Abu Bahr @ Al-Ahnaf ibn Qays (Arabic: الأحنف بن قيس) was a Muslim general who lived during the time of Rasulullahﷺ. He hailed from the Arab tribe of Banu Tamim and was born to two noble parents. His father named him ad-Dhahhak, but everybody called him al-Ahnaf (straight path.)
In the third year before the Hijri, Qais bin Muawiyah as-Sa'di was blessed with a baby boy. He was given the name adh-Dhahhak, but people called him Ahnaf because of his crooked legs (like the letter X), a nickname that was more appropriate than his own name. Until the nickname seems to have become his name.
Ahnaf's father, whose name is Qais, is not a leader of his race, nor is he from a low class. Their position is intermediate. Ahnaf was born on the West side of Yamamah, precisely in the Najd district. Little Ahnaf grew up as an orphan because his father was killed when he was very young. The light of Islam shone in the boy's heart since he had not yet grown his mustache.
Rasulullahﷺ once sent some companions to the people of Ahnaf bin Qais a few years before his death to call them to Islam. They met the figures of the race while giving encouragement to faith and offering Islam.
Al-Ahnaf never met Rasulullahﷺ because he remained with his people during Rasulullahﷺ's lifetime. After Rasulullahﷺ's demised in 632, many tribes reneged and rebelled but al-Ahnaf and his people remained Muslims. When he heard about Musaylimah's claim of prophecy, Al-Ahnaf ibn Qays رضي الله عنه went with his uncle to meet him. After listening to Musaylimah, he returned to his people and discouraged them from hearing his falsehood.
The people were silent for a moment listening to the friend's invitation. They looked at each other when suddenly the young Ahnaf who was also present raised his voice: "My brothers, why do you have to doubt? For God's sake, the messenger who came to you is the best messenger. They encourage good behavior and forbid bad behavior. By God, we see nothing from them but goodness, so welcome this call of guidance, surely you will be happy in this world and the hereafter."
Finally, the people embraced Islam simultaneously with Ahnaf رضي الله عنه. Then they sent a messenger to Rasulullahﷺ, but Ahnaf رضي الله عنه was not included because he was still too young. So that he did not get the honor of being one of the friends. However, he was not prevented from finding the pleasure of Rasulullahﷺ and his prayers to him.
During the Caliphate of Umar رضي الله عنه .
Ahnaf رضي الله عنه told his story, "Once during the reign of Saiyidina Umar bin Khattab رضي الله عنه, I was doing tawaf in Baitul Atiq (Kaaba) and met someone I already knew. He held my hand and said, "Shall I give you good news?" I said, "Yes of course." He said, "Do you remember when I was sent by Rasulullahﷺ to call your people to Islam? I persuaded them and offered Islam, then you said something to them?” I replied, "Yes, I remember." He continued, "When I came to Rasulullahﷺ and told him about what you said, he prayed, "O Allah, grant your forgiveness to Ahnaf."
So Ahnaf رضي الله عنه said, "There is not one of the deeds that I hope will be more beneficial on the Day of Judgment except the prayer of Rasulullahﷺ."
After the demised of Rasulullahﷺ, a false prophet appeared, Musailamah al-Kadzab, who led others astray with his disobedience. So many people are apostatized because of it. Together with his uncle Mutasyamas, Ahnaf رضي الله عنه came to find clarity about it. At that time, Ahnaf was entering adolescence.
On the way home, the uncle asked Ahnaf Ahnaf رضي الله عنه, "What do you think about this person?" Ahnaf Ahnaf رضي الله عنه said, "I see he is a big liar to Allah and people." His uncle said jokingly, "You're not afraid if I report to him?"
Ahnaf رضي الله عنه said, "Then I will swear to my uncle in front of him, so do you dare to swear that you will not lie to him like I did?" They both laughed and remained in Islam.
Maybe you are surprised and amazed by Ahnaf's رضي الله عنه firmness in dealing with big things, even though he is still young.
But it may be that your astonishment about his hard character will fade away when you know that this Bani Tamim youth turns out to be a person with sharp analysis, a smart brain, accurate vision, and a pure soul.
This is because since Ahnaf رضي الله عنه was a child he used to sit together with
the leaders of his people, participate in their assemblies, attend gatherings
and diligently study from the scholars and his leaders.
Ahnaf رضي الله عنه told his story: "We often go to the assembly of Qais bin Asim al-Minqari to learn about the goodness of life as well as to scholars to gain religious knowledge."
When he asked, "What did you get from Qais about wisdom?"
Ahnaf رضي الله عنه replied, "One time I found him sitting in the front room of his house, he was talking to some of his people. Soon there was a commotion outside. Then some people came in carrying two young men, one of whom was bound and the other was dead. Someone reported: "Your nephew has killed your son so-and-so."
By Allah, at that time Qais bin Asim did not move from his seat or stop talking. Then he turned to his nephew and said, "O son of my brother, you killed your uncle's son. That means you have broken your own family ties with your hands, you threw yourself with your arrows."
Qais bin Asim رضي الله عنه said to his other sons, "Stand up, and untie your uncle's son." After that, bury your brother and send a hundred camels to the mother of this child as a dowry because she is from another family." Then he said to his nephew: "Come and bury his body!"
Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه also got a golden opportunity to learn from his companions, especially from Saiyidina al-Faruq Umar bin Khattab رضي الله عنه. Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه attended Saiyidina Umar's رضي الله عنه assemblies, listened to his advice, and studied various laws and criminal law. Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه is one of Saiyidina Umar's رضي الله عنه successful students and is highly influenced by his teacher's character.
Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه was once asked where he got his authority and wisdom. He replied, "From the sentences, I heard from Amirul Mu'minin Umar bin Khattab رضي الله who said:
Whoever jokes a lot will lose his authority
Whoever exaggerates something, will be known by his habit.
He who talks a lot makes a lot of mistakes.
Whoever has many faults, shame will be reduced
Whoever loses his shame also loses his character
And whoever has a little character then his heart will die.
Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه has an honorable position in the eyes of his people. Although Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه does not have a high position, neither is his mother's father who is respected by his people. Many times people asked him about his secret, among them asking, "How do your people consider you as a leader, O Abu Bahr?" Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه replied:
"Whoever has four things, then he will be able to lead his people and will not be hindered from getting that position."
The person asked: "What are the four things?"
Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه replied: "Religion as his shield,
glory that protects him, the reason that guides him, and shame that controls
him."
Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه is one of the most open-minded figures in Arabia, so his patient nature is made a parable. One time Amru bin Ahtam used someone to insult Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه with hurtful words, but the one who was insulted just remained silent and bowed his head. Seeing that the one being scolded didn't bother him, the person bit his finger and muttered, "Woe to me! By Allah, he doesn't want to care because I'm looked down upon by him!"
When Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه almost reached his tribe's territory, he turned to the person and said, "O my brother's son, if you still have a grudge against me in your heart, damn it all will be thrown here, because if anyone among my tribe hears your swearing, they will certainly beat you up. "
Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه also includes people who diligently worship, fast, and are ascetic to anything that belongs to others. When the noble night was dark, he lit the lantern and placed it by his side. After that, he began to pray at his mihrab, standing trembling like a sick person crying because he was afraid of the punishment and wrath of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala.
Every time he remembered his sins or flaws and faults, Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه put his finger on the fire saying, "O Ahnaf, feel this, What made you act like that on that day and at that time! Woe to you, Ahnaf! If you can't stand the heat of this lantern fire and can't be patient, how can you be able to stand the heat of hell fire and be patient with the pain?! Oh, Allah, if You grant me forgiveness, You are indeed the one who deserves it, if You torture me, I deserve it and You are the one who has the authority over that."
May Allah be pleased with Ahnaf, because he is a role model in every
era and a special example for mankind.
When Saiyidina Umar's رضي الله عنه became caliph in 634, the Muslim conquests outside the Arabian Peninsula increased, and Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه encouraged his people to participate. When the Persians surrounded a Muslim division led by al-'Alaa ibn al-Hadrami, in Iraq, Saiyidina Umar's رضي الله عنه ordered Utbah ibn Ghazwanرضي الله عنه to go to their rescue. Utbah ibn Ghazwanرضي الله عنه sent a force of 12,000, most of them from the Banu Tamim, and among them was al-Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه who played a major role in breaking the siege.
In 639 Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه came back to Madinah bringing
news of the conquest of Tustar,
and informing Saiyidina Umar's رضي الله عنه of affairs
in Persia.
After listening to him, Umar said;
Maybe the Persians
breach the treaties so often because the Muslims mistreat them?
Al-Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه replied:
You have forbidden us to
pursue any further conquest, and the Persian emperor is now in safety among his
people. They will continue to be at war with us as long as he is commanding
them to do so… unless you allow us to pursue further into the conquest.
Saiyidina Umar's رضي الله عنه gave him permission
to pursue Yazdgerd III,
and put Al-Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه at the head of an army to complete the conquest of Khurasan in
the last stages of its annexation.
Al-Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه followed the
Persian leader Yazdgerd III until
he barricaded himself in the town of Marwir-Rawdh. Yazdgerd III wrote
to the Turkic and Chinese rulers seeking help. Al-Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه sent for reinforcement from Kufah and finally
captured Marwir-Rawdah, completing the conquest of Khurasan.
Towns beyond Khurasan
signed peace agreements with Al-Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه. Al-Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه then sent a letter to Saiyidina Umar's رضي الله عنه informing him of
the conquest but added that Yazdgerd III had
escaped and fled to Balkh. Saiyidina Umar's رضي الله عنه forbade him to
continue deeper into Persia but ordered him to consolidate Islam in the conquered
lands. Al-Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه obeyed the orders but kept an eye on Yazdgerd III‘s
moves. When he later learned that the Turks joined
the Persians and were both approaching, he rallied his army and camped outside
the town. With an army that was only a fraction of the enemy's, he managed to defeat
the Persians in Battle
of Oxus river, killing their leader, while the Turks
retreated to their land. Yazdgerd III then
fled eastward from one district to another, until at last he was killed by a
local miller for his purse at Merv, Turkmenistan in
651.
During and After the Fitnah
Al-Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه returned to Basra after the campaigns in Persia and remained serving Islam, until the time of the caliph Saiyidina Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه when the Muslims were split into two warring parties. Al-Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه isolated himself from this trial and sent a message to Saiyidina Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله saying: "I will restrain ten thousand swords from fighting you."
When Muawiyahرضي الله عنه became caliph in 661, Al-Ahnaf bin Qaisرضي الله عنه visited him and warned him strongly against fighting the Muslims or engaging in any Fitnah (trial). When he left, the caliph's sister said angrily: "Who was that man who warned and threatened you?" He replied:
"He is the one, who if he gets angry, a hundred thousand men from Banu Tamim get angry for him without knowing the reason behind his anger".
Further story of Al Ahnaf's رضي الله عنه straightforwardness in reminding Muawiyah.
At that time, the city of Damascus was smiling sweetly welcoming
the arrival of spring. Proud of the fertility of the land and its beautiful
gardens.
That day Amirul Mu'minin Muawiyah bin Abi Sufyan رضي الله عنه was preparing to receive the messengers in the palace. When the first opportunity opened, Ummul Hakam bint Abi Sufyan immediately took her seat behind the curtain. From there he could listen to discussions in his sister's assembly about the hadiths of the Rasulullahﷺ. Muawiyah bin Abi Sufyan رضي الله عنه fills himself with everything he hears from the palace advisers, reports about various things, strange news, beautiful poems, or sublime wisdom.
This noble princess is very intelligent and eager to reach the height of dignity. While his sister accepted the people facing her based on her position. The companions of Rasulullahﷺ were always given priority over others, only then following the tabi'in figures, scholars, and nobles.
Unlike usual, Ummul Hakam found that her brother's first guest brought a rather tense and thrilling atmosphere. He heard her brother say, "By Allah, O Al Ahnaf's رضي الله عنه, every time I remember the battle of Shiffin and how you favored Saiyidina Ali bin Abi Talib رضي الله عنه and then left us, the regret in my heart will not be cured."
His interlocutor answered no less firmly.
"For God's sake, O Mua'awiyah, hatred is still in our hearts and the swords we used to fight you are still in our hands. If you advance one step we will advance ten steps, if you advance by walking, then we will advance by running. By God, we are not here to beg from you or because of your angry bluff. We came here to strengthen the fractured relationship between us, unify opinions and unite Muslims."
After that the guest excused himself.
Curiosity appeared in Ummul Hakam's mind. The veil was opened to see who was rude to the caliph. It turned out that he was a small person, his head was bald, his chin was tilted, his eyes were sunken and his legs were bent inward. There is no lack of body that man has unless he gets his share.
Ummul Hakam turned to her brother and said, "O Commander of the Faithful, who is that person? Dare to threaten the caliph in his home." Mu'awiyah took a deep breath and said, "That's right if he is angry then a hundred thousand people of Bani Tamim will be angry without knowing why. He is Ahnaf bin Qais, the leader of Bani Tamim and the hero of the Arab nation.
During the Second Fitnah, he participated in Battles of Madhar and Harura leading the Tamim tribes.
Al-Ahnaf spent the rest of his life in Kufah where he died at the age of seventy.
Source: They are Tabi'in, Dr. Abdurrahman Ra'at Basya, At-Tibyan,
Print VIII, 2009
Sumber: Mereka adalah Para Tabi’in, Dr. Abdurrahman Ra’at
Basya, At-Tibyan, Cetakan VIII, 2009
