It does not befit a Prophet…

بسم الله الرمان الرحيم

السلام عيكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

الحمد الله

The defeat at Badr was an ignominy which the Quraysh pride could not leave unavenged. Revenge was, therefore, the catchword all over Makkah. The mushrikeen even forbade lamenting over their murdered people, or ransoming their captives at Badr Battle lest the Muslims should realize the grave degree of sadness and feeling of tragedy they were experiencing. Due to this amongst many other reasons, the mushrikeen decided to attack the Muslims once again.

When the news reached Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم in Madinah, he immediately went to his Sahabah رضي الله عنهم for shura. Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم advised them that they should defend within Madinah but some of the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم, who had missed Al-Jihad in Badr, suggested that the Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم should go out of Madinah and urged him to accept their point of view. One of them said: “O, Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم, for long time we have been looking forward to this day; and we have implored Allah to make such a day draw near. Thanks to Allah it is time to fight. So let us go out and fight our enemies lest they should think that we have lost heart and do not dare to fight them.” Hamzah bin ‘Abdil Muttalib رضي الله عنه the paternal uncle of Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم, who had already covered the ornaments of his sword with idolaters’ blood in Badr Battle, was ahead of those enthusiastics who urged him to go out and meet the disbelievers. He said to Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم: “By Allah, Who has sent the Book down unto you, I will not taste food till I fight them with my sword outside Madinah.” After weighing careful the pros and cons of the issue, it was decided that the enemy should be resisted outside the city at Uhud.

Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم led the afternoon prayer with crowds of people. Then he entered his house accompanied by his two friends Abu Bakr and ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما. They helped him dress and wear his head cloth. He صلى الله عليه و سلم armed himself and wore two armours one over the other. He صلى الله عليه و سلم then wore his sword and went out to meet people. People were waiting for him impatiently. Sa‘d bin Mu‘adh and Usayd bin Hudair رضي الله عنهما blamed people for pressing on Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم. They said: “You have forced Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم to fight the enemy outside Madinah.” Therefore they were determined to leave the whole matter to Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم, and blamed themselves for what they had already done. When Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلمcame out, they said: “O Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم, we should have not disagreed with you. So, you are free to do what you desire. If you prefer to stay inside Madinah we will stay with you. Upon this Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم said something that should be written in gold: “It does not befit a Prophet that once he had put on armour, he should take it off, until Allah has decided between him and the enemy.”

Lessons learnt from this incident:

1) 1)Importance of making shura as Allah سبحانه و تعالى said describing the people who trust Him, “And those who answer the Call of their Lord and perform As-Salat, and who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation, and who spend of what We have bestowed on them.”[1] And also when He سبحانه و تعالى was describing the favour He had upon Rasul Allah (SAWS), “And by the Mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you; so pass over (their faults), and ask (Allah’s) Forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah, certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).”[2]

2) Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم was not arrogant because consulted with his Sahabah رضي الله عنهم and listened to their opinion

3) Love of Jihaad which is the noblest deed in Islam Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم and the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم had.

4) The care for the feelings of Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم and love for him the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم showed when they thought they had coerced him into something Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم did not want to do.

5) Firmness in decision of Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم in going out to Uhud to fight the kuffar. Another thing to note is that Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم was amongst the 5 Prophets عليهم الصلوات و السلام who were the title, “Ulul ‘Azm,” meaning the “Possessors of Strong Will,” the Prophets عليهم الصلوات و السلام were: Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, ‘Isa and Muhammad.

6) We also learn the Tawakkul Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم had in Allah سبحانه و تعالى

7) Bravery of Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم and that shows one of his characteristics of manhood

8) Status of Prophets عليهم الصلوات و السلام in general with his صلى الله عليه و سلم’s statement, ‘It does not befit a Prophet that once he had put on armour, he should take it off, until Allah has decided between him and the enemy,’ which was of honour and nobility.

9) Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم even though he was a Prophet, had to prepare with worldly means contrary to the popular belief which is a Prophet عليه الصلاة و السلام does not need to prepare in worldly means because Allah سبحانه و تعالى would him.

10) Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم did not have the knowledge of the Unseen because if he did, then he wouldn’t have said, “…until Allah has decided between him and the enemy,” rather he would have said, “until Allah سبحانه و تعالى has given him victory.”

11) Making Allah سبحانه و تعالى the Judge in everything due to the saying of Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم“…until Allah has decided between him and the enemy.”

12) A Leader should represent his people and not vice versa and we learn this from, “…until Allah has decided between him and the enemy.” Notice that Rasul Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم used the word ‘him’ to represent the Muslims not us which shows the how great a leader Rasul Allahعليه الصلاة و السلامwas.

And indeed, Allah سبحانه و تعالى knows best.

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[1] Surat Al Shura, ayah 38

[2] Surat `Ale ‘Imraan, ayah 159

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The Throne Shook

The Throne Shook

By Shaykh Sa’id Rageah

بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم

الحمد الله

Sa’d bin Mu’adh رضي الله عنه belonged to the tribe of ‘Aws and was amongst the Ansar. Mus’ab ibn ‘Umayr رضي الله عنه was sent to Madinah by Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم to preach Islam to its dwellers.  When Sa’d رضي الله عنه got to know this, he wasn’t please at all. So, upon occasion he was talking to his friend Usayd bin Huday رضي الله عنه , “Do you know that Mus’ab is the guest of my cousin Sa’d bin Muzrara for by Allah had it not been a relation between me and my cousin I would have taken of this man!” Usayd رضي الله عنه went and to kill Mus’ab bin ‘Umayr رضي الله عنه but he returned with a different face. A face brightened by the light of Islam. He said, “I found two men of understanding but I heard the Bani Harith are after your cousin Sa’d bin Muzrara because of you and they want to kill him” Sa’d رضي الله عنه said, “ Out of my way, you could be of no help for me!” And he went and saw that Usayd bin Huday رضي الله عنه tricked him and he only wanted him to listen to Mus’ab رضي الله عنه . He رضي الله عنه said to Sa’d رضي الله عنه , “O’ man, sit down! If I was saying the truth then listen to us. But if we are going to say is falsehood then we are going to leave you and your country!” With his kindness and Taqwa, Mus’ab رضي الله عنه started telling him about Allah سبحانه و تعالى and His Messenger صلى الله عليه و سلم . Then the face of Sa’d bin Mu’adh رضي الله عنه changed and said, “What should a man do to accept your religion.” Mu’adh رضي الله عنه said, “Take a shower and accept Islam” Usayd bin Huday رضي الله عنه was waiting for Sa’d رضي الله عنه to come back and when he returned, he said, “By Allah, Sa’d came back with different face than the face he went with!” Sa’d رضي الله عنه then said, “Call the children of Bani Ashhal to me!” When they got together he said to them, “How do you want to know about me?” The people said to him, “You are our Chief, you are the one who has the most sila-tur-rahm, no one can come ahead of you!“ He رضي الله عنه said, “In my talk to you, it is haram for your men and women until you accept that Allah سبحانه و تعالى is your Lord and Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم is His Messenger!”

Sa’d رضي الله عنه lived his life serving RasuluLlah صلى الله عليه و سلم , the Muhajirin and the Ansar

In the Battle of Badr, the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said, “O’ people advise me!” Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, ‘Umar bin al Khattab and al Miqdad bin Aswad رضي الله عنهم said, “O’ Messenger of Allah,  be kind to whoever you want to be kind to, fight whoever you want to fight, give whoever you want to give, deprive whoever you want to deprive for by Allah we will not say to you like Bani Israel said, ‘Go, you and your Lord fight we will sit here!’”  The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said, “O’ people advise me!” Then Sa’d رضي الله عنه said, “Maybe you are talking about the Ansar, because we gave you the covenant that we will protect you as we protect our children, our wives in the city of Madinah. Maybe you are concerned about the city O’ Messenger of Allah!” Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم replied, “Yes!” He رضي الله عنه said, “O’ Messenger of Allah, indeed we have believed in you, we are your followers, do whatever you want to do. For by the One who sent you, if you cross the sea we will cross it with you and none of us will remain behind. We have patient with our word and truthful in our statements!” He رضي الله عنه continued, “O’ Messenger of Allah, shouldn’t we build you a tent at the end of the army and leave your camel beside you? If Allah سبحانه و تعالى gives us victory over these people then this is what we want! Otherwise you sit on your animal and you go back to Madinah!”

In the Battle of Uhud, when the Muslims started losing, some of the people started running from the Battle field, others thought that since Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم has died then there is no purpose of living and lost their hope except these people Anas bin Nudhr, Abu Dujanah  رضي الله عنهم who were encouraging others to fight for Allah سبحانه و تعالى’s cause. The last group was of the people who were only concerned about Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم .  Sa’d ibn Mu’adh رضي الله عنه was protecting Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم with his chest. Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم was pleased with the action of Sa’d رضي الله عنه .

In the Battle of Khandaq, and he believers were surrounded by the Mushrikin. In this battle, Sa’d bin Mu’adh رضي الله عنه came to Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم an he صلى الله عليه و سلم said to him, “O’ Sa’d, I had made deal with Qadhafan.” He رضي الله عنه said, “O’ Messenger of Allah, is this are you doing this for us or is this a wahy from Allah?” He صلى الله عليه و سلم said, “No I did this because I saw all the Arabs gathered against you and I wanted to do something to protect you” Sa’d رضي الله عنه said, “O’ Messenger of Allah, listen to me! Us and these people, we are used to be mushrikin, we never used to worship Allah, and we knew nothing about Allah and we had no desire to take a date from the dates of Madinah except that they purchase or we give it as a gift to them! O’ Messenger of Allah, after Allah سبحانه و تعالى has honoured us with this Deen and protected us and guided us through this Deen and he honoured us, you amongst and you want to give them our wealth? By Allah this will not happen! By Allah we will only give them the sword!” Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم followed the opinion of Sa’d رضي الله عنه . In this battle, Sa’d رضي الله عنه was injured from an arrow from nowhere. The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم and his companions رضي الله عنهم were grieved that the chief of the Ansar was hurt. Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said, “Do not take him to his house and leave him in this Masjid.” He صلى الله عليه و سلم would go to see and him before and after the Salah. Jews broke the covenant with Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم .  Jibreel هليه سلام came to Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم and said, “Did you remove your armour O’ Muhammad?” He صلى الله عليه و سلم said, “Yes!” then Jibreel عليه سلام said, “By Allah, the Angels of Allah haven’t removed their armour so go to Bani Quraydha!” Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said, “None of you should offer Salatul ‘Asr until you reach Bani Quraydha.” They said, “We will accept the judgement of Sa’d رضي الله عنه !” The Jews thought that he would do as ‘AbduLlah bin Ubayy did. They thought that since they were friends before, Sa’d رضي الله عنه would give judgement in their favour. Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم asked, “Will you take the judgement of Sa’d?” They replied, “Yes!” Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم then said, “Bring Sa’d!” They brought Sa’d رضي الله عنه on a donkey. Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم then said, “Stand up for your chief!” He got up and they got up. Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said, “Jews want them to judge between them.” Then Sa’d رضي الله عنه said, “O’ Messenger of Allah, the man who is sitting on my right will he accept my judgement?” Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said, “Yes!” Sa’d رضي الله عنه then to the Jews said, “Will you accept my judgement?” They said, “Yes!” Then Sa’d رضي الله عنه said, “O’ Messenger of Allah, my judgement on these people is that all their men to be killed and their women, children and their wealth to be taken!” Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said, “Allahu Akbar! This is the Hukm of Allah above the seven Heavens” Sa’d رضي الله عنه had a request, “O’ Allah, if there is any more war between RasuluLlah and the Quraysh, then allow me to live! There is nothing more beloved to me than to fight those who mistreated the Messenger of Allah. But if there is no more war, then give me shahadah!” Then the blood started gushing at the same point. All of the companions رضي الله عنهم and Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم started crying because Sa’d رضي الله عنه ’s soul started to leave his body. Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم then said, “Indeed the throne of ar-Rahman shook because the death of Sa’d!” Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه started crying and said, “There is no life after you, O’ Sa’d!”

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