Friday Sermon – Khalifatul Masih V – Mirza Masroor Ahmad – Year 2018
Peace be upon you all, 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 alone 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. Before my last tour, I was giving an account of the personal circumstances of those Companions of the Holy Prophet (saw), who took part during the Battle of Badr. Today, I shall continue with the same subject.
One of the Companions, whom I shall mention today is Hazrat ‘Ummarah Bin Hazm. Hazrat Ummarah (ra) is one of the seventy Companions, who participated in the Second Pledge at al-Aqabah. Both of his brothers, Hazrat Amr Bin Hazm and Hazrat Ma’abil Bin Hazm, were also Companions.
He joined the Holy Prophet (saw) in all the Battles, including Badr and Uhud. He was holding the flag of the tribe of Malik Bin Najjar in his hands at the occasion of the Victory of Mecca. The Holy Prophet (saw) established a bond of brotherhood between Ummarah and Hazrat Muhriz bin Nazlah.
He declared them brothers upon the Migration. Upon the demise of the Holy Prophet (saw), when a fitnah [disorder] arose from among the apostates and they initiated a war against Muslims, he joined Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed in the battle [against them]. He attained martyrdom during the Battle of Yamamah.
His mother’s name was Khalidah Bint Anas. Abu Bakr Bin Muhammad narrates that when a snake bit Hazrat Abdullah Bin Sahl, the Holy Prophet (saw) instructed that he be taken to Hazrat Ummarah Bin Hazm, so that he may perform dam for him [special prayer for health and protection] for him.
He replied, “O Messenger of Allah (saw)! He is about to die!” The Holy Prophet (saw) said, “Take him to Ummarah! When he will perform Dam, “God Almighty will cure him.” Certainly, the Holy Prophet (saw) must have taught him that Dam and that prayer.
This does not mean that, God forbid, the Holy Prophet (saw) was in need of the Dam by Hazrat Ummarah or that he was unable to do it himself. He had specially appointed some people for certain tasks but it were the Holy Power and the Blessings of the Holy Prophet (saw),
Which were the force behind it all. It is stated in Seerat Ibn Hisham that the hypocrites used to come to the Mosque of the Holy Prophet and after listening to the conversation of the Muslims and departing from them, they used to mock them. They used to ridicule their faith.
Sometimes, they would even do so in front of them. Once, when some of the hypocrites gathered at the Mosque of the Prophet, the Holy Prophet (saw) saw them conversing among themselves secretly. The Holy Prophet (saw) commanded that they be evicted from the mosque. Thus, they were removed from the mosque.
Hazrat Abu Ayyub advanced towards Umar Bin Qais, who belonged to the clan of Ghanam Bin Malik Bin Najjar and who used to take care of their idols during the period of ignorance. He grabbed him by his leg and dragged him out of the mosque.
He kept saying, “O Abu Ayyub! Are you going to expel me from the company of Banu Tha’labah?” Then [Hazrat Abu Ayyub] turned to Rafi Bin Badi’ah, who also hailed from the clan of Najjar. He wrapped him in his sheet of cloth, pulled him firmly, and hit him and removed him from the mosque.
Abu Ayyub said to him, “You wicked hypocrite! May you be cursed. “Get away from the Mosque of the Prophet!” Hazrat Ummarah Bin Hazm went to Zaid Bin Amr and dragged him out of the mosque while grabbing him by his beard.
Then Hazrat Ummarah struck both of his hands on his chest with such force that he fell down. He said, “O Ummarah! You have injured me!” Upon this, Hazrat Ummarah replied, “O hypocrite! May God destroy you! “The punishment that God Almighty has prepared for you is more severe than that.
“Thus, never come close to the Mosque of the Prophet ever again!” On the occasion of the battle of Tabuk, when the Holy Prophet (saw) was on route to Tabuk, the camel of the Holy Prophet (saw), Qaswa, disappeared from their sight.
The companions of the Holy Prophet (saw) set out in order to search for it. Hazrat Ummarah bin Hazm was also with the Holy Prophet (saw). He had taken part in the pledge of initiation at ‘Uqba, he was a companion who participated in the Battle of Badr, as has already been mentioned,
And he was the brother of Hazrat ‘Amr bin Hazm. The person narrating states that Hazrat Zaid bin Salat was in the carriage of Hazrat Ummarah. In other words, he was given the responsibility of taking care of the rides and carriages and he was the person to place the carriages on the camels.
Some people were assigned to place a form of carriage or saddle on the camel. He belonged to the tribe of Qaynuqa and was a Jew and although became a Muslim but he showed some hypocrisy. Zaid, i.e. the person who became a Muslim but had a sense of hypocrisy within him,
Asked in a very pretentiously innocent manner that “Does Muhammad (saw) not claim that he is a prophet “and that he informs you of heavenly matters? “Yet, he is unaware of where is camel went! Hazrat Ummarah was near the Holy Prophet (saw).” Somehow, this comment reached the Holy Prophet (saw)
Or God Almighty must have informed him about it. The Holy Prophet (saw) said that a person had commented that “Muhammad (saw) tells you people “that he is a prophet and that he informs you of heavenly matters, “whereas, he is unaware of where is camel is.” Upon this the Holy Prophet (saw) said,
“By God! I do not know of anything, but what God Almighty has informed me of. “I do not know the unseen. “However, I speak as God Almighty informs me.” Following this, God Almighty informed the Holy Prophet (saw) [of his camel] in order to silence this hypocrite.
The Holy Prophet (saw) further said, “Indeed, God Almighty has informed me “in relation to my camel that it is in such and such valley”. The Holy Prophet (saw) then pointed into the direction of the valley and said, “It is rein got caught in a tree. Go and bring it to me.”
Hence, the companions went and brought it back. In order to silence the hypocrite, God Almighty then showed the Holy Prophet (saw) the exact location of the camel. Bayhaqi and Abu Na’eem state that Hazrat Ummarah went to his carriage and said, “By God! A strange thing occurred today.
“Moments ago, the Holy Prophet (saw) mentioned to us the comments of a certain individual, “which god Almighty had informed him of.” Thus, it has become clear that God Almighty had informed the Holy Prophet (saw) of the comments of this hypocrite, Zaid bin Salat. A person in the carriage of Hazrat Ummarah then said,
“By God! Before you came, Zaid had made this comment you have just mentioned to us.” Upon this, Hazrat Ummarah grabbed Zaid by the neck and said to his comrades, “O servants of Allah! There was a snake in my carriage and I was unaware of removing it.”
He then turned to Zaid and said that he will have no relationship with him in the future. According to some people, Zaid repented later. However, according to others, he remained engaged in such mischiefs until he died. Hazrat Ziad bin Nuaim narrates from Hazrat Ummarah bin Hazm
That the Holy Prophet (saw) said that “There are four important principles. “If a person acts in accordance with these, he becomes a Muslim. “However, if he leaves out even one, the other three will be of no avail to him.” Hazrat Ziad says that he asked Hazrat Ummarah about these four principles.
Upon this, he said that “These are, prayers, Zakat [almsgiving], fasting and Hajj “It is necessary to believe in and act in accordance with these four principles.” Prayers are obligatory. Zakat [almsgiving] is obligatory upon anyone who is eligible to do so.
It is necessary to fast in good health and it is obligatory upon those who are eligible to do so. It is also obligatory to perform Hajj for those who are capable of doing so. Nevertheless, it is necessary to believe in and act in accordance to these four principles.
These principles have been written in [the book] Usd-ul-Ghaba. These are the very books in which Muslims themselves have outlined the definition of a Muslim. However, now there are some scholars who issue edicts of disbelief and have now formed a new definition of being a Muslim.
The second companion to be mentioned today is Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud. His title is Abd-ur-Rahman and he belonged to the tribe of Banu Huzail. His mother’s name was Umm-e-‘Abd. He passed away in the thirty second year of Hijra [migration of the Holy Prophet (saw) to Medina]. His father’s name was Mas’ud bin Ghafil.
Abdullah bin Mas’ud is counted among the early converts to Islam. He accepted Islam at the same time as the sister of Hazrat ‘Umar, Hazrat Fatima bint Khattab and her husband, Hazrat Sa’eed bin Zaid. He accepted Islam before the Holy Prophet (saw) went to Dar-ul-Arqam;
The place which was built in Mecca for Muslims to be able to gather. Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud relates, “I was the sixth person to accept Islam. “At that time, there was no other Muslim on the face of the earth apart from the six of us.”
Narrating his acceptance of Islam, Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud says, “When I reached the age of understanding,” An age where a person is able to correctly recognise and distinguish between good and bad, the age of maturity. “I was grazing the sheep of ‘Uqba bin Mu’ayt one day.
“The Holy Prophet (saw) approached me and Hazrat Abu Bakr was also alongside him. “The Holy Prophet (saw) said to me, ‘Young man! Do you have any milk?’ “I replied that I do, but as I have been entrusted with this, I cannot give you any.” He was extremely pious from his very childhood.
“The Holy Prophet (saw) then said that bring me a sheep, “which is not expecting and nor producing any milk.” He further relates, “I brought a young sheep to the Holy Prophet (saw). “Following this, the Holy Prophet (saw) tied its feet together, rubbed his hands on its teats
“and started to pray until they were filled with milk. “Hazrat Abu Bakr then brought a bowl, which the Holy Prophet (saw) filled with its milk “and then told Hazrat Abu Bakr to drink from it. “Hazrat Abu Bakr drank the milk and following this, the Holy Prophet (saw) drank from it.
“The Holy Prophet (saw) then rubbed his hands over the teats and said, “‘Contract’ and they began to contract and returned to their previous form. “I asked the Holy Prophet (saw) to teach me the words he had recited. “Upon this, the Holy Prophet (saw) placed his hand on my head and said,
“‘You are an intelligent young man.’” He then states that he memorised seventy chapters of the Holy Qur’an directly from the Holy Prophet (saw). With regards to him, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib also writes in Seerat Khatam-un-Nabiyyeen that ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud was not from among the people of Quraish,
But belonged to the tribe of Huzail. He was a very poor man and used to graze the sheep of Uqba bin Abi Mu’ayt, chief of the Quraish. After accepting Islam, he stayed with the Holy Prophet (saw) and eventually became a great scholar as a result of the company of the Holy Prophet (saw).
The majority of Fiqh Hanafiyyah [Hanafi school of jurisprudence] is based on his accounts and There is a narration regarding his proficiency in religious knowledge. Hazrat Ibn Mas’ud states: “People are unaware of the fact “I have a lot of knowledge of the Holy Qur’an.
“I know when and where each chapter of this Holy Book was revealed.” Abu Wa’il narrates: “No one raised any objection “when Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud made this statement.” The Holy Prophet (saw) instructed [the believers] to learn the Holy Qur’an
From four companions and Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud was on the top of this list. Hazrat Musleh Ma’ud (ra) has explained this in detail in ‘Deepatcha Tafseerul Qur’an’ in the following manner, “As the eagerness of the people for memorizing the Qur’an increased, “the Holy Prophet (saw) appointed four principal teachers of the Qur’an
“who used to memorize it under the supervision of the Holy Prophet (saw) “and then taught other people to commit it to memory. “These four in turn trained a number of other people who became competent to teach the Qur’an.
“These four were:‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud, Salim Maula Abi Hudhaifa, Mu’adh bin Jabal and Ubayy ibn Ka’b. “The first two of these were Muhajireen, early Muslims who had migrated from Mecca to Medina, “and the last two were Anasar, early Muslims of Medina.
“Abdullah bin Mas’ud used to occupy himself as a labourer, Salim was a freed slave, “and Mu’adh and Ubayy were two of the leading men of Medina. “Thus the Holy Prophet (saw) appointed teachers of the Qur’an from among different sections “so that nobody should have any difficulty in approaching them and learning from them.
“The Holy Prophet (saw) used to say: (Arabic) “’Those of you who wish to learn the Qur’an should learn it from “‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud, Salim Maula Abi Hudhaifa, Mu’adh bin Jabal or Ubayy ibn Ka’b.’ “These four had learnt the whole of the Qur’an under the supervision of the Holy Prophet (saw).
“But many other Companions of the Holy Prophet (saw) had also learnt “portions of it directly from him. “It is related that on one occasion when ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud was reciting the Qur’an Hazrat Umar “pointed out that a certain word should be pronounced in a particular way.
“Abdullah bin Mas’ud protested that he had been taught by the Holy Prophet (saw) “to pronounce it in the manner in which he had pronounced it. “Hazrat Umar took him to the Holy Prophet (saw) and complained “that he did not recite the Qur’an correctly.
“The Holy Prophet (saw) asked him to recite the portion concerning which there was a difference of “opinion between the two and when he recited it the Holy Prophet (saw) said he was quite right. “Thereupon Hazrat Umar submitted that he had been taught by the “Prophet to pronounce the word differently.
“The Holy Prophet (saw) then asked him to recite the verse and when he did so, “told him that that was also correct. “This shows that in addition to the four Companions whom the Holy Prophet (saw) used
“to teach the whole of the Qur’an there were others who used to learn portions of it from him. “‘Umar’s submission that he had been taught to pronounce a certain word in a particular way shows “that he, too, used to learn portions of the Qur’an from the Holy Prophet (saw) himself.”
It is mentioned that after the Holy Prophet (saw), Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud was the one to recite the Holy Qur’an in public for the very first time. There is an incident mentioned about this. “One day, the Companions had gathered and it was mentioned that the Quraish
“have not yet heard the recitation of the Holy Qur’an out loud in public. “They enquired is there was anyone who can recite it to them? “Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud responded, ‘I will recite the Holy Qur’an to them.’
“They replied, ‘We fear that the disbelievers may cause you harm as you are a poor man. “‘It would be better to find someone of a prominent status instead ‘and his tribe will protect him if the disbelievers resort to violence.’
“Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud responded, ‘Do not worry about it as God shall protect me.’” These Companions had such an extraordinary passion. “The next morning, he began reciting the Holy Qur’an publically near the Ka’bah. “He recited ‘In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful’ “followed by Surah Rahman of the Holy Qru’an.
“The people of Quraish were astonished when they heard this and some said, “‘He is reciting from the same scripture that Muhammad (saw) [recites]’ and “when they heard this recitation they got up and began to strike Abdullah bin Mas’ud on his face. “However, he continued with the recitation
“and finished the entire portion he had intended to recite. “When he returned, the companions saw the marks on his face because of the beating he had endured “and they said that this is exactly what they feared that he will be attacked. “Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud replied, ‘In my sight, these enemies of God
‘have never been so insignificant as they seemed when they were attacking me. ‘If you would like I can do the same tomorrow.’ “The Companions responded, ‘No! This is enough. “You made them listen to something they did not want to hear.’”
The Holy Prophet (saw) kept Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud with him after he had accepted Islam. He would serve the Holy Prophet (saw). The Holy Prophet (saw) had instructed him, “If you hear my voice “the entrance of my home is uncovered (i.e.it is open) then enter therein without permission.”
Meaning that, do not enter without permission when the entrance is covered. “If, however, the entrance is not covered, the door is open and you have heard my voice, “then you have my permission to enter therein because it meant “that there were no ladies present inside at that time.”
He would do everything for the Holy Prophet (saw). He would assist in putting his shoes on, he would travel with the Holy Prophet (saw) when needed, he would hold the purdah (cover) when the Holy Prophet (saw) took a bath. He was known amongst the companions as Sahib ul Swaaq.
According to another narration he was known as Sahib ul Swaaq, Sahib ul wasaad and Sahib ul Na’layn as well. Abdullah bin Mas’ud was a confidant of the Holy Prophet (saw), he would set up the bed of the Prophet (saw)
And would carry the Prophet’s Miswaaq (short dry twig used to clean teeth) and shoes. The Arabic words used here refer to the services he rendered for the Holy Prophet (saw) such as: providing the Misawaq for his teeth, help in arranging the water for ablution and bathing.
One who prepares the bedding is known as Sahibul Suwaad and he would render this service for the Holy Prophet (saw) and he would also repair and carry the Prophet’s shoes and therefore was known as Sahibul Na’layn. He would carry water for the Holy Prophet (saw) to perform ablution.
He would also take care of these chores when the Holy Prophet would travel. Abu Maleeh narrates: “Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud would provide a purdah (covering) “for the Holy Prophet (saw) when he would bathe, “he was the one to wake up the Prophet (saw) from his sleep
“and would travel fully armed alongside the Holy Prophet (saw).” Hazrat Abu Musa narrates. “When I initially arrived in Medina from Yemen I thought that Hazrat Abdullah Bin Mas’ud “was amongst the Ahle Bait “as he and his mother would often visit the Holy Prophet (saw).” He states, “Thus, when I initially arrived in Medina
“I thought that he too was amongst the Ahle Bait.” Hazrat Abdullah Bin Mas’ud participated in both migrations; the migration to Abyssinia and also to Medina. He accompanied the Holy Prophet (saw) in the battle of Badr, Uhud, Khandaq, Bai’at-e-Rizwan and many other occasions.
After the demise of the Holy Prophet (saw) he participated in the battle of Yarmuk. He was amongst those companions who were given the glad tiding of paradise by the Holy Prophet (saw) in their lifetimes. He also played a huge role in putting an end to Abu Jahl.
It is narrated by Hazrat Anas that at the end of the battle of Badr the Holy Prophet said, “Is there anyone who can find out the accurate and correct news regarding Abu Jahl?” And so, Abdullah Bin Mas’ud went and saw that Abu Jahl was lying in the battlefield, wounded and in agony.
The sons of Ifra had caused him to be in this state. Hazrat Ibn Mas’ud grabbed him by his beard and said, “Are you Abu Jahl?” Even in that state he very arrogantly replied, “Have you ever killed a greater chieftain than me?” There is form a narration of Sahih Muslim.
The first narration was from Bukhari. The narration from Sahih Muslim regarding this incident is that Hazrat Abdullah bin Masud grabbed him by the beard and asked him, “Are you Abu Jahl?” Abu Jahal replied, “Have you ever killed a great man like me before?”
The narrator states that Abu Jahl said, “If only a person other than a farmer would have killed me.” There were two boys of Medina who left him in this state. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra) has also mentioned this in Tafsir-e-Kabir in great detail that how the opponents burnt in the fire of spite
And malice all their lives and even at the time of their death they were in this state. He writes that Hazrat Abdullah Bin Mas’ud said, “After the battle I saw that Abu Jahal was groaning in agony due to the wounds. “I went to him and asked how he was.
“He replied, ‘I am not regretful of my death. It is soldiers who die after all. ‘I am regretful that I was killed by the hands of two Ansari boys of Madina. ‘Be generous towards me. ‘I am dying so sever my head with a sword so that I am relieved of this misery.
‘But remember to sever my head from the lower part of the neck so that my head stands tall ‘as generals are killed in a similar manner from the lower part of the neck.’” Hazrat Abdullah Bin Mas’ud said, “I will not fulfil your last desire “and will sever your head from your chin.”
At last he placed his sword on his chin and beheaded him. Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) has written, “Look at the scale of this fire that was burning Abu Jahal. “All his life he was spiteful over the fact that they were unable to inflict the pain
“that they desire to inflict upon the Holy Prophet (saw). “Then when he was dying and when he was in that state he was burning in this fire that he was “being killed by the hands of two unskilled boys of Medina.
“The last desire that he had at the time of his death was also not fulfilled “and he was beheaded close to the chin. “Ultimately burning in all sorts of enraging fires he departed from this world.” When Hazrat Abdullah Bin Mas’ud migrated to Medina he stayed at the house of Hazrat Ma’az Bin Jabal.
According to some he stayed with Hazrat Sa’ad bin Khaisma. In Mecca a bond of brotherhood was established between him and Hazrat Zubair bin Awam, whilst in Medina the Holy Prophet (saw) appointed Ma’az Bin Jabal as his brother in faith. In the early days of Medina his financial state was not too great.
When the Holy Prophet (saw) made some arrangements for the accommodation of the Muhajreen near the Prophets mosque, certain people belonging to the Banu Zuhra tribe displayed some hesitation in keeping Hazrat Abdullah Bin Mas’ud with them saying that he was a layman, a poor person whilst they were of higher class.
When the Holy Prophet (saw) came to know about this, standing up for his poor and weak servant he said, “Has God sent me so that you can have these indifferences? “Remember that God Almighty never blesses such a Community in “which a weak person is not given his due rights.”
Then the Holy Prophet (saw) accommodated Hazrat Abdullah Bin Mas’ud near the mosque whilst Banu Zahra were placed far in a corner. Hazrat ibn Mas’ud himself narrates that the Holy Prophet (saw) instructed him to recite Surah Al-Nisaa to him. He is relating his own incident and states,
“The Holy Prophet (saw) instructed him to recite Surah Al-Nisa to him. “I replied that what can I recite to you since this was revealed to you. “The Holy Prophet (saw) replied, ‘I like it when others recite the Holy Quran and I listen to it.’”
He then states, “I began to recite it and when I reached the verse: ‘And how will it fare with them when We shall bring a witness from every people, ‘and shall bring thee as a witness against these!’ “the eyes of the Holy Prophet (saw) were filled with tears.” It is mentioned in other narrations that the Holy Prophet (saw) instructed him to stop.
Once, Hazrat Umar Farooq (ra) was at Arafat when a man approached him and said, “O Leader of the Faithful” This is after he was elected as the Khalifa. “I have come from Kufa and I have seen a man dictating the Holy Quran without looking.” Hazrat Umar (ra) said angrily, “Woe to you”
This is a style of speech of the Arabs. “Who is this man”. The man replied fearfully, “Abdullah bin Mas’ud.” When Hazrat Umar (ra) heard this his temper subsided and returned to the state he was in before. He then said, “In terms of undertaking this task,
“I do not see anyone more worthy and befitting than Abdullah bin Mas’ud. “He can write the entire Holy Quran without looking.” Hazrat Umar (ra) states, “One night Hazrat Abu Bakr and I were in the company of “the Holy Prophet (saw) when we passed by Abdullah bin Mas’ud
“who was reciting the Holy Quran whilst offering voluntary prayers.” He was standing in prayer reciting. The Holy Prophet (saw) stood listening to his recitation. Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud then bowed and prostrated. The Holy Prophet (saw) said, “O Abdullah, whatever you now ask of God will be granted to you.”
The Holy Prophet (saw) then departed saying, “Whoever desires to read the Holy Quran “with such freshness as though it were just revealed, “then he should learn the Holy Quran from Abdullah bin Mas’ud.” This Hadith and narration is of Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal.
Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Yazid relates that we went to Hazrat Huzaifah and said, “Tell us of such a man who was closest to the Holy Prophet (saw) in his practise, “in following his example and in his deeds, ” I.e whatever the Holy Prophet (saw) used to do.
“So that we may learn from him and listen to his narrations”. He told them, “The person closest to the Holy Prophet (saw) in his practise “is Abdullah bin Mas’ud”. The level of passion he had in following the example of the Holy Prophet (saw) was such
That after the demise of the Holy Prophet (saw), when the Companions were asked which Companion was the closest to the Holy Prophet (saw) in terms of conduct and habits, his behaviour and characteristics, Hazrat Huzaifah stated that to my knowledge in terms of conduct, dialogue and behaviour
Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud was the closest to the Holy Prophet (saw). “erhaps this is the reason why the Holy Prophet (saw) would say that: “Whatever Abdullah bin Mas’ud prefers I desire the same for my people.” This is a Hadith of Sahih Bukhari.
Hazrat Alqamah relates that Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud’s behaviour, his good character and his moderation in his practises were similar to those of the Holy Prophet (saw). Hazrat Abdullah bin Masu’d’s son, Ubaidullah relates that he had a habit of waking up for the Tahajjud prayer at night when everyone else was asleep.
One night I heard him murmuring like the humming of a bee, i.e. he was murmuring lightly as he prayed and recited [the Holy Quran]. Hazrat Ali relates that the Holy Prophet (saw) said if: “I were to ever appoint someone “as a governor without consultation it would be Abdullah bin Mas’ud.”
Then, the same narration of Hazrat Ali has been recorded in the following manner in Tabaqat ul Kubra that Hazrat Ali relates that the Holy Prophet (saw) told me “If I were to appoint an Ameer without the consultation of the Muslims, “then I would appoint Abdullah bin Mas’ud as a governor.
Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud relates that “After embracing Islam “I never slept beyond the period of chasht [between sunrise and noon].” Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud loved his wife and children. When he entered the home he would clear his throat and speak up so that the household members would know [he arrived].
His wife, Hazrat Zainab relates that “One day Hazrat Abdullah entered the house “when an elderly woman was giving me an amulet to wear.” It is the habit of women to sometimes make use of charms or amulets perhaps in hope of gaining blessings. She knew Abdullah bin Mas’ud did not like this.
She says, “So in fear of him I hid it beneath the bedstead I was sitting on. “He came and sat next to me and looking to my neck he said, “‘How is this thread which you placed on your neck?’ I told him it was an amulet.
“He broke it and threw it away immediately saying that ‘The family of Abdullah is free from shirk.’ “Abdullah bin Mas’ud then said, ‘I heard from the Holy Prophet (saw) ‘that making use of charms and amulets is shirk’. “I then said, ‘What are you saying? My eyes would swell up
‘so I would go to a certain Jewish woman to use the charm.’ “At times my eyes would be in pain and swell up with water running down, “so I would go to a Jewish woman to use the charm and I would be relieved after doing so.”
Abdullah bin Mas’ud then said to me, “These are all works of Satan. “The prayer of the Holy Prophet (saw) should suffice you that “(Arabic): ‘O Lord of mankind! Remove my illness and cure me. ‘Only You can cure and there is no cure except through You. ‘Such a cure which leaves behind no disease.’”
So those people who go to mystics and mendicants, those who spend their entire day intoxicated, not offering a single prayer, they go to them to make use of charms and amulets and then say that we have been cured and have been bestowed a great favour,
Or we have now been granted offspring, or such and such a thing has now occurred; this is an answer to all these things. Abdullah bin Mas’ud once went to see his friend, Abu Umair. However, he was not around. So he conveyed his greetings to his wife and requested some water to drink.
There was no water available in the house so she sent a female servant to bring water from the neighbours, but she did not return till very late. Umar’s wife scolded their female servant saying she was extremely lazy and cursed her. Hazrat Abdullah returned home thirsty, having heard this.
The following day he met Abu Umair and he asked him why he returned home so quickly without drinking water. He answered, “When your wife cursed the servant the saying of the Holy Prophet (saw) came to mind “that whoever is cursed but is innocent, the curse is reverted to the one who cursed.
“So I thought that if the servant was innocent then the curse would revert to me without cause. “Therefore, it is better that I go without drinking.” So this was the level of fear of God these people possessed that if there was even a chance
Of God Almighty being upset with them for any reason, they would abstain and stay away from it. Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud was slim, short in height and wheat in complexion. He would wear fine white clothing and use perfume. Hazrat Talha relates that he would be recognised by his perfume.
Hazrat Ali relates that once the Holy Prophet (saw) instructed Abdullah bin Mas’ud for a certain task to climb a tree. Seeing as his calves were apparently thin and weak the Companions began laughing at his thin and weak calves. The Holy Prophet (saw) thereupon asked, “Why do you laugh?”
The virtues of Abdullah bin Mas’ud will be heavier in the scales on the Day of Judgement than the Uhud Mountain. Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud had hair which he would lift from his ears. According to one narration his hair reached his neck. When he prayed he would put his hair behind his ears.
Zaid bin Wahhab narrates: “One day, I was sitting with Hazrat Umar (ra) “when Hazrat Abdullah bin Masud arrived. Since he had a short stature “it was difficult to see him over the crowd of people that were seated.” The other people seated in the congregation were tall or
Perhaps they were seated in a way that it was difficult to see him. He was almost concealed from view. When Hazrat Umar (ra) saw him he smiled and then began to converse with him in a joyful manner. During this discourse Hazrat Abdullah remained standing lest he became obscured from view.
When they finished the conversation and Hazrat Abdullah left, Hazrat Umar watched him until he was out of sight. He then said: “This individual is an extraordinary vessel of knowledge”. One can gauge the level of Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud’s knowledge and stature
From the following incident that towards the end of Hazrat Moaz bin Jabal’s life, the people asked him to give them some advice. He replied by saying that “Knowledge and faith both hold separate ranks.” Knowledge has a certain rank and so does faith. Whoever strives to attain them both will be successful.
He then mentioned the names of four individuals who led by example and Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud was among those four people. After the demise of the Holy Prophet (saw), Hazrat Umar (ra) appointed him as a missionary for the education and moral training of the people of Kufa
And at the same time appointed Hazrat Ammar bin Yassir as the governor. Hazrat Umar (ra) then said to the people of Kufa: “Both of these individuals are among the close “companions of the Holy Prophet (saw) and have a special standing. “They were among the people who took part in the Battle of Badr.
“You all should follow their example and obey their directives and also listen to what they say. “For you, I consider Abdullah bin Mas’ud to be better than me.” During his last days of his illness, Hazrat Usman (ra) went to visit Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud and asked him, “Do you have any grievances”.
He replied: “Now that you have asked, my only grievances are my sins, for there are many.” Hazrat Usman (ra) then asked if he required anything, to which he replied that he only required the Mercy of God Almighty.
Hazrat Usman (ra) then asked him if he should arrange for a doctor to attend to him. To this he replied that it was the doctor who has put him in this condition, i.e. that whatever was taking place was due to the Will of God and he was content with it.
Hazrat Usman (ra) then asked if he should set a stipend/allowance for him? To which he replied that he did not require anything. Hazrat Usman (ra) said that it would be useful for his daughters. He replied by saying: “From this do you imply that my daughters will be left impoverished?” He then further said:
“I have advised my daughters to recite Surah Al-Waqi’ah every night. “I heard the Holy Prophet (saw) say that whoever recites Surah Al-Waqi’ah every night, “they will never have to endure starvation.” This was the level of the trust in God and the contentment of these shinning stars.
Salma bin Tawam says, “A person once met Abdullah bin Mas’ud “and related his dream and said, ‘I saw you in my dream last night. “I also saw that the Holy Prophet (saw) was sat on a tall pulpit while you were sat below the pulpit. “The Holy Prophet (saw) then said, ‘O Ibn Mas’ud!
‘Come to close to me for you have become so detached since I have gone.’ “Abdullah bin Mas’ud then said, ‘Swear by God that did you really see this dream.’ “He replied that ‘Indeed he did.’ “Upon this, he then said, ‘Have you come from Medina to offer my funeral prayer?
‘As it seems that my time has come.’ “A short while later he passed away.” However, prior to his demise, when Hazrat Usman (ra) learnt of his illness he called him to leave Kufa and come to Medina. However, the people of Kufa urged him to remain in Kufa
And also assured him that they will protect him. It is possible that this incident of Hazrat Usman (ra) calling him to Medina was prior to his illness as it seems as if he was in good health then when this incident took place wherein this man related his dream to him.
However, it was after this that Hazrat Usman (ra) called him from Kufa. And, even though the people of Kufa desired for him to remain there and promised to protect him but he said that it was the instruction of the Khalifa of the time and it was incumbent upon him to obey.
He also said that very soon certain disorders will emerge and he did not wish to be the cause of them and after that he left to go the Khalifa of the time. He passed away in 32 AH in Medina. Hazrat Usman (ra) led his funeral prayer and buried him in Janat-ul-Baqi.
At the time of his demise, his age was just a little over than 60. According to another narration he was just over 70 when he passed away. Upon the demise of Hazrat Abduallah bin Mas’ud, Hazrat Abu Musa said to Hazrat Abu Mas’ud, “Do you think that Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud has left behind
“after him a person who possesses the same kind of qualities?” Hazrat Abu Mas’ud replied, “The fact is that during certain times when we were “not allowed to go and visit the Holy Prophet (saw), “Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud was permitted to enter the Holy Prophet (saw)’s home.
“When we were not around the Holy Prophet (saw), Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud however had “the opportunity to serve the Holy Prophet (saw) and benefit from his company. “Thus, how can it be that there is someone else who possesses the same kind of qualities?”
Hazrat Abduallah bin Mas’ud would fully adhere to the noble practise of the Holy Prophet (saw). Once it was asked from Hazrat Aishah (ra) that there are two Companions; one of them breaks his fast quickly, that is, he breaks his fast as soon as the sun sets and also offers his prayers immediately.
However, the other Companion does both of these relatively later. Hazrat Aishah (ra) enquired that which Companion does it immediately and she was informed that it was Abdullah bin Mas’ud. Hazrat Aishah (ra) said that this was also the practise of the Holy Prophet (saw) which the Abduallah bin Mas’ud follows.
There are many other traditions and account regarding Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud which I will, God Willing, relate in the future. May God Almighty enable us to follow the example of these shinning stars. 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.