01. Life Examples. Companions Of Muhammad Saw

Feeding the guest in darkness A Sahaabi (RA) came to Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and complained of hunger and suffering. At that time Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) had nothing on hand, or in his home to feed him. He asked the Sahaabah (RA): “Would anybody entertain him as a guest on my behalf tonight?” One of the Ansaar said: “O, Nabi of Allah! I will do that.” The Ansaari took the person to his house and instructed his wife: “Look here, this man is a guest of Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi 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 no food in the house, except a very little which is just enough for the children.” The Ansaari said: “You put the children to sleep without feeding them, while I sit with the guest over the small meal. When we start Stories of the Sahaabah (Radiyallahu Anhum) 51 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 Ta’ala revealed the verse:

“They prefer others above themselves, even though they are themselves in need.

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

Hadhrat Anas (Radhiyallaho anho) says, “Abu Talha’ owned the best gardens in Madinah, and they were more numerous than those of any other Ansari. One of his gardens 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) musjidand 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, “0. 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 (SaUaUaho alaihe wasallam) was very much pleased, and remarked: ‘IWhat 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?,

10. Uadhrat Ab~ (Radhiyallaho anho) reprimands .his servant: Hadhrat Abuzar Ghifafi (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 (Sal, lallaho 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 good-bye 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 theJI?-.” . The person says, “I accepted’ Hadhrat Abuzar’s (Radhiyallaho 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 letch 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 otber. 108 Stories of the Sahaabah The other one was very good for· riding and much more seful 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 ali you have broken your pledge.” Knowing well what· he meant, I turned back and fetched the bestcmel 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 dQties, 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 aU 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. (Ill: 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 m~ there.’