

In the Battle of Uhud, the Muslims lost control and dispersed as they were taken by surprise by the army of disbelievers. Everything was hectic, yet Sa'ad Ibn Mu'adh RA stood there as if pinned to the ground next to Rasulullah ﷺ. He defended him courageously as a noble warrior should do.

The Battle of Al-Khandaq came as a suitable opportunity for Sa'ad Ibn Mu'adh RA to show his admirable manliness and amazing valor. The Khandaq Battle came as a clear sign for the shrewd and deceitful schemes with which Muslims were being ruthlessly haunted by an enemy who had no consideration whatsoever for justice or covenant. For while Rasulullah ﷺ and his Companions were living in Al-Madinah in peace, reminding one another to worship and obey Allah, hoping that the Quraish would refrain from their hostility, a group of Jewish leaders stealthily headed for Makkah to instigate the Quraish against Rasulullah ﷺ. The Jews pledged to help the Quraish if they decided to raid Al- Madinah. They made an agreement with the disbelievers and even laid down the battle plan. Moreover, on their way home they incited Bani Ghatafan — one of the biggest Arab tribes —and made an agreement with its leaders to join forces with the Quraish army.

 

Illustration Only: His longing for martyrdom. 

The war plan was ready and everyone knew his role. The Quraish and Ghatafan were to attack Al-Madinah with an enormous army, whereas the Jews were to sabotage Al-Madinah simultaneously with the attack.

When Rasulullah ﷺ found out the treacherous scheme.  Rasulullah ﷺ resorted to counter the plot. First, he ordered his Companions to dig a trench around Al-Madinah to hold back the attackers. Second, he sent Sa'ad Ibn Mu'adh RA and Sa'ad Ibn 'Ubadah RA to Ka'b Ibn Asad, the leader of Bani Quraizah, to learn exactly where they stood concerning the imminent war. At that time, mutual agreements and treaties were already signed between Rasulullah ﷺ and the Jews of Bani Quraizah. The two messengers of Rasulullah ﷺ met with the Jewish leader, yet to their surprise he denied the agreement by saying, "We did not sign any agreement or treaty with Muhammad."

It was hard for Rasulullah ﷺ to expose the people of Al-Madinah to such a deadly invasion and exhausting siege; therefore, the only answer was to neutralize Ghatafan so that the attacking army would lose half of its men and strength. Rasulullah ﷺ began to negotiate with the Ghatafan leaders so that they would forsake the Quraish in exchange for one third of Al-Madinah’s crops. The leaders of Ghatafan accepted this agreement, and both parties were to sign it shortly.

Rasulullah ﷺ could not go any further without consulting his Companions. Rasulullah ﷺ valued Sa'ad Ibn Mu'adh RA and Sa'ad Ibn 'Ubadah’s opinion, for they were the leaders of Al- Madinah and had the right to have a say in any decision that affected it.

Rasulullah ﷺ told them about his negotiations and that he had resorted to this compensation lest Al-Madinah and its inhabitants be exposed to this dangerous attack and horrible siege. Both Sa’ad’s asked Rasulullah ﷺ "Is it a matter of choice or is it an inspiration from Allah?" Rasulullah ﷺ answered, "It is actually a matter that I chose for you. By Allah, I only do this because I can clearly see that the Arabs joined forces to strike you as one man so I want to curb their strength." Sa'ad Ibn Mu'adh RA had the intuition that their fate as men and as believers was being subtly tested so he said, "O Messenger of Allah, when we and those Jews were disbelievers and polytheists, they did not even dream of eating a date from our land unless we gave it to them out of generosity, hospitality, or for trade purposes. So how is it, after Allah has guided us to Islam and made us honored by it and by you, that we give them our money? By Allah, we can do without this agreement, and we will give them nothing but warfare until Allah settles our dispute." Rasulullah ﷺ at once changed his mind and notified Ghatafan leaders that his Companions rejected the proposed agreement and that he approved and supported their opinion.

 

The pious companion of Prophet Muhammad SAW.
Sa'ad Ibn Mu'adh RA.

A few days later Al-Madinah witnessed a horrible siege. It was, in fact, a siege which it brought upon itself rather than was forced upon it due to the trench that was dug as a protection and safely procedure. The Muslims were prepared for war. Sa'ad Ibn Mu'adh RA marched around with his sword and spear and recited lines of poetry that mean, "I waited anxiously for the battle to start. How beautiful death seems when the time is the right time."

In one of the rounds of war, Sa’ad’s arm was showered with the arrows of one of the disbelievers, and blood gushed severely from his wounds. Sa'ad Ibn Mu'adh RA received first aid assistance to stop the bleeding, and then Rasulullah ﷺ ordered him carried to the mosque where a tent was put up so that he would be near Rasulullah ﷺ while he was nursed. The Muslims carried their great hero into the Rasulullah's mosque and Sa'ad Ibn Mu'adh RA looked up to the sky and said, "O Allah our Lord, if the war against the Quraish is to last any longer, please do let me live a little while longer to fight against them, for I like nothing better than fighting those people who hurt Your Rasul, disbelieved him, and even drove him to emigrate. But if the war has already ended, please make my wounds pave my way to martyrdom. I implore You, dear Allah, not to let me die until I avenge myself upon Bani Quraizah!"

Allah will stand by you, Sa'ad Ibn Mu'adh! For who could say such a thing in such a situation but you? Allah did fulfill his supplication. His injury caused his death a month later, but he did not die until he had taken his revenge on the Jews of Bani Quraizah. After the Quraish became desperate in their attempt to vanquish Al-Madinah and their soldiers were gripped by panic, they took their arms and equipment and returned to Makkah ashamed and disappointed.

Rasulullah ﷺ believed that Al-Madinah had been compromised by the deceit and treachery of the Jews for too long. They left the Muslims in the lurch whenever they chose, a thing that Rasulullah ﷺ could no longer accept. Therefore, he ordered his Companions to march towards Bani Quraizah, and there the Muslims besieged them for 25 days. When the Jews were certain that there was no escape from the Muslims, they pleaded with Rasulullah ﷺ to let Sa'ad Ibn Mu'adh RA, their ally in pagan times, decide what would become of them.

Rasulullah ﷺ sent his Companions to bring Sa'ad Ibn Mu'adh RA from his tent at the mosque. Sa'ad Ibn Mu'adh RA came carried on a camel and he looked so pale and sick. Rasulullah ﷺ addressed him, “Sa’ad Ibn Mu'adh, decide what should be done to Bani Quraizah." Sa'ad Ibn Mu'adh RA remembered their treachery and deceit in general and in the Battle of Al Khandaq in particular, when Al-Madinah had come too close to its ruin, and said, "I say kill their warriors, capture their children, and distribute their money." Thus Sa'ad Ibn Mu'adh RA did not die until he had taken his revenge.

Sa'ad Ibn Mu'adh RA’s wounds became worse every day. One day, Rasulullah ﷺ visited Sa'd and found him on the verge of death, so Rasulullah ﷺ put his head on his blessed lap and called upon Allah, "O Allah, Our Lord, Sa'ad has striven hard in the way of Allah. Sa’ad believed in Your Prophet and did his very best. So please do accept his soul with goodly acceptance." The words of Rasulullah ﷺ fell like coolness and safety on the departing noble soul. Sa'ad Ibn Mu'adh RA strove to open his eyes, hoping that the last face he saw would be the Prophet's and said, ". ﷺ Ya Rasulullah! I do witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah."

 

Illustration Only: Promise of Paradise...

Rasulullah ﷺ took a farewell look of Sa'ad Ibn Mu'adh RA's face and said, "Rejoice, Abu ‘Amr." Abu Sa’id Al-Khudriy RA said, "I was one of those who dug Sa’ad’s grave, and each time we dug out a layer of sand, we smelled musk. This went on until we reached his burial niche." Sa’ad’s death was a tragic loss for the Muslims. Their only consolation was when they heard Rasulullah ﷺ say, "The throne of the Most Beneficent shook when Sa'ad Ibn Mu'adh RA died."

Selected Hadiths Narrated by and Attributed to Sa’ad ibn Mu’adh RA.

Found In: Imam Malik's Muwatta Chapter No: 24, Slaughtering Animals

Hadith no: 4 

Narrated: Yahya

Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi from a man of the Ansar from Muadh Ibn Sad or Sad Ibn Muadh that a slave-girl of Kab Ibn Malik was herding some sheep at Sal (a mountain near Madina). One of the sheep was about to die, so she went over to it and slaughtered it with a stone. Rasulullah ﷺ was asked about that, and he said, "There is no harm in it, so eat it."

Relevance: 12.553

Found In: Sunan Ibn Majah Chapter No: 1, The Book of the Sunnah

Hadith no: 158 

Narrated: Jabir

“Rasulullah ﷺ said: 'The Throne of the Most Merciful trembled upon the death of Sad bin Muadh.'” (Sahih)

Relevance: 9.4425

Found In: Imam Malik's Muwatta Chapter No: 49, The Description of the Prophet, may Allah Bless Him and Grant Him Peace

Hadith no: 25 

Narrated:

Yahya related to me from Malik from Zayd Ibn Aslam from Amr Ibn Sad Ibn Muadh from his grandmother that Rasulullah ﷺ said, "O trusting women, none of you must consider even a roasted sheep's trotter too small to give to her neighbor."

Relevance: 8.1876

Found In: Imam Malik's Muwatta Chapter No: 16, Burials

Hadith no: 33 

Narrated:

Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya Ibn Said from Wafid Ibn Amr Ibn Said Ibn Muadh from Nafi Ibn Jubayr Ibn Mutim from Masud Ibn al-Hakam from AIi Ibn Abi Talib that Rasulullah ﷺ used to stand up when a funeral procession passed by, and then sit down again afterwards.

Relevance: 7.9222

Found In: Sahih Bukhari Chapter No: 54, Jihad (Fighting for the cause of Allah)

Hadith no: 67 

Narrated: Anas bin Malik

My uncle Anas bin An-Nadr was absent from the Battle of Badr. He said, "O Allah's Rasul ﷺ  I was absent from the first battle you fought against the Mushrikun (Pagans). (By Allah), If Allah gives me a chance to fight the Mushrikun (pagans) no doubt Allah will see how (bravely) I will fight." On the day of Uhud when the Muslims turned their backs and fled, he said,

 "O Allah! I apologize to You for what these (i.e. his companions) have done, and I denounce what these Mushrikun (i.e. the pagans) have done." 

Then he advanced and Sa’ad bin Muadh RA met him. He said "O Sa’ad bin Muadh RA! By the Lord of An-Nadr, Paradise! I am smelling its aroma coming from before (the mountain of) Uhud," Later on Sa’ad said, "O Allah's Rasul ﷺ I cannot achieve or do what he (i.e. Anas bin An-Nadr) did. We found more than eighty wounds by swords and arrows on his body. We found him dead and his body was mutilated so badly that none except his sister could recognize him by his fingers." We used to think that the following Verse was revealed concerning him and other men of his sort:

"Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah..." till the end of the verse (33.23)

His sister Ar-Rubai broke a front tooth of a woman and Allah's Rasul ﷺ ordered for retaliation. On that Anas (bin An-Nadr) said, "O Allah's Rasul ﷺ By Him Who has sent you with the Truth, my sister's tooth shall not be broken." Then the opponents of Anas's sister accepted the compensation and gave up the claim of retaliation. So Allah's Rasul ﷺ said, "There are some people amongst Allah's slaves whose oaths are fulfilled by Allah when they take them."

Relevance: 7.8574

Found In: Sunan Ibn Majah Chapter No: 1, The Book of the Sunnah

Hadith no: 157 

Narrated: Bara bin Azib

“Rasulullah ﷺ was given a gift of a length of silk fabric. The people started passing it around to one another. Rasulullah ﷺ said: 'Are you admiring this?' They said: 'Yes, O Rasul of Allah.' Rasulullah ﷺ said: 'By the One in Whose Hand is my soul! The handkerchief of Sa’ad bin Muadh RA in Paradise is better than this.'” (Sahih)

Relevance: 7.7183

Found In: Sahih Bukhari Chapter No: 49, Gifts, The superiority of giving and extortion of

Hadith no: 797 

Narrated: Anas

A Jubba (i.e. cloak) made of thick silken cloth was presented to Rasulullah ﷺ. Rasulullah ﷺ used to forbid people to wear silk. So, the people were pleased to see it. Rasulullah ﷺ said, "By Him in Whose Hands Muhammad's soul is, the handkerchiefs of Sa’ad bin Muadh in Paradise are better than this." Anas added, "The present was sent to Rasulullah ﷺ by Ukaidir (a Christian) from Dauma."

Relevance: 7.4716

Found In: Sahih Muslim Chapter No: 1, Faith (Kitab Al Iman)

Hadith no: 214 

Narrated: Anas bin Malik

That when this verse was revealed

“O ye who believe! raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet, nor shout loud unto him in discourse, as ye shout loud unto one another, lest your deeds should become null and void, while you perceive not" (49:2-5),

Thabit bin Qais RA confined himself in his house and said: I am one of the denizens of Fire, and he deliberately avoided coming to Rasulullah ﷺ. Rasulullah ﷺ asked Sa’ad bin Muadh about him and said, Abu Amr, how is Thabit? Has he fallen sick? Sa’ad bin Mu’adh RA said: He is my neighbor, but I do not know of his illness. Sa’ad bin Mu’adh RA came to him (Thabit), and conveyed to him the message of Rasulullah ﷺ. 

Upon this Thabit said: This verse was revealed, and you are well aware of the fact that, amongst all of you, mine is the voice louder than that of Rasulullah ﷺ, and so I am one amongst the denizens of Fire, Sa’ad bin Mu’adh RA Informed Rasulullah ﷺ about it. Upon this Rasulullah ﷺ observed: (Nay, not so) but he (Thabit) is one of the dwellers of Paradise.

Relevance: 5.5371

Found In: Sahih Bukhari Chapter No: 50, Witnesses

Hadith no: 842 

Narrated: Aisyah RA

(The wife of Rasulullah ﷺ) "Whenever Rasulullah ﷺ intended to go on a journey, he would draw lots amongst his wives and would take with him the one upon whom the lot fell. During a Ghazwah of his, he drew lots amongst us and the lot fell upon me, and I proceeded with him after Allah had decreed the use of the veil by women. I was carried in a Hawdaj (on the camel) and dismounted while still in it. When Rasulullah ﷺ was through with his Ghazwah and returned home and we approached the city of Madinah, Rasulullah ﷺ ordered us to proceed at night. When the order of setting off was given, I walked till I was past the army to answer the call of nature. After finishing I returned (to the camp) to depart (with the others) and suddenly realized that my necklace over my chest was missing. So, I returned to look for it and was delayed because of that. 

The people, who used to carry me on the camel, came to my Hawdaj and put it on the back of the camel, thinking that I was in it, as, at that time, women were light in weight, and thin and lean, and did not use to eat much. So, those people did not feel the difference in the heaviness of the Hawdaj while lifting it, and they put it over the camel. At that time I was a young lady. They set the camel moving and proceeded on. I found my necklace after the army had gone, and came to their camp to find nobody. So, I went to the place where I used to stay, thinking that they would discover my absence and come back in my search. While in that state, I felt sleepy and slept. Safwan bin Muattal As-Sulami Adh-Dhakwani was behind the army and reached my abode in the morning. 

When he saw a sleeping person, he came to me, and he used to see me before veiling. So, I got up when I heard him saying, "Inna lil-lah-wa inn a ilaihi rajiun (We are for Allah, and we will return to Him)." He made his camel knell down. He got down from his camel, and put his leg on the front legs of the camel and then I rode and sat over it. Safwan set out walking, leading the camel by the rope till we reached the army who had halted to take rest at midday. Then whoever was meant for destruction, fell into destruction, (some people accused me falsely) and the leader of the false accusers was Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salul. After that we returned to Madinah, and I became ill for one month while the people were spreading the forged statements of the false accusers. 

I was feeling during my ailment as if I were not receiving the usual kindness from Rasulullah ﷺ which I used to receive from him when I got sick.  But he would come, greet and say, 'How is that (girl)?' I did not know anything of what was going on till I recovered from my ailment and went out with Um Mistah to the Manasi where we used to answer the call of nature, and we used not to go to answer the call of nature except from night to night and that was before we had lavatories near to our houses. And this habit of ours was similar to the habit of the old Arabs in the open country (or away from houses). So, I and Um Mistah bint Ruhm went out walking. Um Mistah stumbled because of her long dress and on that she said, 'Let Mistah be ruined.' I said, 'You are saying a bad word. Why are you abusing a man who took part in (the battle of) Badr?' She said, 'O Hanata (you there) didn't you hear what they said?' 

Then she told me the rumors of the false accusers. My sickness was aggravated, and when I returned home, Rasulullah ﷺ came to me, and after greeting he said, 'How is that (girl)?' I requested him to allow me to go to my parents. I wanted then to be sure of the news through them, Rasulullah ﷺ allowed me, and I went to my parents and asked my mother, 'What are the people talking about?' She said, 'O my daughter! Don't worry much about this matter. By Allah, never is there a charming woman loved by her husband who has other wives, but the women would forge false news about her.' I said, 'Glorified be Allah! Are the people really taking of this matter?' 

That night I kept on weeping and could not sleep till morning. In the morning Rasulullah ﷺ called Ali bin Abu Talib RA and Usamah bin Zaid RA when he saw the Divine Inspiration delayed, to consul them about divorcing his wife (i.e. 'Aisyah). Usamah bin Zaid RA said what he knew of the good reputation of his wives and added, 'O Rasulullah! Keep you wife, for, by Allah, we know nothing about her but good.' 'Ali bin Abu Talib said, 'O Rasulullah! Allah has no imposed restrictions on you, and there are many women other than her, yet you may ask the woman-servant who will tell you the truth.' On that Rasulullah ﷺ called Barira and said, 'O Burair. Did you ever see anything which roused your suspicions about her?' Barira said, 'No, by Allah Who has sent you with the Truth, I have never seen in her anything faulty except that she is a girl of immature age, who sometimes sleeps and leaves the dough for the goats to eat.' On that day Rasulullah ﷺ ascended the pulpit and requested that somebody support him in punishing 'Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salul. Rasulullah ﷺ said, 'Who will support me to punish that person (Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salul) who has hurt me by slandering the reputation of my family? By Allah, I know nothing about my family but good, and they have accused a person about whom I know nothing except good, and he never entered my house except in my company.' 

Sa’ad bin Muadh RA got up and said, 'O Rasulullah ﷺ! by Allah, I will relieve you from him. If that man is from the tribe of the Aus, then we will chop his head off, and if he is from our brothers, the Khazraj, then order us, and we will fulfill your order.' On that Sa’ad bin Ubadah RA, the chief of the Khazraj and before this incident, he had been a pious man, got up, motivated by his zeal for his tribe and said, 'By Allah, you have told a lie; you cannot kill him, and you will never be able to kill him.' On that Usaid bin Al-Hadir got up and said (to Sa’ad bin Ubadah), 'By Allah! You are a liar. By Allah, we will kill him; and you are a hypocrite, defending the hypocrites.' On this the two tribes of Aus and Khazraj got excited and were about to fight each other, while Rasulullah ﷺ was standing on the pulpit. Rasulullah ﷺ got down and quietened them till they became silent and he kept quiet. On that day I kept on weeping so much so that neither did my tears stop, nor could I sleep. In the morning my parents were with me and I had wept for two nights and a day, till I thought my liver would burst from weeping. While they were sitting with me and I was weeping, an Ansari woman asked my permission to enter, and I allowed her to come in. She sat down and started weeping with me. While we were in this state, Rasulullah ﷺ came and sat down and he had never sat with me since the day they forged the accusation. No revelation regarding my case came to him for a month. Rasulullah ﷺ recited Tashahhud (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is His Rasul ﷺ and then said, 'O Aisyah! I have been informed such-and-such about you; if you are innocent, then Allah will soon reveal your innocence, and if you have committed a sin, then repent to Allah and ask Him to forgive you, for when a person confesses his sin and asks Allah for forgiveness, Allah accepts his repentance.' When Rasulullah ﷺ finished his speech my tears ceased completely and there remained not even a single drop of it. 

I requested my father to reply to Rasulullah ﷺ on my behalf. My father said, By Allah, I do not know what to say to Rasulullah ﷺ ' I said to my mother, 'Talk to Rasulullah ﷺ on my behalf.' She said, 'By Allah, I do not know what to say to Rasulullah ﷺ. I was a young girl and did not have much knowledge of the Quran. I said. 'I know, by Allah, that you have listened to what people are saying and that has been planted in your minds and you have taken it as a truth. Now, if I told you that I am innocent and Allah knows that I am innocent, you would not believe me and if I confessed to you falsely that I am guilty, and Allah knows that I am innocent you would believe me. By Allah, I don't compare my situation with you except to the situation of Yusuf's (Joseph's) father (i.e. Jacob) who said;

“So (for me) patience is most fitting against that which you assert and it is Allah (Alone) whose help can be sought.”

 Then I turned to the other side of my bed hoping that Allah would prove my innocence. By Allah I never thought that Allah would reveal Divine Inspiration in my case, as I considered myself too inferior to be talked of in the Holy Quran. I had hoped that Rasulullah ﷺ might have a dream in which Allah would prove my innocence. By Allah, Rasulullah ﷺ had not got up and nobody had left the house before the Divine Inspiration came to Rasulullah ﷺ. So, there overtook him the same state which used to overtake him, (when he used to have, on being inspired divinely). Rasulullah ﷺ was sweating so much so that the drops of the sweat were dropping like pearls though it was a (cold) wintry day. When that state of Rasulullah ﷺ was over, Rasulullah ﷺ was smiling and the first word he said, Aisyah! Thank Allah, for Allah has declared your innocence.'

My mother told me to go to Rasulullah ﷺ, I replied, 'By Allah I will not go to him and will not thank but Allah.'

So Allah revealed:

"Verily! They who spread the slander are a gang among you . . ."

(24.11)

When Allah The Most Knower gave the declaration of my Innocence, Saidina Abu Bakr RA, who used to provide for Mistah bin Athatha for he was his relative, said, 'By Allah, I will never provide Mistah with anything because of what he said about Aisyah.'

But Allah later revealed:

“And let not those who are good and wealthy among you swear not to help their kinsmen, those in need and those who left their homes in Allah's Cause. Let them forgive and overlook. Do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? Verily! Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful."

(24.22)

After that Saidina Abu Bakr RA said, 'Yes ! By Allah! I like that Allah should forgive me,' and resumed helping Mistah whom he used to help before. Rasulullah ﷺ also asked Zainab bint Jahsh (i.e. Rasulullah ﷺ)'s wife about me saying, 'What do you know and what did you see?' She replied, 'O Rasulullah ﷺ I refrain to claim hearing or seeing what I have not heard or seen. By Allah, I know nothing except goodness about Aisyah." Aisyah further added "Zainab was competing with me (in her beauty and Rasulullah ﷺ 's love), yet Allah protected her (from being malicious), for she had piety."

Relevance: 1.5862

Selected Video about Sa’ad Ibn Mu’adh RA

Video 1 - English

Video 2 - French

Video 3 - English

Video 4 - English
Video 5 -  English (French Subtitle)