Subscribe now
Publications
Banking Details
History (675)
The Forefathers of Rasulullah (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) - Part Seven
Written by user2‘Abdul Muttalib
His name was Shaybatul Hamd and he was incredibly handsome. A poet describes his beauty thus:
على شيبة الحمد الذي كان وجهه يضيئ ظلام الليل كالقمر البدري
“Like the luminance of the fourteenth moon, Shaybatul Hamd’s face brightens the darkness of the night.”
‘Abdul Muttalib literally means “the slave of ‘Muttalib”. On the death of Haashim, ‘Abdul Muttalib’s mother lived in Madinah Munawwarah with her people, the Banu Khazraj, for some time. As he grew older, his uncle from Makkah Mukarramah, Muttalib, came to Madinah Munawwarah to fetch him.
Hazrat Abu Zar Ghifaari (radhiyallahu 'anhu) - Part Two
Written by user2Accepting Islam: There are different narrations recorded regarding Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) accepting Islam.
The First Narration: The first narration is reported by Hazrat ibn ‘Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma). He says:
When the news reached Hazrat Abu Zar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had claimed Nubuwwah, he said to his brother, “Travel to the valley of Makkah Mukarramah and enquire regarding the person who claims that he is a Nabi who receives revelation from the sky. Listen to his message and thereafter return to me.”
Hazrat Abu Zar Ghifaari (radhiyallahu 'anhu) - Part One
Written by user2Name: Jundub bin Junaadah (Isaabah 7/105, Usdul Ghaabah 1/343)
Appellation: Abu Zar
Mother’s Name: Ramlah bint Al-Waqee‘ah (Usdul Ghaabah 4/436, Istee‘aab 1/321)
Physical Description: He was a tall, thin Sahaabi who was wheat colored in complexion and had a thick beard. (Isaabah 7/107, Siyar A‘laam min Nubalaa 3/379)
The Forefathers of Rasulullah (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) - Part Six
Written by user2Haashim (continued)
During the days of Haj, Haashim would feed all the hujjaaj (pilgrims) with meat, bread, saweeq and dates and would also provide them with Zam Zam water. He would make similar provisions for them at Mina, Muzdalifah and ‘Arafaat.
Umayyah bin ‘Abdu Shams was very upset over Haashim’s generosity and influence over the Arabs. Umayyah thus also attempted to feed the pilgrims just as Haashim was feeding them. However, despite his excessive wealth, he was unable to compete with Haashim. This was the initial catalyst that sparked off the hostility which the Banu Umayyah expressed for the Banu Haashim.
The Forefathers of Rasulullah (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) - Part Five
Written by user2Haashim (continued)
Haashim was the first to initiate the custom of sending off two trade caravans a year; one to Syria in summer and another to Yemen in winter. According to this unvarying custom, a caravan would set out in every season of the year. These caravans would travel in winter across desolate swathes of land, at times at times through the desert and at times crossing the sea, until they would arrive at Yemen and even further, at Ethiopia.
Najaashi, the emperor of Ethiopia, was exceedingly hospitable towards Haashim and would present many gifts to him. In summer, the caravans would travel to Syria (including Jordan and Lebanon), Gaza and Ankara (which was then the capital of Rome). Heraclius, the Byzantine emperor, would also approach Haashim with utmost respect and would often present gifts to him.
Calling out the Azaan in Shaam
Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) once visited Jaabiyah (a place in Shaam) during the period of his Khilaafat. On his arrival, the people approached him and asked him if he would request Hazrat Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), who was residing in Shaam, to one day call out the azaan for them. Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) put their request to Hazrat Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) who agreed to one day call out the azaan. The momentous day finally dawned and as the people heard the azaan of Hazrat Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) they were reminded of the blessed era of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and immediately began to weep. Such was their weeping out of the sadness and grief of being separated from their beloved Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that Hazrat Aslam (rahimahullah), the freed slave of Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), said, “I never saw people crying more than they did on that day.”
(Siyar A‘laam min Nubalaa 3/222, Zarqaani 5/71)
The Forefathers of Rasulullah (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) - Part Four
Written by user2Haashim
Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) and Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah) say that Haashim’s actual name was ‘Amr.
There was once a severe drought in Makkah during which Haashim fed the people bread crushed into gravy. This is why he was given the title “Haashim” (The one who crushes). As a poet says:
عمرو العلا هشم الثريد لقومه ورجال مكة مسنتون عجاف
“The exalted ‘Amr prepared Thareed (a dish of meat and gravy into which bread is crushed) for his people (and fed it to them) when the people of Makkah were left weak and thin by the drought.”
Leaving Madinah Munawwarah after the Demise of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam):
There are two views recorded with regards to whether or not Hazrat Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) remained the mu’azzin of Madinah Munawwarah after the demise of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
The First View:
The first view is that Hazrat Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) did not remain the mu’azzin of Madinah Munawwarah after the demise of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). After the demise of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), he felt it difficult to remain in Madinah Munawwarah and thus went to Shaam to engage in Jihaad.
This is the preferred view of ‘Allaamah ibn Katheer (rahimahullah) (Al Bidaayah wan Nihaayah 6/61), ‘Allaamah Suyooti (rahimahullah) (Is‘aaf 751) and 'Allaamah Ibn Hibbaan (rahimahullah) (Thiqaat 1/264)
Hazrat Sa‘eed bin ‘Abdul ‘Azeez (rahimahullah) and Hazrat ibn Jaabir (rahimahullah) both narrate that Hazrat Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) did not call out the azaan after the demise of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and intended to leave Madinah Munawwarah to strive in Jihaad. When Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) came to know of this, he asked Hazrat Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to remain in Madinah Munawwarah to which Hazrat Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) responded by requesting, “If you had freed me for the sake of Allah Ta‘ala then please allow me to leave.” Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) relented and allowed Hazrat Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to leave. Hazrat Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) then moved to Shaam.
(Siyar A‘laam min Nubalaa 3/222)
First Mu’azzin in Islam:
‘Allaamah ibnul Atheer (rahimahullah) has mentioned that Hazrat Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was the first Mu’azzin in Islam. He would call out the azaan for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) while they were on safar (travelling) and while they were in Madinah Munawwarah.
(Usdul Ghaabah 1/237)
The Four Mu’azzins of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam):
Haafiz ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullah) has recorded that four Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) enjoyed the privilege and honor of being the mu’azzins of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Hazrat Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and Hazrat ibn umme Maktoom (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) were the mu’azzins of Madinah Munawwarah. Hazrat Sa‘d Al-Quraz (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), the freed slave of Hazrat ‘Ammaar bin Yaasir (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), was the mu’azzin of Qubaa’ and Hazrat Abu Mahzoorah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was the mu’azzin of Makkah Mukarramah.
(Zaadul Ma‘aad 1/120)
The Forefathers of Rasulullah (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) - Part Three
Written by user2Ka‘b
In the pre-Islamic era, Ka‘b bin Luwayy would, on a weekly basis, gather all the people on the day of Friday. After all the people had assembled, he would deliver a sermon which he would commence by praising Allah Ta‘ala and explaining that Allah Ta‘ala had created the skies, the earth, the moon, the sun and all other forms of creation. He would thereafter give the people beneficial advices and would encourage them to maintain family ties.
He would also mention: “A prophet is to appear amongst my descendants. If you are alive in that era, ensure that you follow him.”
More...
Treasurer of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)
Haafiz ibnul Hajar ‘Asqalaani (rahimahullah) has mentioned that Hazrat Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was the treasurer of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
(Isaabah 1/455)
Hazrat ‘Abdullah Al-Hawzani (rahimahullah) mentions that he once met Hazrat Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) in Halab (a city in Shaam). On meeting Hazrat Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), he asked him, “O Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)! Tell me of the manner in which Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would spend wealth for the cause of deen.” Hazrat Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied:
From the time Allah Ta‘ala deputed him as a Nabi until he left this world, the wealth he possessed was entrusted to me. Whenever a Muslim would come to him and he would notice that he did not have sufficient clothing, he would instruct me to provide clothing for him. I would therefore take a loan through which I would purchase a shawl and whatever else was needed after which I would clothe and feed that person. This continued until, one day, a disbeliever approached me and said, “O Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)! I possess plentiful wealth so don’t go to anybody else when you need a loan.” Accordingly, I commenced going to him for loans and ceased taking loans from other people.
One day, when I had performed wudhu and was now standing, about to call out the azaan for salaah, I saw the same disbeliever nearby amongst a group of traders. When he spotted me, he called out, “O Abyssinian!” and began speaking to me very rudely and harshly. He asked me, “Do you know how long it is until the end of the month?” I replied, “The end of the month is close.” He said, “There are only four nights left! When the month is over, I am going to take you as my slave in exchange of the money you owe me. I have not been loaning you wealth due to you or your companion’s honor. I only gave you loans so that you will become my slave and I will make you graze the goats once again.” When I heard these words, I was alarmed and taken by surprise. Nevertheless, I called out the azaan and we performed Esha salaah.
Appointed as Mu’azzin of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam):
When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) made Hijrah (migrated) to Madinah Munawwarah, he constructed the musjid. After constructing the musjid, he consulted the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) regarding the method to be adopted to call people for salaah. It was the burning desire within the heart of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that all the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) congregate and perform their salaah together in the musjid. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was neither pleased with the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) performing their salaah in the musjid at different times nor in their homes or at other places.
The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) presented various suggestions in regard to how people could be called for salaah. Some of the suggestions of the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) were that a fire be lit or a flag be hoisted. On seeing the fluttering flag or the flames and smoke of the fire, people would understand that it is the time of salaah and thereby inform others to come to the musjid for salaah. Other suggestions were that a horn be sounded or that the Naqoos (two sticks) be struck upon each other to alert people that it is the time for salaah. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was not pleased with these opinions. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) did not want his Ummah to emulate the Christians, Jews and Kuffaar in aspects of their deen or their worldly life. If the Muslims were to adopt these methods, it would result in them resembling the disbelievers in their deen and furthermore, it would lead to confusion coming about in the salaah times as the disbelievers were calling people at other times through these same methods. No conclusion was reached in that gathering and the matter was thus left undecided.
The Forefathers of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) - Part Two
Written by user2Ilyaas
His name conformed to the name of the Nabi of Allah Ta‘ala, Hazrat Ilyaas (‘alaihis salaam).
The Sunnah (tradition) of herding the Hadi (sacrificial) animals towards Baytullah (in Makkah) was commenced by Ilyaas bin Mudhar. It has been reported that Ilyaas bin Mudhar would often hear the Talbiyah of Haj being recited by Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) from his own spine.
It has also been narrated that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Do not speak ill of Ilyaas as he was a Muslim.”
Mudrikah
Most Ulama are of the opinion that Mudrikah’s name was ‘Amr. The name “Mudrikah” is derived from the word “Idraak” which means “achievement”. He was awarded the title of Mudrikah (the achiever) as he had excelled and attained success in virtually every department of his life.
The Forefathers of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) - Part One
Written by user2‘Adnaan
He was from the progeny of Qaydar bin Ismaa‘eel.
Ma‘ad
Ma‘ad was an extraordinarily strong and gallant warrior. He spent his entire life fighting against the Banu Israa’eel and was triumphant in all his battles. His appellation was Abu Nazar. (“Appellation” refers to a name by which the father is called in attribution to his eldest child e.g. Abu Muhammed – Father of Muhammed)
Ma‘ad bin ‘Adnaan was a twelve year old lad during the reign of the famous king, Bukhtenasr. Allah Ta’ala informed the Nabi of that era, Hazrat Armiyaa’ bin Halqiyaa (‘alaihis salaam), through divine revelation, to convey the following message to Bukhtenasr: “We (i.e. Allah Ta‘ala) pledge to grant you (i.e. Bukhtenasr) dominance over the Arabs. And you, O Prophet! Take this young boy, Ma‘ad bin ‘Adnaan, away with you on your horse (Buraaq) so that he does not suffer any harm. I will extract from the spine of Ma‘ad a noble prophet (Hazrat Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)) with whom I will seal the succession of prophets (i.e. he will be the seal of all prophets) Accordingly, Hazrat Armiyaa’ (‘alaihis salaam) mounted his Buraaq, seated the young Ma‘ad bin ‘Adnaan with him, and left him in Syria. Here, in Syria, he grew up and lived with the Banu Israa’eel. This is one of the reasons for the lineage of Ma‘ad bin ‘Adnaan being so well known amongst the ‘Ulamaa of the Ahl-e-Kitaab (Jews and Christians).