History (713)
When Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) began to prepare the Muwatta, there were many other ‘Ulamaa in Madinah Munawwarah who were also preparing kitaabs of Hadith. Hence, a certain person came to Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) and remarked, “Why have you dedicated your time and effort to preparing this kitaab when many other ‘Ulamaa have prepared similar kitaabs?”
First to Accept Islam from the Men
Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was the first among the free men to accept the invitation of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and enter into the fold of Islam. (Al-Bidaayah-wan-Nihaayah 3/28)
Spontaneously Accepting the Invitation of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned:
ما دعوت أحدا إلى الإسلام إلا كانت له عنه كبوة وتردد ونظر إلا أبا بكر ما عتم حين ذكرته له ما تردد فيه
(At the beginning of Islam,) whoever I invited to Islam expressed some reservation, uncertainty and doubt regarding it, with the exception of Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). When I invited him to Islam, he readily embraced it, without an iota of doubt and reservation.
(Usdul Ghaabah 3/21)
The Islam of Hazrat Hamzah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) – Part Two
Written by user2The moment Hazrat Hamzah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) heard that Abu Jahal had spoken harshly to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), he became enraged and set out in search of Abu Jahal.
It was the habit of Hazrat Hamzah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) that on returning from a hunt, he would first visit the haram. Accordingly, he came to the haram first and saw Abu Jahal sitting there with a group of the Quraish. He went towards Abu Jahal, and the moment he reached him, he struck him on the head with his bow so severely that his head was wounded. He then reprimanded him saying, “You have the audacity to hurl abuse at Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)? I myself am a follower of his deen!”
Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) in the Eyes of Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Mubaarak (rahimahullah)
Written by user2Mansoor bin Haashim reports:
We were once in the company of Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Mubaarak (rahimahullah) in Qaadisiyyah when a man from Kufah came to him and began to speak ill of Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah). Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Mubaarak (rahimahullah) reproached the man saying, “Woe to you! How can you speak ill of a man who performed ‘esha and fajr with the same wudhu for forty five years (due to spending the entire night in salaah), and he would recite the entire Qur’aan Majeed in one night in two rakaats of salaah, and I acquired the knowledge of Fiqh with which I was blessed from none other than him?”
(Tabyeedh-us-Saheefah pg. 136)
The Reason for being given the Title As-Siddeeq:
Hazrat ‘Aa’ishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) reports that on the occasion of Mi’raaj, when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was taken by night from Musjid Haraam to Musjid Aqsa (and thereafter to the seven heavens), then upon his return, he informed the people of Makkah regarding the miraculous journey that transpired during the night.
The people of Makkah doubted the words of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and thus began to ridicule him. Some people even reneged from Islam who had previously believed in Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Nevertheless, when Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was informed by certain people (who were trying to provoke him) regarding what had transpired, he responded by saying, “Indeed I fully testify to what Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has said. I have believed him in that which is even more difficult to believe, I believe him when he says that revelation comes to him from the heavens to the earth in a single moment during the night or day (so why should I then doubt him in this matter?).”
It was after this incident that he received the title As-Siddeeq (the most truthful).
(Usdul Ghaabah 3/21 and Seerat-ul-Halabiyyah1/379)
Qutaibah bin Sa‘eed (rahimahullah) reports the following:
I once came to the city of Baghdad with the sole intention of meeting Imaam Ahmed bin Hambal (rahimahullah). It then so happened that Imaam Ahmed (rahimahullah) came to me with Yahya bin Ma‘een (rahimahullah).
On meeting, we sat together and engaged in different ‘ilmi discussions. After some time, Imaam Ahmed (rahimahullah) awoke from his place and came to sit in front of me with respect. He then requested, “Please dictate such-and-such Hadith to me.” After I dictated the Hadith to Imaam Ahmed (rahimahullah), he awoke and returned to his place where he again sat as normal. We then resumed our discussions.
Name: ‘Abdullah bin ‘Uthmaan bin ‘Aamir
Kunyah (filial title): Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)
Father’s name: ‘Uthmaan, Abu Quhaafah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)
Mother’s name: Salmaa bint Sakhr, Ummul Khair (radhiyallahu ‘anha)
Titles: Al-‘Ateeq and As-Siddeeq
Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had two famous titles. One was Al-‘Ateeq (the one who gained emancipation from the fire) and the other was As-Siddeeeq (the most truthful). (Usdul Ghaabah 3/20)
One day, while Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was passing by Mt Safaa, he happened to encounter Abu Jahal who was also passing that way. The moment his eyes fell on Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), he began to revile him and curse him in the harshest of words. However, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) did not respond to Abu Jahal’s harsh words and calmly departed from the scene (as silence is the best response to a fool).
Allah Ta‘ala had blessed Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) to compile a kitaab of Hadith known as the Muwatta. This kitaab gained great acceptance and has been held in high esteem by the ‘Ulamaa throughout the centuries. In fact, the greatness of this kitaab can be gauged by the statement of Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah) who said, “After the Qur’aan Majeed, there is no kitaab on the surface of the earth that is more saheeh than the kitaab of Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah).” (Tazyeen-ul-Mamaalik pg. 90)
Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah) had mentioned this before the compilation of Saheeh Bukhaari and Saheeh Muslim. However, after the compilation of these two kitaabs, the ‘Ulamaa are unanimous that these two kitaabs are the most saheeh after the Qur’aan Majeed.
The Inscription on His Ring:
Hazrat ‘Amr bin ‘Uthmaan (rahimahullah) mentions that the ring of Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had the following words inscribed on it, “I have brought Imaan in that Being who has created everything in its due proportion.” (Siyar A’laam min Nubalaa 2/156)
Demise:
Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was approximately 82 years old when he was martyred. (Taareekh-ul-Islam 2/481)
He was martyred on Friday the twelfth of Zul-Hijjah in the year 35 AH (Siyar A’laam min Nubalaa 2/162)
Period of His Khilaafah
Hazrat Qataadah (rahimahullah) reports that the period of the khilaafah of Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was twelve years. (Siyar A’laam min Nubalaa 2/161)
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The Conference of the Quraish to Prevent the Spread of Islam – Part Four
Written by user2When the season of haj arrived and people from other areas and lands began coming to Makkah Mukarramah , the Quraish posted people onto the various roads and pathways to warn those who passed by of Rasululah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) by saying, “This man is a sorcerer, beware of him.” However, this strategy of the Quraish did not bring any harm to Islam. On the contrary, those coming into Makkah Mukarramah from far and wide became well acquainted with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
On one occasion, a person buried some wealth in a certain place for safekeeping, but subsequently forgot where he had buried it. He thus came to Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) and laid his complaint before him, asking if he could assist in any way.
Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) responded, “Your question is not related to fiqh. Hence, there is no mas’alah for me to work out. Nevertheless, you should go home and perform salaah the entire night until the morning, as you will then remember where you buried your wealth.”
The Conference of the Quraish to Prevent the Spread of Islam – Part Three
Written by user2When the people asked Waleed what opinion they should have regarding Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), he replied, “By Allah! There is a remarkable sweetness and attraction in the speech of Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and his speech has an extraordinary magnificence to it. The roots of his speech are incredibly lush and its branches are fruit-bearing (in other words, Islam is like a fruit-bearing tree. Its roots are strong and firmly embedded in the ground and its branches extend towards the sky and are laden with fruit).”
The Generosity of Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah) – Part Three
Written by user2Rabee’ bin Sulaimaan (rahimahullah) narrates the following:
On one occasion, we were with Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah) when he exited from the musjid in Egypt and the strap of his sandal broke. Seeing what transpired, a certain person came forward, fixed the strap of Imaam Shaafi‘ee’s (rahimahullah) sandal and handed it back to him.
 
			
				 
			
				 
			
				 
			

