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Companions of the Prophet by Abdul Wahid Hamid

Allaah (Azza-wajal) has mentioned his name from above the seventh heaven and ordered His Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) to recite to him the Qur’an

“O Abul-Mundhir! Which verse of the Book of Allaah is the greatest?” asked the Messenger of Allaah, may Allaah bless him and grant him peace. “Allaah and His Messenger know best,” came the reply. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) repeated the question and Abul-Mundhir (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) in response recited Ayat al-Kursiy (2:255): “Allaah, there is no god but He, the Living, the Self-Subsisting. Neither slumber overtakes him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth …”. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) gently hit his chest with his right hand in approval upon hearing the reply, and with his countenance beaming with happiness, said to Abul-Mundhir, “May knowledge delight and benefit you, Abul-Mundhir.” [Muslim]

This Abul-Mundhir was Ubayy ibn Ka’b (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) whom the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) congratulated on the knowledge and understanding which Allaah had bestowed on him. He was one of the distinguished Companions of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) and a person of high esteem in the early Muslim community.

His Islam

This noble Companion was brought up in Madinah. He abandoned the worldly life and the people in search for the One Who controls the whole universe; the One Who disposes the affairs of the whole creation. Because of this yearning, he learned to read and write, and before the advent of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) he devoted himself to learning the Tawrah (Torah), which was in the hands of the Jews who lived in the neighborhood. This knowledge however, did not quench his thirst, and did not answer the questions which were in his mind. He lived in bewilderment, looking for guidance. Then one night Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala) willed to bestow a great gift and most noble favor to this righteous slave. Allaah opened Ubayy’s heart to Islam and that is when he heard about the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam). Hence Ubayy went to Sa’d ibn ar-Rabi’ (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), knocked on his door, and asked him about this religion. Sa’d (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) informed him about the place of Mus’ab ibn ‘Umair (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) who learned the way of calling people to guidance from the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam). Mus’ab (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) called Ubayy to Islam and Allaah opened his heart to accept Islam. He (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) traveled to al-‘Aqabah where he gave the pledge to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) before the Hijrah.

His dedication in learning the Qur’an

Ubayy (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) was one of the Ansaar and belonged to the Khazraj tribe. He was one of the first persons of Yathrib (Madinah) to accept Islam. He lived as an ascetic worshipper turning away from the adornment of this life, spending hours seeking knowledge and reciting the Qur’an. He stayed this way until the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) emigrated to Madinah.

Ubayy (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) was one of the selected few who committed the Qur’anic revelations to writing and had a Mus-haf of his own. He acted as a scribe for the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam), writing letters for him. At the time of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) death, he was one of the twenty five or so Sahabah who had memorized the entire Qur’an by heart. His recitation was so beautiful and his understanding so profound that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) encouraged his Companions to learn the Qur’an from him and from three others. Anas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “The Qur’an was compiled in the lifetime of the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) by four (men), all of whom were from the Ansaar: Mu’adh ibn Jabal, Ubayy ibn Ka’b, Zaid ibn Thaabit and Abu Zaid.” Qatadah said: I asked Anas: “Who is Abu Zaid?” He said: “One of my uncles.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Learn the recitation of the Qur’an from (any of these) four persons: ‘Abdullah ibn Masood, Saalim the freed slave of Abu Hudhaifah; Ubayy ibn Ka’b and Mu’adh ibn Jabal.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

During his Khilafah (Caliphate), ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) once told the Muslims as he was dealing with some financial matters of state, “O people! Whoever wants to ask about the Qur’an, let him go to Ubayy ibn Ka’b…” ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) went on to say that anyone wishing to ask about inheritance matters should go to Zaid ibn Thaabit, about questions of Fiqh to Mu’adh ibn Jabal and regarding questions of money and finance, to himself.

Allaah ordered His Messenger to recite the Qur’an to Ubayy ibn Ka’b:

Ubayy (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) enjoyed a special honor with regard to the Qur’an. One day, the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, “O Ubayy ibn Ka’b! I have been commanded to recite the Qur’an to you.

Ubayy was elated. He knew of course that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) only received commands from Allaah. Unable to control his excitement, he asked, “O Messenger of Allaah… Have I been mentioned to you by name?” “Yes,” replied the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam), “By your own name and by your genealogy (Nasab) in the highest heavens.” [Al-Haithami]

Anas ibn Malik (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said to Ubayy ibn K’ab (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu): “Allaah has ordered me to recite to you: ‘Those who disbelieve. (Surat al-Bayyinah:98) Ubayy said: ‘Has He (Azza-wajal) mentioned my name?’ The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, Yes’ On hearing that, Ubayy started weeping.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Any Muslim whose name had been conveyed to the heart of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) in this manner must certainly have been of great ability and of a tremendously high stature.

Throughout the years of his association with the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam), Ubayy (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) derived maximum benefit from the Prophet’s (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam)  sweet and noble personality and from his noble teachings. Ubayy related that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) once asked him, “Shall I not teach you a Surah the like of which has not been revealed in the Tawrah, nor in the Injil, nor in the Zabur, nor in the Qur’an?” “Certainly,” replied Ubayy (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu). “I hope you would not leave through that door until you know what it is,” said the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam), obviously prolonging the suspense for Ubayy (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu). Ubayy continues, “He stood up and I stood up with him. With my hand in his, he started to speak. I tried to delay him fearing that he would leave before letting me know what the Surah is. When he reached the door, I asked, ‘O Messenger of Allaah! The Surah which you promised to tell me…’ He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) replied: ‘What do you recite when you stand for Salaat?’ So, I recited for him Fatihatu-l Kitab (the Opening Chapter of the Qur’an) and he said, ‘(That’s) it! (That’s) it! They are the seven oft-repeated verses of which Allaah Almighty has said: ‘We have given you the seven oft-repeated verses and the Mighty Qur’an.’” [Saheeh with the conditions of Muslim as Shaikh al-Albaani (Rahimahullaah)]

His devotion to the Qur’an was uncompromising. Once he recited part of a verse which the Khalifah ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) could not remember or did not know and he said to Ubayy(Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), “You have lied,” to which Ubayy (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) retorted, “Rather, you have lied.”

A person who heard the exchange was astounded and said to Ubayy (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), “Do you call the Amir al-Mu’minin a liar?”

“I have greater honor and respect for the Amir al-Mu’minin than you,” responded Ubayy (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu),” but he has erred in verifying the Book of Allaah and I shall not say the Amir al-Mu’minin is correct when he has made an error concerning the Book of Allaah.” “Ubayy is right,” concluded ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu).

His Advices

Ubayy (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) gave an important advice concerning the Qur’an when a man came to him and said, “Advise me,” and he replied, “Take the Book of Allaah as (your) leader (Imaam) and be satisfied with it as (your) judge and ruler. It is what the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) has bequeathed to you. It is your intercessor with Allaah and should be obeyed…” [Abu Na’iem]

‘Abdullah ibn al-Harith ibn Nawfal narrated: “I was standing with Ubayy ibn Ka’b in the shade of a hill. Ubayy (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said, ‘Don’t you see how the people are seeking the Duniya?’ I said; ‘Yes.’ Ubayy (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said, ‘I heard Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) saying, The river Euprates will uncover a gold mountain, when the people will hear about it, they will proceed towards it saying, ‘If we leave the people to take from it, nothing will remain for us,’ so the people will fight each other for it. From every hundred people, ninety-nine may be killed and each man will say: ‘It may be that I am the one who will be safe.'” [Reported by Muslim and Ahmad]

Ubayy (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) feared the trials for the Muslim nation. His heart would pain when he remembered the narrations about the trials.

From his advices, he used to say: ‘If the slave leaves something for Allaah’s Sake, Allaah would give him something better in return from the means that he could never perceive. And if the slave takes something which is not good lightly (with contempt, i.e. without fear of the evil consequence), Allaah will bring him what is more severe from means which he never perceived.” [Sifat as-Safwa]

A granted Invocation:

Abu Sa’ed al-Khudri (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that a Companion said: “O Messenger of Allaah! Do you see the sicknesses which we are afflicted with, what are they considered for us?” The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Kaffaraat (i.e. expiation/atonement of sins).” Ubayy (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “O Messenger of Allaah! Even if they were little?” The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Even if it was a thorn and more than it.” Hereupon Ubayy (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) invoked (Allaah) not to make the fever leave his body till he dies, and it should not preoccupy (prevent) him from performing Hajj, ‘Umrah or Jihad, or obligatory congregational prayer. Abu Sa’ed {who said} said: “No man touched his body but he could feel of the fever until he died (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu).”

In another version, Ubayy (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “O Messenger of Allaah! What is the recompense for (being inflicted with) fever?” Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “The inflicted person will have good deeds (i.e reward for it).”

Ubayy (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “O Allaah! I ask you for a fever that does not prevent me from going out in Your Cause.” He was never touched but one could feel the impact of this fever in his body. [Reported by Ahmad and authenticated by al-Albaani in Saheeh at-Targhib wat- Tarheeb no. 3433]   

After the demise of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam), Ubayy (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) remained strong in his attachment to Islam and his commitment to the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam). He was constant in his Ibaadah and would often be found in the Mosque at night, after the last obligatory prayer had been performed, engaged in worship or in teaching. Once he was sitting in the Mosque after Salaat with a group of Muslims, making supplication to Allaah. ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) came in and sat with them and asked each one to recite a Du’aa. They all did and finally Ubayy’s (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) turn came. He was sitting next to ‘Umar. He felt somewhat over-awed and became flustered. ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) prompted him and suggested that he say: “Allaahumma ghfir lanaa. Allaahumma rahmanaa.” (O Lord, forgive us, O Lord, have mercy on us).

Taqwaa remained the guiding force in Ubayy’s (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) life. He lived simply and did not allow the world to corrupt or deceive him. He had a good grasp of reality and knew that however a person lived and whatever comforts and luxuries he enjoyed, these would all fade away and he would have only his good deeds to his credit. He acted as a warner to the Muslims, reminding them of the times of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam), of the Muslims’ devotion to Islam back then, and of their simplicity and spirit of sacrifice for Islam. Many people came to him seeking knowledge and advice. To one such person he said, “The believer has four characteristics. If he is afflicted by any misfortune, he remains patient and steadfast. If he is given anything, he is grateful. If he speaks, he speaks the truth. If he passes a judgment on any issue, he is just.”

His status in the hearts of the Companions:

Ubayy (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) attained a position of great honor and esteem among the early Muslims. ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) called him the “Sayyid (master) of the Muslims” and he came to be widely known by this title. He was part of the consultative group (Mushaawarah) to which Abu Bakr (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), as Khalifah, referred many problems. This group was composed of men of good sense and judgment (ahl ar-Ra’y) and men who knew the law (ahl al-Fiqh) from among the Muhaajirin and Ansaar. It included ‘Umar, ‘Uthman, ‘Ali, ‘Abdur Rahman ibn Awf, Mu’adh ibn Jabal, Ubayy ibn Ka’b and Zaid ibn Haaritha (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhum). ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) later consulted the same group when he was Khalifah. Specifically for Fatwas (legal judgments) he referred to ‘Uthman, Ubayy and Zaid ibn Thaabit (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhum).

Because of Ubayy’s (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) high standing, one might have expected him to have been given a position of administrative responsibility, for example as a governor, in the rapidly expanding Muslim state. During the time of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) in fact, he had performed the function of a collector of Sadaqah. Indeed, Ubayy (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) once asked, “What’s the matter with you? Why don’t you appoint me as a governor?” “I do not want your religion to be corrupted,” replied ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu). [Reported by Ibn Sa’d]  

Ubayy (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) was probably prompted to put the question to ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) when he saw that Muslims were tending to drift from the purity of faith and self-sacrifice as in the days of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam). He was known to be especially critical of the excessively polite and flattering manner of many Muslims towards their governors, which he felt brought ruin both to the governors and those under them. Ubayy (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) was always honest and frank in his dealings with people in authority and feared no one but Allaah. He acted as a sort of conscience to the Muslims.

One of Ubayy’s (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) major fears for the Muslim Ummah was that a day would come when there would be severe strife among Muslims. He often became overwhelmed with emotion when he read or heard the verse of the Qur’an:

“Say: He (Allaah) has power to send calamities on you, from above and below, or to cover you with confusion in party strife, giving you a taste of mutual vengeance, each from the other.” (Surat al-An’aam 6:65). He would then pray fervently to Allaah for guidance and ask for His clemency and forgiveness.

His death:

Ubayy (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) died in the year 29 AH during the caliphate of ‘Uthman (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu). All the people said: “Ubayy ibn Ka’b, the master of the Muslims has died.” Whoever appreciates the value of the Qur’an, he will live as a master and die as a master and he will be resurrected on the Day of Resurrection with the Kings of the people of Paradise; those who loved Allaah and loved His Speech; therefore, Allaah loved them and brought them close to Him in His Paradise.  

 

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