Hazrat Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was a Sahaabi of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). He was initially a slave, but Hazrat Ummu Salamah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) purchased him and set him free.
Sa’eed bin Jumhaan reports that Hazrat Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said:
I was the slave of Hazrat Ummu Salamah (radhiyallahu ‘anha). One day, she addressed me saying, “I set you free on the condition that you remain in the service of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) so long as you live.” I responded saying, “Even if you did not stipulate this as a condition, I will never leave the side of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) so long as I am alive.” Hazrat Ummu Salamah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) thereafter granted me my freedom. (Sunan Abu Dawood #3932)
“Safeenah” in Arabic means “ship”. This was not the name of this Sahaabi, rather his name was Mahraan. Allaamah Nawawi (rahimahullah) has mentioned that there are various views regarding his name, but the most famous view of the Muhadditheen is that his name was Mahraan. The name Safeenah was given to this Sahaabi by Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). (Sharhuz Zurqaani 4/528)
Receiving the Name Safeenah
On one occasion, Hazrat Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was traveling with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum). During the journey, Hazrat Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) saw a Sahaabi who was struggling to carry his luggage and equipment. Seeing him in difficulty, Hazrat Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) immediately offered to assist him carry some of his luggage.
After a little while, Hazrat Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) saw another Sahaabi who was struggling with his luggage and assisted him as well. In this manner, Hazrat Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) began assisting many Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) to carry their luggage. Some of the Sahaabah gave him their swords, while others gave him their shields, spears or other similar equipment to carry. Eventually, out of his eagerness to be of benefit to others and assist them, Hazrat Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was carrying a large amount of luggage.
When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) saw the large amount of luggage that he was carrying, and the manner in which he was assisting others, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was extremely pleased with him and addressed him saying, “You are Safeenah (the ship that carries a large load).” (Musnad Ahmed #21922 and Musnad Ishaaq 4/163)
In reality, it was only through the blessing of the du‘aa which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) made for him that he was able to carry this large load. In the narration of Musnad Ahmed, it is reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said to Hazrat Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), “Spread out your shawl.” He thus spread out his shawl and then placed the luggage he was carrying in his shawl. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then said to him, “Now carry the luggage, for you are Safeenah.””
Through the miracle of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Hazrat Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was able to carry the luggage of all the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) without feeling any burden or experiencing any difficulty. He says, “On that day, if I had to carry an entire camel’s load, or even the load of two, three, four, five, six or even seven camels, I would not have found it to be heavy, except that some of the goods would fall (due to the luggage on the top being uneven).” (Musnad Ahmed #21928, Dalaa’il-un-Nubuwwah 6/47 and Mustadrak Haakim #6548)
His Deep Love and Devotion for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)
Hazrat Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) possessed such deep love and devotion for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that he wished to remain with him until the end of his life. Similarly, he wished that people do not call him by his original name, but call him by the name Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had given him.
It is reported that when any person would ask Hazrat Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) regarding his original name, he would say, “I do not wish to tell you my original name. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) gave me the name Safeenah, so I do not wish to be called by any other name.” (Usdul Ghaabah 2/503 and Isaabah 3/111)
The Lion Assisting Hazrat Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)
It is reported that on one occasion, Hazrat Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was traveling with the Muslim army in the land of Rome when he was either taken prisoner or was separated from the army and got lost. Thereafter, he set out in search of the army, and while traveling, he suddenly encountered a lion. On seeing the lion, Hazrat Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) addressed it and said, “O lion! I am the freed slave of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! I was separated from the army and am searching for them!”
The lion then came forward, wagging its tail, until it stood next to Hazrat Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). As he walked, it accompanied him and began to protect him. Whenever the lion heard a sound, it went towards it (to ensure that it was not some danger or threat). Thereafter, it would return to the side of Hazrat Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).
In this manner, the lion continued to accompany and protect him until he reached the army. On reaching the army, the lion left him and departed. (Musannaf Abd-ur-Razaaq #21468)