Friday Sermon – Khalifatul Masih V – Mirza Masroor Ahmad – Year 2020
Allah is the Greatest Allah is the Greatest Allah is the Greatest Allah is the Greatest I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah I bear witness that Muhammad (saw) is the Messenger of Allah
I bear witness that Muhammad (saw) is the Messenger of Allah Come to Prayer Come to Prayer Come to success Come to success Allah is the Greatest Allah is the Greatest There is none worthy of worship except Allah Peace be upon you all
I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah. He is One and has no partner. and I bear witness that Muhammad (saw) is His Servant and Messenger. After this I seek refuge with Allah from Satan the accursed. In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all the worlds. The Gracious, the Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment. Thee alone do we worship and Thee alone do we implore for help. Guide us in the right path – The path of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy blessings,
Those who have not incurred displeasure, and those who have not gone astray. Today I shall narrate the accounts from the life of Hazrat Khabbab (ra) bin Al-Arat, a Badri Companion. Hazrat Khabbab (ra) belonged to the tribe of Banu Sa‘ad Bin Zaid. His father’s name was Arat bin Jandala.
His title was Abu ‘Abdillah and, according to some, it was also Abu Muhammad and Abu Yahya. During the period prior to the advent of the Holy Prophet (saw), he was sold in Mecca as a slave. He was a slave of ‘Utbah bin Ghazwan.
According to some he was a slave of Umme Anmaar Khuza‘iyyah. He was a confederate of Banu Zuhrah. He was the sixth person amongst the early Companions who accepted Islam. He was among those first people to have professed their faith openly and who had to bear extreme hardships due to that.
Hazrat Khabbab (ra) had accepted Islam prior to the Holy Prophet (saw) coming to Dar-e-Arqam and preaching from there. Mujahid states, “The first people to have openly professed their belief in Islam “after accepting the message of the Holy Prophet (saw) were as follows; “Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), Hazrat Khabbab (ra),
“Hazrat Suhaib (ra), Hazrat Bilal (ra), Hazrat ‘Ammar (ra) “and Hazrat ‘Sumayyah (ra), the mother of Hazrat ‘Ammar (ra). “The Messenger (saw) of Allah was protected by Allah the Exalted through his uncle, “Abu Talib while Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was protected by his own people.”
Although the author of this is writing in a certain context, but one thing that is certain and perhaps the author also forgot to mention, is that despite stating that Abu Talib, the uncle of the Holy Prophet (saw), protected him or that he was given protection due to him,
But neither the Holy Prophet (saw) himself remained safe from the atrocities committed by the polytheists of Mecca and nor Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra). History bears witness to this. They were also made a target of various kinds of cruelties, and even against Hazrat Abu Talib (ra).
The author of this narration however states that that they remained safe, but as I have mentioned this is his own view because history tells us that neither the Holy Prophet (saw) nor Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) remained safe from these cruelties. In any case, he further writes that, “Although these two remained safe,
“all the others were put in iron chains. “They were burnt under the intense heat of the Sun and they endured the iron chains “and the heat as long and as much as Allah so ordained.” Sha‘bi states that, “Hazrat Khabbab (ra) showed great perseverance
“and did not accept the demand of the disbelievers to reject Islam. “Hence, they put hot stones on his back until the flesh of his back melted away.” This entire narration is from Usdul Ghabah. Narrating the details of another incident related to Hazrat Khabbab (ra) that took place
When Hazrat ‘Umar accepted Islam, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib (ra) states in Seerat Khatam an-Nabiyyin that, “Only a few days had passed after the acceptance of Hazrat Hamzah (ra), “when Allah the Exalted blessed the Muslims with another instance of happiness, “in other words, Hazrat Umar (ra) who was a vehement enemy, accepted Islam.
“The story of his acceptance is very interesting.” Many people have heard or read this account but I will mention the details of this account as narrated by Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib (ra). And it also important to mention with reference to the historical accounts of Hazrat Khabbab (ra).
The disposition of Hazrat Umar (ra) enclosed a kind of stiffness which was further increased by his enmity towards Islam. “Therefore, prior to his acceptance of Islam, Umar (ra) subjected poor and weak Muslims “to great torture on account of their Islam.
“But when he was exhausted of inflicting this agony, and saw no signs of their return, “he thought, why not finish the founder of this very Fitna, i.e. the Holy Prophet (saw). “Upon this thought, he took hold of his sword and set out in search of the Holy Prophet (saw).
“On the way, when someone noticed him walking with an unsheathed sword in his hand, “he inquired, ‘O Umar [ra], where to?’ Umar (ra) responded, ‘I have set off to slay Muhammad (saw)’ “He replied, ‘By slaying Muhammad (saw) can you remain safe from the Banu ‘Abdi Manaf?
‘Why do you not look after your own home first? ‘Your sister and brother-in-law have accepted Islam.’ “Hazrat Umar (ra) immediately turned and started walking “towards the home of his sister Fatimah (ra). “As he approached the home, he could hear the sound of the recitation of the Holy Qur’an
“from inside, which Khabbab (ra) bin Al-Arat was reciting very melodiously. “When Umar (ra) heard this voice, he was further enraged and entered the home. “As soon as Khabbab (ra) heard his footsteps, he hid somewhere, “and Fatimah (ra) also hid the various pages of the Holy Qur’an here and there.”
Hazrat Umar (ra)’s sister’s name was Fatimah. “When Hazrat Umar (ra) entered, he shouted, ‘I heard that you have left your faith!’ “Then, he attacked his brother-in-law Sa‘id (ra) bin Zaid. “Fatimah (ra) was also wounded as she moved forward, in an attempt to save her husband,
“and very courageously said, ‘Yes ‘Umar! We have become Muslim. ‘Do as you wish, we shall not leave Islam.’ “Hazrat Umar (ra) was a very stern man, but beneath this veil of sternness “was also a touch of love and tenderness, which showed its colours at certain occasions.
“When he heard the courageous words of his sister, he cast a glance upon her “and noticed that she was covered in blood. “This sight had an inexplicable impression upon the heart of Umar (ra). “After a short silence, he said to his sister, ‘Show me the word that you were reading.’
“Responded Fatimah (ra), ‘I shall not, for you will destroy the pages.’ “Umar (ra) replied, ‘Nay, Nay! Please show me, I shall indeed return them to you.’ “Fatimah (ra) said, ‘But you are unclean, ‘and the Qur’an should be touched in a state of purity. First bathe, then read.’”
Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib (ra) writes, “Perhaps her desire was also that by taking a bath, ‘Umar’s (ra) rage would fully subside, “after which he would be able to reflect with a cool heart. “When Umar (ra) had taken a bath, Fatimah (ra) placed the pages of the Qur’an before him.
“When he took hold of them and saw, they were the opening verses of chapter Ta Ha. “Hazrat Umar (ra) began to read them with an awe-inspired heart “and every single word deeply impressed the heart of this well-natured man. “While reading, Hazrat Umar (ra) reached the following words: [Arabic, Holy Quran chapter 20: 15-16]
“Meaning, ‘Verily, I am Allah; there is no God beside Me. ‘So serve Me, and observe Prayer for My remembrance. ‘Surely, the Hour is coming; I am going to manifest it, ‘that every soul may be recompensed for its endeavour.’ “When Hazrat Umar (ra) recited this verse, it was as if his eye was opened,
“and his latent disposition was suddenly aroused. “He powerlessly said, ‘What a strange and holy word this is!’ “When Khabbab (ra) heard these words, he immediately came out, thanked God, and said: ‘This is due to the prayer of the messenger (saw) of Allah.
‘By God, it was only yesterday I heard the Holy Prophet (saw) pray that, “O Allah! Do bless either ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab or ‘Amr bin Hisham’ meaning Abu Jahl ‘with Islam.’” “Every moment was now becoming difficult for Hazrat Umar (ra),”
After having read the holy Quran and releasing the true status of the Holy Prophet (saw), “and so he said to Khabbab (ra), ‘Tell me the way to Muhammad (saw) at once.’ “In the fervour of his excitement, he kept his sword unsheathed.”
He did not even remember to place the sword back in its cover. “During this time, the Holy Prophet (saw) was in the Dar-e-Arqam; as such, “Khabbab (ra) gave him the location. “Umar (ra) went there, and firmly knocked at the door.
“When the companions (ra) peered through the crack in the door, and saw Umar (ra) “holding an unsheathed sword, they were reluctant in opening the door, “but the Holy Prophet (saw) said, ‘Open the door.’ “Hazrat Hamzah (ra), who was also present there also said, ‘Open the door.
‘If he has come with pure intentions then well and good, ‘otherwise, if his intentions are evil, by Allah, I shall sever his head off by his own sword.’ “The door was opened, and Umar (ra) entered, with an unsheathed sword in hand.
“Upon seeing him, the Holy Prophet (saw) moved forward and taking hold of ‘Umar (ra)’s mantle “he pulled it, saying, ‘O ‘Umar, with what intention have you come? ‘By Allah, I see that you have not been created for the chastisement of Allah.’
‘O Messenger (saw) of Allah,’ responded Umar (ra), ‘I wish to become a Muslim.’ “When the Holy Prophet (saw) heard these words, in the fervour of his happiness, he said, “‘Allahu Akbar!’ and his companions (ra) called out the slogan of ‘Allahu Akbar’ “so loudly that the mountains of Mecca began to resonate.”
Hazrat Khabbab (ra) relates that that once we expressed our pain to the Holy Prophet (saw). At the time, the Holy Prophet (saw) was sitting on his sheet, reclining in the shade of the Ka`ba. We submitted before him that, “Will you not seek help for us?
“Will you not pray to Allah for us in these difficult conditions?” The Holy Prophet (saw) replied, “Look here! There were a people before you, “for whom a ditch would be dug and he would then be placed inside it. “Then a saw would be placed on his head, cutting him into two pieces,
“yet this could not deter him from his faith. “Or, his flesh would be clawed off from his bones and tendons with iron rings “yet this could not hinder him from his faith.” The Holy Prophet (saw) then stated, “By Allah! Allah will surely fulfil this work –
“meaning my mission will surely be fulfilled – “He will surely fulfil the purpose for which I have come. “There will be times of ease as well.” He further stated, “This will be to the extent “that a rider will travel from Thana’ to Hadhar Maut”.
Thana’ and Hadhar Maut are two cities in Yemen and it is said that the distance between the two is 216 miles. In any case the Holy Prophet (saw) stated that, “The rider will undertake this journey “and he will be afraid of none other than Allah,”
Or, he also said that he will only fear his sheep being attacked by a wolf. The Holy Prophet (saw) then stated, “You however are showing impatience.” In other words, this could only be achieved by demonstrating patience. This is a narration from Bukhari.
This narration is also written at another instance as such; Hazrat Khabbab (ra) relates, “I went before the Holy Prophet (saw) who was lying under a tree “and he had placed his hand under his head. “I said, ‘O Messenger (saw) of Allah! Will you not pray for us, against those people whom we fear,
‘that they may avert us from our faith?’ “The Holy Prophet (saw) turned his head away from me three times, “and every time I said this to him, the Holy Prophet (saw) would turn away. “However, after the third time, the Holy Prophet (saw) sat up and said, ‘O people! Fear Allah and be patient.
‘By God! Such believing men of God have passed before you upon whose heads a saw would be placed ‘and they would be cut into two, but they did not retract from their faith. ‘Fear Allah. ‘Allah is He Who will open up your paths and take care of your affairs.’”
It is narrated by Hazrat Khabbab (ra), “I was a blacksmith and `As bin Wa’il owed me a debt. “When I went to him to ask him to repay the debt, he said, ‘I will never repay your loan until you reject Muhammad (saw);’
“until you announce that you have renounced your oath of allegiance to the Holy Prophet (saw). ‘I will not repay it until you reject Muhammad (saw).’” Hazrat Khabbab (ra) further relates, “I said to him, ‘I will never reject the Holy Prophet (saw),
‘even if you die and are brought back to life.’” meaning it is impossible that I reject him. “As bin Wa’il stated, ‘When I am brought back to life after dying -’ he proceeded to give a similar answer – ‘and I will be returned to my wealth and progeny,
‘and then I will repay your loan.’” Thus he also refused. Hazrat Khabbab (ra) says, “It was regarding him that these verses were revealed: [Arabic, Holy Quran 19:78-81] “Hast thou not seen him who disbelieves in Our Signs, and says, ‘I shall certainly be given wealth and children?’
“Has he become acquainted with the unseen or has he taken a promise from the Gracious God? “Nay! We shall note down what he says and We shall greatly prolong for him the punishment. “And We shall inherit of him all that of which he talks, and he shall come to Us all alone.’”
Hazrat Khabbab (ra) was a blacksmith and used to make swords. The Holy Prophet (saw) had great love for him and would often go and visit him. When his owner came to know that the Holy Prophet (saw) visits Hazrat Khabbab (ra), she began placing burning iron on his head.
He worked with iron, and he would place iron in a furnace; and so she would take it and place it on his head. Hazrat Khabbab (ra) complained about this to the Holy Prophet (saw) to which he said, “O Allah! Help Khabbab” i.e. the Holy prophet (saw) prayed for him.
The result was that – it is narrated – that his owner Umme Anmar developed an ailment of the head and would whimper like a dog. She was advised to get branded, meaning have burning iron placed on her head. And so Hazrat Khabbab (ra) would brand her head with burning iron.
She was left with no choice, and thus would have Hazrat Khabbab (ra) place burning iron on her head. Abu Layla Qindi narrates that Hazrat Khabbab (ra) went to Hazrat Umar (ra). Hazrat Umar (ra) asked him to come closer because there was no one other than him,
Beside Hazrat Ammar bin Yasir (ra), who was more worthy of being in this gathering. Hazrat Khabbab (ra) then showed the scars on his back which he received from the afflictions of the polytheists. This is a narration of At-Tabaqatul Kubra. There is another instance giving the details of the incident
In which he showed the scars on his back. Sha’bi relates that Hazrat Khabbab (ra) went to Hazrat Umar (ra) bin Al-Khatab. Hazrat Umar (ra) then had him seated in that particular gathering and said, “There is no one on the face of this earth worthier than you to be in this sitting,
“beside one other person.” Hazrat Khabbab (ra) asked, “O Ameerul Mu’mineen, who is that person?” Hazrat Umar (ra) replied, “He is Bilal (ra).” Hazrat Khabbab (ra) then said, “O Ameerul Mu’mineen, he is not more worthy of this than “I, for when he was in the hands of the idolaters, he always had a helper,
“through whom he would be saved by God Almighty. “As for me, I had no helper to protect me.” Hazrat Khabbab (ra) then said, “One day I found myself in a situation “where I had been seized by a group of people. “They lit a fire and threw me onto the burning coals.
“One of them threw me onto the burning coal and another placed his feet on my chest. “They threw me in this [fire] and one of the people placed his foot on my chest. “It was only my back that saved me from the burning ground.”
Or he said that it was only his back that kept the ground cool. He then removed the cloth from his back which had become all white like one who suffers from leprosy. That is to say that when he was thrown on the burning coal there was nothing to cool
The coal down, it was merely the skin and flesh of his back that cooled it down. Then, there is another narration in this regard which is as follows. Sha’bi narrates that Hazrat Umar (ra) enquired from Hazrat Khabbab (ra) about the difficulties he had to endure from the idolaters.
He answered, “O Ameerul Mu’mineen, look at my back.” When Hazrat Umar (ra) saw his back he said, “I have never seen such a back.” Hazrat Khabbab (ra) told him, “A fire would be lit and I would be dragged in it.
“Furthermore, there was nothing to put this fire out other than flesh on my back.” Whilst describing this incident, Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) writes, “Bear in mind that those who suffered the most afflictions “after accepting the Holy Prophet (saw) were the slaves.
“Hazrat Khabbab (ra) bin al-Arat was a slave and worked as a blacksmith. “He accepted the Holy Prophet (saw) in the very early days. “He would be subjected to severe cruelties at the hands of the people, “to the extent that he would be made to lie down on burning coals from his own furnace
“and a large stone would be placed on his chest so he would not be able to move. “Those that were responsible for paying his wages refused to pay him. “Despite all the persecution and financial difficulties, “he did not waver even for a minute and remained steadfast in his faith.
“The scars on his back were visible until the end of his life. “During the Caliphate of Hazrat Umar (ra), Hazrat Khabbab (ra) spoke about the previous hardships, “to which he asked Hazrat Khabbab (ra) to lift his shirt from his back.
“When Hazrat Khabbab (ra) lifted his shirt, his back was covered in white scars, “like one who suffers from leprosy.” In another instant Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) states: “One of these early slave converts “named Khabbab bin Al-Arat (ra) had his back exposed.
“The people who were with him saw that his skin was not normal “and instead had become hardened like that of an animal. “They were shocked to see this and enquired which ailment he was suffering from. “Hazrat Khabbab (ra) laughed and said it was not an ailment; only a memory of those early days
“when the people of Mecca would drag Muslim slaves such as us, “through the streets of Mecca over hard and hot sands and stones. “They would continue to mete out this cruelty as a result of which my back bears these scars.”
These early converts to Islam were not only poor, but many of them were slaves as well. After converting to Islam, they had to endure many difficulties. As we have heard in reference to Hazrat Khabbab (ra), they were made to lay down on burning coals and dragged across stones.
They endured these hardships in the early days, however, when Islam spread God Almighty granted them countless blessings and bestowed upon them an eminent status in the world. Whilst mentioning this, on one occasion, Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) states: “During his Caliphate, on one occasion Hazrat Umar (ra) came to Mecca.
“All the renowned chiefs of the eminent tribes came to greet him. “They thought that since Hazrat Umar (ra) was fully acquainted with their families, “and they themselves were the chiefs of their tribes, Hazrat Umar (ra) would extend “them respect and honour and through this they would be able to establish
“some of their tribes lost glory. “Thus, when they came to meet Hazrat Umar (ra), they began conversing with him. “Whilst they were engaged in conversation, Hazrat Bilal (ra) joined this gathering. “A short while later Hazrat Khabbab (ra) arrived and thus one by one,
“all the [former] slaves who accepted Islam in its early years came to the gathering. “All of them were previously slaves of the chiefs that were sat in the gatherings “or they were slaves belonging to their forefathers. “When they were in bondage, those chiefs would inflict the most severe cruelties upon them.
“Each time one of these slaves,” i.e. they were slaves in the previous times, “such as Hazrat Bilal and Hazrat Khabbab, Hazrat Umar (ra) would greet each one of them “and welcome them and request if the chiefs could kindly move back. “Usually in gatherings the chiefs would be seated at the front.
“When these early converts to Islam came to the gathering, Hazrat Umar (ra) would “request the chiefs of Mecca to move back in order to allow them to be seated in the front. “To the extent that the young chiefs that had come to meet Hazrat Umar (ra) kept on moving back,
“eventually reaching the door.” In those days there were no large halls, it would have been a small room. As they would not have all fitted inside, hence moving backwards the chiefs ended up sitting near to where the shoes were placed. “When these chiefs were forced to sit where the shoes were placed
“and they saw with their own eyes that each one of the [former] slaves “were made to sit ahead of them, they felt greatly aggrieved.” Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) states: “God Almighty arranged in a manner whereby coincidentally, “all those Muslims who were once slaves of the disbelievers,
“all came to the gathering one after the other. “If these chieftains were made to move back once, they may not have felt anything, “yet since they were made to move back a number of times, “they were unable to bear it and left the gathering.
“Outside they began to complain to one another saying how they had been humiliated “and how they were made to move back every time a slave came to the gathering, “eventually being made to sit amongst the shoes.
“At this, one of the youths said: ‘Who is to blame for this, Umar (ra) or our forefathers? ‘If you take a minute to ponder you will realise that no blame lies with Hazrat Umar (ra). ‘It is the fault of our forefathers that we are being punished today.
‘This is because when God Almighty appointed the Holy Prophet (saw), ‘our forefathers opposed him, but those slaves accepted him ‘and happily endured every kind of difficulty. ‘Therefore, if today we have had to suffer humiliation it is not due to Hazrat Umar (ra), ‘rather it is our own fault.’
“Upon hearing this, the others said: ‘Agreed, this is all due to the actions of our forefathers, ‘however is there a way to remove this blemish or not?’ “They all conferred amongst themselves and thought that since they were unable to think of an answer,
“they ought to ask Hazrat Umar (ra) for a solution to their predicament. “Thus, they came to Hazrat Umar (ra) and said: ‘You are fully aware of what happened to us today, ‘as too are we.’ “Hazrat Umar (ra) replied: ‘Forgive me, for I was obliged to act in this manner,
‘as those people were honoured in the gatherings of the Holy Prophet (saw). ‘They may have been your slaves, but in the gatherings of the Holy Prophet (saw) ‘they were shown honour and respect. ‘Therefore, it was my duty to also show them the same respect.’
“They replied: ‘We are aware that this was owing to our own shortcomings, ‘however, is there a way whereby we can remove this blemish?’” Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) states: “It is very difficult for us to envisage “just how much influence these chiefs wielded over Mecca.
“However, Hazrat Umar (ra) was fully aware of the situation of their tribes. “Hazrat Umar (ra) was born and raised in Mecca. “He knew full well the power and influence the forefathers of these young chiefs commanded. “Hazrat Umar (ra) knew that no man could even have dared to look them in the eye
“and he knew the level of authority and command their forefathers had. “Hazrat Umar (ra) recalled each one of these incidents and a state of anguish came over him “to the extent that he was unable to speak as a result of it.
“All he could do was to point towards the north, i.e. towards Syria, “which meant that Muslims were engaged in battle in Syria. “If they went and fought in these battles, it is possible for them to atone for those mistakes. “Thus, those young chiefs stood up and swiftly made their way to this battle.”
Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) states, “History bears testimony that not a single one of these young chiefs “returned from the battle and instead were all martyred during combat. “They all attained martyrdom in those lands and in this way they were able to remove this blemish
“from their family name which had become a cause of humiliation for them. “Thus, ultimately one has to offer sacrifices. “Those who offered sacrifices in the early days of Islam were granted honour, “whereas those who joined later, and wanted to remove this blemish from their family name
“which was a cause of shame for them, also had to offer sacrifices. “When Hazrat Khabbab (ra) and Hazrat Miqdad (ra) bin Amr migrated to Medina, “they both stayed at the house of Hazrat Kulthum (ra) bin Al-Hidam “and continued to stay there till Hazrat Kulthum (ra)’s demise.
“Hazrat Kulthum (ra) passed away shortly before the Holy Prophet (saw) left for Badr. “Thereafter, they went to live with Hazrat Sa’d (ra) bin Ubadah “and continued to live there until the victory over Banu Quraizah. “The Holy Prophet (saw) established a bond of brotherhood between Hazrat Khabbab (ra)
“and Hazrat Tamim (ra), who was the freed slave of Hazrat Khirash (ra) bin Simah.” However, according to another narration, the Holy Prophet (saw) established a bond of brotherhood between Hazrat Khabbab (ra) and Hazrat Jabar (ra) bin Atiq. According to Allama ibn Abd-al-Barr, the first narration is more authentic.
Hazrat Khabbab (ra) participated in all the battles alongside the Holy Prophet (saw), including the Battle of Badr, Uhud and Khandaq. Abu Khalid relates, “One day we were sitting in the mosque and Hazrat Khabbab (ra) entered and quietly sat down. “The people said to him, ‘Your friends have assembled around you so
‘that you may grant them some advice or instructions.’ “Hazrat Khabbab (ra) replied, ‘What instruction shall I give? ‘I fear that I may issue an instruction which I fail to fulfil myself.’” Such was the fear of Allah the Almighty and the standard of righteousness these people possessed. Abdullah bin Khabbab relates from his father,
“On one occasion, the Holy Prophet (saw) led the prayer and significantly prolonged it. “People enquired, ‘O Messenger (saw) of Allah! You have led the prayer in a manner ‘which you have never led it before.’ “The Holy Prophet (saw) replied, ‘This was a prayer filled with love and fear.
‘I asked three things from Allah the Almighty and he has granted me two of them and not the third. ‘I asked Allah to save my Ummah from being destroyed by the affliction of a famine, ‘which Allah accepted. ‘I then asked Allah that protect my Ummah from being overcome by their enemy,
‘which Allah the Almighty accepted.’ The Ummah of the Holy Prophet (saw) continues to remain established and if any one overcomes the Muslims, it is the fault of those Muslim governments which allow it to happen. However, the Ummah of the Holy Prophet (saw) continues to remain established.
‘I then prayed to Allah the Almighty that my Ummah not fight amongst one another. ‘However, Allah did not grant me this.’” As a result, we can see today that Muslims have been divided into various sects and are issuing Fatwas [of disbelief] against one another. It is related from Tariq that
A delegation consisting of the Holy Prophet (saw)’s companions went to visit Hazrat Khabbab (ra) when he was ill and said, “O Abu Abdullah (ra)! “Rejoice, for you shall join your brother’s in the Hauz-e-Kauthar [in paradise].” Hazrat Khabbab (ra) replied, “You have mentioned those brothers who have passed away
“and they did not partake of their rewards, whereas we continued to live to the point “that we have attained all that which we fear is perhaps the rewards for our deeds.” In other words, he feared that they have been granted their reward in this very world
As a result of being granted worldly wealth. Hazrat Khabbab (ra) endured a very intense and prolonged illness. Haritha bin Muzrib relates, “I went to Hazrat Khabbab (ra) to visit him while he was ill. “He had received seven different scars as a result of his treatment.
“I heard Hazrat Khabbab (ra) say, ‘If I had not heard the Holy Prophet (saw) say ‘that it is not permissible for one to wish for their life to end, ‘I would have indeed desired for it.’” In other words, he was experiencing such extreme pain.
“When his burial cloth was brought which was made from a very thin fabric “that was produced in Egypt, he began to cry. “He then said, ‘A burial cloth was put over the Holy Prophet (saw)’s paternal uncle, ‘Hazrat Hamzah (ra), which if pulled over to cover his feet, it would leave the head uncovered.
‘And when they would pull it over his head, his feet would left uncovered and so the idhkhir ‘i.e. lemon grass, was placed over his feet. ‘I have experienced a time with the Holy Prophet (saw) when I did not even possesses ‘a single dinar or a dirham, but now look at my condition.’
As in, “I had nothing left, I did not have a dirham nor a dinar.” “He further stated, ‘Now I have a chest in one corner of my house which contains 40,000 dirhams. ‘However, I fear lest we have been granted our rewards in this very world.’”
Hazrat Khabbab (ra) narrates, “We migrated with the Messenger (saw) of Allah seeking “the pleasure of Allah and expecting our reward from Him. “Some of us died without partaking anything from their reward. “Among them was Hazrat Mus‘ab (ra) bin Umair, “and there are those among us whose fruits of their deeds
“have ripened and they are enjoying its delight. “Hazrat Mus‘ab (ra) bin Umair was martyred in the Battle of Uhud, “and there was only one cloth available for us to cover him in. “When we covered his head with it, his feet were exposed and when we covered his feet with it,
“his head was uncovered. “So the Holy Prophet (saw) told us to cover his head “and to put some idhkhir – lemon grass – over his feet.” Zaid bin Wahab relates, “We were in the company of Hazrat Ali (ra) whilst he was returning from the Battle of Siffin.
“When we arrived at the gates of Kufa, we noticed that there were seven graves to our right. “Hazrat Ali (ra) enquired as to who these graves belonged to. “The people replied, ‘O Leader of the Faithful! After you had departed for Siffin,
‘Khabbab (ra) passed away and he had stated in his will to be buried outside of the city of Kufa.’ “In those days, it was the practise of the people that they would bury their dead “in their front courtyard or near their front doors.
“However, when people witnessed that Hazrat Khabbab (ra) had stated in his will “to be buried outside of Kufa, they also began doing the same. “Hazrat Ali (ra) stated, ‘May Allah bestow His mercy upon Khabbab (ra). ‘He accepted Islam out of his own choice and took part in the migration out of his obedience.
‘He spent his entire life as a Mujahid [one who greatly strives for the sake of their faith] ‘and endured trials on account of his physical health.’ He suffered from various illnesses for a long time. “Hazrat Ali (ra) then further stated, ‘Whosever does a good deed, ‘Allah shall never deprive him of its rewards.’
“Hazrat Ali (ra) then went close to the graves and said, ‘Peace be upon the believers and Muslims, who dwell herein. ‘You are those who have departed before us in order to make arrangements for us as well, ‘and we shall soon meet you.
‘O Allah! Grant forgiveness to them and also to us and overlook their shortcomings and ours as well. ‘Glad tidings for one who is mindful of the hereafter ‘and performs his deeds for the Day of Reckoning ‘and remains content with that which is sufficient enough to fulfil his needs
‘and pleases his Allah the Almighty.’” This is the prayer offered by Hazrat Ali (ra) at the time. Hazrat Khabbab (ra) passed away in 37A.H. at the age of 73. All praise is due to Allah We laud Him, we beseech help from Him and ask His protection;
We confide in Him, we trust Him alone and we seek protection against the evils and mischief of our souls and from the bad results of our deeds. Whomsoever He guides on the right path, none can misguide him; and whosoever He declares misled, none can guide him onto the right path.
And we bear witness that none deserves to be worshipped except Allah. We bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. O servants of Allah! May Allah be merciful to you. Verily, Allah commands you to act with justice, to confer benefits upon each other
And to do good to others as one does to one ‘s kindred and forbids evil which pertain to your own selves and evils which affect others and prohibits revolts against a lawful authority. He warns you against being unmindful. You remember Allah; He too will remember you;
Call Him and He will make a response to your call. And verily divine remembrance is the highest virtue.