Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه
Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه, who became a Muslim after Rasulullahﷺ migrated to Madinah, was one of the notables of Ansar. He was among the
fortunate people in the Pledge of Ridwan, who vowed to be loyal to Rasulullahﷺ and received divine praise thanks to it. Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه belonged to the tribe of Ghifar.
His real name was “Kulthum bin Husayn” but he became famous with the nickname
“Abu Ruhm”.
Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه, who made great self-sacrifices for his belief
throughout his life, was appreciated and complimented by Rasulullahﷺ several
times. Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه was among the mujahids who acted perseveringly, repulsed the attack
of the enemy during the Battle of Uhud, and protected Rasulullahﷺ and the
dignity of Islam. During a hot moment of the battle, an arrow from the enemy
hit him in the chest. Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه was wounded severely. They took him to Rasulullahﷺ. Rasulullahﷺ wiped his wound with his spit. Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه recovered at once and
continued to fight. After this incident, the Companions gave him the nickname
“manhur” (the slaughtered one).
Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه took part in the conquest of Khaybar too. Rasulullahﷺ gave him two shares from the booty due to his heroism there. Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه was also among the Companions who were near Rasulullahﷺ during the Treaty
of Hudaybiyah. Rasulullahﷺ appointed Abu Ruhm as his deputy in Madinah during
the umrah next year and during the Conquest of Makkah. Although he could not
take part in the Conquest of Makkah, he attained a greater honor.
Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه was also present in the Islamic army in the Siege of
Taif, which took place after the Battle of Hunayn. While returning from this
expedition, Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه was riding close to Rasulullahﷺ. His camel got out of
control and went too close to the camel of Rasulullahﷺ. Meanwhile, Abu Ruhm’s
tough boots wounded and hurt the leg of Rasulullahﷺ.
Rasulullahﷺ pushed Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه’s feet lightly with
his whip and said, "Take your shoes away!"
Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه became very sorry and embarrassed since he had hurt Rasulullahﷺ. Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه feared greatly due to this involuntary careless act and worried
that a verse would be revealed about him. They spent the night in Jiranah. Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه was grazing the camels in the morning. Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنهwas still afraid. Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه was worried
that Rasulullahﷺ would call him and that what he feared would happen.
Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه lay low. The Companions asked Rasulullahﷺ about his
foot. They found out that it was nothing serious. One of the Companions found Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه and said that Rasulullahﷺ called him. When Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه heard this, his
fear increased. Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه said, “By Allah, a verse was sent down.” Sadly, he entered
into Rasulullahﷺ's presence, wondering what kind of a threat and penalty he
would confront.
When the Messenger of Allah (Rasulullahﷺ), who was sent as a mercy to all
realms, saw that he was sad, he smiled. For, he was neither a king nor a ruler.
He showed compassion and understanding to the people he ruled. When Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه approached
him, he said, "O Abu Ruhm! You hurt my leg with your foot, and I pushed
and hurt your foot with my whip. Take this sheep in return for what I
did."
Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه, who received an unexpected grace and grant, became
very happy and expressed his happiness as follows:
“The Messenger of Allah’s being pleased with me and my
attaining his consent is more valuable to me than the world and everything in
it.”
During the preparations made for the Expedition of Tabuk,
soldiers were recruited from all parts and Rasulullahﷺ asked help from everyone
for equipment. Meanwhile, the hypocrites were doing their best to dissuade the
Muslims from jihad. Rasulullahﷺ summoned Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه and sent him to his tribe.
Abu Ruhm went to his tribe and encouraged them to make jihad. He persuaded all
men who could fight to join the expedition. The tribe of Ghifar sent the most
soldiers for this expedition.
While returning from an expedition, Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه was near Rasulullahﷺ. The camel of Rasulullahﷺ got ill. Thereupon, Abu Ruhm gave his mount
to Rasulullahﷺ and he preferred to walk. Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari رضي الله عنه attained the love of Rasulullahﷺ due to his favor in that night journey in the dark.
There is no information about how long Abu Ruhm lived and
where and when he died.
May Allah enable
us t[1]Usdul-Ghaba, 5: 197; Tabaqat, 4: 244-245.o attain
their intercession and May he be pleased with them!
- Abū Khalīl, Shawqī (2003). Atlas
of the Quran. Dar-us-Salam. p. 242. ISBN 978-9960897547.(online)
- ^ Jump
up to:a b c d e f g h i Tabari,
Al (2008), The
foundation of the community, State University of New York
Press, pp. 147–150, ISBN 978-0-88706-344-2.
- ^ Jump
up to:a b Tabari,
Al (2008), The
foundation of the community, State University of New York
Press, p. 147, ISBN 978-0-88706-344-2
- ^ Abū Khalīl, Shawqī
(2003). Atlas
of the Quran. Dar-us-Salam. p. 242. ISBN 978-9960-897-54-7. See
#no. 28.
- ^ Mubarakpuri, Safiur Rahman Al
(2005), The
Sealed Nectar, Darussalam Publications, p. 211, ISBN 9798694145923.
- ^ Mubarakpuri, The
Sealed Nectar, p. 211.
- ^ Mubarakpuri, The
sealed nectar: biography of the Noble Prophet, pp. 350-351.
