muslim_personalities

"If I were to take a friend other than my Lord, I would take Abu Bakr as a friend." [Hadith]

Election to the Caliphate

The Prophet's closest Companion, Abu Bakr, was not present when the Holy Prophet (peace be on him) breathed his last in the apartment of his beloved wife of later years, 'A'ishah, Abu Bakr's daughter. When he came to know of the Prophet's passing, Abu Bakr hurried to the house of sorrow.

"How blessed was your life and how beatific is your death," he whispered as he kissed the cheek of his beloved friend and master who now was no more.

When Abu Bakr came out of the Prophet's apartment and broke the news, disbelief and dismay gripped the community of Muslims in Madinah. Muhammad (eace be on himpeace be on him) had been the leader, the guide and the bearer of Divine revelation through whom they had been brought from idolatry and barbarism into the way of God. How could he die? Even 'Umar, one of the bravest and strongest of the Prophet's Companions, lost his composure and drew his sword and threatened to kill anyone who said that the Prophet was dead. Abu Bakr gently pushed him aside, ascended the steps of the lectern in the mosque and addressed the people, saying:

"O people, verily whoever worshipped Muhammad, behold! Muhammad is indeed dead. But whoever worships God, behold! God is Alive and will never die."

And then he concluded with a verse from the Qur'an:

"And Muhammad is but a Messenger. Many Messengers have gone before him; if then he dies or is killed, will you turn back upon your heels?" [Al-Qur'an 3:144]

On hearing these words, the people were consoled. Despondency gave place to confidence and tranquility. This critical moment had passed. But the Muslim community was now faced with an extremely serious problem: that of choosing a leader. After some discussion among the Companions of the Prophet who had assembled in order to select a leader, it became apparent that no one was better suited for this responsibility than Abu Bakr. A portion of the speech the First Caliph gave after his election has already been quoted in the introduction.

Abu Bakr's Life

Abu Bakr (the Owner of Camels) was not his real name. He acquired this name later in life because of his great interest in raising camels. Bakr means a young camel. Before accepting Islam he was known as'Abdul-Ka'bah (Slave of the Ka'bah), which Muhammad (peace be on him) later changed to 'Abdullah (Slave of God). The Prophet also gave him the title of 'As-Siddiq' - 'The Testifier to the Truth'.

Abu Bakr was a fairly wealthy merchant, and before he embraced Islam, was a respected citizen of Makkah. He was three years younger than Muhammad (peace be on him) and some natural affinity drew them together from earliest child hood. He remained the closest Companion of the Prophet all through the Prophet's life. When Muhammad first invited his closest friends and relatives to Islam, Abu Bakr was among the earliest to accept it. He also persuaded 'Uthmanand Bilal to accept Islam.In the early days of the Prophet's mission, when the handful of Muslims were subjected to relentless persecution and torture, Abu Bakr bore his full share of hardship. Finally when God's permission came to emigrate from Makkah, he was the one chosen by the Prophet to accompany him on the dangerous journey to Madinah. Together they hid inside a cave known as THAWR while the Makkans searched for them.They stayed in the cave for 3 days and then secretly moved to Madinah.In the numerous battles which took place during the life of the Prophet, Abu Bakr was always by his side. Once, he brought all his belongings to the Prophet, who was raising money for the defense of Madinah. The Prophet asked, "Abu Bakr, what did you leave for your family?" The reply came: "God and His Prophet".

Even before Islam, Abu Bakr was known to be a man of upright character and amiable and compassionate nature. All through his life he was sensitive to human suffering and kind to the poor and helpless. Even though he was wealthy, he lived very simply and spent his money for charity, for freeing slaves and for the cause of Islam. He often spent part of the night in supplication and prayer. He shared with his family a cheerful and affectionate home life.He had two daughters Asma and 'A'ishah. Muhammad(SAW) married Aishah (ra).

Abu Bakr's Caliphate

As the news of the Prophet's death spread, a number of tribes rebelled and refused to pay Zakat (poor due), saying that this was due only to the Prophet (peace be on him). At the same time a number of impostors claimed that the prophethood had passed to them after Muhammad and they raised the standard of revolt. To add to all this, two powerful empires, the Eastern Roman and the Persian, also threatened the newborn Islamic state at Madinah.

Under these circumstances, many Companions of the Prophet, including 'Umar, advised Abu Bakr to make concessions to the Zakat evaders, at least for a time. The new Caliph disagreed. He insisted that the Divine Law cannot be divided, that there is no distinction between the obligations of Zakat and Salat (prayer), and that any compromise with the injunctions of God would eventually erode the foundations of Islam. Umar and others were quick to realize their error of judgment. The revolting tribes attacked Madinah but the Muslims were prepared. Abu Bakr himself led the charge, forcing them to retreat. He then made a relentless war on the false claimants to prophethood, most of whom submitted and again professed Islam.

The threat from the Roman Empire had actually arisen earlier, during the Prophet's lifetime. The Prophet had organized an army under the command of 'Usama, the son of a freed slave. The army had not gone far when the Prophet had fallen ill so they stopped. After the death of the Prophet the question was raised whether the army should be sent again or should remain for the defence of Madinah. Again Abu Bakr showed a firm determination. He said, "I shall send 'Usama's army on its way as ordered by the Prophet, even if I am left alone."

The final instructions he gave to 'Usama prescribed a code of conduct in war which remains unsurpassed to this day. Part of his instructions to the Muslim army were:

"Do not be deserters, nor be guilty of disobedience. Do not kill an old man, a woman or a child. Do not injure date palms and do not cut down fruit trees. Do not slaughter any sheep or cows or camels except for food. You will encounter persons who spend their lives in monasteries. Leave them alone and do not molest them."

Khalid ibn Walid had been chosen by the Prophet (peace be on him) on several occasions to lead Muslim armies. A man of supreme courage and a born leader, his military genius came to full flower during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr. Throughout Abu Bakr's reign Khalid led his troops from one victory to another against the attacking Romans.

Another contribution of Abu Bakr to the cause of Islam was the collection and compilation of the verses of the Qur'an as a single book.

Abu Bakr died on 21 Jumada al-Akhir, 13H (23 August 634CE), at the age of sixty-three, and was buried by the side of the Holy Prophet (peace be on him). His Caliphate had been of a mere twenty-seven months duration. In this brief span, however, Abu Bakr had managed, by the Grace of God, to strengthen and consolidate his community and the state, and to secure the Muslims against the perils which had threatened their existence.

The Second Caliph, 'Umar RA (634 - 644CE)

"Allah has placed truth upon 'Umar's tongue and heart." [Hadith]

During his last illness Abu Bakr had conferred with his people, particularly the more eminent among them. After this meeting they chose 'Umar as his successor. '

'Umar's Life

'Umar Ibn Al Khattab was born into a respected Quraysh family thirteen years after the birth of Muhammad (peace be on him). 'Umar's family was known for its extensive knowledge of genealogy. When he grew up, 'Umar was proficient in this branch of knowledge as well as in swordsmanship, wrestling and the art of speaking. He also learned to read and write while still a child, a very rare thing in Makkah at that time. 'Umar earned his living as a merchant. His trade took him to many foreign lands and he met all kinds of people. This experience gave him an insight into the affairs and problems of men. 'Umar's personality was dynamic, self-assertive, frank and straight forward. He always spoke whatever was in his mind even if it displeased others.

'Umar was twenty-seven when the Prophet (peace be on him) started preaching Islam.The ideas Muhammad (SAW) was preaching enraged Umar as much as they did the other notables of Makkah. He was just as bitter against anyone accepting Islam as others among the Quraysh. He did not believe in the teachings of Muhammad(SAW) and did not like Islam or the Muslims. The story of his embracing Islam is an interesting one. One day, full of anger against the Prophet, he drew his sword and set out to kill him. A friend met him on the way. When 'Umar told him what he planned to do, his friend informed him that 'Umar's own sister, Fatimah, and her husband had also accepted Islam. 'Umar went straight to his sister's house where he found her reading from pages of the Qur'an. He fell upon her and beat her mercilessly. Bruised and bleeding, she told her brother, "Umar, you can do what you like, but you cannot turn our hearts away from Islam." These words produced a strange effect upon 'Umar. What was this faith that made even weak women so strong of heart? He asked his sister to show him what she had been reading, but his sister told him to clean himself before touching the Quran.After he cleansed himself and began reading the surah,he became fascinated at what he was reading.He could not stop reading the wonderful verses and immediately decided to accept Islam. He went straight to the house where the Prophet was staying and declared his faith in Islam.

'Umar made no secret of his acceptance of Islam. He gathered the Muslims and offered prayers at the Ka'bah. This boldness and devotion of an influential citizen of Makkah raised the morale of the small community of Muslims. Nonetheless 'Umar was also subjected to privations, and when permission for emigration to Madinah came, he also left Makkah. The soundness of 'Umar's judgment, his devotion to the Prophet (peace be on him), his outspokenness and uprightness won for him a trust and confidence from the Prophet which was second only to that given to Abu Bakr. The Prophet gave him the title 'Al-Faruq' which means the 'Separator of Truth from Falsehood'. During the Caliphate of Abu Bakr, 'Umar was his closest assistant and adviser. When Abu Bakr died, all the people of Madinah swore allegiance to 'Umar, and on 23 Jumada al-Akhir, 13H, he was proclaimed Caliph.

'Umar's Caliphate

After taking charge of his office, 'Umar spoke to the Muslims of Madinah:

" ... O people, you have some rights on me which you can always claim. One of your rights is that if anyone of you comes to me with a claim, he should leave satisfied. Another of your rights is that you can demand that I take nothing unjustly from the revenues of the State. You can also demand that ... I fortify your frontiers and do not put you into danger. It is also your right that if you go to battle I should look after your families as a father would while you are away.

"O people, remain conscious of God, forgive me my faults and help me in my task. Assist me in enforcing what is good and forbidding what is evil. Advise me regarding the obligations that have been imposed upon me by God ... "

The most notable feature of 'Umar's Caliphate was the vast expansion of Islam. Apart from Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Palestine and Iran also came under the protection of the Islamic government. But the greatness of 'Umar himself lies in the quality of his rule. He gave a practical meaning to the Qur'anic injunction:

"O you who believe, stand out firmly for justice as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it concerns rich or poor, for God can best protect both." [Al-Qur'an 4:135]

Once a woman brought a claim against the Caliph 'Umar. When 'Umar appeared on trial before the judge, the judge stood up as a sign of respect toward him. 'Umar reprimanded him, saying, "This is the first act of injustice you did to this woman!"

He insisted that his appointed governors live simple lives, keep no guard at their doors and be accessible to the people at all times, and he himself set the example for them. Many times foreign envoys and messengers sent to him by his generals found him resting under a palm tree or praying in the mosque among the people, and it was difficult for them to distinguish which man was the Caliph. He spent many a watchful night going about the streets of Madinah to see whether anyone needed help or assistance.

'Umar gave his government an administrative structure. Departments of treasury, army and public revenues were established. Regular salaries were set up for soldiers. A popuation census was held. Elaborate land surveys were conducted to assess equitable taxes. New cities were founded. The areas which came under his rule were divided into provinces and governors were appointed. New roads were laid, canals were dug and wayside hotels were built. Provision was made for he support of the poor and the needy from public funds. He defined, by precept and by example, the rights and privileges of non-Muslims, an example of which is the following contract with the Christians of Jerusalem:

"This is the protection which the servant of God, 'Umar, the Ruler of the Believers has granted to the people of Eiliya [Jerusalem]. The protection is for their lives and properties, their churches and crosses, their sick and healthy and for all their coreligionists. Their churches shall not be used for habitation, nor shall they be demolished, nor shall any injury be done to them or to their compounds, or to their crosses, nor shall their properties be injured in any way. There shall be no compulsion for these people in the matter of religion, nor shall any of them suffer any injury on account of religion ... Whatever is written herein is under the covenant of God and the responsibility of His Messenger, of the Caliphs and of the believers, and shall hold good as long as they pay Jizyah [the tax for their defense] imposed on them."

Those non-Muslims who took part in defense together with the Muslims were exempted from paying Jizyah, and when the Muslims had to retreat from a city whose non-Muslim citizens had paid this tax for their defense, the tax was returned to the non-Muslims. The old, the poor and the disabled of Muslims and non-Muslims alike were provided for from the public treasury and from the Zakat funds.

'Umar's Death

In 23H, when 'Umar returned to Madinah from Hajj, he raised his hands and prayed:

"O God! I am advanced in years, my bones are weary, my powers are declining, and the people for whom I am responsible have spread far and wide. Summon me back to Thyself, my lord!"

Some time later, when 'Umar went to the mosque to lead a prayer, a Magian named Abu Lulu Feroze, who had a grudge against 'Umar on a personal matter, attacked him with a dagger and stabbed him several times. 'Umar reeled and fell to the ground. When he learned that the assassin was a Magian, he said, "Thank God he is not a Muslim."

'Umar died in the first week of Muharram, 24H, and was buried by the side of the Holy Prophet (peace be on him).

As a Caliph, Umar ruled for ten years.

ZAID BIN HARITHAH (may Allah be pleased with him).

His Early Life

His full name was Zaid bin Harithah bin Shurahil Al-Ka`bi.

When he was eight years old, his mother Su`da bint Tha`labah took him for a visit to her people Banu Ma`n. On the way, they were attacked by Banu Al-Qain, who plundered her people’s property and took their offspring as captives.

Losing her son, the mother of Zaid suffered a great deal and kept on weeping and wailing.

THE STORY OF SELLING HIM

Zaid was offered for sale in `Ukazh marketplace, which was held in Mecca during the Sacred Months for transactions and as a forum for presenting poetry. Zaid was bought by Hakim bin Hizam, one of the dignitaries of the Quraish and nephew of Khadijah bint Khuwailid, who became later the wife of the Prophet.

Hakim gave Zaid as a gift to his paternal aunt Khadijah, who in turn gave Zaid as a gift to the Prophet (peace be upon him) after they got married. At that time, the Prophet had not received the revelation yet.

Zaid was happy with the Prophet (peace be upon him) and loved him very much, and so did the Prophet (peace be upon him).

The Decision to Stay with the Messenger of Allah

Zaid’s father knew where his son is. He traveled to Mecca along with Ka`b, Zaid’s paternal uncle, carrying money to ransom Zaid.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) refused to take money and proposed to make Zaid free to choose either to stay with him or to return to his family. Zaid’s father and uncle were satisfied with this suggestion. Unexpectedly, Zaid preferred to stay with the Messenger (peace be upon him). When his father blamed him for preferring servitude to freedom, Zaid explained that he experienced something during his stay with the Prophet that urged him to keep his company forever. When Zaid said that, the Prophet took him to the Sacred House and proclaimed his adoption of Zaid before the Quraish people. On seeing this, Zaid’s father was very pleased and he left Mecca after being reassured of his son’s status. Zaid was called Zaid the son of Muhammad until adoption was prohibited and the Qur’anic verse: “Call them by the names of their fathers” (33:5) was revealed. Afterwards, Zaid was known as Zaid bin Harithah.

MARRIAGE TO ZAYNAB BINT JAHSH

When Muhammad went to the house of Zaynab bint Jahsh to ask her hand for his adopted son, the family was shocked as they were expecting Muhammad to marry Zaynab bint Jahsh who also was his cousin, however the marriage took place, because Muhammad was systematically expunging the society of slavery and racism. His cousin Zaynab was an aristocrat, while Zayd, his adopted son, was not of high caliber and was at the end of the hierarchy. History notes, that when Muhammad emancipated the slaves, he personally would see to it, that they would get married, have a source of income, and try to bring them into the social fabric. Unfortunately the marriage between Zayd and Zaynab did not last long due to the lack of understanding between the couple and later Zayd divorced her. Allah ordered Muhammad to marry her to reinforce the cancellation of that form of adoption, and to remove the social taboo that the ignorant Arabs of old, had implemented in that one could not marry the wife of their adopted son. Abdullah Ibn Umar said, "We only called him Zaid Ibn Muhammad till the verse "Muhammad is not the father of any of your men' was revealed."

His Jihad

When the Prophet (peace be upon him) received revelation, Zaid was one of the pioneering men who accepted Islam, and commanded some of the detachments and deputations sent by the Prophet (peace be upon him). Sometimes he was appointed ruler of Medina when the Prophet left it for some battles in outside borders.

His Death

In 8 A.H., Zaid bin Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him) commanded the Islamic army, which was composed of 3000 soldiers, at the battle of Mu’tah. No sooner the Islamic army reached Mi`an (present Jordan), than Hiraql, the Roman King, commanded an army of 100,000 soldiers, to which another 100,000 of the polytheist Arabs were joined. Zaid was killed in that battle, and was succeeded by Ja`far bin Abi Talib and `Abdullah bin Rawahah, who were also killed. The Muslims then chose Khalid bin Al-Walid to command the army. Khalid managed to make an organized retreat, thus saving the Islamic army from total destruction.

The Prophet was very sad for the death of Zaid and the other two commanders. He wept bitterly for the loss of his beloved Zaid.

HAMZA IBN ABD AL MUTTALIB

Hamza ibn ‘Abdul-Muttalib (In Arabic: حمزة إبن عبد المطلب) was the paternal uncle of the Islamic prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his foster-brother. He was regarded as his foster brother because Prophet Muhammad and Hamza were suckled by the same women when they were infants. He and Muhammad were raised together as they were almost the same age. With excellence in the arts of wrestling and swordsmanship, Hamza used his talents and experience to its best in the cause of Islam and earned the title of "Chief of the Martyrs" from Muhammad. Hamza was very fond of wrestling and hunting. He took great interest in swordsmanship and archery."

Lineage and titles

Hamza was the son of Abdul Muttalib (Shaiba ibn Hashim), the grandson of Hashim ibn Abd Manaf and the great-grandson of Abd Manaf ibn Qusai from the tribe of Quraysh, حَمْزَةُ بنُ عَبْدِ المُطَّلِبِ بنِ هَاشِمِ بنِ عَبْدِ مَنَافٍ القُرَشِيُّ Hamza was known as the Lion of God (Arabic أسد الله) and the Lion of Paradise (Arabic: أسد الجنة) for his bravery. Among his titles are: Abu Umara ("أَبُو عُمَارَةَ"), and Abu Ya'la ("أَبُو يَعْلَى"). Hamza was also given the tittle of "Seyyed-ush-Shuhda" (Leaders of the Martyrs).

EARLY LIFE AND FAMILY

Hamza, the son of Abd al-Muttalib, was the younger brother of Abd Allah ibn Abd al Muttalib, Muhammad's father. He had also been weaned by the same woman, Halimah bint Abi Dhuayb, as Muhammad, making Hamza Muhammad's foster brother as well. The two, Hamza and Muhammad, had grown up together, being just two or three years apart in age. But as the boys had become young men, they developed different attitudes to problems of society, Hamza was not such a contemplative thinker and was comfortable in his status of being part of the Meccan elite, though their relationship remained as strong as ever. So it was a conflicted Hamza that witnessed the escalating situation in the city as Muhammad declared the message of Islam. On the one hand, he had absolute faith in the character of his foster brother and nephew, being one of those who had been closest to him for all of his life. Yet some of his most honored values were the respect he held for his family and the traditions they had always followed, his pagan religion among these. So he was indifferent to the controversy, discouraging his peers from worrying about what they saw as a revolution in their midst and not bothering to join them[6] in torturing the defenseless Muslims, while declining Muhammad's invitation to Islam. Hamza ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib was married to Salma bint Umays, the half-sister of Maymuna bint al-Harith (wife of Mohammed).

HAMZA's CONVERSION TO ISLAM

Hamza converted to Islam due after some actions of Amr ibn Hishām, (also known as Abū Jahl أبو جهل) known for his hostility against the Muslims. Hamza, Muhammad's uncle, had returned to the city of Mecca after a hunting trip in the desert. Upon returning, he soon learned that Abu Jahl (an avowed enemy of Islam) had heaped abuse and insults upon Muhammad, who had not responded and walked away from where he had sat in the Haram. Outraged, Hamza dashed to the Kaaba, where Abu Jahl sat with other leaders of Mecca, and began to beat him with his bow while shouting "Are you going to insult him now, now that I am of his religion and vouch for what he vouches for? Hit me if you can!" As the companions of Abu Jahl approached Hamza in an attempt to assault him, Abu Jahl feebly cried out from the ground "Leave Abu Umarah, for indeed I insulted his nephew deeply." And he cowered at the feet of Hamza, while his friends could not meet Hamza's eyes. As he departed, he kicked sand back at the men, leaving all shocked at what Hamza had just said, none more so than Hamza himself. After that incident, Hamza declared Islam, and made a covenant to help Muhammad and to die in the cause of Islam.

Death at Battle of Uhud

On 19 March 625 (3 Shawwal 3 hijri) Hamza was fighting alongside the Muslims in the Battle of Uhud. He was standing in front of Muhammad, fighting with two swords, and shouting "I am Allah's lion". The Abyssinian slave Wahshy ibn Harb was there near the mountain of Uhud where the battle was fought. His master, Jubayr ibn Mut'im (Arabic: جبير بن مطعم‎) had promised him freedom if he killed Hamza. Wahshy ibn Harb, who was skilled in using the Javelin, threw it into Hamza's abdomen and killed him. He (Wahshi) soon left the battle as he had no other reason to fight.