SYMPATHY AND SELF-SACRIFICE

The Sahabah, as a class, were an embodiment of righteousness. They attained a standard that is rather difficult to emulate in a modern society. We would be fortunate if we really attain even a partial resemblance to their character. Some of their qualities are peculiarly their own, and self-sacrifice is one of these. Allah has made a mention of this in the Holy Qur'an in these words.

They prefer others above themselves, even though poverty become their lot. (LIX: 9)."

1   Feeding the guest in darkness:

A Sahabi came to the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) and complained of hunger and distress. Just then, the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) had nothing in hand, or in his home to feed him. He asked the Sahabah:

"Would anybody entertain him as a guest tonight on my behalf?"

One of the Ansaar said:

"O, Prophet of Allah, I will do that."

The Ansari took the person to his house and instructed his wife:

Look here, this man is a guest of the Prophet (Sallal-laho alaihe wasallam). We will entertain him as best as we can, and won't spare anything in doing so."

The wife replied:

"By Allah! I have got no food in the house, except a wiry little -something just enough for the children."

The Ansari said:

"You lull the children to sleep without feeding them, while I sit with the guest over the meagre meal. When we start eating, put out the lamp pretending to set it right, so that the guest may not become aware of my not sharing the meal with him."

The scheme worked out nicely, and the whole family, including the children, stayed hungry to enable the guest to eat to his fill. It was over this incident that Allah revealed the verse:

"They prefer others above themselves, even though poverty become their lot (LIX: 9)."

There are quite a number of similar incidents about the Sahabah. The following is one of these.

Feeding a fasting Sahabi:

One of the Sahabah was keeping fast after fast, as he could not get anything to eat. Hadhrat Thabit (Radhiyallaho anho) came to know of this. He told his wife:

"I shall bring a guest tonight. When we sit at the meal, put out the lamp, pretending to set it right, and you are not to eat anything until the guest has taken his fill."

The scheme worked out as in the last story. The husband and wife sat with the guest and the simple soul never suspected in the least- that neither of them had partaken at all of the food, though their hands and jaws seemed to he moving all right. When Hadhrat Thabit (Radhiyallaho anho) repaired to the Prophet's (Sallallaho wasallam) presence next morning, he was greeted with the happy news;

"O, Thabit! Allah has very much appreciated your tertainment of the guest last night."

Overpayment of Zakaat:

Hadhrat Ubay bin Kaab (Radhivallaho atrium) says:

"The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) once deputed me to collect Zakaat dues from a locality, I went to a person there, and asked about the details of his possessions. A baby camel one year old was due from him in Zakaat. When he heard this, he exclaimed, 'Of what use is a baby camel, one year old? You can neither milk it, nor ride it. Here is a fine grown-up she camel. You had better take this instead.' I replied, 'My commission does not permit me to take more than what is actually due from you. I, therefore, cannot accept what you offer. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) is visiting this locality, and tonight he will be camping at a place not very far from here. It is better you should go and place your offer before him. If he does not object, I would gladly accept your offer, other-wise you shall have to give me exactly what is due from you.' Thereupon, he took the she-camel to the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) and besought him thus: '0, Prophet of Allah! Your deputy came to receive Zakaat from me. By Allah! before this time, 1 have never had the honour of paying anything to the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) or his deputy. I therefore placed everything that I possessed before him. He decided that a baby camel one year old was due from me. Now, O, Prophet of Allah! This baby camel is of no use. It can neither yield milk nor carry a load. I, therefore, pressed him to accept a fine grown-up she-camel in-stead; which he refused to accept without your permission. I have now come to you with the she-camel. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasal-lam) observed. 'No doubt only that much is due from you which he has worked out. but if you are willing to give more than that, of your own accord, it would be accepted.' I then presented the she-camel to the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), which he accordingly accepted and sought Allah's blessings for the donor.”

Look, with what magnanimity of heart the Sahabah parted with their best things for the sake of Allah. On the other hand, we too claim to be the true followers of Islam, and ardent devotees of the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) but, leaving apart the bestowing of alms in general to the poor and the needy, we are most reluctant to pay the actual obligatory dues. Zakaat, as a pillar of Islam, is not even known to our upper classes. Of the middle classes, only the religiously conscious strata keep up a form of paying Zakaat, in as much as even the expenditure incurred on their own relatives and acquaintances, and all other charitable donations squeezed out of them by the Force of circumstances and face-savings are debited to this account.

Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) trying to emulate Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho):

Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) narrates:

"Once the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) asked for contributions in the path of Allah. In those days, I was in possession of some wealth. I mused thus, 'Time and again Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho) has surpassed me in spending for the sake of Allah. I shall by the Grace of Allah surpass him this time, because I have just now some wealth with me to spend'. I went home buoyant with the idea. I divided my whole property into two exactly equal parts. One I left for my family, and with the other I rejoined the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), who accosted me thus:

The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam):

`Did you leave anything for your family, 'Umar?'

`Umar (Radhiyallaho anho):

'Yes, O Prophet of Allah.'

The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam):

'How much?'

`Umar (Radhiyallaho anho):

'Exactly one-half.'

By and by, Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho) came along with his load. It transpired that he had brought everything that he possessed.

This is what I heard:

The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam):

'What did you leave for your family, Abu Bakr?'

Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho):

'I have left Allah and his Prophet for them.'

Hadhrat `Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) says that on that day he admitted to himself that he could never hope to surpass Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho).

Allah says in his Holy Book,

"Vie one with another in good works (V: 48)."

Such healthy emulation in sacrifice is therefore quite desirable and welcome. This incident happened at the time of Tabuk, when the Sahabah in response to the Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) appeal for help contributed beyond their means. This has already been mentioned in Chapter II. May Allah grant them best rewards on behalf of all the Muslims!

Sahabah dying thirsty for others:

Hadhrat Abu-Jahm-bin-Huzaifah (Radhiyallaho anho) narrates:

"During the battle of Yarmuk, I went out in search of my cousin, who was in the forefront of the fight. I also took some water with me for him. I found him in the very thick of battle in the last throes of death. I advanced to help him with the little water I had. But, soon, another sorely wounded soldier beside him gave a groan, and my cousin averted his face, and beckoned me to take the water to that person first. I went to this other person with the water. He turned out to be Hishaam bin Abil Aas (Radhivallaho anho). But 1 had hardly reached him, when there was heard the groan of yet another person lying not very far off. Hishaam (Radhiyallatio anho) too motioned me in his direction. Alas, before I could approach him, he had breathed his last. I made all haste hack to Hishaam and (mind him dead as well. Thereupon, I hurried as fast as I could to my cousin, and, lo! in the meantime he had also joined the other two.

Many an incident of such self-denial and heroic sacrifice is recorded in the books of Hadith. This is the last word in self-sacrifice, that each dying person should forego slaking his own thirst in favor of his other needy brother. May Allah bless their souls with His choicest favors for their sacrifice favors even at the time of death, when a person has seldom the sense to make a choice.

Hadhrat lianizah's (Radhiyallaho anho) shroud:

The Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) dear uncle, and one of his earliest supporters, Hadhrat Hamzah (Radhiyallaho anho) fell in Uhud, and the ruthless enemy brutally cut off his nose, ears and vitals. He was ripped open, and his heart, lungs and liver were torn out; and the whole body was thoroughly mutilated.IVhile the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) was making arrangements for the burial of the dead, he caught sight of Hadhrat Hamzah's (Radhiyallaho anho) body, and was shocked to find it in that condition. He covered the body with a sheet of cloth. Presently, Hadhrat Hamzah's (Radhiyallaho anho) sister Safiyyah (Radhiyallaho anha) also came to see her martyred brother for the last time. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) feared that the sight might be too much for her to bear, bade her son Hadhrat Zuhair (Radhiyallaho anho) to dissuade her from seeing the body. She however, rejoined:

"Yes, I have heard that the wretches have mutilated my dear brother's body. It is not too much in the path of Allah, and we should be resigned to it. I will bear all this patiently, and may Allah in His Grace have mercy on us all."

Hadhfat Zuhair (Radhiyallaho anho) informed the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) of his mother's resolve, and he gave his assent to her seeing the body. When she beheld what they had done to it, she simply exclaimed,

'Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raaji-oon' and offered a prayer for his soul."

In another Hadith, Hadhrat Zubair (Radhiyallaho anho) himself narrates the incident. He says:

"We made out a woman drawing near the place where the martyrs of Uhud had been gathered. On her close approach, I recognized her to be my own mother. I advanced to stop her, but she proved to be too strong for me. She thrust rue aside, with the words, 'Leave me alone,' When I told her that the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) had prohibited her from seeing the dead body, she at once desisted from her purpose and explained, "Hearing the news of my brother's death, I have brought a couple of sheets for his shroud. Take these sheets and make use of them.' We took the sheets and had begun to enshroud the body, when the dead body of an Ansari named Hadhrat Suhail (Radhiyallaho anho) caught our eyes. It was also lying close by in the same condition. We considered it a shame to enshroud Hadhrat Hainzah (Radhiyallaho anho) in two sheets, while the body of another Muslim brother lay bare. We, therefore, decided to one sheet each for the two bodies. Now, one sheet was bigger than the other, so we drew lots, and the bigger sheet came to the lot of Hadhrat Suhail (Radhiyallaho anho) and the smaller one to that of Hadhrat Hamzah (Radhiyallaho anho). We found that the sheet meant for Hadhrat Hamzah (Radhiyallaho anho), being too small, would riot cover his body: if we covered the head the feet remained uncovered, and when we pulled it down to cover the feet, the head was exposed. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said, "Cover the head with the sheet, and the feet with tree leaves."

This is how the body of Hadhrat Hamzah (Radhiyal-laho anho), the dear uncle of him (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) who wore the crown of perfection, was buried. Look at the spirit of the Sahabah, who could not tolerate Hadhrat Hamzah (Radhiyallaho anho) being enshrouded in two sheets and another Muslim brother remaining without a shroud at all. Again, although Hadhrat Hamzah (Radhiyallaho anho) deserved preferential treatment due to his exalted position, his body was covered with a smaller sheet that had fallen to his lot. Can there be a better example of sympathy, equality and self-sacrifice? Is it not shameful on our part that we, who call ourselves the followers of these illustrious people, do not possess any of these qualities. 

The Story of the Goat's Head:

Hadhrat Ibn Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) says:

"One of the Sahabah received a goat's head as a present. He thought of a neighbor who had a larger family and was in greater need of it than himself, and presented the same to him. This brother, on receipt of the present, recollected yet another person whom he considered even more deserving than himself, and sent on the head to him. The goat's head is, thus, said to have changed hands no less than seven times, and at last came back to the original person from whom the circulation had started."

We learn from the story how poor and needy the Sahabah usually were, and yet how they indeed preferred others above themselves.

Hadhrat Umar's (Radhiyallaho anho) wife acts as a midwife:

Amir-ul-Mominin Hadhrat `Umar (Radhiyallaho anho), during the time of his Khilafat, used to patrol the streets and suburbs of Madinah himself during the night to keep a watch. During one of his night-patrols, he noticed a camel-hair tent pitched in an open space. He had never seen this particular tent before. Approaching the tent, he found an individual sitting outside, and heard a sort of groan coming out of the tent. Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) greeted the stranger with "Assalaam-o-alaikum" and sat down beside him.

Hadhrat `Umar (Radhiyallaho anho):

"Whence brother?"

The person:

"I am from the desert, and a stranger to this place. I have come to request Amir-ul-Momnin for some help in my need."

Hadhrat `Umar (Radhiyallaho anho):

"Who is there groaning like this inside the tent?"

The person:

"Please mind your own business."

Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho):

"Do tell me please. May be that I can help you."

The person:

"If you must know, inside there is my wife groaning with labour pains."

Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho):

"Is there anybody else to attend her?"

The person:

"No one."

Hadhrat `Umar (Radhiyallaho anho), thereupon, got up and hurried homewards. He broached the subject to his wife Hadhrat Umme-Kulsum (Radhiyallaho anha) thus:

"Allah has brought you an opportunity to receive great blessings."

Wife:

"What is it, O, Amir-ul-Mominin?"

Hadhrat `Umar (Radhiyallaho anho):

"Yonder, a poor woman of the desert is in child birth, with none to attend her."

Wife:

"I am ready to attend her, if it may please you so."

Hadhrat Umme-Kulsum (Radhiyallaho anho) was after all the daughter of Hadhrat Fatimah (Radhiyallaho anho), and grand-daughter of the Prophet; how could she hesitate at the time of such need of a forlorn sister, such a service and a devotion which Allah loves best?

Hadhrat `Umar (Radhiyallaho anho):

"Then you should make all due haste. Also take a pan, some butter, provisions and other things needed during the child birth."

Hadhrat Umme-Kulsum (Radhiyallaho anho) did as she was bidden and left for the place where the tent was pitched. Hadhrat `Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) followed her close. She entered the tent, while Hadhrat `Umar (Rad-hiyallaho anho) made a fire and occupied himself with cooking something which those people could eat. After some time, Hadhrat Umme-Kulsum (Radhiyallaho anha) called out from inside the tent,

"Amir-ul-Mominin, congratulate your friend on the birth of a son."

The person was much embarrassed when he heard the address of `Amir-ul-Mominin' and realized the position of the person who had been serving him. But Hadhrat `Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) put all his fears to rest, saying:

"That is all right, there is nothing to worry about."

He then placed the pan near the tent, asking his wife to take it and feed the woman. She fed her and returned the pan. Then Hadhrat U'mar (Radhiyallaho anho) asked the Bedouin to partake of the food, as he had kept awake the whole night.

Having rendered this service, Hadhrat U'mar (Radhiyallaho anho) returned home with his wife, telling the person "Come to me tomorrow, and I shall see what I can do for you."

Is there any king, nay a petty chief, or even an ordinary middle class person of our time, who will thus take his wife out at the dead of night, and out in the wilderness, to attend a poor strange woman, while he himself gladly engages in making a fire and cooking food. Leave the worldly rich aside, how many of the religious people would do that? We should realize that unless we really follow in the footsteps of those God-fearing people whom we profess to look up to as our models, we cannot deserve and wish for the special blessings that Allah bestowed on them.

Hadhrat Abu Talhah (Radhiyallaho anho) gives his garden to Allah:

Hadhrat Anas (Radhiyallaho anho) says, "Abu Talhah owned the best gardens in Madinah, and they were more numerous than those of any other Ansari. One of his gar-dens was known by the name of Bir Ha, and this was his most favourite resort. It was close to the Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) musjid and the water of its well was sweet and abundant. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) often visited that garden, and drank of the water. When Allah revealed the verse,

"You will not attain unto piety until you spend of that which Ye love (III: 92)."

Hadhrat Abu Talhah (Radhiyallaho anho) repaired to the Prophet's presence and thus opened his heart,

"O, Prophet of Allah! I love Bir Ha very much. As Allah wants us to spend precisely that which we love, I make over that garden to be spent in the path of Allah as you please."

The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) was very much pleased, and remarked:

"What a fine present (to Allah)! I think it would be best utilized if you distribute it among your own heirs."

Hadhrat Abu Talhah (Radhiyallaho anho) went and acted upon the Prophet's advice.

Are we prepared to part with any of our dear things for the sake of Allah so quickly, after reading a verse of the Qur'an or listening to a well-delivered sermon?

Even when we wish to make a charitable endowment, usually we do it only for our death-beds or else when we are so displeased with some relatives that we decide to disinherit them. But, when an occasion of public spending like marriage comes round, we are eager to win popularity even if we have to take a loan on interest.

Hadhrat Abuzar (Radhiyallaho anho) reprimands his servant:

Hadhrat Abuzar Ghifari (Radhiyallaho anho) was well known for his piety and abstinence. He kept no money with him, and likewise did not like others to hoard it. He was always fighting against the moneyed class. Hadhrat Usman, (Radhiyallaho anho), therefore, during his caliphate advised him to shift to Rabzah (a small village in the desert). He had a few camels to live on, and an old servant to look after them. A tribesman from Banu Sulaim once presented himself with a request:

"I wish to stay with you to benefit from your knowledge of Allah's commandments and the Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) ways and habits: I shall also help your servant in looking after the camels."

Hadhrat Abuzar (Radhiyallaho anho) replied:

"I cannot keep with me a person who does not comply with my wishes; but if you can always do as bidden, you may remain with me, else I wish goodbye to you."

The person asked:

"In what way do you like me to carry out your wishes."

Hadhrat Abuzar (Radhiyallaho anho) replied:

"When I ask you to spend from my belongings, you are required to spend the best of them."

The person says, "I accepted Hadhrat Abuzar's (Rad-hiyallaho anho) condition and stayed on with him. One day, somebody informed him that there were some poor folk camping near the spring close-by and were in dire need of food. He asked me to fetch a camel. Accordingly, I went and intended to select the best of the lot, as I had pledged to do. It was a very fine and submissive animal and good for riding, so I decided to let it be, and selected the second best, as after all it was only to be slaughtered and eaten and, for this purpose, just as good as the other.

The other one was very good for riding and much more useful to Hadhrat Abuzar (Radhiyallaho anho) and his family, while the poor would find the one as tasty as the other. I, therefore, led the other camel to Hadhrat Abuzar (Radhiyallaho anho). He retorted:

"So, after all you have broken your pledge."

Knowing well what he meant, I turned back and fetched the best camel instead. He addressed the people about him,

"I want two persons to do a job for Allah."

As two persons volunteered themselves, he bade them go and slaughter the camel, and distribute the meat equally among the families camping near the water, including his own, saying, "My family will also share equally with the rest." The volunteers carried out his instructions. He then sent for me and asked:

'Did you intentionally ignore my instructions about spending the best out of my belongings, or you just happened to forget about it?'

I:  'I did not forget you instructions, but thought it better to preserve the one for transport duties, while the other was as good for eating.'

Abuzar: 'Was it for my personal need that you left it?'

I:   'Yes.'

Hadhrat Abuzar (Radhiyallaho anho):

'Come, let me tell you the occasion of my needs. That is the day when I shall be laid all alone in the solitude of the grave. Remember, there are three partners in your wealth, viz.

(1) Your destiny, which does not wait to take away its share. Good or bad it would take away all that it has to take.

(2) Your heirs, who are waiting for the day of your death, so that they may take over their share, and

(3) Yourself. If you can manage, don't be the most helpless of the three partners. Take your full share, while you can. Allah says:

'Ye will not attain unto piety until you spend of that which you love. (III: 92). I, therefore, think it advisable to send in advance the things which I love best, so that they may be in safe deposit for me there.'

That man is the worst loser of the three partners who does not spend his wealth in the path of Allah, and keeps postponing the event till at last destiny takes it away from him, or he dies and his heirs appropriate it. It is very seldom that the heirs give away in the path of Allah the wealth inherited from another person, so that his soul may benefit by it. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) once remarked:

"Man cherishes his worldly belongings, hugging them to his soul, and gloating, 'my wealth, my wealth,' but in reality only that much of it is his wealth, which he either enjoys in the form of food or dress or spends in the path of Allah to be stored up for him in the Hereafter. What is left of his wealth belongs to others; he is only acting as a custodian."

In another Hadith, it is reported that once the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) inquired of the Sahabah.

"Which of you would rather like to see his wealth in the hands of his heirs than keep it with himself?"

They replied:   "Who would like to be such a person, O Prophet of Allah? (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam)"

Thereupon the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) explained:

"Whatever you send in advance by spending it in the path of Allah is yours, and whatever is left behind be-longs to your heirs."

DEVOTION TO SALAAT--- Blessings of Nan (non-obligatory) Prayers:

DEVOTION TO SALAAT

Salaat is the most important of all forms of worship. It is, in fact, the first and foremost item to be reckoned with on the Day of Judgement. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) is reported to have said:

"Salaat is the only line of demarcation between Kufr and Islam."

There are many Ahadith about Salaat, which I have col-lected in a separate book.

    

 Blessings of Nan (non-obligatory) Prayers:

The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) reported that Allah told him: "My wrath descends upon a person who bears towards My friends. And only those are blessed with My love who implicitly carry out Fardh (obligatory) in-junctions. A person keeps on advancing in my esteem through 'Nail'; till I choose him as 'My beloved'. I then become his ear by which he listens, his eye by which he looks, his hands by which he holds, and his feet by which he walks (i.e. his listening, looking, holding and walking are all in perfect accord with My injunctions, and he would never even dream of employing any part of his body in any action contrary to My commands). If such a person prays for anything, I grant it to him and if he seeks My protection I do protect him." Those people are really blessed who, after performing their Fardh, are in the habit of observing Nafl profusely. May Allah give me and all my friends the strength to earn this blessing.

The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) spends the whole night in Salaat:

A certain person asked A'ishah (Radhiyallaho anha):

"Tell me something noteworthy concerning the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam)."

She answered:

"There was nothing which was not unusual about him. Everything he did was noteworthy. One night he came and lay down with me. After sometime, he got up saying, 'Now let me pray to my Lord, the Sustainer."

With this, he stood up in Salaat, humbling himself before his Creator with such sincerity that tears rolled down his cheeks to his beard and on to his breast. He then bowed for Ruku' and Sajdah, and his tears flowed down as fast as before and after raising his head from his Sajdah, he continued weeping in this manner till Hadhrat Bilal (Radhiyal-laho anha) announced the approach of Fajr. I pleaded with him:

"O, Prophet of Allah! you are sinless, as Allah has in His munificence forgiven your each and every sin (even if committed) in the past and which may happen in the life to come (XLVIII: 2) and still you grieve so much". He replied: Why, then, should I not be a grate-ful slave of Allah? Then he added, 'Why should I not be praying like this when Allah has today revealed to me these verses?'

`Lo! in the creation of the Heavens and the Earth, and in the difference of night and day, are tokens (of His Sovereignty) for men of understanding, such as remember Allah, standing, sitting and reclining .. (III: 190-191)' "

It has been reported in many Ahadith that the Prophet's feet would get swollen because of his very long rakaats in Salaat; people tried to reason with him:

"O, Prophet of Allah! You are sinless and still you labor so hard!"

He would reply: "Should I not be a grateful slave of my Allah, then?"

The Prophet's (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) recitation of the Qur'an in Salaat:

Hadhrat 'Auf (Radhiyallaho anho) narrates:

"I was once with the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasal-lam). He brushed his teeth with a Miswak, performed his Wudhu and stood up for Salaat. I also availed of the opportunity to join him. He recited surah 'Baqarah' in his first rakaat; he would pray for mercy when he re-cited any verse extolling the Grace of Allah, and would supplicate for Divine forgiveness when reciting any verse referring to His wrath. He took as much time in Ruku' and Sajdah each as he had taken in Qiyaam. In Ruku' he recited:

'Glory to Allah the Lord of Majesty, sovereignty and magnificence.’

He recited the next three successive Soorahs in the remaining three rakaats, and each rakaat was of about the same length as the first one."

Hadhrat Huzaifah (Radhiyallaho anho) has also narrated a similar story about his Salaat with the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam.)

The Qiraat (recitation) of the Qur'an by the Prophet. (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) in the above mentioned four rakaats amounts to more than one-fifth of he whole Qur'an. And the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) recited the Qur'an with proper intonation (Tajweed), and would also pray and seek forgiveness after relevant verses. Again his Ruku` and Sajdah also would last as long as his Qiyaam. We can thus have a fair idea of how much time he must have taken to say his Salaat. This can only be possible when Salaat is a source of great inner satisfaction and spiritual ecstasy. That is why the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) has often been quoted as saying: "The comfort of my eyes lies in Salaat." 

Salaat of a Few Eminent Sahabah:

Hadhrat Mujahid (Radhiyallaho anho), describing the Salaat of Hadhrat Abu l3akr (Radhiyallaho anho), and that of Hadhrat Abdullah bin Zubair (Radhiyallaho anho) says:

"They stood in Salaat motionless like pieces of wood stuck in the ground."

"Ulama agree that Hadhrat Abdullah bin Zubair (Radhiyallaho anho) learnt to say his Salaat from Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho), who in turn learnt it direct from the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam).

It is said about Hadhrat Abdullah bin Zubair (Rad-hiyallaho anho) that he remained in Sajdah for so long, and kept so motionless therein, that birds would come and perch on his back. He would sometimes remain in Sajdah or Ruku` all night long. During an attack against him, a mis-sile came and hit the wall of the musjid wherein he was saying his Salaat. A piece of masonry flew from the wall and passed in between his beard and throat. He neither cut short his Salaat, nor was he the least perturbed. Once he was saying his Salaat while his son Hashim was sleeping near him. A snake fell from the ceiling and coiled round the child. The child woke up and shrieked, and the whole household gathered round him. They killed the snake after a great hue and cry. Ibne Zubair (Radhiyallaho anho), calm and quiet, remained engaged in his Salaat all the while. When he had finished it, he said to his wife: "I heard some noise during my Salaat; what was that?"

His wife exclaimed:

"May Allah have mercy on you! The child's life was in danger, and you took least notice of it."

His answer was:

"Had I turned my attention to anything else, what would have remained of the Salaat?"

Hadhrat `Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) was stabbed at the close of his career, and this same wound caused his death. He bled profusely and remained unconscious for long intervals. But when he was informed of the time of Salaat, he would perform it in that very condition, and say:

"There is no portion in Islam for the person who discards Salaat."

Hadhrat Uthman (Radhiyallaho anho) would remain in Salaat all night long, finishing the whole of the Qur'an in one rakaat.

It is reported about Hadhrat All (Radhiyallaho anho) that he Would turn pale and tremble at the time of Salaat: Somebody asked him the reason, and he said:

"It is the time to discharge that trust, which Allah offered to the Heavens and the Earth and the hills, but they shrank from bearing it, and I have assumed it."

Somebody asked Khalaf-bin-Ayub:

"Do riot the flies annoy you in your Salaat?"

His. answer was: "

Even the sinful persons patiently bear the lashes of the government, to boast of their endurance afterwards. Why should I be made to skip about by mere flies when standing in the presence of my Lord?"

Muslim bin Yasaar when he stood up for Salaat, said to members of his family:

"You may keep on talking, I shall not be knowing what you talk."

Once he was saying his Salaat in the Jaami' musjid of Basrah. A portion of the musjid wall fell down with a crash; and everybody ran pelf mell for safety, but he never even heard the noise.

Somebody asked Haatim Asam as to how did he say his Salaat.

He replied:

"When the time for Salaat comes. I perform my Wudhu and go to the place where I have to say my Salaat. I sit clown for some time, till all the parts of my body are relaxed. Then I stand up for Salaat. visualizing the Kahah in front of me, imagining my feet upon the Bridge of Siraat. with Paradise to my right, and Hell to my left, and Izraaeel close behind me, and thinking that it may be my last Salaat. Then I say my Salaat with full sincerity and devotion. And I finish my Salaat between fear and hope about its acceptance.

Salaat of a Muhajir and an Ansari keeping watch:

While returning from a campaign, the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) happened to halt for the night at some place. He inquired:

"Who would keep watch over the camp this night?"

Hadhrat Ammar bin Yasir (Radhiyallaho anho) of the Muhajirin and Hadhrat Abbaad bin Bishr (Radhiyallaho anho) of the Ansar offered their services. Both of them were posted to watch from a hilltop against any possible night attack by the enemy.

Abbaad (Radhiyallaho anho) said to Ammar (Radhiyallaho anho):

"Let us keep watch and sleep turn by turn. In the first half of the night I shall keep awake, while you go to sleep. In the next half, you may keep watch while I go to sleep."

Hadhrat Ammar (Radhiyallaho anho) agreed and went to sleep, and Hadhrat Abbaad (Radhiyallaho anho) started his Salaat. But an enemy scout made him out in the dark from a distance, and let fly an arrow at him. Seeing that he made no movement, he shot another and still another arrow at him. Hadhrat Abbaad (Radhiyallaho anho) drew out and threw away each arrow as it struck him, and at last awakened his companion. The enemy fled when he saw them both together, fearing that there might be many more of them. Hadhrat Ammar (Radhiyallaho anho) noticed Abbaad (Radhiyallaho anho) bleeding from three places. He said:

"Subhanallah! why did you not awake me earlier?"

Abbaad replied:

"I had started recitingSurah `Kahf ' in my Salaat. I did not like to cut it short, but when I was struck by the third arrow, I was greatly concerned that my death might jeopardise the safety of the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam). I therefore finished the Salaat and awakened you. But for this fear, I would not have gone to Ruku' before finishing the Surah even if I had been killed."

Look at the devotion of the Sahaba to Salaat. One arrow after another is piercing Hadhrat Abbaad's (Radhiyallaho anho) body and he is bleeding profusely, but is no prepared to sacrifice the pleasure of reciting the Qur'an in his Salaai. On the other hand, the bite of a wasp, nay of a mosquito, is sufficient to distract us from our Salaat.

According to the Hanafiyyah school of jurisprudence, Wudhu breaks with bleeding, while according to the Shafi'iyyah it does not. It is just possible that Abbaad might he having the latter view, or that this point might not have been brought to an issue till then.

Hadhrat Abu Talha (Radhiyallaho anho) and his Salaat:

Hadhrat Abu Talha (Radhiyaliaho anho) was once saying his Salaat in his garden. His attention was drawn to-wards a bird that flitted about, but could not find a way out of the dense foliage. For a short moment, he followed the bird with his eyes, and forgot the number of his rakaat. Upon this mishap, his sorrow knew no bounds. He re-paired to the Prophet's (SailaIlaho alaihe wasallam) pres-ence straightway and submitted thus:

"O Prophet of Allah, this garden of mine has been the cause of a diversion in my Salaat. I give it away in the cause of Allah. Kindly spend it as may appear proper to you."

A similar chance befell one of the Ansaar in the time of Hadhrat Usman (Radhiyallaho anho). He was saying his Salaat in his garden. The branches of the trees were weighed down with ripe juicy dates, luxurious abundance, which caught his eves, and he felt pleased with it. This made him forget the number of his rakaat. He was so much stricken with grief that he decided to part with the garden that had distracted him from his Salaat. He approached Usman (Radhiyallaho anho) and made over the garden to him for utilising it in the path of Allah. Usman (Radhiyal-laho anho) had the garden sold for fifty thousand dirharns and spent the money as desired. This shows the value the Sahaba set on their faith; and Hadhrat Abu Talha (Rad-liiyallaho anho) could give away his orchard worth fifty thousand dirhams because it had interfered with his Salaat. According to Shah Waliullah, the Sufis give preference to obedience to Allah over anything that distracts from it.

Hadhrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallaho anho) and his Salaat:

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbas (Radhiyallaho anho) suf-fered from cataract of the eye. A doctor told him:

"A treatment is possible, provided you are willing to take precautions. Far five days, it will be essential for you to avoid prostrating yourself on the ground. You can, however, use a wooden desk for performing Sajdah.”

He said:

"This cannot be so. I would not say a single rakaat like that. I have heard the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) saying, "A person who intentionally foregoes a single Salaat shall have to face Divine wrath on the Day of Judgment."

Although it is quite permissible to perform Salaat in the way advised by the doctors, and it involves no direct transgression of the Law of Allah, yet due to Ms utter devotion to Salaat and implicit regard for the Prophet's warning, he was ready to lose his eyesight rather than allow the slightest modification in the Salaat as performed by the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) himself. In fact, the Sahabah would sacrifice the whole world for their Salaat. We may dub it as 'fanaticism', or make any other remark about that devoted band, but the verdict in the Hereafter would prove, beyond doubt, that they were the personages who really feared and loved their Creator above everything else in this world.

Sahabah's suspending trade at the time of Salaat:

Hadhrat Abdullah bin `Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) once visited the market. He noticed that at the time of Salaat, everybody closed his shop and flocked to the musjid. He remarked:

"These are people about whom Allah has remarked:

"Men whom neither merchandise nor sale beguileth from remembrance of Allah and constancy in Salaat and paying to the poor their due; who fear a day when hearts and eyeballs will be overturned. (XXIV: 37)"

Hadhrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallaho anho) says:

"These people were completely absorbed in their trade, but when they heard Azaan they left everything and hastened towards the musjid."

He once remarked: "By Allah, they were such traders whose trade did not hinder them from the remembrance of Allah."

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Masood (Radhiyallaho anho) once chanced to be in the market when Azaan was called out. He noticed everybody leaving his shop as it was, and proceeding to the musjid. He remarked:

"These are surely the persons of whom Allah says:

'Men whom neither merchandise nor sale beguileth from remembrance of Allah and constancy in Salaat and paying to the poor their due. (XXIV: 37).'

Another Hadith has it:

"All the people shall be gathered on the Day of Judgment, when it will be asked, 'Who are those who glorified Allah in ease and adversity?" A group will arise and enter Paradise without any reckoning. Again it will be asked, 'who are those who kept away from their beds and passed their nights in worshipping their Creator.' Another group will arise and enter Paradise with-out any reckoning. The angel will ask yet again, 'where are those whom trade did not hinder from remember-ing Allah.' And yet another group will arise and enter Paradise without any reckoning. After these three groups have departed, and reckoning would commence for the people in general."

Martyrdom of Hadhrat Khubaib, Hadhrat Zaid and Hadhrat 'Asim (Radhiyallaho anhum):

The Qureysh writhed with fury and rage at the loss of some of their greatest men in Uhud. Sulaifah, whose two sons had fallen in action, had taken a solemn vow that she would drink wine in the skull of 'Asim (Radhiyallaho anho), who had killed both of them, If she could get possession of his head. She had proclaimed a prize of one hundred camels (a stupendous sum for the place and the time) for the person who brought 'Asim's head to her. Sufyan bin Khalid worked out a plan to secure the prize. He sent a few men of Adhai Waqarah to Madinah, who pretended to em-brace Islam: they be sought the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) to detail some persons to accompany them to their locality to preach Islam to the populace. They made a special request for 'Asim (Radhiyallaho anho) saying:

"Our people will very much appreciate his mode of address."

The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) deputed ten (or six according to another report) of his companions to go with them, and `Asim (Radhiyallaho anho) was of course in-cluded in these. They started satisfactorily from Madinah, but treachery awaited them on the way; they were attacked by not less than two hundred of the enemy, including one hundred crack selected archers. The, Sahabah climbed up a hill called Fadfad. The enemy called out to them:

"We do not want to kill you; we shall only take you to Mecca and sell you to the Qureysh."

The Sahabah (Radhiyallaho anhum) rejected this parley and chose to fight to the finish. When they ran short of arrows, they attacked the enemy with their spears. Hadhrat Asim (Radhiyallaho anho) called out to his companions:

"No doubt you have been betrayed by these treacherous people. but you should not lose heart; because martyrdom is itself the acme of your aspirations. Allah, the most beloved, is with you, and your celestial spouses are this minute waiting for you."

With these words, he rushed into the very thick of the enemy, and when his spear broke he fought on with his sword. Thus he fell fighting to the last. His last prayer was:

"O, Allah! inform the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) about our fate."

Allah, in His compassion, answered his prayer by revealing the news to the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam). As 'Asim (Radhiyallaho anho) had come to know about Sulafah's vow to drink wine in his skull, he also prayed:

"O, Allah! I have laid down my life in Thy cause; O, Allah, do save my head from the sacrilegious hands of these unbelievers."

This prayer was also granted. After his death, a swarm of bees (or wasps according to another report) settled upon his body, and foiled all attempts of the enemy to sever his head. They left the body alone, intending to do their dirty job during the night, when the bees would have gone. But during the night, there was a cloud-burst, which washed the body away.

'To return to the fight, when seven out of the ten Sahabah (Radhiyallaho anhum) had attained martyrdom and the remaining three, Khubaib, Zaid bin Wathnah and Abdullah bin Tariq (Radhiyallaho anhum) were still sticking to their position on the hilltop, the enemy again called out to them:

"You three should come down the hill; of course we would do no harm to you.

The three trusted them and came down the hill, but the enemy immediately pounced upon them, and pinioned them with the gut strings of their bows. Upon this, Abdullah bin Tariq (Radhiyallaho anho) protested:

"So this is the very first breach of your solemn prom-ise. I would rather join my martyred brothers than go alive with you."

He then refused to follow them in captivity. They tried their best to make him walk, but could not, and ultimately perceiving that he would on no account budge an inch from the spot, dispatched him there and then. The two remaining captives were taken by them to Mecca and sold to the Qureysh. Safwan bin Umayyah paid fifty camels for Zaid bin Wathna (Radhiyallaho anho) to kill him in revenge for the death of his father Umayyah in Thud', and Hujair bin Abi Ahaab bought Khubaib (Radhiyallaho anho) for one hundred camels to avenge the fall of his father in the same battle.

Safwan made over Hadhrat Zaid (Radhiyallaho anho) to his slave to be killed outside the limits of the Haram. A crowd followed them to watch Hadhrat Zaid (Radhivallaho anho) meet his end, and Abu Sufyan (Radhivallaho anho) also happened to be one of the spectators. When Zaid (Radhiyallaho anho) stood prepared to meet his doom, Abu Sufyan asked him thus:

"Don't you wish Muhammad (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) to be in your place today, and you be let off to enjoy life with your family?"

Zaid's (Radhiyallaho anho) reply amazed them all:

"By Allah!" he said, ''the very thought of enjoying life with my family is unbearable to me, if the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) were even to suffer a thorn-prick in his foot for that."

The Qureysh simply could not understand this reply, and Abu Sufyan (Radhiyallaho anho) remarked:

"There is absolutely no parallel, anywhere in the world, to the love that the companions of Muhammad (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) bear him."

Hadhrat 'Zaid (Radhiyallaho anho) was then martyred.

Hadhrat Khubaib (Radhiyallaho anho) remained in the captivity of Hujair for a long time. A woman slave of Hujair (who later embraced Islam) says:

"When Hadhrat Khubaib (Radhiyallaho anho) was in captivity with us, I noticed one day that he was eating grapes from a bunch as big as a human head, though it was not the season of grapes in Mecca at that time. When the day for his execution drew near, he asked for a razor, which was handed over to him. Meanwhile a child of the house, in his play, went close to Hadhrat Khubaib (Radhiyallaho anho). All the inmates of the house got alarmed at the sight. Hadhrat Khubaib (Radhiyallaho anho) having been marked for death, they thought there was nothing to prevent him from killing the child with the razor. But to remove their fears on observing their alarm, Hadhrat Khubaib (Radhiyallaho anho) remarked: 'Do you think that I would stoop to the killing of an innocent child? This heinous crime is simply not possible for me.'“

When he was brought to the gallows, and asked to make his last wish, if any, he requested:

”Allow me to say two rakaat of Salaat, for it is time for me to leave the world and meet my Allah."

They let him say his Salaat. On finishing the two rakaat most calmly, he said:

"But for your thinking that I was afraid of death, I would have said another two rakaats."

He was then tied to the gallows. At that time he said:

"O, Allah! There is nobody to convey my last Salaam to Thy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam)."

And Allah sent his Salaam to the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) through an angel. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) answered:

"Wa alaikumus salaam! O Khubaib,"

and observed to the Sahabah:

"Khubaib has been martyred by the Qureysh."

At the gallows, forty of the Querysh speared him simul-taneously. One of those teased him:

Say by Allah, if you now wish Muhammad (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) to be in your place and you to be let off."

He replied:     "By Allah the Most Magnificent, I will not tolerate a thorn pricking the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) in ransom for my life."

Every word of this story is a lesson for us all. The de-votion and love of the Sahabah narrated therein is really something to esteem and covet. They would lay down their very lives, but they would not tolerate even a thorn pricking the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam). Again, look at Hadhrat Khubaib's (Radhiyallaho anho) last wish. He neither remembers his family members nor wishes to see any of them; what he wishes is to send his last Salaam to the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) and to say two last rakaats of Salaat.