COMPANIONS OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (P.B.U.H) II (TWO) BY BABA ALI MUSTAPHA
This research is the concluding part of the research work that was posted on the internet on Friday 3rd March, 2017. Under the title, Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It also briefly recounta the life stories of another selected leading companions of the Prophet (PBUH). After the death of the Prophet (PBUH)
, these companions addressed themselves to the task of regenerating humanity. The task was undertaken with zest and accomplished with faith that have become the mavel of history.
(1) ABU HURAIRA:
The Prophet (PBUH) one day surrounded by the companions. One of them asked, Messenger of Allah! Who among us is the “Lucky one most deserving of your intercession on the day of Judgement”!. “Your unusual thirst for knowledge had led me to anticipate this question” replied the Prophet (PBUH) calmly. The man who asked this question was Omair bin Amir, better known to the world as Abu Huraira, one of the top most authorities on the science of Hadith (traditions).
EARLY LIFE
Abu Huraira came of a poor Yemenite family. In early childhood he lost his father. This forced him to work for the people for earning a living. For a time he took up service with a well to do lady. Whenever the lady rode to somewhere, it was Abu Huraira duty to march by the side bare-footed. To keep pale with the mount, the poor lad had to run. Later, Abu Huraira became a shepherd. All day long he tended sheep in the desert. He grew very fond of a cat and enjoyed its company in the loneliness of the desert. When evening approached and the sheep had to be herded back home, he put the cat in a tree from where he picked it up on the following morning. The companionship of the two soon became known to the people and the shepherd boy, who had been named Abdush shams by his parents, came to be known as Abu Huraira (father of the cat).
CONVERSION TO ISLAM
Sometime before the Prophet (PBUH) migrated to Medina, a man of Abu Huraira’s tribe, Tufail bin Amr by name, happened to visit Mecca. He was completely carried off his feet by the magical pull of the Quran and became a Muslim. Back in his native Yemen, he became an ardent missionary of Islam. Soon he was able to win over a good many people of his tribe. Abu Huraira was one of them. He was little over thirty at that time. Most of the convents were eager to see the Prophet (PBUH). So Tufail led to Medina a party of about 80 men. Abu Huraira among them. So overpowered was Abu Huraira, with the desire to set eyes on the face of the Prophet (PBUH) that through the long journey he kept repeating verse of famous odes. Reaching Medina, the party found that the Prophet (PBUH) was away on an expedition to Khaibar. So the party of the Yemenites marched to Khaibar. Here they met the Prophet (PBUH) and pledged allegiance to him. Presently, a slave Abu Huraira, who had been lost on the way, came up, seeing the man, the Prophet (PBUH) said, “cheer up Abu Huraira; your lost slave is here”. “I set him free for the sake of Allah exclaimed Abu Huraira.
DEVOTION TO MOTHER
Abu Huraira was deeply devoted to his old mother. After accepting Islam, his greatest wish was that the old lady should also see the light of truth and give up the follies of her pagan culture. He brought her to Medina so that she should see with her own eyes the sublime way of life ushered in by Islam. However, the old woman seemed unable to overcome her life long prejudices. This made Abu Huraira very sad. One morning, he was pleading with his mother to see the truth of Islam. She got unusually angry and use objectionable language about the Prophet (PBUH). Abu Huraira felt deeply hurt but he just could not speak back to his mother. Tears streaming down his eyes, he hurried to the Prophet (PBUH) and told him all that had taken place. Messenger of Allah he said sobbingly, ……” pray to Allah that He show my mother the path of Allah. Her persistence in error is sure to break my heart.” Presently, the Prophet (PBUH) raised his hands for prayers. The prayer was instantly answered. When Abu Huraira got back home a pleasant surprise awaited him. His mother had washed up and was wearing clean clothes. She beckoned to him and as he drew close, she burst out: “I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger”. Abu Huraira joy knew no bounds. He immediately ran back to the Prophet (PBUH) and told him what miracle had been worked by his prayers.
THE RESERVOIR OF KNOWLEDGE
“Abu Huraira is a reservoir of knowledge” remarked the Prophet (PBUH) once. History fully bear out the truth of this prediction. Abu Huraira was destined to play a leading role in the spread of Islamic learning and in the development of the science of Hadith. In the matter of narrating reports from the Prophet (PBUH), no other companions could excel Abu Huraira. It seemed strange to some people that Abu Huraira, who had spend just four years in the Prophet (PBUH) company should be able to narrate more reports that those who had spent a life time with the Prophet (PBUH). Abu Huraira himself answered this criticism in the following words: “people are critical of the prolificacy of my reports. They say that I narrated reports of which the emigrants from Mecca or the natives of Medina have no knowledge. But the critics ignore one important fact. The emigrants being businessmen, were most of the time busy in their business affairs. The native of Medina, being farmers, were most of the time looking after their farms and gardens. I being a poor man, spent the whole of my time in the company of the Messenger of Allah. I stayed on with him even when all others had departed.
On top of this is my retentive memory. I remember things which others have forgotten”. Abu Huraira’s statement was fully borne out by some of the topmost companions. Commenting on the subject, the famous companions Talha once said: “There is no doubt that Abu Huraira heard the Prophet (PBUH) say things which most of us missed. There are several things of which he has knowledge and we have not. The reason is that we were well to do people and were burdened with family cares we had to look after our business and look after our children. On the contrary, Abu Huraira had nothing to look after. He had neither property nor a family. Free from all cares, he followed the Prophet (PBUH) like a shadow. It is only natural that he should know more about the Prophet (PBUH) life than any other man. It is unimaginable that Abu Huraira should report anything which he did not see or hear. During his talk with Abdultah bin Umar a man once remarked, “it is rather strange that Abu Huraira should have so many things to tell about the Messenger of Allah”.
To this Abdullah, replied “Pray, have no misgiving about what he reports. The truth is that Abu Huraira was unusually bold in the matter of putting question to the Messenger of Allah. He had the courage to ask questions which we dared not to ask”. Abu Huraira took great care to ensure that his reporting was faithful. He wrote down whatever he heard the Prophet (PBUH) say. He always cheered these notes before he reported anything to others. Once a man narrated a report to Abu Huraira. The latter expressed ignorance of it. At this the man protested that he heard him (Abu Huraira) narrated the report. “if this is so, I must check my notes”, said Abu Huraira, saying this he took the man home and checked the notes. And there he did find the report. Abu huraira had an impressible passion for teaching people all he knew about the Prophet (PBUH) life. Each Friday, he went to the mosque quite sometime before the sermon began and people flocked round him to hear what he had to tell about the Messenger of Allah.
Of humble origin, Abu Huraira loved to have a simple life. He was more interested in the spread of knowledge, Omar the second Caliph, made him the Governor of Bahrain. This put an end to his life of want and he became fairly well to do. By the time he was recalled from Bahrain, Abu Huraira had saved ten thousand pieces of silver. The vigilant eye of the Calif could not overlook this amount. Omar asked where from the money had come. Abu Huraira’s reply was that the amount consisted of the sell proceeds of his colts and of the taxes he realized from own his slaves. Omar ordered a probe and Abu Huraira’s statement was found to be correct. The caliph tried to persuade Abu Huriara to go back to Bahrain and carry on as Governor but Abu Huraira declined the offer. Asked about the reason he said that he was afraid of shouldering a responsibility to which he might prove unequal.
DEATH AND CHARACTER
Back from Bahrain, Abu Huraira quietly spent the rest of his life at Medina devoting himself to the spread of knowledge in 57 A.H, he felt ill. Important people came to inquire about his health. When one of them prayed for his recovery, Abu Huraira burst out “Lord! Don’t let me stay in the world any longer.” Then addressing the visitors he said: “time is soon coming when man will value death more than a heap of gold. If you live on, you will before long see events that will make you wish that you had been long dust”. Tears often spilled down from Abu Huraira’s cheeks during the closing days of his life. When visitors asked for the cause he replied: “I weep not because I love this world. I weep because I see a long and hard journey ahead and find myself ill-equipped for it”.
The last wish of the dying companion was that he be buried in the same simple fashion in which his master was laid to rest. This wish was faithfully carried out. Abu Huraira’s figure looms large in the intellectual history of the Muslim world. All branches of Islamic learning stem directly from the Quran and the Hadith. Abu Huraira did perhaps more than any other single person to preserve and pass on the ruling and the saying of the Prophet (PBUH). He was well educated person in the modern sense. Besides Arabic, which was his mother tongue, he had full command over persian. He had a prodigious memory. He devoted all these natural and acquired gift to the service of Islamic teachings. Abu Huraira’s love for the Prophet (PBUH) was unbounded. His greatest delight was to be by the Prophet (PBUH) side, to look at his serene face and listen to what he had to say. This unusual attachment explained how Abu Huraira came to know more about the Prophet (PBUH) in the brief period of four years than even some of the oldest of the companions. Such was Abu Huraira’s intensity of love that he avoided dainty dishes all his life simply because the Prophet (PBUH) was never touched them. Once when offered roasted lamb by a friend, Abu Huraira’s reply was, “how can I enjoy such delicacies when the Messenger of Allah get nothing except barley bread all his life?. Quite often the Prophet (PBUH) had even to go with this coarse fare”.
(2) SA’AD BIN WAQAS
Sa’ad was one of the notable souls who were the first to respond to the call of truth. He was a young man then and his mother loved him very dearly. He too, had the highest regard for her. When the old lady got to know that Sa’ad had gone over to Islam, she was inconsolable. She would neither touch food nor drink. Sa’ad did all he could to explain to her the truth about Islam but she would not listen. Three days went by Sa’ad felt miserable but he was not prepared to deviate an inch from the path of Islam. At last Divine revelation supported Sa’ad’s stand in the following word: “if your parents compel you to set up equal with me- a position unwarranted by reason and knowledge don’t obey them. All the same be good to them in your dealing”.
EARLY LIFE
Sa’ad belonged to a respectable Quraish family of Mecca. The family had blood ties with the maternal ancestors of the Prophet (PBUH). Sa’ad was thus related to him as maternal uncle. The Prophet (PBUH)often referred to this fact with pride. Sa’ad had been brought with unusually loving care. But once within the pale of Islam, he learnt to put Allah above all other things. He calmly put up with the hardships that early Muslims had to face. The Muslims way of worship attracted special jeers and taunts from the Quraish. To avoid this, it was usual with Sa’ad to retire to some lonely vale in the desert. Here he was free to commane with his Lord the way he wanted to. One day he along with a few Muslims, was lost in prayers, a party of the Meccans happened to pass by.
They started mocking at Islam and its way of worship. This was too much for Sa’ad, he picked up a thick camel bone laying close by and hurled it at the mockers. It hit the head of one wretches and made him bleed. This was the first blood shed by the future general of Islam, in the way of Allah. When migration began, Sa’ad also left his native city for the safety of Medina,. His brother Utba, had settled in Yathrib, years before. So Sa’ad had little difficulty in settling down in the new city. On reaching Medina, the first concern of the Prophet (PBUH) was to ensure the security of his people. One of the measures taken by him was to send out small parties to hover around the route of the Quraish and gather whatever information they could. Sa’ad was chosen to lead several of these parties.
DEVOTION TO THE PROPHET (PBUH)
Sa’ad devotion to the Prophet (PBUH) was unbounded. In all battle and military expedition he stood firmly by his side and performed rare deeds of valour. At Badr Sa’ad put to the sword a number of Meccans including their noted Chiefs. He took a fancy for the dead chiefs sword and came before the Prophet (PBUH) holding the sword in his hand. But revelation had thus far been received regarding the disposal of the booty. So the Prophet (PBUH) order that the sword be put back where it had been taken from, Sa’ad obeyed. Soon after divine revelation laid down rules regarding the disposal of booty and Sa’ad was allowed to have the sword. The battle of Uhad witnessed the depth of Sa’ad’s love for the Prophet (PBUH), for quite sometime panic and chaos overtook the Muslims.
However, Sa’ad was one of the few souls who firmly stood their ground to the last. He was among those who ringed the Prophet (PBUH) and beat back the surging enemy hardes who threatened to engulf those small pockets of resistance. Sa’ad was an excellent archer. The Prophet (PBUH) handed him arrow from his own quiver and exhorted him, saying:”Shoot,O Sa’ad!. A rare compliment from the Prophet (PBUH)to any of his companions. Sa’ad’s arrow sent many Meccans to sure death. Just when the quiver was empty, an arrogant Meccan came dashing forward. The Prophet (PBUH) ordered Sa’ad to shoot. Only one arrow was left and it was without the pointed head. Sa’ad fitted it in his bow and left it go with some force and precision that it hit the wretch right in the forehead. Overcome with numbers the wretchers staggered back and fell flat on the ground at most naked. The comical scene greatly amused the Prophet (PBUH) and produced a broad smile.
THE HISTORIC PROPHECY
Sa’ad played an important role in subsequent battle as well. In the year of 10 A.H., the Prophet (PBUH) journeyed to Mecca for the last pilgrimage Sa’ad was with him. On reaching Mecca, Sa’ad fell ill. His condition grew worse day by day. It seemed that his end was not far. Learning of his illness, the Prophet (PBUH) called on Sa’ad one day. He looked very weak and desponded. After a brief chat he said: “Messenger of Allah! I am a wealthy man and have no issue except a daughter. If you permit, I will like to give away two thirds of my properties to the poor.” “I will not advise this”, was the reply. “How about one half, Sa’ad pressed. “well if you are so determined, observed the Prophet (PBUH), if you give away one third, even that will be rather too much. It is better that your kinsfolks be well off after you so that they don’t have to look to other for help. Surely Allah will reward you for every penny you spend to win His pleasure. You will even be rewarded for the food you provide for your wife”.
Day went by but Sa’ad’s condition did not improve. The thing that worried him most was that he did not want to die in Mecca and get buried there. He yearned to be at Medina. When the Prophet (PBUH) called on him again, Sa’ad burst into tears. Asked about the reason he said, “I gave up this city for the love of Allah and its Messenger. It is a irony of fate that I am going to be laid to eternal rest in this very city. The Prophet (PBUH) felt touched. Advising Sa’ad to be of good cheer, he placed his hand on his chest, just above the heart. Then in an earnest voice he repeated thrice, “Lord! Restore Sa’ad to health! Soon after he fixed his gaise on Sa’ad and declared, “Sa’ad you are going to live long enough to bring the downfall of nation and risen of another”. The historic prophecy of the Prophet (PBUH) was liter called when Sa’ad’s victory at Qadisiya brought about the downfall of the Persian (Iranian) empire and paved the far Muslim glory.
SA’AD GET THE CHIEF COMMAND
Sa’ads military genius had won recognition in the days of the Prophet (PBUH). But his crowning exploits belonged to the future. It was to these exploits that the Prophet (PBUH) had referred in his prophecy. Before the first calif died, hostilities with Persian had begun. But they were little more than border clashes. Anyway, these clashes awakened the Persian to a new reality. They came to fell that the Arabs had sprungs, almost overnight, into a new and restless life capable of meeting any challenge. Iranian had its house in order or it was going to be overran by the Arabs. To re-vitalize Iran, puran Dukt was dethroned and a spirited young price Yazdgid, was made the king. The army was reorganized and the whole country was roused to a high pitch of national pride. The border posts occupied by the Arabs were easily retaken. It seemed that Iran was soon going to regain its strangle hold on Arab hands. Disturbing reports from across the Persian border began to reach Medina. Omar felt very much concerned. He sent out eloquent speakers to various parts of the country in a bid to get enough volunteers for a trial of strength with Persia. Soon Medina was humming with thousands of brave men, ready to lay down lives for the cause of Allah. The caliph was more than satisfied with the response of his appeal.
However, one important question still remained unanswered. A suitable commander for the army had to be found. Omar requested Ali to take the command he expressed inability to shoulder the burden. There was a proposal that the calif himself assume the command. Omar was ready for this but most of the senior companions took exception to the proposal. Just then, Abdurrahman bin Auf came out with a suggestion. Why don’t you give the command to Sa’ad bin Abi Waqas” he said: he is a tried commander.” Almost everybody acclaimed the proposal and Sa’ad was given the command of the army. The choice greatly boasted the morale of the army. For Sa’ad’s military ability was common knowledge. Thus the most brilliant chapter in Sa’ads life. He embarked upon an enterprise that was destined to raise him to the front rank of the highest captain in military history.
THE BATTLE OF QADISIYA
Before Sa’ad left, the calif gave him detailed instruction about almost every aspect of the upcoming operation. From Medina Sa’ad marched off to Thalabiyya, where he rested his troops for three months. From where he marched to Mashraf, close to the Persian border. Muthanna, the veteran Arab commander of the area had passed away some day before. However, he had left behind valuable information which was faithfully conveyed to Sa’ad. In a few days, Sa’ad was able to make a detailed analysis of the situation and sent his report to Medina. The calif wrote back that Sa’ad should advance to Qadisiya and take his position with the hills at his back. This was promptly done. Omar’s instruction were that in keeping with the Muslim tradition, the Iranians should have an offer of peace before resorting to war. Accordingly, Sa’ad selected some noted chiefs and sent them as ambassadors of peace to Iranians court at Madayan. They told Yazdgid that the Islamic way of life was the best way of enabling the Iranian to enjoy basic human rights. He had, therefore, to choose between Islam and the payment of Jezya (Poll-tax). They also warned Yazdgird about the well known prophecy of the Prophet (PBUH). The prophecy said that Iran was going to fall into Muslim hands.
This blunt talk greatly upset the Iranian King. “What” he thundered in wrath.”Are you dreaming of occupying Iran? By Yazdan, you are dreaming of occupying Iran? By Yazdan, you shall get nothing from but just.” Saying this he ordered that a basket of dry soil be brought. The basket was placed on the head of the leader of the deputation and the deputation was made to leave. “happy news to you! Victory is already yours”. Shouted the leader of the deputation, as he placed the basket of dry earth before Sa’ad. The Iranian king has himself made over his soil to us.” The offer of peace having being turned down, Sa’ad set about putting his troops in combat order. The Iranian commander, Rustam, also advanced to Qadisiya, and took up his position, facing the Muslims. At heart, however, he was doubtful about the outcome of the war and wanted to avert it, if he could. So he sent a number of peace missions, none of which could make any headway. In the meantime, the Sa’ad intelligence men combed the enemy camp daily and gleaned valuable information. The failure of the last peace mission so incened Rustam that he announced his intention to strike the next morning.
Learning of this, Sa’ad also gave final touches to his preparation. Early next morning Rustam marched his troops into the fateful battlefield. In accordance with the practice Sa’ad raise the shout of “Allah is Great” Thrice. At the fourth shout, the Muslim army hurried itself at the enemy. Sa’ad happened to have an attack of authorities these days. This kept him from being on the field of battle. However, he sat on top of a building overlooking the field and from there directed the fighting. Bitter fighting continued the whole day but neither side could win a clear a clear advantage. At last the darkness of night forced the two armies to part and retire to their camps. Early next morning the battle started again. At about mid-day the Muslims got reinforcement from Syria. This added to their striking power but failed to tilt the balance in their favour. This was due to the Iranian elephants menace. So on the second day of the battle also ended without a clear advantage to other side. As the battle entered the third day, Saad decided that it should be the last day.
The day wore on but the enemy showed no sight of weakness. The approaching sundawn set Saad thinking hard. If he could only get rid of the elephant menace, victory could be his in no time. Summoning some of his fearless warriors, he told them to strike dawn the elephants. At great risk, these warriors cut down the two big beasts that led the rest of the herd. With the leader gone the elephant herd stamped back and never returned. Saad was now sure of victory. He rearranged his forces and ordered them to fast upon the enemy with a fresh resolve. The Iranian host could not hope to stand long before this desperate attack. With the protective wall of the elephants gone, the Iranians could get no respite from the incessant Arab blows. However, they put up a stiff fight till late in the night. At last day, they could stand it no longer. Their lines broke and they fled in complete disorder, Rustam, too was found to fled for dear life but he was pursued ad killed by Hilal, a Muslim soldier.
SAAD LIBERATES IRAQ
Iraq had been an Iranian colony for centuries. In fact the rulers of Iran had made Madayan, the capital of Iraq, the show place of their power and splendor. However, Iraq was Arab land and caliph Omar wanted to liberate it from the foreign yoke. Omar had no other dispute with Iran. The victory at Qadisiya had paved the way for the liberation of Iraq. Sa’ad now had to address himself to the task liberation. Babylon was Iranian stronghold. Sa’ad decided to take it first. Mopping up pockets of resistance on the way, he took Babylon by storm. From here he marched in the direction of Madayan. However, the approach to the capital was guarded by the strong military base at Behra Sher. As Sa’ad reached here the Iranians army shut itself up in the fort, so Sa’ad had to lay siege. For two long months the siege went on. At last the besieged got desperate and came out for a fight. For quite sometime they fought bravely but the moment their commander got killed, they took to their flight. With the fall of Behra Sher, the last obstacle on the road to Madayan was cleared. The glistering white palace of the Iranian Emperor was only a few miles of, on the other bank of the Tigris.
The Emperor and his courties had already fled and the bridge on the river had been destroyed. At last the victors of Qadisiya stood on the bank of the Tigris. Just across the river the proud white palace stood shimmering in the desert sun. But there was no bridge to cross over. Saad refused to let the river block his way. Addressing the men he said: “Brave son of Islam! The enemy man has used the river as a shield. Let us trample this yield under our feet”. Saying that, he plunged his horse into the river. The troops immediately followed the example of the commander. Dazed by the incredible daring of the Muslims, the Iranians on the opposite bank took to their heels, shouting: “The giants are come! The giant are come.” The crossing was safely made. A small Iranian force fired to check the Muslims advances but it was cut down in no time. The white palace lay undefended and deserted. Sa’ad entered it and found everything laying intact. The heaps of gold and precious stone amassed he amazed the Arabs.
Sa’ad was particularly touched and he recited the following verses of the Holy Quran: How many gardens and springs they left behind! And cornfields and noble building they left behind! And amenities wherein they rejected! Thus it was. And we made other people inherit them. So the heaven and the earth wept not for them nor were they granted any respite. (Xliv: 25.29). With the fall of Madayan the Iranian occupation of Iraq came to an end. In a short time all chieftains and landlords acknowledged the new regime and peace returned to Iraq. Having liberated Iraq, Sa’ad permission to march on into Iran. In reply the caliph wrote back. “I place higher value on the life of a simpler soldier than the riches and territory. I wish an insuperable, so that neither of us could attack the other. For the time being let you rest content with establishing law and order in the liberated territories.
SA’AD BECOMES GOVERNOR
The caliph’s order brought Sa’ad military career to an end and made him the Governor of Iraq. A new responsibility demanded that Iraq should in the shortest possible time get a just and clean administration committed to the welfare of the masses. This was by no means an easy task. The masses for centuries been dawn trodden and exploited. The entire administration of the country had been geared to this twin purpose. Replacing the rotten old order, by a healthy, democratic order had to a difficult and rather slow process. However, Sa’ad addressed himself to the new task with his characteristic energy and drive. Soon his headquarter in Madayan became the hub of socio-economic reforms. Under the instruction from the caliph a complete census was taken. Arable land was measured and classified. Land revenue tax and pool too were put on a rational basis. Tillers of land were granted the secure permission of the lands. These reforms had far reaching effects. They benefitted all classes of people alive. Just laws and more equitable distribution of wealth greatly increased productivity. This led to unprecedented prosperity for the masses as well as for the higher classes.
One inevitable result was the rapid spread of Islam. Blessings following in the wake of Muslim rule were too evident and too numerous to be blinked. Islam won the hearts of people and they came over to the religion of truth by the thousands. As time passed Sa’ad began to feel that for reason for climate and cultural setting, Madayan was no fit place to be an Arab centre. The matter was taken up with the caliph Omar who advised that close to the Arabian border a suitable site be selected for founding a new city. In the light of this advice a site was chosen and the city of Kufa was founded. In the centre of the city was a huge mosque which accommodated 40 thousand worshippers. Close to the mosque were built of the Governor’s house and public treasury. The city was divided into several sectors and each tribe had a sector to itself. Kufa soon became a bustling city.
The din and hustle of the buzar began to disturb the calm of the Governor’s house. To keep out the noise, Sa’ad got a portico built in front of his house. The report reached Omar, he was annoyed. Omar was never tried of impressing upon the Governor’s the need for being one with his people. They were reminded again and again not to create distance between themselves and the masses. The construction of a portico in front of a public office or even the posting of a door keeper offended against Omar’s concept of democracy. Despite all his regard for the victor of Qadisiya, Omar could not over look Sa’ad’s action. He at once sent Muhammad bin Muslima to Kufa with order to set fire to the portico. On reaching Kufa, Ibn Muslima faithfully carried out the caliph’s order and Sa’ad silently watched his portico ablaze. After six years, the caliph relieved Sa’ad of his post. All the same, Omar always acknowledged the services rendered by Sa’ad. Two years later Omar lay mortally wounded, his parting advice was that his successor should make use of Sa’ad services. Accordingly Othman, the third of caliph, once again appointed Sa’ad as the Governor of Kufa. This time he held the office for three years.
DEATH AND CHARACTER
After serving the second term of governorship Sa’ad returned to Medina where he spent the remaining years of his long life in complete retirement. The last years of Othman’s rule saw widespread of unrest. Othman’s death was followed by a long struggle for power. Throughout this turbulent period Sa’ad remained unconcerned. He deeply deplored disunity among Muslims but took no side. He got a villa built at distance of some ten miles from Medina. Most of his time was spent here in meditation and prayer . it was here that he passed away quietly in 55 A.H. he was over seventy. His dead body was brought to Medina and buried in Jannat-ul-Baqi. Sa’ad was an extremely God-fearing man. Ever since he came over to Islam, he delighted in spending his spare hours in prayer, mostly in the stillness of night. With all his status and wealth, he loved to live a simple life. During retirement, he often tendered his own camels. One day his son Amr remarked. “What a pity you are tending camels in the desert while others are striving to get power!”. “Hush!” spoke back Sa’ad, “I have heard the Messenger of Allah say that Allah love the contented and pious”. Sa’ad’s last wish was that he laid to rest dressed in the rough woolen cloth he was wearing on the on day of Badr.
BABA ALI MUSTAPHA of Ngarannam Ward, Bolori II, near 7up junction, Maiduguri, Borno State.
Reference:
For more knowledge on companions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):
1. The Ministers around the Prophet (PBUH) by Abdul Aziz Ash-Sharaw published by DARUSSALAM, P.O BOX 22743, Riyad, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
2. Men and Women around the Messenger translated by Sheikh Muhammad Mustapha Gemeiah and Dr. Abdel Hamid Eliwa Al Azhar University, published by Dar-Al Manarah P.O Box 35783, EL Mansura, Egypt.
3. Some companions of Prophet (PBUH) by Professor Fazl Amad, published by SH. M. Ashrab, Lohore Pakistan.
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