QABEELAT WASAT PROFESSIONAL NOTES€¦ · QABEELAT WASAT PROFESSIONAL NOTES . Qabeelat Wasat...

Qabeelat Wasat Succession August 2018 Shaykh Hasib Noor

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QABEELAT WASAT PROFESSIONAL NOTES


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In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

AllpraiseisduetoAllah اعت% هناحبس و theLordoftheuniverse.Andpeaceandblessingsbe

uponHisbelovedMessengerMuhammad ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص, hisfamily,andhispiousfollowerswhofollowhisguidance. BythegraceandmercyofAllah اعت% هناحبس و , wehavecompilednotesforShaykhHasibNoor’sclass“Succession:TheRiseofAbuBakrand‘Umar.”ThesenotesarestudentnotespublishedbyQabeelatWasat.TheyhavenotbeenapprovedbyAlMaghribInstituteorShaykhHasibNoor.Therefore,wecannotattesttothecompleteaccuracyofthismaterial.AnyIslamicrulingpertainingtoyourpersonalsituationneedstobediscussedwithyourlocalscholar.Thesenotesarebynomeansasubstituteforapersonalizedfatwa.AnybenefityouobtainfromthesenotesarefromAllah %اعت هناحبس و whileanyshortcomingsarefromourselves.WeremindourselvesthattheonlywrittenmanuscriptthatiscompletelyfreefromerrorsistheBookofAllah.Therefore,weappreciateyourpatiencewithanymistakesthatyoumayfindinthesenotes.Wekindlyaskthatyoumakedu’aforthepeoplewhoworkedlongandhardonthesenotesinanattempttoservetheUmmah.PleasebeawarethatthesenoteshaveArabicversesofQur’an.Ifyouaretoprintthesenotesandthendisposeofthem,pleasedosoappropriately.JazakamAllahuKhairan.


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Introduction Succession:TheRiseofAbuBakrand‘UmartookShyakhHasibNoorroughlytwoyearstoprepare.Logisticsdidnotserveasthemainchallengebutratherthedifficultyofsummarizingthelivesofthesetwogreatmen.Werecognizewhothesemenwere,whattheyrepresented,andwhotheysucceeded–theProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.Whenonerealizesthegreatindividualsyouaretryingtorepresent,itcanfeellikeamountainonone’sshoulders.Afterall,AbuBakrand‘Umar مهنع 2ا ضر aretheclosestpeopletotheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,andtheyareevenburiednexttohim.However,theywerenotinfallible!Theycommittedmistakeswhichcanhelpusbetterrelatetothem.Whenwesetoutforthejourneyof‘UmrahandHajj,wetraverseinlargecrowdsdownalongpathinanattempttovisitthegraveoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصinMadinah.SuchanexperiencemakesusremembertheDayofJudgement:everyonecominginwaves,tryingtocatchaglimpseoftheProphet.WhenvisitingtherestingsiteoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصinMadinah,oneseesagiantchandelierwhichmarkstheexactspotwhere‘Umar هنع 2ا ضر

becameamartyr.Italsomarksthemihrabof‘UmarinthemasjidoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.Andinfrontofitstandsthemihrabof‘Uthman هنع 2ا ضر .ThenwelooktotheleftandseetheminbaroftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص-theexactareawherehetaughttheSahabaandwhereIslamspreadfrom.Welookatthedifferentdesignspresentinthemasjid,andweseepillarsadornedwithyellowcrownswhichrepresenttheheightofthemasjid.AswestandwheretheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwouldpray,wheretheSahabawouldgatheraroundhimatthetimeofFajr,ourheartsbeatfastandwebecomeshortofbreath.Asyoustandbeforethemostbelovedpersontoyou,whatcanwesay?Assalamu‘alaikumwarahmatullahiwabarakatuhu.Ormaybewecansay,thankyou.ThankyouforteachingmeIslamandallowingmetobewhoIamasaMuslim.Suchwordscomefromourheartandmakesusrealizehowrealourfaithis.AndrightnexttotheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصliesnoneotherthanhistwomostfavoriteCompanions:AbuBakrand‘Umar امھنعهللايضر .‘A’isha اهنع 2ا ضر

explainedthatwhentheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwouldgosomewhere,peoplewoulddescribeitastheProphet,AbuBakr,andUmarwent.AndthatwhentheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwouldcome,theywoulddescribeitastheProphet,AbuBakr,and‘Umarcame.ThesetwomenweretheclosesttotheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,andtheycontributedtothespreadofIslam.


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ThisclasswillstrivetogiveuseachanexperientialrealityofthelivesofAbuBakrand‘Umar امھنعهللايضر .Weaspiretoactuallyfeelandrelivethelegaciestheyleftbehindanddelvebeyondthecontentcoveredinkhutbahsanddiscussions.DIFFERENTWAYSTOANALAYZETHEIRLIVESThelivesoftheKhulafaAl-Rashiduncanbeanalyzedinthreedifferentways:1.) Historical Overview:

• Weexperiencetheirlivesthroughtheirowneyes• Tobecomprehensivehistoricallywithoutoverwhelminghistoricaldetail• Howdidtheyfeel?Howweretheyraised?• HowdidtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصteachanddisciplinethemwhilemoldingthemintothe

leaderstheybecame?2.) Thematic Narrative:

• Whatwastheirformulaofsuccess?• Howdidtheylivetheirlives?• Analyzestheirhumanity,character,personal,andsocialdevelopment• HowdidtheyactaroundtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصandhisfamily?Withtheirownfamilies?• Howdidtheybalanceleadershipresponsibilitieswithpersonalworship?

3.) Establishing a Connection to Our Legacy:

• Whatwecanlearnbytellingthestoryoftheirlives• Lessonswecanderivetohelpusinourpresent-daysituations• TheirmodelwasbuiltuponthesuccessionoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص

IdentityisconnectedtothelegacyofpeoplewhoestablisheditandpavedapathforustofollowintheirfootstepsbyimplementingthefaiththatGodgaveus.Knowingwhotheywereistiedtoknowingwhoweare.LearningaboutthegenerationsthatlivedintheshadeoftheProphethoodandlearnedsotheycanbuildonhislegacyisanessentialwaytounderstandhowfallibleandimperfectpeoplecanliveuptotheimpeccableteachingsandperfectionofIslam.Whenweknowhowtheynavigatedtheirchallenges,itwillundoubtedlyhelpusnavigateourown.Themoreyouaredistantfromthislegacy,thelessyouwillunderstandwhereyouaregoing.MalcomXsaid,"Educationisanimportantelementinthestruggleforhumanrights.Itisthemeanstohelpourchildrenandourpeoplerediscovertheiridentityandtherebyincreasetheirself-respect.Educationisourpassporttothefuture,fortomorrowbelongsonlytothepeoplewhoprepareforittoday."


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GustaveLeBonwasaFrenchorientalistwhowroteabookin1884calledLaCivilizationdesArabes(TheCivilizationoftheArabs).Hesays,“Thenascentwork(i.e.Islam)hadbeforeitmanyobstacles.TheywereovercomethankstotheremarkablepoliticalgeniusofthecompanionsofMuhammad.ThosewhowerechosentosucceedtheprophetweremenwhodidnothaveatfirstanyothermissionthantoenforcethelawwrittenintheQur’an,sothatitwasnotthoseelectiveleadersthattheArabsapparentlyobeyed,buttoacodehavingundisputeddivineorigin.Thefirstsuccessorsoftheprophet,AbuBakr(632-634),‘Umar(634-644),‘Uthman(644-655),and‘Ali(655-660)hadallbeencompanionsofMuhammad.Theykepthissimplemannersandhisausterelife:nothinginthemindicatedsovereignty.AbuBakrleftathisdeathonlytheclotheshewore,thecamelhewasriding,andtheservantwhoservedhim.Duringhislife,hehadonlyallocatedfivedirhams(1dirham=2.975gramsofsilver)perdaytakenfromthepublictreasuryforhissustenance.‘Umar,althoughhavingsharedamonghissoldier’srichspoils,woreapatchedrobeandsleptonwhatwasfitforthepoor.ItwasonlybyinsensitivetransitionsthattheArabspassedfromthedemocraticplantothemonarchialregime.UnderthefirstsuccessorstotheProphet,equalitywascomplete:rightswerethesameforeveryone.ThefourthCaliph,‘Ali,appearedinpersonbeforeacourtasaccuserofanindividualhebelievedwasstealingarmor.WhentheChristianKingoftheGhassanids,covertedwithhistribestoIslam,cametoMeccatomeetwith‘Umaraftertheirconversion.HestruckanArabwhohadhithimbyaccident.OnthecomplaintoftheArab,‘Umarwasobligedtoapplythelawandorderedthatthekingwouldsufferthepenaltyofretaliation.‘Howcanthatbe,OCommanderoftheFaithfulandIamaKingandheislowercaste!’criedtheKing.‘Amanofthepeoplewouldbethehandontheheadofsomanytribes!’TheCaliphsaid.‘Islamhasjoinedbetweenyouandmadeyouequal.SuchisthelawofIslam,thereisnopreferenceinprivilegesforakingnordifferentiationincase.AllMuslimswereequalintheeyesoftheProphetastheyaretothoseofhissuccessors.’”MEANINGOFKHALIFAH(LINGUISTICALLY)AnyArabicwordcanbetracedbacktoa3-letterrootword.Khalifahcomesfromtherootwordkhalafa.Whenweunderstandthedifferentnuancesofthisword,wecanbetterappreciatewhytheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصchosethiswordtodescribehissuccessors;henamedthemKhulafaRashideen.Therootwordkhalafacarries3meaningsaccordingtoIbnFairsinhisbookMaqayisAlLughah:1.) To Succeed

• i.e.oneafteranother• Theywillbringaboutonegeneration/groupafteranother


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2.) Act in replacement of, deputy, representative, or appointed authority over

• TheKhalifahactsasarepresentativeoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص• HealsoactsasarepresentativeofAllah %اعت هناحبس و onthisearth

3.) Change

• TheybroughtaboutchangeWecannotmerelyspecializeinonefieldinIslam.Rather,weneedtohaveabaseinabout13scienceswhichencompasssubjectssuchastheArabiclanguage,usoolul-fiqh,fiqh,history,Seerah,tafseer,etc.Whenwehaveabasewithintheseareas,wearethenabletofocusanddeveloponeofthem.Inthisclass,wewillobservehowallofthesesubjectscometogetherinaninterdisciplinarymanner.Youcannotbeahistorianwithoutunderstandingtextualandhistoricalcriticismthroughhadith.QUR’ANICNARRATIVEWhatdoesAllah %اعت هناحبس و tellusaboutthissuccession?WhatdoesHesayconcerningthesedeputieswhowouldbringaboutchange?ThefirstmentionofsuccessionoccurswhenAllahmentionsourowncreation:

“And[mention,OMuhammad],whenyourLordsaidtotheangels,‘Indeed,Iwillmakeupontheearthasuccessiveauthority.’Theysaid,‘WillYouplaceuponitonewhocausescorruptionthereinandshedsblood,whilewedeclareYourpraiseandsanctifyYou?’Allah

said,‘Indeed,Iknowthatwhichyoudonotknow.’”SurahAl-Baqarah,2:30KhalifahinthisayahreferstoAdam م=سلا هيلع ashewouldbesucceededbychildren,serveasadeputyofAllah %اعت هناحبس و ,representHislaw,andbringaboutchange.Theangelsquestionedsuchadecisionastheyknewthejinncreationonearthcausedmischiefandspilledblood.TheybelievedthattheultimatepurposeofcreatingabeingwasforthepureworshipofAllah.Allah %اعت هناحبس و remindedthemthatHeknowswhattheydonotknow.


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WhenAllah %اعت هناحبس و mentionssuccession(istikhlaf/khalifah)intheQur’an,Healwayscouplesitwiththeearth.

“[Wesaid],‘ODavid,indeedWehavemadeyouasuccessorupontheearth,sojudge

betweenthepeopleintruthanddonotfollow[yourown]desire,asitwillleadyouastrayfromthewayofAllah.’Indeed,thosewhogoastrayfromthewayofAllahwillhaveasevere

punishmentforhavingforgottentheDayofAccount.”SurahSad,38:26Ifwehavebeengiventheresponsibilityofservingasasuccessoronthisearth,weneedtojudgefairlybetweenpeoplewhileavoidingfollowingourdesires.AllahthenendsthisayahbyremindingusabouttheDayofAccount,theDayofpayback.Weneedtoupholdjusticeassuccessorstoavoidfacingpunishment.


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“AndWedividedthemthroughouttheearthintonations.Ofthemsomewererighteous,andofthemsomewereotherwise.AndWetestedthemwithgood[times]andbadthatperhapstheywouldreturn[toobedience].Andtherefollowedthemsuccessorswho

inheritedtheScripture[while]takingthecommoditiesofthislowerlifeandsaying,‘Itwillbeforgivenforus.’Andifanofferlikeitcomestothem,theywill[again]takeit.WasnotthecovenantoftheScripturetakenfromthemthattheywouldnotsayaboutAllahexceptthetruth,andtheystudiedwhatwasinit?AndthehomeoftheHereafterisbetterforthose

whofearAllah,sowillyounotusereason?ButthosewhoholdfasttotheBookandestablishprayer-indeed,Wewillnotallowtobelosttherewardofthereformers.”

SurahAl-A’raf,7:168-170


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Allah %اعت هناحبس و referstothePeopleoftheBookinthisayahinSurahA-A’raf.BaniIsra’ilcommittedtreacherybyfailingtheresponsibilityendowedtothemassuccessorsofthefaith.

“Butiftheyturnaway,[say],‘IhavealreadyconveyedthatwithwhichIwassenttoyou.MyLordwillgivesuccessiontoapeopleotherthanyou,andyouwillnotharmHimatall.

IndeedmyLordis,overallthings,Guardian.’"SurahHud,11:57Allah %اعت هناحبس و willalwaystestpeoplewiththeresponsibilityofleadershipandsuccession.Iftheyfail,HewillreplacethosepeoplebecausethewordofAllahisalwaystrue.


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“Say,‘ObeyAllahandobeytheMessenger;butifyouturnaway-thenuponhimisonlythat[duty]withwhichhehasbeencharged,anduponyouisthatwithwhichyouhavebeencharged.Andifyouobeyhim,youwillbe[rightly]guided.Andthereisnotuponthe

Messengerexceptthe[responsibilityfor]clearnotification.’AllahhaspromisedthosewhohavebelievedamongyouanddonerighteousdeedsthatHewillsurelygrantthem

succession[toauthority]upontheearthjustasHegrantedittothosebeforethemandthatHewillsurelyestablishforthem[therein]theirreligionwhichHehaspreferredforthemandthatHewillsurelysubstituteforthem,aftertheirfear,security,[for]theyworshipMe,notassociatinganythingwithMe.Butwhoeverdisbelievesafterthat-thenthosearethedefiantlydisobedient.AndestablishprayerandgivezakahandobeytheMessenger-that

youmayreceivemercy.”SurahAl-Nur,24:54-56ThelamandnunserveasaddedemphasisinthewordLayastakhlifannakum.So,Allahwillsurelymakethemsuccessorsinthisland.Whatisthepurposebehindallofthis?Whyaresuccessorsonthisearthgiventhisresponsibility?

“Theysaid,‘Wehavebeenharmedbeforeyoucametousandafteryouhavecometous.’Hesaid,‘PerhapsyourLordwilldestroyyourenemyandgrantyousuccessioninthelandand

seehowyouwilldo.’”SurahAl-A’raf,7:129WhentheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصcametohispeople,theQurayshsaidthathedidnotcomewithanythingnew.Theyexplainedthattheyfacedpersecutionbeforehecamewithhismessageandevenafterwards.Heملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsaidthatperhapsyourLordwilldestroyyourenemyandmakeyousuccessorsonthisearthinordertoseehowyouact.


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WHYSTUDYHISTORY?IbnKhalduntraveledthroughthemajorempiresinwhatcanbeconsideredthebestroadtripinhistory.Hewrotethefirstbookofsociology,Muqaddimah,whichfocusedonthestudyofsocietyandpeople.Hesays:“Historyisadisciplinewidelycultivatedamongnationsandraces.Itiseagerlysoughtafter.Themeninthestreet,theordinarypeople,aspiretoknowit.Kingsandleadersvieforit.Boththelearnedandtheignorantareabletounderstandit.Foronthesurfacehistoryisnomorethaninformationaboutpoliticalevents,dynasties,andoccurrencesoftheremotepast,elegantlypresentedandspicedwithproverbs.Itservestoentertainlarge,crowdedgatheringsandbringstousanunderstandingofhumanaffairs.(Itshows)howchangingconditionsaffected(humanaffairs),howcertaindynastiescametooccupyaneverwiderspaceintheworld,andhowtheysettledtheearthuntiltheyheardthecallandtheirtimewasup.Theinnermeaningofhistory,ontheotherhand,involvesspeculationandan

attempttogetatthetruth,subtleexplanationofthecausesandoriginsofexistingthings,anddeepknowledgeofthehowandwhyofevents.(History,)therefore,isfirmlyrootedin

philosophy.Itdeservestobeaccountedabranchof(philosophy).”

“Reflectionofthepastleadstoactioninthefuture.”Ifwedon’treflectuponouroriginsandthelegacywewerebornwith,wewillpracticallybeparalyzedfromcarvingoutourfuture.WHYSTUDYTHEKHULAFAAR-RASHIDUN?TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصusedthetermrashidun,thepluralofrashid/rasheed.Al-RasheedisactuallyoneoftheBeautifulNamesofAllah %اعت هناحبس و ,andaccordingtoIbnMandhurinhisbookLisanAl-Arab,itreferstotheOnewhoguidescreationtothatwhichbenefitsthem.Thewordsrashidandrashidundescribethosewhoareguidedanduprightwhiletheystruggletoreachwhatisrightinthematter.Inessence,itservesasthepinnacleofhumanexampleinapplicationofknowledgeandwords.Theyarepeoplewhofollowtheirwords!Theyactedontheirknowledge.TheKhulafaAl-Rashidunwerethosewhofollowedtheirwordswithaction.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصmentionedwhotheywereandhowlongtheirrulewouldlast.ItwasnarratedthatAlNu’manibnBashirsaid:“WhileweweresittingintheMosque,AbuTha’labahAl-Kushanicameandsaid,‘OBashiribnSa’d,doyourememberthehadithoftheMessengerofAllahملسو هيلع هللا ىلصaboutrulers?’Huthayfahsaid,‘Irememberhisspeech.’ThenAbu

Tha’labahsatdown(tolisten).HuthayfahthensaidtheMessengerofAllahsaid:


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أ 2ا ءاش ام مكيف ةوبلا نوكت

أ ءاش اذإ اهعفري مث نوكت ن

مث اهعفري ن أ 2ا ءاش ام نوكتف ةوبلا جاهنم T ةف=خ نوكت

اذإ اهعفري مث نوكت ن

أ 2ا ءاش

أ 2ا ءاش ام نوكيف اضع كلم نوكت مث اهعفري ن

مث نوكي ن أ ءاش اذإ اهعفري

أ 2ا ءاش ام نوكتف ةيبج كلم نوكت مث اهعفري ن

ن

أ ءاش اذإ اهعفري مث نوكت

مث ةوبلا جاهنم T ةف=خ نوكت مث اهعفري ن تكس

“ProphethoodwillremainamongyouforaslongasAllahwillsittobe.ThenAllahwillraiseitwhenHewillstoraiseit.Thentherewillbesuccession(khilafah;reign)thatfollowsthepropheticmethodology.AnditwilllastforaslongasAllahwillsittolast.ThenAllahwillraiseitwhenHewillstoraiseit.Thentherewillbeanoppressivereign,anditwillremainforaslongasAllahwillsittoremain.ThenAllahwillraiseitwhenHewillstoraiseit.Thentherewillbetyrannicalreign,anditwillremainforaslongasAllahwillsittoremain.Then

HewillraiseitwhenHewillstoraiseit.Thentherewillbeareignthatfollowsthepropheticmethodology.”ThentheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصkeptsilent.

Habibsaid,“When‘UmaribnAbdul-‘AzeezbecameCaliphandYazidibnAlNu’manibn

Bashirwasoneofhisfriendswrotetohim,mentioningthishadithinordertoremindhimofit,saying,‘IhopeyouwillbetheLeaderoftheBelieversaftertheoppressiveandtyrannicalreigns.’Itpleasedanddelightedhim,i.e.‘UmaribnAbdAl-‘Azeez.”

[Ahmad,AlTabari,AlBayhaqiinDalailAlNubuwah,AlArnaut]So,theProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصmentionedfourstagesofruleintheabovehadith.WearecurrentlyinstagethreeasthereexistsnotrueleadershiptodirectourUmmah.


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Itwasnarratedfrom‘Abdu’l-Rahmanibn‘Amral-Sulamithatheheardal-‘IrbadibnSariyahsay:

تلجوو نويعلا اهنم تفرذ ةظعوم ـ ملسو هيلع 2ا لص ـ 2ا لوسر انظعو انلإ دهعت اذامف عدوم ةظعومل هذه نإ 2ا لوسر اي انلقف بولقلا اهنم yإ يدعب اهنع غيزي y اهراهنك اهلل ءاضيلا T مكتكرت دق " لاق نم متفرع امب مكيلعف ايثك اف=تخا ىيسف مكنم شعي نم كلاه مكيلعو ذجاولاب اهيلع اوضع ييدهملا نيدشارلا ءافللا ةنسو تنس لا لملك نمؤملا امنإف ايشبح ادبع ن� ةعاطلاب

داقنا ديق امثيح فن

". “TheMessengerofAllahملسو هيلع هللا ىلصdeliveredamovingspeechtouswhichmadeoureyesflowwithtearsandmadeourheartsmelt.Wesaid:'OMessengerofAllah.Thisisaspeechoffarewell.Whatdidyouenjoinuponus?'Hesaid:'Iamleavingyouupona(pathof)

brightnesswhosenightislikeitsday.NoonewilldeviatefromitafterIamgonebutonewhoisdoomed.Whoeveramongyouliveswillseegreatconflict.IurgeyoutoadheretowhatyouknowofmySunnahandthepathoftheRightly-GuidedCaliphs,andclingtoit.Andyoumustobey,evenif(yourleaderis)anAbyssinianleader.Forthetruebelieverislikeacamelwitharinginitsnose;whereveritisdriven,itcomplies.’"[Ahmad,IbnMajah,

Al-Hakim]ThishadithcontainsadirectcommandfromtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصtofollowhisexampleandtheexampleoftheKhulafaAl-Rashidun.Itispartofourfaithtofollowtheirexample.TheKhilafahthattheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصreferencedwouldlastexactly30years.IbnAbial-‘Izzal-Hanafisaid,“ThekhilafahwaswithAbuBakral-Siddiq2yearsand3months,‘Umar10andahalfyears,‘Uthman12years,‘Ali4yearsand9months,andal-Hasan6months.”[Sharhal-Tahawiyyah545]Intheyear41Hijrah,Mu’aawiyah هنع 2ا ضر soughtleadershipfromal-Hasan هنع 2ا ضر .AfterleadingtheUmmahfor6monthsfollowingthemartyrdomofhisfather‘Ali هنع 2ا ضر ,Al-HasanbroughtMu’aawiyahtoMasjidAqsawherehewouldofficiallystepdownfromhisthrone.Thatyearwasknownas‘aamal-jama’ah.


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TheKhulafaAl-Rashiduncomprises5individuals:AbuBakr,‘Umar,‘Uthman,‘Ali,andal-Hasan امهنع 2ا ضر .TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص commandedustofollowtheseindividuals;webenefitfromstudyingtheirliveswhiletakingfromtheirguidance.Whenwefollowtheirway,weneedtostudyascienceofIslamcalledusoolul-fiqh.HowdoweknowwhatthecommandsoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصmean?WhatdoesAllah %اعت هناحبس و meanintheQur’anwhenHetellsustodosomething?Usoolul-fiqhanswersthesequestionsbyusingtextualcriticism

“Oyouwhohavebelieved,obeyAllahandobeytheMessengerandthoseinauthority

amongyou.”SurahAn-Nisa,4:59

TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصfurtherexplainedthisayahbycommandingustofollowhiswayandthewayoftherightlyguidedKhulafah.Buttowhatextent?‘Umar هنع 2ا ضر didnottakeanymoneyfromthestatetreasuryasaleader;so,doeseveryleaderneedtofollowthatexample?HOWDOWEFOLLOWTHEKHULAFAAR-RASHIDUN?Imamal-GhazalicommentsonthecommandtofollowthewayoftheKhulafaAl-Rashidun:1.)ItwaspermissibleforthemtofreelypracticeandlegislaterulesotherthanwhattheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصupheld

• NoMuslimssaysthis2.)ItwasacommandtofollowtheminthewaytheyfollowedtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص

• Thisiswhatwefollow• HowdidProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصteachustounderstandourfaith?• HowdidheteachustounderstandtheQur’anandderiveapplications?

3.)Weunderstandthisfaiththroughtheunderstandingofthosethatwitnessedrevelation

• TheCompanionsheldacertainlevelofstatusandvirtuebecausetheywereclosesttorevelationaftertheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص

• Furthermore,theyhadadeeperunderstandingofitsinterpretation


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Jabiribn‘Abdullah هنع 2ا ضر saidthattheMessengerofAllahملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsaid,“Allahchosemycompanionsfromallofcreation(andfavoredthem)exceptoverprophetsandmessengers.Thenhechosefromallofmycompanionsfour:AbuBakr,‘Umar,‘Uthman,and‘AliandHemadethemmycompanionsandineverycompanionisgood.MynationwaschosenformeabovealltheothernationsthenIwassenttothebestgenerationthenthesecondandthen

thirdandthenfourth.[Bazzar2763]

هيلع 2ا لص 2ا لوسر لاق لوقي ـ امهنع 2ا ضر ـ يصح نب نارمع أ يخ " ملسو

نارمع لاق ." مهنولي نيلا مث مهنولي نيلا مث نرق تم

أ =فأ يرد

أ ينرق هنرق دعب ركذ

اموق مكدعب نإ مث " اث=ث و

نوفي yو نورذنيو ،نونمتؤي yو نونوخيو ،نودهشتسي yو نودهشي ، " نمسلا مهيف رهظيو

‘ImranibnHusayn هنع 2ا ضر saidthattheMessengerofAllahملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsaid,“Thebestofmynationarethoseofmygeneration,andthenthosewhowillcomeafterthem,andthenthosewhowillcomeafterthem…thentherewillcomeafteryou,peoplewhowillbearwitness

withoutbeingaskedtodoso,willbetreacherousanduntrustworthy,andtheywillvowandneverfulfilltheirvows,andfatnesswillappearamongthem.”[Bukhari]

لاحتناو يلاغلا فيرت هنع نوفني لودع فلخ ك نم ملعلا اذه لمي يلهالا ليوأتو يلطبملا

“Thisknowledgewillbecarriedineverysuccessivegenerationbythetrustworthyandhonest,whowilldefenditagainstthedistortionsofextremists,thefabricationofliars,and

theinterpretationsoftheignorant.”[Tabarani]Wehaveextremistsinoursocietyandpeoplewhomakethingsup.SomeclaimtheyhaveamoresoundunderstandingofreligiousprinciplesthantheexplanationofferedbytheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.However,thishadithreassuresusthatfaithandknowledgewillbeprotected.


16

أ " ـ ملسو هيلع 2ا لص ـ 2ا لوسر لاق لاق ،T نعرمعو ركب وب

أ لوهك اديسلا نم ةنلا له

y يلسرملاو ييبلا yإ نيرخلاو يلو

"ييح اماد ام T اي امهبت

‘Ali هنع 2ا ضر narratedthattheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsaid,“AbuBakrand'Umararetheleadersofthe

maturepeopleofParadise,andthefirstandthelast,exceptfortheProphetsandMessengers,butdonottellthemaboutthat,O'Ali,aslongastheyarestillalive.”

[Tirmidhi3666,IbnMajah95]Everyhadithisasnapshotinhistory.Atthistime,theProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصhadnotinformedtheCompanionswhowouldhaveastationinParadise.Hechosetotell‘Aliastheywereveryclose,butheasked‘AlinottotellAbuBakrand‘Umarastherewasarighttimeandrightplaceforthatdiscussion.

بأ%إ راشأويدعب نم نيللاب اودتقاف مكيف ئاقب ردق ام يردأ y نإ هوقدصفدوعسم نبامكثدح امورامعدهعب اوكسمتورمعوركب

Hudhayfah هنع 2ا ضر narrated,“WeweresittingwithProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصandhesaid,‘Idon’tknowhowmuchIwillremainamongyou,sofollowthesewhocomeafterme,andhepointed

towardsAbuBakrand‘Umar,followAmmarifhegivesanoath,andifIbnMas’udtellsyouanything,thenbelieveit.’”[MusnadAhmad5/385,Tirmidhi3799]

أ

أ لاقف مهيبن اودقف سالا حبصهيلع 2ا لص 2ا لوسر رمعو ركب وب

لص 2ا لوسر نإ سالا لاقو . مكفلخل نكي مل مكدعب ملسو أ يب ملسو هيلع 2ا

أ اوعيطي نإف مكيدي

اودشري رمعو ركب اب

TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsaid,“Whatdoyouthinkthepeoplewouldhavedone?TheywouldhavereachedthemorningandfoundtheirProphetmissingfromamongstthemandthenAbuBakrand‘UmarwouldhavetoldthemthattheMessengerofAllahملسو هيلع هللا ىلصhasleftsomethingafteryouandwouldhaveneverleftyoubehindwithoutguidance.”Thepeoplesaid,“TheMessengerofAllahisamongyou,ifyouhadobeyedAbuBakrand‘Umar,youwouldhave

beenrightlyguided…”[SahihMuslim681]


17

Inthishadith,welearnthatifpeopleobeyedAbuBakrand‘Umarwhentheydidn’tfindtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,theywouldhavebeenrightlyguided.

أ نع ،معطم نب يبج نب دمم نعأ لاق ،هيب

أرما تت

2ا لص بلا ة

أف ملسو هيلعأ اهرم

أ تلاق .هلإ عجرت ن

أرأ ملو تئج نإ تي

أك كدج

اهن

أف نيدت مل نإ م=سلا هيلع لاق .توملا لوقت

أ تركب اب

JubayribnMut’imsaid,“AwomancametotheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwhoorderedhertoreturntohimagain.Shesaid,‘WhatifIcameanddidnotfindyou?’asifshewantedtosay,‘IfIfound

youdead?’TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsaid,‘Ifyoudonotfindme,thengotoAbuBakr.’”[SahihBukhari3659]

يدعب نك ول ملسو هيلع 2ا لص 2ا لوسر لاق لاق ،رمع نب ةبقع نع باطلا نب رمع نكل بن

‘Uqbahibn‘AmirnarratedthattheMessengerofAllahملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsaid,“IfthereweretobeaProphetafterme,itwouldhavebeen‘Umaribnal-Khattab.”[Tirmidhi3686]

Thishadithismorethanenoughtoknowthestatusof‘Umar هنع 2ا ضر .

ملسو هيلع 2ا لص بلا %إ نامثع ءاج لاق ،ةرمس نب نحرلا دبع نع أبيح همك ف باتك نم رخآ عضوم ف نكو عقاو نب نسلا لاق - رانيد فل

أرف نحرلا دبع لاق . هرجح ف اهثنف ةسعلا شيج زهجلص بلا تي

" مولا دعب لمع ام نامثع ض ام " لوقيو هرجح ف اهبلقي ملسو هيلع 2ا‘Abdu’l-RahmanibnSamurahnarratedthat‘UthmanwenttotheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwithone-thousanddinarcarryingtheminhisclothes…whenthe‘armyofdistress’wasbeingprepared.SohepouredthemintotheProphet’slap.‘Abdu’l-Rahmansaid,‘Isawthe

Prophetturningthemoverinhislap,saying,‘Whatever‘Uthmandoesaftertodaywillnotharmhim,’twotimes.”[Tirmidhi3701]


18

1dinarisequivalentto4.25gramsofgold.‘Uthman هنع 2ا ضر cametotheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwithamassiveamountofmoneyinordertofacetheRomanEmpireintheExpeditionofTabuk.Thistookplaceinthe9thyearofHijrah.

أ

y أ ضرت

أ yإ سوم نم نوراه ةلنمب نم نوكت نيدعب بن سيل هن

TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsaid,“WillyounotbepleasedthatyouwillbetomelikeHaruntoMusa?Buttherewillbenoprophetafterme.”[Bukhari4416]

Thestationof‘Ali هنع 2ا ضر isthathighinrankingthatheservedasanaidandspokesman

fortheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.

أ 2ا لعلو ،ديس اذه نبا نإ

يملسملا نم يتميظع يتئف يب هب حلصي ن “Thissonofmindisaleader,andperhapsAllahmayreconciletwolargegroupsofMuslims

throughhim.”[Bukhari2704]Thishappenedin40/41HijrahinPalestineatMasjidAl-Aqsa.Al-MunawiexplainsthatAl-Hasan هنع 2ا ضر wasgiventhepledgeofleadershipatthistime,andhebecametherightfulImam.Hisreignlasted6months,completingthe30yearsofKhilafahwhichtheProphetoppressiveanbeginwouldyears30thoseafterAndhadith.anotherinexplainedhadملسو هيلع هللا ىلصkingship.[Faydal-Qadir2/409]

The Biggest Miracle of the Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص After the Qur’an and

Sunnah…The Companions WebelievethattheQur’anistheliteraldivinewordofAllah %اعت هناحبس و thatwassenttohumanity.Whenweunderstandrevelation,wealsounderstandtheconceptofProphetsandMessengerswhoweresentasanapplicationofrevelation.ManyofusneglecttounderstandthattheCompanionsthemselvesservedasaproofofProphethood.“ACenturyaftertheProphet’sdeath,theIslamicEmpireextendedfromthePyreneestotheHimalayas.ItseemedyetanothermiracleandsignofGod’sfavor.BeforethecomingofIslam,theArabshadbeenadespisedoutgroup;butinaremarkableshortspaceoftime,theyhadinflictedmajordefeatsupontwoworldempires.Theexperienceofconquestenhancedtheirsensethatsomethingtremendoushadhappenedtothem.MemberoftheUmmahwasthusatranscendentexperience,becauseitwentbeyondanythingtheyhadknownorcouldhaveimaginedintheoldtribaldays.TheirsuccessalsoendorsedthemessageoftheQur’an,whichhadassuredthatacorrectlyguidedsocietymustprosper

becauseitwasintunewithGod’slaws.LookwhathadhappenedoncetheyhadsurrenderedtoGod’swill!WhereChristiansdiscernedGod’shandinapparentfailureand


19

defeat,whenJesusdiedonthecross.Muslimsexperiencedpoliticalsuccessassacramentalandasarevelationofthedivinepresenceintheirlives.”

KarenArmstrong,IslamAShortHistory,68

هوفكل ،هباحصأ yإ ةزجعم ملسو هيلع 2ا لص 2ا لوسرل نكي ملول هتوبن تابثل

“IftheMessengerofGodملسو هيلع هللا ىلصhadnoothermiraclebesideshiscompanions,theywouldbeenoughproofofhisprophethood.”Al-Qarrafi

ImamAl-QarrafiwasaMalikischolarfromAndalus;anyonewhowantstobeajuristinIslammustreadhisworks.Theabovequoteissopowerfulthatitcanbewritteningoldink.Succession: Proof of ProphethoodTheBattleofAhzabtookplaceinthe5thyearofHijrah.TheMuslimswerediggingatrenchthatwasroughlythesizeof6metersasthedisbelieverswereattemptingtolaysiegetoMadinah.TheJewishtribefromwithinMadinahbrokethecovenantwiththeMuslims,andtheysidedwiththeQuraysh.AllofthewarringtribeswerecomingtoannihilatetheMuslims.Withthedisbelievingarmiesgatheringinthenorth,theMuslimsbuiltatrenchtoplaceaphysicalbarrierbetweenthemandtheenemy.Duringthistime,Allah %اعت هناحبس و revealedanentirechapterofQur’an,SurahAl-Ahzab.TheMuslimsexperiencedgreatfearastheywereoutnumbered10,000to3,000.Theyweresoafraid,theycouldfeeltheirheartsbeatingintheirthroats!Andtheystartedtohaveinternalconversationsaboutwhatwasgoingtohappen;arewegoingtosurvive?

“[Remember]whentheycameatyoufromaboveyouandfrombelowyou,andwheneyesshifted[infear],andheartsreachedthethroatsandyouassumedaboutAllah[various]

assumptions.”SurahAl-Ahzab,33:10


20

Allah %اعت هناحبس و madetheheartsofthebelieversfirmwhilethehypocritesturnedtheir

backs.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصappointed1500todigthetrenchand1500tostandguard.Hedividedthemintomuhajireen(thosewhohadmigratedtoMadinah)andAnsar(citizensofMadinah).Whiletheydiggingthetrench,theycameacrossgiantboulderthatstandsinMadinahtothisday.Theyfelttheycouldnotdigacrossoraroundtheboulder,sotheyaskedtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwhattodo.

أ ثيح نك املتضرع ، قدنلا رفب ملسو هيلع 2ا لص 2ا بلا رم

أف ، ةرخص ال

لاقف ، اهثلث سكف ، 2ا مسب : لاقف ، لوعملا ذخ : أ 2ا

أ ، بك

ل نإ 2او ، ماشلا حيتافم تيطع

رملا اهروصق رظن ،

أ 2ا : لاقف ، رخلا اهثلث سكف ، ةينالا بض مث

بك ، أل نإ 2او ، سراف حيتافم تيطع

لا نئادملا صق رظن

بض مث ، ضيب

أ 2ا : لاقف ، رجلا ةيقب عطقف ، ةلالا

أ ، بكنملا حيتافم تيطع

ل نإ 2او ،أ رظن

اذه نكم نم ءاعنص باوب

“AtthetimeoftheBattleofAhzaborthebattleoftheTrench,theProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwentdowntohitarockwithhisax,whereuponhesaid:‘Bismillah’andshatteredonethirdoftherock.Thenheexclaimed:‘Allahuakbar!IhavebeengiventhekeysofSyria.ByAllah,verilyIcanseeherredpalacesrightfromwhereIstand.’Thenhesaid:‘Bismillah,’andshattered

anotherthirdandexclaimed:‘Allahuakbar!IhavebeengiventhekeysofPersia.ByAllah,IcanseehercitiesandherwhitepalacerightfromwhereIstand.’Thenhesaid:‘Bismillah’andshatteredtheremainderoftherockandexclaimed:‘Allahuakbar!IhavebeengiventhekeysofYemen.ByAllah,IcanseethegatesofSan`a'rightfromwhereIstand.’"

[MusnadAhmad]WhentheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصstrucktherockwithhisaxe,lightwouldemanatefromtherockthatseemedtoengulftheProphetandtheCompanions.ShamreferstotheareathatencompassesSyria,Palestine,Lebanon,andJordan.


21

IbnKathircommentedinhistafsironthehadithoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwhenhedescribedhisbirth,whenhismotherwaspregnantwithhim:

ماشلا روصق هنم تءاضأ رون اهنم جرخ هنأ مأ تأرو “Mymothersawlightemanatingfromherthatspreadallthewayuntiltheyilluminatedthe

castlesofSham.”

WhenthemotheroftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwaspregnant,shesawinherdreamsthatalightemanatedfromherthatspreadandilluminatedthecastlesofPalestine,Syria,Lebanon,andJordan.ThelightspreadtoYemenandthroughouttheearth.Whatdoesthislightsignify?AndwhatdoesthelightthattheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsawintheBattleofAhzabrepresent?IbnKathirexplainsthatthelightsymbolizesthespreadofIslam.ItwouldspreadtothoseareasandbecomefirmlyrootedinthelandsofSham,anditwouldneverleave.Andthus,darknesswouldneverdescendasthoselandswouldforeverbelandsofIslam.Heexplainsthat‘IsawoulddescendinDamascusonaneasternwhiteminaret.AndheincludesthehadithfoundinSahihayn:

y أ نم ةفئاط لازتنم yو مهلذخ نم مهضي y قلا T نيرهاظ تم أي تح مهفلاخ

أ تكلذك مهو 2ا رم

“AgroupofmyUmmahwillcontinuetoprevailandbesteadfastonthetruth,theywillneverbeharmedbythosewhoabandonoropposethem,untilAllah’scommand(theLast

Day)isgiven.”AndinBukhari,itadds,“AndtheywillbeinSham.”

Inshort,theProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصbroughtagreatprophecyduringthelowestpointinhistoryforhimandhisCompanions.HesawthathewouldreceivethekeysofSham,Persia,andYemen.DuringtheBattleofKhandaq/Ahzab,theMuslimsweregreatlyoutnumberedandonthebrinkofannihilation;theQuraysh,Jewishtribes,andotherArabsbroughtasoliderforeverysingleman,woman,andchildinMadinah.Literally15/16yearslater,theconquestoftheByzantineRomanEmpireandSassanidPersianEmpiretookplace.Allah %اعت هناحبس و allowedtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصtowitnessoneofthepropheciescometrueduringhislifetime:YemenacceptedIslaminpeace.Subsequently,AbuBakr هنع 2ا ضر contributedtothespreadofIslaminIraqand‘Umar هنع 2ا ضر totheRomanlands.Basically,thesetwo

SahabawerethepropheciesoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصastheybroughtthekeyssawinthevision.


22

AbuJuhayfahnarrates,“Myfatherwasoneoftheguardsof‘Aliandhewasstandingbeneathhisminbar(forprotectionagainstthosewhotryingtoassassinate‘Ali).‘Aliascendedtheminbar,praisedandglorifiedAllah,andsentblessingsupontheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.Hethensaid,‘ThebestofthisUmmahafteritsProphetisAbuBakr,secondis‘Umar.Afterthat,Allahgrantsgoodtowhomeverhewills.’”TheSahabarecognizedthesetwoindividualsasbeingthesuccessorsoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwhowouldcarveaneverlastinglegacy.AbuBakrand‘Umarrepresentedtheliteralembodimentofthesuccession.INTRODUCINGABUBAKRAbuBakr هنع ضر 2ا wasamanofnobilitywhohadnoreasontogiveuphisstatustofollowawaythatwouldleadtoabsoluteanimosityandattacks.WhenheacceptedIslam,weunderstandthelevelofsincerityandgenuinenesshepossessed.HegrewuparoundMakkah,closetotheKa’bah.WhenheacceptedIslam,hewasthefirstpersontotaketheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصinfrontoftheKa’bah,encouraginghimtopreachthemessageofIslam.AbuBakrsaidthathewouldstandwithhim.TheProphetexplainedthattheywereweak;AbuBakrreassuredhim,sayingtheywereonthetruthandshouldthusstandandspeak.AbuBakrwasthefirstpersontospeakinIslam.HeintroducedtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصasaMessengerwhohascomewiththetruth,andheurgedthepeopletolistentohim.TheProphetstoodinfrontoftheKa’bahdoor;hefirstpraisedAllah %اعت هناحبس و andthenstartedtoreciteQur’an.WhentheQurayshheardhim,theyrantowardshimandstartedtoattackhim.AbuBakrgrabbedtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصandsaidtotheQuraysh,“DoyoutrytokillamanwhosimplysaysthatyourLordisAllah?”AbuBakrkeptrepeatingthisastheybeathim.

أأ =جر نولتقت

مكبر نم تانيلاب مكءاج دقو 2ا بر لوقي ن

“Wouldyoukillamanbecausehesays:MyLordisAllah,andhehascometoyouwithclearsigns(proofs)fromyourLord?”[Bukhari]

AstheCompanionspulltheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصaway,theQurayshbeatAbuBakruntilhealmostbecomesunconscious.Hisfacebecamecompletelyunrecognizable,andapoolofbloodcoveredhisface.Someonescreamed,“ThatisAbuBakrfromAbuTaym!Ifyoukillhim,histribewillannouncewaragainstyou!”So,theQurayshlethimgo.TheCompanionstookAbuBakrtohishousewhichisnowtheentranceofthemalltoHiltonHotel.Whentheybroughthimin,theytriedtorevivehim,buthewouldnotwakeup.IbnKathirinhisBidayawaNihayasaysfoodwouldnotrevivehim,sotheybroughthismother,


23

Salma,andhisfather,AbuQuhafa.Theythoughthewasgoingtodieuntilhefinallywokeupthatnight.Theyofferedhimwater,butthefirstthingAbuBakraskedwas,“WhathappenedtotheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص?”Hisotherstartedtoscreamathim,saying,“Whatiswrongwithyou?You’regoingtogetyourselfkilledbytheorphanboy!”AbuBarksays,“IwillnoteatordrinkuntilIknowwhathappenedtohim.”Theytoldhimthathewascrazy.HeinstructedthemtogotoFatimah,thesisterof‘Umar.HismothergoestoFatimahwhosays,“Idon’tknowwhoAbuBakris.Idon’tknowwhoMuhammadis.”Muslimsfearedfortheirlivesasmanywouldundergopersecutionandtorture.ThemotherofAbuBakrsays,“Ifyoudon’ttellme,knowthatAbuBakrisonhisdeathbed.”So,Fatimagoestohishouseandstartstocrywhensheseeshim,saying,“Whathavetheydonetoyou?”Shesaysthattheycouldn’trecognizehisnosefromtherestofhisfacefromhowmuchbloodtherewas.AbuBakrwouldonlyask,“WhathappenedtotheMessengerofAllahملسو هيلع هللا ىلص?”Fatimahtoldhimnottoworry,explainingthattheProphetwasfine.AbuBakrrefusedtoeatordrinkuntilhesawtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصhimself,sotheycarriedhimontheirshouldersandmadealongwalktotheoppositesideoftheHaram.WhentheyreachedthehomeofProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,AbuBakrlungedathimandgavehimahug.AbuBakrstartedtocry,saying,“AlhamdulillahAllahhaspreservedyouforus!”TheProphetthenaskedwhathappenedtoAbuBakr;heexplainedthatitwasjustascratchonhisface.LookattheloveAbuBakrhadfortheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص!ThewordsthatAbuBakrkeptrepeatingashedefendedtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصareengravedintheQur’an:

"Doyoukillaman[merely]becausehesays,'MyLordisAllah'whilehehasbroughtyou

clearproofsfromyourLord?”SurahGhafir:40:28FromtheveryinceptionofIslam,AbuBakrwasthere.HeinfluencedtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصjustasmuchastheProphetinfluencedhim.AbuBakrservedasacloseradvisortotheProphetthroughouthisProphethood.Eventhoughhewas2yearsyoungerthantheProphet,AbuBakrfulfilledtheroleofan“elder”wiserCompanion.


24

INTRODUCING‘UMAR‘Umar هنع 2ا ضر showedgreatanimositytowardstheMuslimsashetriedtotortureandkillthem.HeparticipatedinoppressivecampaignsagainsttheMuslimsintheearlystagesofIslam.AtthebottomofthemountainofSafa,theProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwouldgatherhisCompanionsinahomeknownasDarul-Arqam.HewouldhideandteachIslaminthishomeforaperiodof5years;hedidthisduringthehiddenpartofIslamwhichlasted3years(alsoreferredtoastheprivateera)inadditiontoanother2yearstohideandprotectthehomeitself.Thehomewasnamedafteritsowner,Al-ArqamibnAl-Arqam.Hewasa16-yearoldwhoacceptedIslamthroughAbuBakr.WhenAbuBakrspreadthemessageofIslam,hebrought7ofsomeofthegreatestCompanions,including,‘Uthman,‘Abdurrahmanbin‘Auf,Talhaibn‘Ubaydullah,Zubayribnal-‘Awam,andAl-ArqamibnAl-Arqam مهنع 2ا ضر .WhiletheProphettaughthispeopleIslam,theMuslimshidtheirfaithduetofearoftortureandoppression.‘UmarservedasastaunchopponentofIslam,andhewasknownforhisharshness.Hehimselfsufferedfromanelementofphysicalabusefromhisfather,Al-Khattab,whoownedabusiness.Heputhissoninchargeofgrazingthecamels.‘Umarexplainedthattheharshnesspeoplesawinhimwasaresultofhisfatherbeatinghimoverthecamels.‘UmarwasactuallyoneofthemostintellectualmeninMadinah.HebecameawealthybusinessmanwhowouldgivehalfhiswealthforthesakeofthedeenafterheacceptedIslam.WhenhediscoveredthatAbuBakrhadgivenallofhiswealth,‘UmarunderstoodthathecouldnotbeatAbuBakr.Notonlywasheabusinessman,buthealsoservedasanambassadorforhistribeBanu‘Adi.TheQurayshwouldsendhimasadiplomatiftheywereabouttogotowarwithanopposingtribeoratribeoutsideoftheArabiantribes.‘Umarplayedtheroleofanintertribaldiplomatwhohadstatusinsociety.Inaway,‘Umarhadapurposelessexistence.HewasnotamanofvisionlikeAbuBakrwhoacceptedIslamimmediately.‘UmarwasamanwhosawtheQurayshasadominantforce;sowhenhefeltthatIslamwasshakingthisdominance,hetookpartintorturingMuslims.HethenstartedtoquestionIslam–whatisit,andwhyarepeopleacceptingit?‘UmardecidestohearthewordsfromtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصhimself.Hewentoutatnighttoconcealhisactions,andhidesunderneaththeclothoftheKa’bahastheProphetrecitesQur’an:

“TheInevitableReality-WhatistheInevitableReality?Andwhatcanmakeyouknowwhat

istheInevitableReality?”SurahAl-Haqqah,69:1-3


25

‘Umarwasshakenatthisayat–itwasasiftheseverseswerespeakingdirectlytohim!IfyoutaketheBookofAllahasguidance,Allah %اعت هناحبس و willguideyouspecificallythroughit.‘Umarthinkstohimself,“Thisisastatementofapoet!”Hejustknowshowtoworkwithwordsandcaptivatehearts.ThentheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصrecites:

“Anditisnotthewordofapoet;littledoyoubelieve.”SurahAl-Haqqah,69:41

‘Umarwasagainshaken!Hethinkstohimself,“He’samanwhodealswithdevils!”ThatisishowheknewwhatIwasthinking.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصthenrecites:

“Northewordofasoothsayer;littledoyouremember.”SurahAl-Haqqah,69:42

Umarwassoscaredthatheranoff!Howdidheknowwhatwasinhisheart?TheProphet.‘UmarforrevealedQur’anthewasneitherandheart,hisinwaswhatknownotdidملسو هيلع هللا ىلصAllah %اعت هناحبس و givesadescriptionoftheQur’aninthefollowingayah:

“ThemonthofRamadhan[isthat]inwhichwasrevealedtheQur'an,aguidanceforthe

peopleandclearproofsofguidanceandcriterion.”SurahAl-Baqarah,2:185


26

THREEDESCRIPTIONSOFTHEQUR’ANTheayahmentionedabovecontainsthreedescriptions:1.) Guidance for all of mankind

• Thisfaithisforallofhumanity,notonlyMuslims• IslamisthecontinuationoftheonefaiththatAllahbroughttohumanity• Wedon’tbelievethereisaChristianorJewishnarrativeoffaith• ThereexistsonlyonetruefaithfromAllah,andtheQur’aniscallingmankindback

tothatfaith

2.) Clear signs of guidance • AllahgiveseverysingleoneofuspinpointGPSguidancethatisspecifictous• Suchguidanceiscontextualizedtoourlives• Wecanfindsuchguidancethroughdu’aandreadingtheQur’anwithtadabbur

3.) Criterion

• Toknowwhatisrightandwrong• Inanyfield:politics,socialactivism,psychology,sociology,realestate,marriage,etc.

THERESPONSEOF‘UMAR‘Umardidnotknowwhattodoashewashavingakindofmentalbreakdown.Intheflightorfightresponsehehastomake,hedecidestofight.HetakesaswordandwalksthroughthemiddleofMakkahtofindandkilltheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.Nu’aymibn‘AbdullahseeshimwalkingbytheKa’bah,headingtowardsthehouseoftheProphet.Nu’aymwashidinghisIslamatthistime;heasks‘Umarwherehewasgoing,and‘UmarrespondsthathewasgoingtokillMuhammad.InordertoprotecttheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,Nu’aymtells‘UmarthatheshouldcareabouthisownfamilyfirstinsteadofMuhammad!Andhetells‘UmarthathissisterFatimahhadacceptedIslam.‘Umarwasshocked,andheheadstowardshissister’shouse.Asheapproachesthehouse,heheardtherecitationofQur’anfromKhabbabbin‘Araqwhohidesintheclosetoutoffear.ThehusbandofFatimah,Sa’idibnZayd,waspresent.‘UmarstrikesSai’d;Fatimahtriestodefendherhusband,so‘Umarstrikeshertoo.Shefallstothegroundandstartstobleed.‘Umarthrewhisswordandsaid,“Givemewhatyouwerereciting.”TheversesherecitedwerefromSurahTaha:

“Ta,Ha.WehavenotsentdowntoyoutheQur'anthatyoubedistressed.”

SurahTaha,20:1-2


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TheQuranwasnotmeantforyoutobeupset,angry,orindespair.‘Umarwassoshakenthathebecamecalm.Khabbabcomesoutoftheclosetandsays,“Oh‘Umar,Ihopethatthedu’aoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصhascometrueforyou!”Hethenexplains,“IheardtheProphetsayyesterday,‘OhAllah,givevictorytoIslamthrougheither‘UmaribnAl-KhattaborAbuJahlibnHisham.’”‘UmaraskswheretheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwas,andKhabbabexplainsthatheisinDarulArqam.So,‘Umarheadsoverthereandknocksonthedoor.TheProphetwastherewith40ofhisCompanions,includingHamza,theuncleoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwhohadrecentlyacceptedIslam.HamzatellstheProphet,“Lethimin.IfAllahwantedgoodforhim,maybethat’swhyHesenthimhere.IfAllahwantedevilforhim,I’llendhimbeforeheentersthedoor.”TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصtakeseveryoneoutoftheroomthroughtheback.Hethenopensthedooras‘Umarwalksin.TheProphetpulls‘Umarbyhiswaist,hugshim,andshakeshim.Hesays,“Oh‘Umarwhatbroughtyouhere?DoyouwantAllahtorevealtheQur’anagainstyou?”‘Umarresponds,“IcameheretobelievethatyouareRasulillahandthatAllahisOne.ItestifythatthereisnooneworthyofworshipbutAllah,andItestifythatyouaretheMessengerofAllah.”WhentheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصmadetakbeer,everyonerealizedthat‘UmarhadacceptedIslam.‘UmarthenfindsthebiggestloudmouthinMeccaandtellshimthat‘UmaribnAl-KhattabhadacceptedIslam.Whennewsspread,peoplestartedpanicking.‘UmaraskstheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,“Aren’tweonhaqq?Aren’ttheyonfalsehood?”Hethensuggestedthattheystartprayingpublicly.So,theProphetstoodtoprayinpublicwith‘UmarononesideandHamzaontheother.Everyoneelsestoodintheback.AbdullahibnMas’udsaidthattheydidnotpraypubliclyuntil‘UmarhadacceptedIslam.HewasAl-Farooqashehelpedtoestablishthetruth,bringinghonortotheMuslims.TheoldestmanuscriptoftheQur’ancanbefoundinBirminghamUniversityintheUK.ItisfromthetimeofProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,meaningaSahabiwrotethisparchment.Interestingenough,theversesarefromSurahTaha!MuhammadAliwasoneofthegreatestMuslimsinAmerica.Whenhepassedaway,ImamZaidShakirledhisjanazah,andoneofthesistersrecitedSurahTaha.Nothinginourcommunityhappenswithoutareason;Allahsendssignstouseveninthedeathofindividualsaroundus.ThroughthedeathofMuhammadAli,manypeoplewereintroducedtoIslam.


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Chapter 2: Historical Analysis in Islamic Tradition

THEAGEOFKHADIJAH اھنعا يضر ( HowmanyofushaveheardthattheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص’swife,Khadijah اھنعا يضر ( was40yearsofagewhenshemarriedhim?Howmanyofushaveheardthatshemighthavebeenyounger?Thereareactuallyfivedifferentopinionsofhowoldshewasatthistime,andtheonethathasspreadpredominantlyisthatshewas40yearsold.TheopinionofKhadijah اھنعا يضر ( being40yearsofagewasnarratedbyascholarbythenameofImamal-Waaqidi.Thishasaweakerchain,though.TheothernarrationthathasmorestrengthstatesthatKhadijah اھنعا يضر ( wasactually28yearsofage.IbnKathirmentionedinhisbook–BidayawanNihaya–thattheviewthatKhadijah اھنعا )

يضر was28yearsofagewastheviewofthevastmajorityofscholarsathistime.PredominantviewswithintheMuslimcommunityDOchangeovertime.AnotherexampleofthisisthespreadoftheHanafimadhabaroundtheworld.ItwasbecauseoftheOttomanEmpirethattheHanafimadhabspreadtowhereitistoday.Khadijah اھنعا يضر ( hadtwochildrenbeforehermarriagetotheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,andthensixchildrenwiththeProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.Withbiologicalfactors,itisnotaslikelyforawomanabovetheageof40tohavesixchildren.WHYISTHISIMPORTANT?WeasMuslimsneedtoknowhowwecriticizehistoryfromwithinourowntradition.ManypeoplederivecertainthingsfromtheageofKhadijah اھنعا يضر ( ortheageoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,andthatisproblematic.WecantalkabouthowshewasolderthantheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,butthisconversationofourshasalottodowithhowweperceivethatmarriagetobe.Weneedtomakesurethatwehavehistoricallyaccurateinformation.Wealsoneedtorecognizethattherearealwaysotherviews.THEBENEFITSOFHISTORYINTHEISLAMICTRADITIONItisimportanttolearnnottofollowinthefootstepsofleadersbeforeuswhohavedonewrong.However,therearemanybenefitsthatwecantakefromhistory.ScholarshavegivenusthebenefitsthatarealsoderivedfromhistoryregardingourAakhirah.Oneofthesebenefitsiscontentment.WeshouldbelearningabouttheleadersofthepastandhowtheywerecontentwithwhatAllah ىلاعت و ھناحبس gavethem.AprimeexampleforusisthatoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصandtheimpactthathehadonthelivesofAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر ,Umar يضر

ھنع هللا ,andothers.


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TheQur’anisfullofwisdomistellingstories.Historicalnarrationisnotjustforustoknowstories–itisalsoforustoderivebenefitanduseitinourlives.ASTORYFROMSHEIKHHASIBSheikhYasirQadhi,SheikhYaserBirjas,andSheikhWaleedBasyouniallshareoneteacherincommon:SheikhUthaymeen.AttheendofSheikhUthaymeen’slife,hehadcancerandcametoAmericatoreceivetreatmentinBoston.ThiswasthefirsttimehesawWesternsociety.Peopletraveledtohimandaskedhimquestions.ManyofhisopinionschangedwithregardstoMuslimsintheWestbasedonthatexperience.Attheendofhislife,whenhewasprettymuchonhisdeathbed,hesaidthattherewasonethingthatgavehimstrengthandallowedhimtonotcomplain.ThiswasthestoryofImamAhmadandhowhewastorturedinprison.SheikhUthaymeenwouldhavehisstudent(s)comeandreadhimthatstory.Hewouldsay,“Nooneisbeatingme–Allah ىلاعت و ھناحبس testedmewiththissickness.HowcouldInothavepatiencewhenmytestisnowherenearbeingbeatenforstandingupforthetruth?”Evenscholarslookathistoryforbenefit.TYPESOFHISTORICALWORKSINOURTRADITIONS–REVELATIONANDNARRATIONREVELATIONTheQur’anisaformofrevelationbecauseitistheWordofAllah ىلاعت و ھناحبس .Whyishadithaformofrevelation?Allah ىلاعت و ھناحبس SaysintheQur’anthattheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصdoesnotspeakofhisownaccord;rather,hiswordisamessagethathasbeenrevealed.Jibreel(AS)usedtocometotheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصandteachhim.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصistheapplicationofrevelation.TheUmmahissplitbecauseofthisonetopic:manypeoplesaythatwedonotneedtogobyhadith,andthatitis“manmade”–peoplewithlargeplatformssaythis!However,ourtruetraditionispreservedbytheQur’anandwhatAllah ىلاعت و ھناحبس hassaidwithinit.Thereareatleast120,000companionsoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,andweknowthisbecausethatmanycametoHajj.Howmanyofthese120,000+companionsnarratedhadith?About2,700+ofthemnarrated,butabout20ofthemnarratedthevastmajorityofhadith.Ourfaithispreservedthroughthem.Wehavetounderstandthathadithispartofrevelation.Thisisthefirstmajorstepwithregardstounderstandinghistoricalcriticism.


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NARRATIONNarrationcomesfromwhatistransmittedfrompersontoperson,andtherearemanydifferentcategorieswithinit:

1. Tafseer: Explanations of Qur’an WorksofTafseerarealsoworksofhistory–whyisthisthecase?TheQur’aninfactisarevelationthathashistoryinit.ItrecountsthelifeoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص–theentireQur’anisthelifeoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصandrevelationthatwasapplicabletothattimeinhistory.OneparticularfieldthatSheikhHasibisinterestedinisStudyingtheLifeoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصthroughtheRevelationoftheQur’an.EveryportionoftheQur’anwasrevealedataspecificmomentinthelifeoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.Ifwemaprevelationhistorically,wecanseehowandwhentheQur’anwasrevealed–andwewouldstudytheQur’aninaccordancewiththelifeoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.WorksofTafseerareexplanationsoftheQur’an,sotheywillnaturallyhavealotofhistoryinthem.SomeexamplesoftheseworksareTafseerat-Tabari,Qurtubi,IbnKathir,andIbn‘Ashoor.

2. Maghaazi: Battles Whyarebattlesincludedincategoriesofnarrationinhistory?ThelifeoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwaslookedatthroughthelensofbattlesthatoccurredduringhistime.Therearetwoearlyworksofhistorythatareveryimportantandhavebeenincorporatedintootherworks:theMaghaaziofAz-ZuhriandtheMaghaaziofUqbah.

3. Taareekh: Works of History Taareekhareactualworksofhistorythathavehistoricalnarrationswithinthem.Therearefouressentialbooksinthiscategory:BidayawanNihayabyIbnKathir,Taareekhat-Tabari,AlKaamilbyIbnalAtheer,andTaareekhal-IslambyImamAl-Dhahabi.AnimportantpointtonotewithinthenamesofthesetextsisthatImamat-TabariismentionedbothinTafseerandinTaareekh.ThisisjustoneexampleofmanyscholarswhowerebothhistoriansandscholarsofTafseer.ThisisareminderthatIslamisinterdisciplinary.Thesearescholarsofhadith,history,andQur’an–theywroteinallofthesefields,whichiswhytheyweresopowerfulintheirwork,andstillaretoday.AtipfromSheikhHasib:StartwithIbnKathir’sBidayawanNihayafirst.IbnKathirwasascholarofalloftheseareas,soheunderstoodQur’anandhistorytogether.Hewroteabouthistoryfromthebeginningtotheend,beginningwiththecreationof


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Adam مالسلا ھیلع .HewroteaboutlifefromAdam مالسلا ھیلع allthewaytothesignsoftheendoftime.

4. Siyar/Taraajim: BiographiesThereareentireworkswrittenjustaboutpeoplewhonarrated,suchasSiyarA’laaman-Nubalaa’,whichwas23volumeswrittenbyImamAl-Dhahabi.SheikhHasibusedtowonderwhowasreadingthese23volumesuntilhewenttoMadinahandbeganstudying.HeoncehadaquestionaboutIbnKathir’swork,soheaskedhisSheikhthisquestion.SheikhHasib’steachertoldhimtoreadthroughthesetwiceandthrice,andtheyarenotjustbooksthatgoonashelf.Scholarshavereadthroughthesetextsmultipletimeswiththeirteachers.Thisshowshowamazinglypowerfulourlegacyis,andthatitisbuiltonusreadingtheseworksandanalyzingthem.IfwewanttohaveadepthofunderstandinginanytopicinIslam,wehavetobewillingtoread.OneofSheikhHasib’steacherssaidthatoneisnotevenastudentofTafseeriftheyhavenotreadat-Tabaricovertocover!Onewaytosiftthroughnarrationsistolookatthechainoftransmission,andspecificallyatmutawaatir,orstrengthinnumbers.Thisisthecasewhenthereissuchamassivenumberofnarrationsthatitisimpossibleforittobealie.Oneexampleofthisisthat22sahaabahnarratedIsraa’walMi’raaj.

InMakkah,whileleadinganUmrahgroup,SheikhHasibwasteachingaclassonthelifeoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,andhewastalkingabouttheintellectualproofsofIsraa’walMi’raaj.AmanaskedaboutGodbeingabstract,andSheikhHasibwashappythatsomeoneverbalizedwhattheythoughtinternally.SheikhHasibsaidthathewouldsolvethisproblem.Heaskedtheman,“DoyoubelieveGodisreal?DoyoubelievetheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصisreal?”Themandidnotuntilthistrip!SheikhHasibaskedhim,“Doyoubelievethathe(theProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص)istruthful?”Themansaid,“Yes,becausehebroughttheQur’anexactly.”SheikhHasibthensaid,“SoyoubelievethathespokeandaGodfromtheHeavenstoldhimwhathumanityshouldknowanddo–doyoubelievethatIsraa’walMi’raajhappened?”Themansaidthathedidnotknow.Thisaspectofunderstandingtawaatirisveryimportant.Itisoneofthewaysthatourtraditionchecksitself.

5. Ahad: Solitary Reports

Ahadreferstosolitaryreportsbytwoorthreecompanions.Thevastmajorityofcriticism–whetheritistextualorhavingtodowiththechain–comesfromAhad.


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THEMETHODOFAUTHENTICATINGHISTORYINTHEISLAMICTRADITIONWhencriticismisdoneoveranyfactsthathavebeennarrated,theyarecriticizedby:

1. The Chain of Transmission (Sanad) 2. The Text Itself

DuringthelifeoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,howmanytimesdidtheeclipseprayerhappen?Itonlyhappenedonce.Inthisprayer,therewerefourrukoo’buttworakaa’ah,andtherearemultipleahadithaboutthisevent.IbnAbbasmentionsinonenarrationthatthereweresevenoreightrukoo’whenothernarrationssaytherewerefour.ThenarrationofIbnAbbas ھنع هللا يضر isrejectedeventhoughthechainisauthentic–whyisthisthecase?Thecontentcontradictsamoreestablishedfact,whichisthattheeclipseprayeronlyhappenedONCE.Textualcriticismshowsthatthishadithisrejectedeventhoughthechainisauthentic.Thevastmajorityofhadithcriticismistextualafterchains.Thisiscalledthescienceof‘ilal,whichisunderstandingtextualinconsistenciesinhadith.Westernacademiahasnotyetcaughtuptothisscience!

HADITHSTANDARDVS.HISTORICALSTANDARDWhatisthedifferencebetweenthetwo?Thestandardsaremorestrictwhennarratinghadith.Therearefiveconditionsthathavetobemetbeforeacceptinganyhadith:

1. Connection of the Chain

2. Trustworthiness of PeopleSomeonehadtovouchforthem.

3. Good Memory

Peopleshouldbeabletonarratedirectlyastheyheard.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsaid:“WhoeverhearswhatIsayandmemorizesit,andtransmitsitastheymemorizedit;theyaresomeofthegreatestofscholars.Theremaybesomeonewhotransmitsanarrationofminetoanotherperson,buttheonetheytransmittedittounderstandsitbetterthantheydo.”Thisgivesushopethatwemayevenderiveabenefitorapplicationofahadiththateventheearlygenerationsdidnotapplyattheirtime.

4. Free from Defect in the Chain Noonewithinthechaincanlie.

5. Free from Textual Inconsistencies

ThisisanentirescienceinIslam!


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Whenitcomestohistory,somepeoplesaythatwehavetoapplythehadithstandardtohistoricalnarrationinorderforustoacceptit–thisiswrong!Why?ItispartofourtraditionthatthescholarsofhadithandnarrationweremuchmorelaxintheiracceptanceofhistoricalaccountsthantheywerewithhadithoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.Whyisallofthisimportanttous?WhenitcomestothemorecontentiousissuesinIslam,ifwedonotknowwhatstandardourtraditionfollows,suchissueswillnotmakesensetous.Wewillnotunderstandwhyweacceptonethingoranother.Overall:Whatweacceptinhadithismuchmorestringentthanwhatweacceptinhistory.Ifanarrationpassesthosefiveconditions,itisauthentic–whatifitmissesoneofthoseconditions?Whatisthedegreeofacceptability?Thisiswheretheyhaddiscussionsofwhatshouldbeacceptedandwhatshouldnot.WEAKNARRATIONSIfanarrationmissesoneofthefiveconditions,itisconsideredaweakorda’eefnarration.Therearedifferentlevelsofweaknessbasedonwhichcondition(s)has/havenotbeenmet:MursalAsahabinarratorisnotmentionedMunkarBaselesswithoutachainMowdoo’Afabrication(madeup)Oneexampleofmowdoo’thatiswidespreadiswhensomeonementionsalong-windedstory.MuadhibnJabal ھنع هللا يضر wasverylovedbytheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.HewassenttoYementheyearbeforetheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصpassedaway.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwasholdingthereignsofhishorseashewasgivinghimadvice.Hesaid,“Youmightnotmeetmeagainafterthisyear...thenexttimeyoucome,youwillpassbymymasjidandmygrave.”Muadhstartedtocry,andheneversawtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصagain.WhenhewenttoYemen,helostachildininfancy.AletterwassentbytheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص–alongletterthatgaveMuadhcomfort–thisentirestoryisaFABRICATION(eventhoughitisafamousYouTubevideo)!WeasMuslimsdoNOTacceptmunkarandmowdoo’–NOMATTERhowbeautifulthestoryis,itisdishonesty!Whenitcomestohadith,theProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsaid,“Whoeverliesaboutmeknowingly,letthempreparetheirseatinHell.”Thisisaboutliterallymakinguprevelation,whichisabigdeal.ThereisafamousstoryofUmar ھنع هللا يضر thathelaughedonedayandthenhecried.Whenhewasaskedwhyhelaughed,hesaid,“IrememberedthatbeforeIslam,whenwe


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wouldtravel,wewouldtakeourgodswithus.Theyweremadeoutofdates,andwhenwewerehungry,wewouldeatthosedates.”Hewaslaughingathowridiculousthatwas!Whenhewasaskedwhyhecried,hesaid,“IcriedbecauseIrememberedthatinpre-Islamictimes,peopleusedtoburytheirdaughtersalive.Ihadadaughter,andIputherinthegrave.AsIwasdiggingthedirt,Iwasholdingherandshewaswipingoffthedirtfrommybeard.”ThisisaFABRICATEDstorythatiswidespread!Itisbothmowdoo’andmunkar.DEGREEOFACCEPTABILITYTherearedifferenttypesofweaknarrations.Whenitcomestoweaknarrationsinlegislationvs.inhistory,dotheyhavedifferentstandardsanddegreesofacceptability?LEGISLATIONWhenitcomestowhatishalalandwhatisharaam,evenwithweaknarrations,thereisalevelofacceptability.TherearethreeconditionsamongsomescholarslikeImamAhmadandImamShafi’iofacceptingevenweaknarrations:

1. Not severe in weakness 2. Not creating a new rule, rather, secondary evidence 3. Virtues of deeds (extra)

HISTORYWhenitcomestohistory,weacceptweaknarrationsaslongastheyarenotbaselessorfabricated,andcanbecorroboratedwithothernarrations.Hadithandhistorydonothavethesamestandardofacceptance.OneexampleofaweakhadiththatisacceptedistheonehadithaboutreadingSurahWaq’iahforblessingwithmorerizq(provision).ImamNawawisaidthatthevastmajorityofscholarsbelievethis.Thereisagroupofscholarsthathavesaidthatagroupofweaknarrationsmusthavesomeauthenticorigin,sotheystrengtheneachotherbecauseoftheirnumber.Ontheotherhand,otherscholarshaverejectedthisandsaidthatweakplusweakdoesNOTequalstrong.Overall:Whenitcomestohistory,weacceptweaknarrationsaslongastheyarenotsevereinweakness.Ifweapplythesamefilterthatweuseforhadithtohistoricalnarrations,wewouldnotbeabletofunction.Then,whywouldweaccepttheseweakernarrations?Inhistory,theyarenotconsideredweaker–theyareconsideredacceptable.Inotherwords,thestandardisthesame,butthefilterisdifferent.Mursal(whenasahabinarratorisdropped)areaccepted,buttheiracceptancedependsonwhotheoriginalnarratorwas.


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JUDEO-CHRISTIANNARRATIONSTheyareacceptedinourtradition,andworksoftafseerarefilledwiththem.TheProphetisitbelievenotdoandtrue,isitbelievenotdobutIsra’eel,Banifrom“Narratesaid,ملسو هيلع هللا ىلصfalse.”Ifanarrationcorroboratessomethinginourtradition,wecanacceptit.Ifitgoesagainstourtradition,werejectit.IfitisadditionalinformationthatdoesnotgoagainstwhatIslamsays,itisincluded.NARRATORSOFHISTORYVS.NARRATORSOFHADITHIbnHajarwasagreatscholarwhoseentirelifewasaboutnarrators,transmittersandbooksofhadith.Hespokeaboutthefollowing:MUHAMMADIBNISHAAQ

• ImaminMaghaazi(battles)• Truthful• Practicestadlees(notmentioninghisnarratorsinhadith)• OneofthegreatestscholarsofSeerah• Worksneedtobescrutinizedbecausetheyhavetobecorroborated

IMAMAL-WAAQIDI

• OneofthegreatestscholarsofSeerah• Imaminhistory• Matrook(abandonedinnarratinghadith)• Acceptedbecauseofexpansiveknowledge–hewenttoeveryphysicallocation

wherethelifeoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصoccurredbecauseofhowmuchlovehehadfortheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.HegaveaSeerahtourtoUmar ھنع هللا يضر !Umar ھنع هللا يضر builtmasaajidoverthosespots.Therewere70spotsandonly18remaininMadinah.

How to Read and Benefit from History Sh.HasibNoorwasgoingthroughAr-RaheeqAl-Makhtumwithhisteacher,Sh.Hamid.Sh.HamidcriedwhentheyreadabouttheProphet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص asanorphan,howeveryonewouldturntheirbackstohimwhentheyfoundoutthathisfatherhadpassedaway.Thisstoryhadthatmuchofanaffectontheshaykh.Later,Sh.Hamidrebukedsomeofhisstudentswhohadn’tprayedtheirSunnahofMaghrib,sayinghowcouldwebenefitfromreadingAr-RaheeqAl-Makhtumifwedon’timplementtheProphet’sSunnahinourlives.AnotheroneofSh.Hasib’steachers,Sh.SalihwouldburstintotearseveryfewstoriesoutoflovefortheProphet.Whenwereadhistory,wereaditwithtearsinoureyesandbenefitwecangainfromit.ThisiswhatSh.Hasiblearnedfromhisteachersabouthowhistoryislearned.It’snotjustaboutstoriesthatyoucanmotivate/impresspeoplewith,it’ssomethingthatshouldreallytouchyouasyoutalkaboutsomeofthemostbelovedpeopletoyou.


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Chapter 3 Through Their Eyes: Abu Bakr & Umar

Before Islam

I. Abu Bakr and ‘Umar – Early Life CONTEXT:TheworldattheadventofIslamBeforeweevendiscussanything,wehavetounderstandthecontextoftheworldattheadventofIslam–whattheworldwaslikeatthetimeofAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر andUmar ھنع هللا يضر .Theworldwassplitupbetweentwomajorempires:theByzantineRomanEmpireandtheSassanidPersianEmpire.ThentherewastheArabianpeninsulawithanumberofArabtribes–theQurayshintheMakkahareaandtheNajdtribesintheNorth.GhassanandLakhmwerebufferstatesandtheywouldchangetheiraffiliationsdependingonwhowasthestrongerempire.Theareaofash-Shaamiswherethemostamountoftradetookplaceandhadthebestclimate.Thisareaisknownforconstantlybeingatwarandchanginghands.Thesebufferstateswouldconstantlychangetheirreligion,affiliationsandpoliticalties.ThereweresmallstatesinAfricathatdidn’thavemuchattachmenttotheMuslimempireexceptforAxum,thekingdomofNajashi.TitlesInIslamichistory,wegiveeachoftheseempire’skingstitles.ThekingofRomewasCaesar,SassanidswereledbyCisros(Qaiser),EthiopianswereledbyNajashi,Yemen’sleaderwasTubba’,Egypt’sleaderwasMuqawqas–thesearealltitles.Whodidn’thavetitles?TheArabs,becausetheyhadnoleader.Theywereapeoplewhocouldnotlivebeingconqueredbyoneperson,sotheRomansandByzantinessawnobenefitinconqueringthem.


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WisdomBehindIslamBeingHereFirstWhydidIslamcometothispartoftheworldfirst?

1) ThisareaprotectedthelineageofIbrahim مالسلا ھیلع . Ismail مالسلا ھیلع settledhereandthatisveryimportantbecausetheProphet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص saidthattheprophetsarebrothersfromdifferentmothers,theyareofthesamelineage.Lineagewasnotprotectedanywhereelseduetomassivewars.TheprimaryreasonistheprotectionofthelineageoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص. Interestingly,oneoftheProphet’s ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص great-grandfathersismentionedintheBible,Kedar.

2) TheArabiclanguageisthemostpreservedlanguageontheplanet.ModernHebrew

hasgonethroughmanychangesandAramaicisnowonlyspokeninsmallpocketsintheMiddleEast.Whenyoulookatthesourcesoflanguages,Arabicisnotevenonthemap.ArabichasitsowntreecompletelyintheSemiticlanguages,notconnectedwiththerestoftheworld’slanguagesbecausethesameArabicthattheProphet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص spoke(andbeforethat)ispreservedtothisday,notwhattheArabsspeaknowwhicharedialects.

3) Theseweresomeofthemosthorriblepeopleontheplanet.Whenwestudyhistory,

wetalkaboutthenobility,characterandintegrityoftheArabs,whichcomparedtoeveryonearoundthemwastrue–theywerepeopleoftheirword,theyhadanelementofhosting(whichexiststothisday),buttheyburiedtheirdaughtersaliveandnooneelseontheplanetdidthis.Allahbroughtlightandguidancetothemfirst,thatifthesepeoplecouldberectified,anyoneontheplanetcould.

The10TribesofQurayshAbuBakrand‘UmarlivedintheareaofMakkahthatwasruledbyQurayshandtheQurayshhad10tribes.Sincetherewasnoking,the10tribeshadasystemofchecksandbalancesinaplacecalledtheCongressofNadwa.Everyoneofthesetribeswasgivenarolethatcheckedeverybodyelse.

1) BanuHashimwasthetribeoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص. Theyhadtherightandresponsibilitytoprovidewaterforthepilgrims.TohostthepilgrimsthatcametodoHajjwasoneofthegreatesthonors.Hajjissomethingthatallprophetshavedoneinhistory.

2) BanuUmayyahweresomeoftheleadersofthetribesandpoliticians.Uthman,AbuSufyanandMu’aawiyah مھنع هللا يضر werefromthistribe.

3) BanuNawfalwerecommissionedtohavecontroloverthestatetreasurytogiveprovisiontothosewhowereinneed.

4) BanuAbdad-DarhadandguardedthekeytotheKa’bahandtothisdaytheyholdit.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص saidthey(BanuShaiba,subtribeofBanuAbdad-Dar)wouldhaveuntiltheDayofJudgement,untilatyrantcomestotakeitfromthem.

5) BanuAsadweretheonestogivecouncilandmaintainDaran-Nadwa(theCongress).TheywereliketheSpeakersoftheHouse.


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6) BanuTaym,AbuBakr’stribe,weretheoneswhodecidedpenaltiesandintertribalcrimes.Ifsomebodycommittedacrime,theywouldbetheonestoestablishthepenalties.Theyspecificallyknewtherelationshipofallthetribeswithoneanother,theiranimosities,theyknewtheirlineages,whowasincontrol,theyknewthechecksandbalancesandthepowerstrugglesoftheentireQuraysh.AbuBakrwastheheadofthat,hewasthemostknowledgeableofQurayshaboutQuraysh.

7) BanuMakhzumwerethewarriornationofthetribe.Theycontrolledwar.8) BanuAdi,Umar’stribe,wasinchargeofintertribalambassadorship,theywerethe

diplomatsoftheQuraysh.Umarwasusuallysentasadiplomatintentionallytointimidate.

9) BanuJumahwerethekeepersofthearrowsofomens,theywerethesoothsayers.Theywouldputarrowsonthegroundandsawwheretheypointed.

10) BanuSahmweretheoneswhomanagedtheofferingstotheidols.Everyonecameandgavefoodandmoneytotheidols,andthistribewaswealthybecauseofthis.

TheirNamesAbuBakr’s ھنع هللا يضر namewasAbdullahibnAbuQuhafah.“AbuBakr”wasatitleofhonorthatwasgiventohim.HedidnothaveasonnamedBakr,sowhywashegiventhistitle?Abumeans“fatherof”or“ownerof”orapersonofstatus.Bakris“theyoungcamel”whichisapluralofbikaar,meaning“thefatherofatribe.”So“AbuBakr”means“thefatheroftheyoungcamelthatleadsthetribe.”Hewasgiventhistitlebecauseofhisstatusandposition.AbuBakr’s ھنع هللا يضر mothergavehimthenickname‘Ateeq.Hismotherhadlosttwosonsbeforehim,soshecalledhim‘Ateeqandmadeduawhenhewasborn,“OhAllah,thisistheoneyoufreedfromdeathsoblesshimandgifthimtome.”ShelovedthatnamesomuchthathisbrotherswerenamedMu’taqandMu’aytaq.Umar’s ھنع هللا يضر namewasUmaribnal-Khattab.HisnicknamewasAbuHafs,whichcamefromhisfirst-borndaughterHafsawhosenamemeant“small,powerfullioness.”TheirParentsHisfatherwasAbuQuhafahandhismotherwasSalmabintSakhr.Someothershavesaidhismother’snamewasBarra,sothereisadifferenceofopinionhere.Umar’s ھنع هللا يضر fatherwasal-Khattab,abusinessmanwhodealtwithcamel-herdingandhemadehissoninchargeofthat.AbuQuhafahwasalsoabusinessman,andboththeirsonsoutdidtheirfathers.Umar’smotherwasHantamahbintHashimibnal-Mughirah.ItisalsomentionedthatUmar’sgrandmotherfromhisfather’ssidewasAbyssinian,butthere’sadifferenceofopinionamongstthescholarsoflineage.


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TheirBirthsAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر wasborntwoyearsaftertheyearoftheElephant(573CE),meaninghewastwoyearsyoungerthantheProphet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص. Umar ھنع هللا يضر wasborn13yearsaftertheyearoftheElephantandhewas13yearsyoungerthantheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص. AbuBakr’sWivesandChildren

• QutaylahbintAbdulUzza(whohedivorcedafteracceptingIslam)o Children:Asma,Abdullah

• UmmRumanbintAmiro Children:AbdulRahman,Aisha

• AsmabintUmayso Child:MuhammadibnAbuBakr

• HabibahbintKharijaho Child:UmmKulthum

Umar’sWivesandChildren

• ZaynabbintMadhuno Children:Abdullah,AbdulRahmanI,AbdulRahmanII,Hafsa

• UmmKulthumbintJarwalo Children:Ubaydullah,ZaydI

• QuraybabintAbiUmayr(divorced)• Jamila(Atiya)bintThabit

o Child:Asim(agreatscholarofHadith)• AtiqabintZayd

o Child:Iyaad• UmmHakimbintal-Harith

o Child:Fatimah• UmmKulthumbintAliibnAbuTalib

o Children:ZaydII(ibnalKhalifatayn),RuqayyahRegardingUmmKulthumbintAliibnAbuTalib:IftherewassomuchanimositywithAli’sfamily,whywouldhemarryhisdaughtertohim?ThisisproofthattherewasnorealanimositybetweentheSahabaaboutpoliticalleadership. ‘Umaralsofreedslave-womenandhadrelationshipswith:

• Luhyah(Yemen)o Child:AbdulRahmanIII

• Rukayhaho Children:Zaynab,AbuShamah


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TheirPhysicalCharacteristicsAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر wastall,skinny,whiterincomplexion,hedidn’thavemuchmuscleonhisfaceandheusedtodyehishair.Hewouldweararingonhislefthandwiththeengraving“TheBestthatDecreesisAllah.”TheKhulafaahadringsontheirlefthandbecausetheProphet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص did,usuallyontheirringfingerorpinkyfinger.TheseringswereusuallyengravedandservedasdailyremindersforthemUmar ھنع هللا يضر wasatallmanwithlargelegsandarmsandhewasbrownincomplexion(Qurayshweredarkerincolor).Peoplecouldnoticehimfromacrowdasifhewasridingandtheywerewalking.Hewasbaldexceptonthesidesofhisheadandhehadskinniercheeks,alongermustache(notoverhislips)andbigbeardthatreachedthemiddleofhischest.Hehadaloudvoiceandastrongdemeanor.Hisringwasonhislefthandwiththeengraving,“DeathisenoughofanadmonitionOUmar!”–astrongreminderandwakeupcallfitthisstrongman.TheirPersonalitiesAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر wasempathetic,caring,concernedwiththosearoundhim,gentle,cateringtoothers,knownforhishonestyandintegrity.Hewasthemostknowledgeableinthescienceoflineage,wellacquaintedwithpeople,hehadapresenceandhewaswiseandintellectual.Hewashumbleanddidnotengageinvanity.Hewasgenerous,hehadvalor,convictionandfaith–andwhenhehadconviction,noonecouldstandabovehim.Umar ھنع هللا يضر wasstronginspeech,frankandhehadastrongdemeanor.Hewasquickinresponse,healwayshadsomethingtosay.Hewasintellectualandhadunbreakablewill,valor,courageandunshakeablefirmness.TheQurayshlovedAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر andeverypartofsocietylovedhim.Thenoblemenlovedhimbecauseheexemplifiedthecharacteristicsofatruenobleman.Thescholarslovedhimbecausehewasamongthepre-eminentscholarsofhistime.Thepoorlovedhimbecauseheshowedgenerosity.Umar ھنع هللا يضر wasknownforhisstrength.HewouldgoandwrestleinthesouqofMakkah,buthewasanintellectualandwealthy.Hewasapersonofstatusandhehadapresence.StatusinSocietyAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر wasthechiefofhisclan.TheQurayshsoughthiscouncil.Hedidn’tdrinkevenbeforeIslam,sayingthatapersonwhodrinksalcoholloseshisstatus,presence,andrespect.Hewasknownasanhonestbusinessman,henevercheatedpeople.Umar ھنع هللا يضر wastreatedharshlybyal-Khattab(hisfather).Andhewasoneof17peopleinallofQurayshwhoknewhowtowrite.Hewasaverysmartman,wealthyandhehadatemper.Hewasanintellectual,andhewassentasdiplomat.Histribe,BanuAdiwere


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responsibleforbeingtheinter-tribalambassadorswhentherewasawar.WhenAbuBakr ھن ع هللا يضر wasborn,hisfathertookhimtogomakeasacrificetotheidols.Whenhegotthere,hisfatherlefthimtoworship.Hesaidtotheidols,“I’mhungry,sogivemefood”andtheydidn’tgivehimfood.Hethensaid,“Iamnaked,givemeclothes.”Whentheydidn’t,hethrewarockatthemandrealizedtheycouldn’tgivehimwhatheneeded.Heneverworshipedidols.21IrrefutableLawsofLeadershipThereare21IrrefutableLawsofLeadershipbyJohnMaxwell,andSh.HasibNoorbelievestherearemore,especiallywithinIslam.WeshouldunderstandtheseinregardstothelivesofAbuBakrandUmar مھنع هللا يضر .

1. TheLawofLid:Livetoyourpotential.Don’tallowyourselftobelimitedbyyourownlaziness.Thebiggestregretanyonewillhaveisnotlivingtoyourownpotential.TheseSahabahlearnedtonotlettheirownfearorinabilityparalyzethem.Iftheyhadanopportunity,theywouldpursueittotheirutmostability.

2. TheLawofInfluence:Howmuchdoyouinfluenceothers(whetheringoodorbad)?AnimportantconceptinIslamisthatrighteousnessdoesnotequalleadership.Ifsomeonepraysinthefirstrowdoesn’tnecessarilymeanthattheyshouldbetheKhalifah.Forexample,inourcommunities,thosewhodonatethemostaresupposedlytheoneswhowearesupposedtolistento,butthat’snotthecase.

3. TheLawofProcess:Leadershipdevelopsdaily,notinaday.Processvs.passion–wegetriledupforthings,butwearenowheretobefoundwhenitcomestotheactualprocessofchange.Wearestillreacting.Trueimpactisiftheentirecommunityrealizestheimportanceofprocess.

4. TheLawofNavigation:Anyonecansteeraship,butittakesaleadertochartthecourse.Howdoyounavigateacommunity?

5. TheLawofE.F.Hutton:Whentherealleaderspeaks,everyonelistens.Obviously,thishastodowithexpertiseandknowingthefieldverywell.We’llcallthisthelawofMuhammad ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.

6. TheLawofSolidGround:Trustisthefoundationofleadership.7. TheLawofRespect:Peoplenaturallyfollowleadersstrongerthanthemselves.If

theyshowweakness,peoplewon’tfollowthem.8. TheLawofIntuition:Leadersevaluateeverythingwithaleadershipbias.Theysense

problemsandopportunitiesbeforeothers.9. TheLawofMagnetism:Whoyouareiswhoyouattract.10. TheLawofConnection:Leaderstouchaheartbeforetheyaskforahand.11. The Law of the Inner Circle: A leader’s potential is determined by those closest to him. 12. The Law of empowerment: Only secure leaders give powers to others. 13. The Law of Reproduction: It takes a leader to raise a leader. 14. The Law of Buy-in: People buy into a leader, then the vision. 15. The Law of Victory: Leaders find a way for the team to win. 16. The Law of Momentum: Momentum is a leader’s best friend. 17. The Law of Priorities: Leaders understand that activity is not necessarily an

accomplishment.


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18. The Law of Sacrifice: A leader must give up to go up. 19. The Law of Timing: When to lead is as important as what to do and where to go. 20. The Law of Growth: To add growth, lead followers. To multiply, lead leaders. 21. The Law of Legacy: A leader’s lasting value is measured by SUCCESSION! What you leave

as a legacy to people and what will be the far impact of that legacy is what makes a true leader. The leader looks at the day-to-day in the for of what that will eventually become.

Adding to the Laws of Leadership 22. The Law of Application: The leader applies what they preach. If you don’t apply what you

preach, no one will follow you. 23. The Law of Taqwa: Those who are righteous will be given leadership by Allah. However, a

just leader, even if they’re not righteous will be given leadership by Allah. Allah might bring through a tyrant who establishes justice leadership than a righteous person who is unjust.

Chapter 4 Through Their Eyes:

The Life of the Prophet Muhammad ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص

ف مهرايخ ةيلهالا ف مهرايخ ،ةضفلاو بهلا نداعمك نداعم سالا امو ،فلتئا اهنم فراعت امف ،ةدنم دونج حاور لاو ،اوهقف اذإ م=سلا

؟فلتخا اهنم ركانت “People are like gold and silver; those who were best in Jahiliyyah (Pre-Islamic Period of Ignorance) are best in Islam, if they have religious understanding; and the souls are like

recruited soldiers, they get mixed up with those similar with them in qualities and oppose and drift away from those who do not share their qualities.” [Muslim]

Abu Bakr and Umar ھنع هللا يضر were the closest to the Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص and they shared his qualities, which shows you how Allah brought those people together next to the Prophet. Friendship Abu Bakr ھنع هللا يضر did not worship idols, nor did he drink alcohol, so he gravitated towards the Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص and by nature became one of his most well-known friends. The Prophet was an advisor to the Quraish and that relationship between being an advisor, and similar characteristics and dislike of societal ills that existed made Abu Bakr gravitate towards the Prophet.


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Prophethood

Abu Bakr ھنع هللا يضر was not in Makkah when the Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص was given revelation. The Prophet came to Makkah and he met with Abu Bakr right after he had been told that he was a Prophet. So he wanted some companionship and advice from Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr was at the Ka’bah at the time met two people talking to one another (Zaid Ibn ‘Amr ibn Nufayl and Umayya ibn Abi as-Salt). He heard one of them say that the time was drawing near when a Prophet will be sent to mankind. They knew this because these two people travelled to Palestine and met some of the Christian and the Jewish people that discussed the issues of religion and they discussed the concept of waiting for the Messiah—what is called “the comforter” in Christian terminology that ‘Isa spoke about—a final Prophet that would come and speak of ‘Isa. The Christians later on re-interpreted that as being the angel Gabriel, the “Holy Spirit.” Among the people who learned of this were four: Zaid ibn ‘Amr bin Nufayl, Umayya ibn Abi as-Salt, Waraqa ibn Nawfal and al-Waleed ibn al-Mugheerah. Waraqa ibn Nawfal accepted the true belief. Abu Bakr heard them talking and said he had never heard about a prophet that was about to be sent. So he went to Waraqa. He said that he was a man who would frequently stare at the sky and would often whisper prayers to himself. He was a man who thought deeply. Abu Bakr told Waraqa what he had heard the two people talking and Waraqa said, “Yes, my son, I am a person who is familiar with the revealed books and this divinely revealed knowledge. This prophet is awaited and has the most noble lineage among people. And I have some knowledge about genealogy and I know that your people have the best lineage among these people.” Abu Bakr asked him, “What does a prophet say?” And Waraqa said, “He says what is spoken to him by the Angel (Jibreel). He does not help others perpetrate injustice and he does not tolerate injustice.” Islam of Abu Bakr

Abu Bakr ھنع هللا يضر met with the Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص and the very first thing the Prophet said, “I am a Messenger of Allah. The Angel Jibreel came to me and I am His prophet” and he sent Abu Bakr to invite others to worship one God alone. And Abu Bakr took Shahadah. Every person the Prophet spoke to would go away and think about it, but Abu Bakr accepted Islam immediately. The Prophet said, “I was sent to all of you, many people told me that I am a liar except Abu Bakr, he did everything in his power to support me, so leave my companion alone.” The Prophet was so happy when Abu Bakr—his best friend—accepted Islam, Aisha said he walked away happier at that moment than any other. His happiness was in the fact that Abu Bakr accepted Islam. There is a consensus that Khadijah was the first person ever to accept Islam—that shows how much integrity the Prophet had with his own family. There’s a disagreement as to who was the first ever man to accept Islam. Some scholars say it was Abu Bakr, some say it was Ali and some say it was Zayd ibn Haritha because these three individuals were so close to the Prophet that it was hard to tell who the first one was out of all of them. So the way they describe it is by saying


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Ali was the first male young child to accept Islam, Zayd was the first servant, and Abu Bakr was the first adult. Then people ask, who was the first male to accept Islam? Scholars say Abu Bakr was the first and then were the two young males closest to the Prophet (Zaid and Ali). Inviting: Who Accepted Islam Through Him When Abu Bakr ھنع هللا يضر accepted Islam, he didn’t feel that he should keep his faith to himself. He believed that Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص was commissioned to spread it to those closest to him, so he went and told his family and close friends and brought seven people to Islam. Remember the Law of the Inner Circle and the Law of Influence, he had an influence over these people and they trusted him! He was a man of his word so they never thought that he did anything that would make them question his authority. Among the seven who accepted Islam through him were Uthman ibn Affan, Zubair ibn al-Awwam, Talha ibn Ubaidillah, Saad ibn Abi Waqqas, Uthman ibn Mazun, Abdul Rahman ibn Awf and al-Arqam ibn abi al-Arqam. Public Islam: Unapologetically Muslim In the early days of public Islam, Abu Bakr ھنع هللا يضر was unapologetically Muslim. He would pray publicly and people could not attack him because of his status in Makkah. However, they could attack others who accepted Islam. Abu Bakr was protected by his tribe, the Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص was protected by his family and his tribe, but Bilal, Khabbab ibn al-Arat and Sumayyah had no one to protect them; they were slaves and subject to persecution. Hardships Attack on Early Muslims Khabbab ھنع يضر هللا visited Umar ھنع يضر هللا in his khilafah. When Khabbab walked in, Umar opened space and said, “Come sit next to me, Khabbab. This space belongs to no other person but you because of your status and what you sacrificed for the Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص, except one man: Bila ھنع ي هللا ضر .” Khabbab said, “Not even Bilal deserves that spot over me.” When Umar asked Khabbab what he means, Khabbab recalled the story of when he accepted Islam in Makkah; that he was beaten, thrown to the ground and had a rod from his oven squeezed into his back and this was repeated until his back burned and melted. He was the companion who was punished the most without dying. Khabbab said Bilal didn’t face this and he showed his back to Umar. Umar started to cry and said only Khabbab deserved that spot. Freeing Slaves Khabbab ھنع يضر هللا was being tortured, Bilal ھنع يضر هللا was being tortured, so when Abu Bakr ھنع يضر هللا accepted Islam and had over 40,000 dirham with him, he spent it all freeing slaves for the sake of Allah. ‘Urwa (nephew of ‘Aisha اھنعا يضر ( ) said that Abu Bakr saved seven slaves who were being tortured in the path of Allah:


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1. Bilal a. Bilal would be taken to the side of Marwah in an open plain. His hands would be

tied, he would be put on his back and a rock bigger than his body would be played on his chest. His owner (Umayyah) would then try to make him disbelieve, but Bilal would keep saying “ahad” which would then make Umayyah even angrier. Abu Bakr came to Umayyah and freed Bilal.

2. Amir ibn Fuhayrah 3. Zinnira 4. Nuhda 5. Nuhda’s daughter 6. Lubna

a. Lubna was a slave girl that Umar used to beat. Umar was against Islam because he felt these people were corrupting society, so he attacked them out of his love for Makkah. When Umar was beating Lubna, he stopped and got rest. She thought that he felt sorry for her, so he went up to her, apologized for being tired and continued beating her. Abu Bakr came and freed her.

7. Umm Ubays Abu Bakr’s father said, “My son, I see that you’re freeing weak slaves, at least free strong men,” to which Abu Bakr responded, “I am doing this for Allah only.” Allah then praised Abu Bakr in Qur’an:

“As for he who gives and fears Allah. And believes in the best [reward], We will ease him toward

ease.” Surah al-Layl, 92:5-7 Abu Bakr ھنع يضر هللا started to be physically harmed and insulted, we’ve all heard the story where he stepped in and allowed himself to be beaten for the Prophet to be saved. It was on that day that Hamza accepted Islam. When Hamza ھنع يضر هللا came into Makkah and saw that the Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص was about to be beaten by Abu Jahl, Hamza hit Abu Jahl over his head with his bow and said, “How dare you attack one of my family members, don’t you know I’m on his religion?” (even though he wasn’t). When people started to ask him whether he was serious about accepting Islam, he went home and made dua, “Oh Allah, if this is correct and rightly guided, then allow my heart to accept it. If it’s not, then get me out of this situation.” After that, he reflected, read the Qur’an and accepted Islam.


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Umar Accepts Islam “And is one who was dead and We gave him life and made for him light by which to walk

among the people” Surah al-An’am, 6:122 Umar ھنع يضر هللا accepted Islam three days after Hamza ھنع يضر هللا did and the above verse describes him. A man who is dead with purposeless existence, but Allah brought him to life with Islam and made him a light for others. This was five years after Hijrah and Umar was the 40th Muslim. When he publicly announced Islam, everyone gathered around him, calling him a traitor and fighting him until sunset. He managed to defend himself against all of them. Need for Migration Defense of the Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص wasn’t easy for the next few years. The Prophet and the Sahabah were physically attacked and they had to find another place to live, so they migrated to Abyssinia. Abu Bakr wanted to go lead them, but Ibn Abi Dughunna said to him, “You are not a person who should leave Makkah with your noble status. You provide for the needy, join the family relations, support the weak, honor your guests, help others” and he agreed. Ibn Abi Dughunna went to Congress and made them agree to let him give Abu Bakr safety in Makkah. However, the Congress granted that under one condition: that Abu Bakr not pray publicly. Abu Bakr was smart—he made a courtyard in front of his house and prayed inside it so people could still see. His heart was so soft that he would be moved to tears simply at the fact that he was reciting the Words of Allah. People stopped and surrounded his home, watched him with tears in his eyes. They had never heard anything like this before and they accepted Islam because of his prayer. The Congress got mad, Ibn Abi Dughunna told Abu Bakr, “You are not allowed to pray in public, you know we agreed to this. Follow the terms of our agreement or the other Arabs will take away the guarantee of safety for a man who ignored and violated these terms.” So Abu Bakr said, “I don’t want your guarantee of safety, I am satisfied and pleased with the protection of Allah. Whatever Allah passes and decrees, I accept. Allah is the best of trustees and He will take care of our affairs.” Abu Bakr immediately started being mistreated, but he would constantly remind himself, “Ya Rabbi, how forbearing and generous You are.” He would always protect the Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص and so would Umar and the other Sahabah.


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Al-Isra wa’l-Mi’raj In the 10th year of prophethood, the Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص lost two pillars of his life—Abu Talib and Khadijah. The Prophet was going through such a state of sadness, and Allah then blessed him with al-Isra wa’l-mi’raj. Sh. Hasib Noor’s view is that this happened in the 3rd year and not the 10th—there is a difference of opinion of when it happened. A group of scholars have said that it happened as a sign of comforting the heart of the Prophet for his loss. Other scholars said that the Prophet was comforted by the direct Word of Allah rather than al-Isra wa’l-mi’raj itself. Prayer Muslims prayed even before al-Isra wa’l-Mi’raj. Evidence for this is in Qur’an—Surah al-Muzzammil was revealed early on and it mentions prayer in the night.

“Arise [to pray] the night, except for a little -“ Surah al-Nuzzammil, 73:2

Salah was revealed in six stages: 1. Prayer was revealed as the first act in Islam that was revealed after the Qur’an (Surah

al’Alaq). Jibreel came down and taught the Prophet wudu and salah. They prayed twice in the day, two rakah in the morning and two rakah in the evening. They prayed at night as it was obligatory upon them and Aisha said this happened for an entire year. It was too difficult for them, so Allah made it easy and said that the night prayer is voluntary for the rest of Islam except for the Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.

2. Two prayers a day and voluntary prayer at night except for Prophet Muhammad ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص for him to gain strength with calling to Allah in solitude. Abu Bakr learned from this. Leadership is built with solitude and prayer at night, not simply by means during the day.

3. Al-Isra wa’l-mi’raj. The Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص went into the heavens and he was given 50 prayers, then eventually it came down to five prayers a day (with reward for 50).

4. The fourth stage is five daily prayers. 5. Aisha said they used to pray the four prayers, two rakah each until they migrated to

Madinah. 6. Jumuah salah was established in Madinah and it was never in Makkah before. 7. The Qibla direction changed one year and six months after Hijrah, so for about 14 or 15

years the Muslims prayers towards the direction of Masjid al-Aqsa.


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DEFENSEOFTHEPROPHETIsrawalMi’raajwasamiraculousjourneythattheProphetMuhammadملسو هيلع هللا ىلصtookinonenightfromMakkahtoJerusalemandthenascendedtotheheavens.Inthisjourney,theProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصreceivedthe5dailyprayersandthelasttwoayatofSuratAlBaqarah.WhentheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصreturned,peopleaskedwhathadhappened.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصexplainedhowhewenttoJerusalemandascendedtotheheavensinonenight.TheQurayshdisbelieved.However,whenAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر wasaskedaboutwhattheProphethadclaimed,hewasthefirsttobelieveinhimpromptly.TheQurayshbegantoasktheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصtodescribeJerusalem.TheProphetfeltunderpressureandtherefore,Allah ىلاعت و ھناحبس displayedJerusaleminfrontofhiseyesandhewasabletoansweralloftheirminutequestions.Eventhen,theydisbelievedandcalleditsorcery.Allah ىلاعت و ھناحبس mentionsthenightjourneyinSurahAlIsra:

“ExaltedisHewhotookHisServantbynightfromal-Masjidal-Haramtoal-Masjidal-Aqsa,whosesurroundingsWehaveblessed,toshowhimofOursigns.Indeed,HeistheHearing,the

Seeing.”SurahIsra,17:01

MIGRATION-HIJRALivinginMakkahhasbecomeintolerablefortheMuslimsespeciallywhentheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصisuncleAbuTalibpassedaway.AbuTalibwasameansofprotectionfortheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,thereforewhenhepassedawaytheattackagainsthimonlyincreased.Forinstance,whentheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwasdoingtawaftheywouldthrowstonesathimandhewouldgohomebleeding.Fatimawitnessedthisandbegantocry.TherewasanotherincidentwhentheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwasinsajdah,the“noblesofMakkah”plottedtoplacetheabdominalcontentsontothebackoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.Theywentaheadwiththisplanandbegantolaugh.Fatimacameandremovedtheintestines.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصraisedhishandsandmadedu’atoAllah ىل اعت و ھناحبس topunishtheindividualsthatdidthis.TheseindividualswereallkilledintheBattleofBadr.THE‘AQABAHPLEDGEAboutthreeyearsbeforetheannouncementoftheHijra,theProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصmetwith6pilgrimsfromYathrib.TheywereinMakkahfortheannualpilgrimage.HeexplainedtothemhismessageandtheyrealizedhewastheprophetthattheJewsinYathribwere


49

threateningthemwith.Therefore,theywantedtoacceptIslambeforetheydid.TheseindividualswentbackandinvitedtheirpeopletoIslam.Thefollowingyear,5ofthe6camebackandbringing7morewiththem.TheseindividualspledgedtheirallegiancetotheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.Afterthisallegiance,theProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصhadsentMus’abibnUmayrtoYathribtoteachthemaboutthereligion.Thefollowingyear,hecomesbackwith70individuals.TheyaffirmtheirallegiancetotheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصandagreetoprotecthimwhenhearrivesinYathrib.TheMuslimsthenbegintheirmigrationsecretlytoYathrib.ANNOUNCEMENTFORHIJRA

• ‘Umar announces Hijra o ‘Umarwastheonlyonetoannouncehismigrationpublicly.Hechallenged

theQurayshtostophim,tellingthem:“Iamemigrating.Hewhowantstoleavebehindhimabereavedmother,awidowororphanchildrencanmeetmebeyondthisvalley.”[Salahi,213-214]

• Abu Bakr and the Prophet’s Wish

أ مل تلاق ملسو هيلع 2ا لص بلا جوزأ لقع

،نيلا نانيدي امهو yإ ىوب

أي yإ موي امهيلع رمي ملو راهلا فرط ملسو هيلع 2ا لص 2ا لوسر هيف انيت

أ تيب ف سولج نن امنيبف ،ةيشعو ةركب

لئاق لاق ةيهظلا رن ف ركب بأي نكي مل ةعاس ف ملسو هيلع 2ا لص 2ا لوسر اذه

أ لاق .اهيف انيت

ركب وب

أ yإ ةعاسلا هذه ف هب ءاج امأ دق نإ " لاق .رم

." جورلاب % نذ

"…Thewifeoftheprophetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsaid,“Oneday,whileweweresittinginthehouseofAbuBakr(myfather)atnoon,someonesaid,'ThisisAllah'sMessengerملسو هيلع هللا ىلصcomingatanhouratwhichheneverusedtovisitus.'AbuBakrsaid,'Theremustbesomethingveryurgentthathas

broughthimatthishour.'TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsaid,'Ihavebeenallowedtogoout(ofMakkah)tomigrate.'"[SahihBukhari]


50

o AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر understoodwhattheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwasimplyingandreplies.“Youseekcompanionship,OMessengerofGod?”TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsaid,“Yes,companionship.”‘A’ishasaid,“IswearbyGod,IhadneverfeltbeforethatdayanyonecriedasmuchoutofhappinessthanwhenIsawAbuBakrcryingoutofhappinessatthenews.”[al-bidayahwa’lNihaya3/218]

o AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر wantedtogifttheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصthecamelforthemigration.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصrefusedtoacceptitasagift.Hepaidforitsothatheearnsfullrewardofthemigration.

• Thawr:TheCave-HidingfromAssassinso TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصandAbuBakrleftduringthenightandstayedinthe

MountainofThawrfor3days.Duringthistime,AbuBakr’sfamilywasgreatlyinvolved.Hisson‘Abdullahtookaheardofsheepandfollowedthemtocovertheirtracks.Asma,AbuBakr’sdaughter,wouldbringprovisionforthem.

o TheQurayshwereangrythattheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصhadslippedthroughtheirfingers.TheysendoutmercenariesandoneofthesearchpartiesascendsMountThawrandapproachesthecavewheretheProphetandAbuBakrwerehiding.AbuBakrshareshisconcernwiththeProphet.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsays:

أ اي كنظ امامهلاث 2ا ينثاب ركب اب

“OAbuBakr!Whatdoyouthinkofthosetwo(persons)thethirdofwhomisAllah.”[Bukhari]

o Allah ىلاعت ھو ناحبس capturesthistensemomentinSuratAt-Tawbah:

IfyoudonotaidtheProphet-Allahhasalreadyaidedhimwhenthosewhodisbelievedhaddrivenhimout[ofMakkah]asoneoftwo,whentheywereinthecaveandhesaidtohis

companion,"Donotgrieve;indeedAllahiswithus..."SurahAt-Tawbah,9:40


51

• On the Path of Hijra

o Ontheirway,theymadeanotherstopatacave.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsleptonAbuBakr’sthigh.Ashewasresting,ascorpionhadbitAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر .HetriedtoholdhispaininordertokeeptheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصasleep.However,hiseyestearedandlandedontheProphet’sface.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwokeupandcleanedthepoisonandblessedit.

ARRIVALINMADINAH-RABI’AL-AWWAL1AHWhentheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصandAbuBakr ھن ع هللا يضر enteredMadinah,therewereover500companionswaitingfortheirarrival.Atfirst,thepeoplethoughtAbuBakrwastheprophetbecausehelookedolder.Asthepeoplerancloser,thesunbegantoshineonthefaceoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصandAbuBakrshadedhim.ThepeoplerealizedtheoneshadingisAbuBakrandtheonebeingshadedistheProphetMuhammadملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.

• Brotherhood

o TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsplitallthecompanionsintodifferenthomes.TheindividualsthatmigratedwerewelcomedintothehomeofaMadinicitizen.Thebondbetweeneachotherwassoclosethatifthehostdies,theonebeinghostedisabletoinheritfromhim.

o AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر wasaguestinthehomeofKhaarijIbnZaidAlAnsari.Hemarriedhisdaughter,HabibahbintKhaarij.

• Building Masjid al-Nabawi

o TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصfirstbuiltMasjidQubaontheoutskirtsofMadinah.InMadinah,hebuiltMasjidal-Nabawi.

o Thepieceoflandthemasjidwasbuiltonwasownedbytwoorphans.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصtoldAbuBakrtopurchasethelandfromthem.Atfirsttheorphansrefusedtoacceptthemoney.However,heforcedthemtoacceptthemoneyforthatistheirright.BecauseAbuBakristheonethatpurchasedtheland,hegetsrewardedforeverypersonthatpraystheirtillthisday.Theorphansalsogetrewarded.

o TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصfirstbuiltthemasjidstructureinthecenterofthecity.Thismadethemasjidthecentralfocus,inwhichjudiciallaw,counseling,andetc.tookplacethere.ThiswassomethingthatAbuBakrand‘Umar ھنع هللا يضر adoptedintheirkhilafa.Forinstance,whentheyconqueredacitytheybuiltthemasjidinthecentertomakeitthecentralfocusofthecommunity.

• Before Badr o SeveralmonthsafterleavingMakkah,theProphetbeginsdispatchingseveral

battalionstointercepttheQurayshicaravans.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصisaimwastobringamuch-neededincomeandtoresolvethequarrelwithQuraysh.


52

o AlmosttwoyearsafterHijra,theProphetlearnsaboutarichcaravanreturningtoMakkah.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصhimselfwenttocutoffthecaravanandaskedthepeopleofMadinahifthey’dliketojoin.

o Around314companionsjointheexpeditionandtriedtointerceptthecaravanatBadrinRamadan.Uponarrival,theyfoundthatthecaravanhadalreadyreachedMakkah.Qurayshwereangryandgathered1,000soldierstoattack.

o TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصconsultedwithhiscompanionsbeforeBadr.AbuBakrand‘Umar ھنع هللا يضر arguethatitistimetoconfronttheMakkanarmy.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصspecificallywantedtohearfromthecitizensofMadinah.Thiswasbecause,theseindividualsonlypledgedtoprotecttheProphetintheconfinesofMadinah.Nonetheless,thecompanionSa’dibnMu’adhspeaksontheirbehalfandinsummary,saystheyaremorethanwillingtosupporttheMessengerofAllah.

o Anothercompanion,MiqdadibnAmradds:§ “OMessengerofAllah!ProceedwhereAllahdirectsyouto,forweare

withyou.WewillnotsayastheChildrenofIsraelsaidtoMoses:‘GoyouandyourLordandfightandwewillstayhere[Qur’an5:24];ratherweshallsay:‘GoyouandyourLordandfightandwewillfightwithyou.’”(Al-Mubarakpuri,193)

§ ThismadetheProphetsmilebecauseforthefirsttimepeopledidn’trejecthim.

• The Battle of Badr- 2 AH

o Nightbeforethebattle,theProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصprayedallnightwithhishandsintheairmakingdu’aforAllahtograntthemvictoryandstrength.

o InthemorningAbuBakrseestheProphetstillmakingdu’a.o AbbasNarrates:

أ

أ نإ مهللا " ردب موي ةبق ف وهو لاق ملسو هيلع 2ا لص 2ا لوسر ن كدشن

أشت نإ مهللا ،كدعوو كدهع y أف ." مولا دعب دبعت

أ ذخ

لاقف هديب ركب وب

أ ،2ا لوسر اي كبسح

وهو جرخف ،عرلا ف بثي وهو .كبر T تحل ".}ربلا نولويو عملا مزهيس{ " لوقي

“Allah'sMessengerملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwhileinatentonthedayoftheBattleofBadr,said,"OAllah!Irequestyou(tofulfill)Yourpromiseandcontract!OAllah!IfYouwishthatyouwillnotbeworshippedhenceforth.."OnthatAbuBakrheldtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصbythehandandsaid,"Thatisenough,O


53

Allah'sMessengerملسو هيلع هللا ىلصYouhaveappealedtoyourLordtoopressingly,"whiletheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwasputtingonhisarmor.SoAllah'sMessengerملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwentout,recitingTheirmultitudewillbe

puttoflight,andtheywillshowtheirbacks.'(54.45)[Bukhari]

o TheBattleofBadrwasamiraculousdaybecausetheAngelssupportedtheMuslimsandalthoughtheywereoutnumbered,theyhadwonthebattle.

o DuringAli ھنع هللا يضر iskhilafa,hereminiscesabouttheBattleofBadr.Heaskedthepeopletotellhimwhoisthebravestofmen.Theyhadsaidhewas.Hesaidno,thebravestofallpeopleonthatdaywasnoneotherthanAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر .AbuBakr,withnohesitation,wasthefirsttovolunteertostandovertheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصandfightagainstanyonewhotriedtoattack.

o AftertheBattleofBadr,therewereprisonersofwar.TheProphetSAWhadasked‘UmarandAbuBakrfortheiropinionaboutthecaptives.AbuBakrhadsaidmostofthemarekithandkin.Therefore,theyshouldberansomed.‘Umar,ontheotherhand,believedtheyshouldbekilledforalltheevilstheyhaddonetotheMuslims.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص takestheopinionofAbuBakr.However,AllahSWTrevealsSuratAl-Anfalayah67saying:

“Itisnotforaprophettohavecaptives[ofwar]untilheinflictsamassacre[uponAllah'senemies]intheland…”SurahAl-Anfal,8:67

o TheProphetbegantoweepwhentheayahwasrevealedbecauseherealizedheshouldoftooktheopinionof‘Umar.

o WinningtheBattleofBadr,causedthedisbelieverstoseekrevenge.Ayearlater,theycametoattackMadinahwith3,000soldiers.ThiswascalledtheBattleofUhud.

THEBATTLEOFUHUDAtUhud,theQurayshattackedProphetMuhammadملسو هيلع هللا ىلصfullforceandbrought3,000withthem–ProphetMuhammadknewtheywereoutnumberedsohecommandedagroupofarcherstodefendfromapointonamountain.Inthisbattle,theydroveawaytheopposingarmy–but,thearchersdisobeyedthecommandoftheProphetMuhammadملسو هيلع هللا ىلص–theycameoff,thinkingthebattlewasover–KhalidbinWaleedsawthatasanopportunity–failedtoattackProphetMuhammad’sarmythreetimesduringbattlebutwhenthearcherscameoff,thisgavehimachance.TheysandwichedProphetMuhammadbetweenthesetwoarmies–chaoseruptedandmanycompanionsran,someevenkilledoneanother–ProphetMuhammadwasphysically


54

attacked–theAnsaarmadeacirclearoundhimandanothercirclearoundthat–theinnercirclefacinghimandtheoutercirclefacingoutwardtofightanddefend–theProphetMuhammadsaidhesaw17ofthoseAnsaardieoneaftertheotherasshuhadaa’–untiltheyfinallypushedhimintoaditch,theyreleasedanumberofarrowsandoneofthecompanionsdoveinfrontoftheProphetMuhammadandthosearrowslandedonhisbacktotheextentthattheysayhisbackwaslikeaporcupinebecauseoftheamountofarrowsthatlandedonhim ھنع هللا يضر .ThiswastheamountoflovetheyhadfortheProphet.WhentheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص wasgettingup,themanwhoattackedhim,hisnamewasIbnQami’a(whichmeansthesonoftheuglywoman)thisonewastheonewhoattackedProphetMuhammad,hehithimoverhisarmoranditcrackedhisheadpiece,anditpiercedtheProphetMuhammad’sheadandmadehimbleed–andthetwosidesofthearmorfromtheheadpiecepiercedtheProphetMuhammad’scheeksandbroketheProphetMuhammad’smolartoothuntilitfellandtheProphetMuhammadstartedtobleedsohewantedtodefendhimselfandthemanhittheProphetMuhammadinhisshoulderaswell.That’swhenUmmAmmar اھنع هللا يضر steppedupandshehadherfacecoveredsotheProphetMuhammaddidn’tknowifitwasamanorwomanorwhobutshesteppedupandshedefendedtheProphetMuhammad;themanhitherontheshoulder–andcausedpermanentdamageinhershoulder,anddefendedhimandtookthemanawayfromtheProphetMuhammad.TheProphetinthismomentwipesthebloodoffofhisface–amanwho’sbeenexiled,literallytortured,anykindofpersecutionyoucouldprobablyface,includingseeinghisownfamilymembersbekilled,includingseeingsomeofhiscompanionsbekilled,andthefirstofthemawomanbythenameofSumayyah اھنع هللا يضر –frailwomanthatAbuJahalstoodontopofher,hewassolargehewasdescribedaslikethebrotherof‘Umar ھنع هللا يضر sittingonafrailwomanandkillinghertodeathinaveryhorribleway.Thismanwhohasgonethroughallofthiswipesthebloodoffofhisface ھیلع

مالسلا andhesays,“Whatkindofpeoplewillhavesuccesswhenthey’vecutopenthefaceoftheirProphet?”AndthenAllahdisciplineshisProphet,sendstherevelationoftheQur’anandsaystotheProphetMuhammad:

“Notforyou,[OMuhammad,butforAllah],isthedecisionwhetherHeshould[cutthem

down]orforgivethemorpunishthem,forindeed,theyarewrongdoers.”SurahAle-‘Imran,3:128

AllahwillsifHewantstoforgiveandpardonthemandguidewhomeverHewills.TheProphetMuhammadraiseshisblessedhandsandhesays نوملعی ال مھنإف يموق دھا مھللا “OhAllahguidemypeoplebecausetheydon’tknow”Atthispointintime,theCompanionsgrabtheProphetMuhammad,theytakehimupthemountainofUhud,andAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر andTalhah ھنع هللا يضر seetheProphetMuhammadwithAbu‘Ubaydahibnal-JarrahandAbuBakrcomesseeinghowbloodytheProphetMuhammadisandwantstobetheonetotakethearmoroutoftheskinofthe


55

ProphetMuhammadthatisjammedinhisskin–soAbuUbayda ھنع هللا يضر looksatAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر andsays,backoffyou’vedoneeverything,giveusachance–wewanttobeabletoservehimtoo–soAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر backsoffandAbuUbayada ھنع هللا يضر stepsupandhewantstotaketheringsoutofthecheekoftheProphetMuhammadbuthedoesn’twanttousehishandasleverageforpullingouttherings–soheputshisownmouthontheskinoftheProphetMuhammadandbitesontheringsandpullshisheadbacktotaketheseringsoutofthefaceofourbelovedMessenger–andwhenhedoesthat,oneofhisteethcomesflyingout.Andthenhegoesontheothersideandhedoesthesamething,insteadofusingthefaceoftheProphetMuhammad,hepullshisheadbackandanothertoothstartsflyingoutuntilthebloodstartspouringfromtheProphetMuhammad’sfaceandFatima اھنع هللا يضر cauterizesitwithsomefireandsomedriedleavesandputsitintheskinofthefaceoftheProphetMuhammadsoitburnsthewoundandthentheProphetMuhammadwouldlookatAbuUbayda ھنع هللا يضر andhesaidhe’sthe“mostbeautifultoothlessmaninJannah.”ThiswasbecausehelostteethdefendingRasulullaheventhoughAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر wantedtobethefirstonetodothat.TheylostthatbattlebuttheylearnedoneofthemostpowerfullessonsthatAbdullahibnMasudsaid,“WallahiIwouldhaveneverthoughtthecompanionsofMuhammadwouldhaveloveforworldlymaterialgainuntilAllahmentionedittousintheQur’an:

“Amongyouaresomewhodesirethisworld,andamongyouaresomewhodesiretheHereafter.”SurahAle-‘Imran,3:152

ButAllahforgavethemandhetoldtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص- don’tdiscounttheirsayings..“ContinuetoseektheiradviceandforgivethembecauseAllahhasforgiventhem”ThiswastothosepeoplethatdisobeyedtheProphetMuhammad.ThelessontheylearnedinthatbattlewasthelovefortheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.InBadr,theylearnedLaailaahaillAllah,andinUhud,theylearnedMuhammadar-Rasulullah.TheylearnedwhatitmeanstoloveRasulullahملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.PROPOSALTOHAFSA اھنع يضر هللا Hafsa اھنع هللا يضر lostherhusbandinthisbattle:KhunaysibnHudhaafah,‘Umar هللا يضر

ھنع ’sson-in-law.HefoughtinBadrandUhud,wasfatallywoundedinUhud.WhatdidUmardo?Heallowedhertogothroughhermourningperiodthenhewantedher,hisdaughter,togetmarriedagainsoshewouldbetakencareofinasocietywhereit’snotlikeshecanworkandprovideforherselfandcreateherownbusiness,etc.Inthatsociety,ifyouwerenottakencarewithinafamilystructure,itwasvery,verydifficult.So‘Umar ھنع هللا يضر wenttogofindthebestofpeopletomarrysohewenttoAbuBakr

ھنع هللا يضر ,hesaidAbuBakr,“wouldyouliketomarrymydaughter?”AndAbuBakrstayed


56

silentandUmargotmadandheleft–thenhewenttoUthman ھنع هللا يضر whohadjustlosthisownwife,Ruqayyah اھنع يضر هللا (daughteroftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص)–“WouldyouliketomarryHafsa?”,hesaid,“Idon’thaveaneedtogetmarriednow.”So,UmargotupsetandthenhesawtheProphetwhosaid“HafsawillgetahusbandwhoisbetterthanUthmanandUthmanwillgetawifebetterthanHafsa”–AndUmarsaid,inseekingcounseloftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,hesaidwhoisthat?AndtheProphetproposedtoHafsasaying,“IwillmarryHafsaandIgivemydaughterUmmKulthumtoUthman.”AndthismadeUmarsohappy,hewentafterthattocarryouttheweddingandAbuBakrcameandsaid,maybewhatIsaidmadeyouangrysodon’tbeangrywithme–Umarsaidyesitmademeangry,youdidn’tevenrespond.AbuBakrsaid,“IknewthattheProphetwantedtoproposetoHafsasoIdidnotwanttoexposethesecretsoftheProphet,orelseIwouldhavemarriedher.”AndthismadeUmarextremelyhappythatAbuBakrcaredabouthisfamilysomuch.THEINCIDENTOFAL-IFKInthe5thyearofHijra–aneventthattookplace,whichisaverylonghadithinSahihMuslim.Thiswastheeventofal-IfkwhenAisha اھنع هللا يضر wasaccusedoftreacheryinthesensethatAisha اھنع هللا يضر accompaniedtheProphetMuhammadinanexpeditionintheBattleofMuraysee’andinthisbattle,shelosthernecklace–theywentouttolookforitandthetimeofSalahcameandtheydidn’thaveanywater–theywerelookingforthenecklaceanddidn’thavetimetogotoanoasisinsearchofwater-sopeoplegotupsetandAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر goesandpokesAisha اھنع هللا يضر andsays,lookwhatyou’vedone,you’vemadeeveryonemissSalah–soAllahrevealedtheQur’an,chapter5theversesofTayammum.SoamancametoAbuBakrandsays,thisisnotthefirstorlastblessingswehavereceivedbecauseofyourfamilyOAbuBakr.Becauseofwhathappened,Allahrevealedthisversesowegottheblessingoftayammum(drywudu’intheabsenceofwater).Theycouldn’tfindhernecklacesoshestayedbehindtolookandwhenshewentbacktoseeifthearmywasthere,shefoundtheyhadalreadypassed–intheend,therewasatrailer,theProphetMuhammadwouldhaveonesahabitostandveryfarbackfromthearmysothatanyonetrailingcouldcatchuptothearmy.ThatwasSafwanibna-Mua’kkilas-Sulami ھنع هللا يضر .HecomesandhefindsthatAisha اھنع هللا يضر isbyherselfandthatshe’sfallenasleep–howdidheknowitwasher?Hijabwasnotobligatedyetsoheknewitwasher–thishappenedafewmonthsbeforetheofficialobligationofthehijab.SoHijabwasnotanobligationinIslamfor5yearsintohijrah,sothat’showheknewitwasAisha اھنع هللا يضر .Hewaitedforhertowakeup,hedidn’tspeaktoher,heloweredhiscamelandhewaitedforhertogetontop–sherealizedthatthiswasSafwansoshewentontopofthecamel.HecarriedthecamelallthewaybacktoMadinah.WhenhegottoMadinah,thepeoplenoticedthatit’sSafwan,andit’sAisha.–andtheProphetMuhammadsaidwherehaveyouallbeen.AndAisha اھنع هللا يضر comesandsayswelostthenecklaceandIfounditandthatIstayedbehindandSafwanendedupfindingme.


57

Aisha اھنع هللا يضر recountedwhathappened–thehypocritesstartedtospreadnewsthatA’ishaandSafwanhadanillegitimaterelationship–andthisbecamewellspread-outandtheheadofthatnewswastheheadofthehypocritesAbdullahbinUbayyas-Saloul.Whenthisnewsstartedtospread,Aishadidn’thaveasingleclue,shedidn’tknowthatsomepeopleinMadinahwerespeakingofthis.TheProphetMuhammadgotwindofit–shedidn’tknowuntilshewentoutwithoneofherfriends,hergreataunt,UmmMistah–theywentfartherouttousethebathroomandwhiletheywerewalking,UmmMistahstartedcursingherson,Mistah–“mayMistahfall,mayMistahbekilled,mayhebreakhisneck”andshe(Aisha)saidwhy’reyoucursingagainstyourownson.Shesaid,“don’tyouknowwhathe’sbeensayingaboutyou?”Andshesaysno,andsosherecountstherumorsthatherownsonhasbeensayingagainstAisha.Aishabecamesoshockedthatsherunsandshegoestoherhouseandfallsextremelyillandshestartstocryandshesaysshecouldn’tstopcrying–andthentheProphetMuhammadcameandhegreetedherandaskedherhowshewasandsheaskedifheknew–heknewbutheneverapproachedheraboutitoutofhiskindnessuntilheunderstoodexactlywhatrumorwasbeingspread.Sosheknewthis,sothefirstthingshesaidis“Doyougivemepermissiontogotomyparents’home?”becauseIwanttoverifytheinformationwiththem.TheProphetMuhammadallowedher–shewentandsheyelledathermotherandfather,didyouallknowthis?Whatarethepeoplesaying?Hermothersaid,“Mydaughter,takeiteasyonyourself,Allahwillmakeiteasyforyou.Ithardlyoccursthatawifeissobelovedtoherhusbandandshehasco-wivesatthesametimeexceptthattheytalkabouther”–Aisha

اھنع هللا يضر said,“SubhanAllahhavethepeopleactuallysaidthis?”AndUmmRuman يضراھنع هللا wasquiet.AishasaidIcriedthatnightandIcriedandIcrieduntilmorningcameand

mytearscouldnotstopnorcouldItastethesweetnessofsleep.Aisha اھنع يضر هللا thensaysthattheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصcalledAliibnAbiTalibandUsamaibnZaydandaskedthemwhoknewAisha-theybothgrewupinhishouse.Usamasaidthatsheisapersonfreefromthischarge,theycannotbeguilty–theymustbeinnocent,weknownothingexceptthegoodofyourwives.AsforAli ھنع هللا يضر ,hesawthedepressionandanguishintheProphetMuhammad’sfacetotheextentthathesaidYaRasulullah,Allahhasnotrestrictedthingsforyou--thereareplentyofwomenbesideher!Askhermaidservantandshewillconfirmwhatsheknowsaboutit–ifyoudon’twanttomarryher,thenmarrysomeoneelse.AliwassoworriedabouthowtheProphetMuhammadfelt,hecaredforhisfeelingsattheexpenseofAisha(sheneverforgotthat).SotheProphetMuhammadwenttoBareera(Aisha’smaidservant)andasked“YaBareera,haveyoueverseenanythingfromAishathatwouldcauseyoutohavedoubtsabouther?”–andBareerasaid,“IswearbytheOneWhosentyouwiththetruth,Ihaveneverseenanythingfromherthatwouldmakeyouquestionorcausedoubtsexceptonething–whenshewasayounggirlonedayandsometimesshefellasleepandsheusedtokneaddough,shefellasleeponedaywhileshewaskneadingdoughandalambcameandateourdough.That’stheonlythingIeversawfromher.”Thisistheonly‘crime’thatsheknowsof.That’showinnocentshewas.


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WhentheProphetMuhammadreceivedthisadvicefromUsama ھنع هللا يضر ,Ali ھنع هللا يضر ,andBareera اھنع هللا يضر ,hecalledtheMuslimsandstoodontheminbar,hepraisedAllahandhesaid,“Ohbelievers,whowillexcusemefromapersonwhohashurtmeevenregardstomywives?WhateverIdo,youhavenothingtoblamemewithnow.IfIweretodoanythingtothismanwhocausedtheserumorstospread(meaningAbdullahibnUbayyas-Saloul,leaderofthehypocrites)thenyoucan’tblameme,hehasaffectedme,slanderedme,evenhasreachedmywife–cananyoneblamemeforanythingIdo?Andnow,whowillgivemeexcuse?IswearbyAllah,Ionlyknowgoodaboutmywife,andtheyhavementionedamanwithherconcerninghim–IonlyknowgoodaboutSafwan.”AnditsohappenedthatAbdullahibnUbayyas-SaloulwasfromtheKhazrajtribe,sowhenhesaidthis,UsaybinHudhaylwhowasfromtheAwsimmediatelystoodupandsaid,YaRasulullah,Igiveyouanexcuse,ifthispersonisfromamongtheAws,thenwewilltakeoffhishead,andifheisfromourbrethren,theKhazraj–thengiveusthecommandandwewilltakecareofhim.”HeknowsAbdullahibnUbayyas-SaloulisfromtheKhazrajtribe,soSa’adibnAbiUbaadahstandsupandhesaysIswearbyAllahyou’renotgoingtoattackourpeople!(Tribalismovertakenthem.)SotheAwsandKhazrajstartarguing–andProphetMuhammadcalmsthemdown,standsupfromhismimbar,andgoestohishome.Aisha اھنع هللا يضر said“Icontinuedtocrythatdayandmytearswouldnotstopflowing–untilIbelievedmyliverwouldsplitandIwouldstartcoughingupbloodbecauseofhowmuchIcriedthatday.WhileIwassittingandcrying,bothmyparentswerewithmeandoneoftheAnsaarladiescameandaskedpermissiontoenter’…andbecauseshesawhowpainedAishawas,shestartedtocrywithher–whiletheywereinthatstate,theProphetMuhammadcameandsatdownandhehadnotsatwithherforanentiremonthwhiletherumorswerebeingspreadandhadnotgottenwahiforthismonthaboutwhathappened.SotheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصpraisedAllahandhesaidtoAisha اھنع يضر هللا ,“Aisha,ifyouareinnocent,Allahwillclearyouofthischarge,butifyouslippedintoasin,thenaskAllah’sforgivenessandrepenttoHim–wheneveraservantdoesasin,andadmitstoit,andrepents,Allahacceptstheirrepentancefromthem.”AishasaidthatwhenIheardthesewordsfromtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,Istoppedcryingandnotasingletearcamefromtheeye.ItwasthefirsttimethatshesawthattheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwasacknowledgingtherumors,sheAishaturnedtoherfather,AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر ,andsaid“Whydon’tyourespondtotheProphetMuhammadonmybehalfandsaysomething?”AndAbuBakrsaid,“Ican’tspeak..”ThenAishaturnstohermotherUmmRumanandsays“RespondtoRasulullahملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,saysomething,tellhimIdidn’tdothis..”Andshealsosaid“WhatcanIsaytoRasulullah?”Aishasaid,“Iwasstillayounggirlatthattimeandhadn’tmemorizedmuchoftheQur’an,soIcouldn’trememberthenameofthefatherofYusuf مالسلا ھیلع ,soshesaid,“IknowbyAllahthatyouhaveheardtheserumorsandthattheserumorshavesettledinyourheartandsoulandyouhavebelieveditalreadysoifweretotellyouthatI’mnotguilty,youwouldn’tbelieveme,andifIweretoadmittoacrimethatIdidn’tcommit,youwillbelievemeandthinkthatIdid.SoallIcansaytoyouiswhatthefatherofYusufsaid,hesaid,


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…sopatienceismostfitting.AndAllahistheonesoughtforhelpagainstthatwhichyoudescribe."

SurahYusuf,12:18Andshesaid,IleftandshesaidsheknewthatAllahwouldrevealherinnocence.Shesays,however,IswearbyAllah,IneverthoughtthatAllahwouldrevealtheQur’anaboutme–shethoughttheProphetwouldbetoldbyAllah,untilAllahSWTrevealed21versesintheQur’aninSurahan-NuraboutAisha!Whentherevelationfinished,theProphetstartedlaughingoutofhappiness–afterawholemonthoftortureandrumorsandspreadingoftales,thefirstwordsRasulullahtoldherwere,“YaAisha,Allahhasdeclaredyourinnocence.”BelowarejustafewoftheversesdeclaringAisha اھنع هللا يضر ’sinnocence(therewereatotalof21!)

Indeed,thosewhocamewithfalsehoodareagroupamongyou.Donotthinkitbadforyou;ratheritisgoodforyou.Foreverypersonamongthemiswhat[punishment]hehasearnedfromthesin,andhewhotookuponhimselfthegreaterportionthereof-forhimisagreat

punishment.

Why,whenyouheardit,didnotthebelievingmenandbelievingwomenthinkgoodofoneanotherandsay,"Thisisanobviousfalsehood?”


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Whydidthey[whoslandered]notproduceforitfourwitnesses?Andwhentheydonotproducethewitnesses,thenitisthey,inthesightofAllah,whoaretheliars.

AndifithadnotbeenforthefavorofAllahuponyouandHismercyinthisworldandtheHereafter,youwouldhavebeentouchedforthat[lie]inwhichyouwereinvolvedbyagreat

punishment.

Surahan-Nur,24:11-14

WhentheProphetMuhammadملسو هيلع هللا ىلصreceivedthisnews,theentiretyofMadinahrealizedthatthosepeoplespreadingtheliescommittedgreaterrorandsin–somewereverywell-knownsahabi.Amongthem,therewasHamnahbintJahshwholostherhusbandintheBattleofUhud–andamongthemalsoMistah,whofoughtintheBattleofBadr–AbuBakr

ھنع هللا يضر usedtotakecareofMistah,usedtogivehimmoneytotakecareofhimbecausehewasfromthefightersoftheBattleofBadr,whenhesaidthisabouthisdaughter,AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر saidhewouldneverpayMistahagain.AllahrevealedintheQur’an,

Andletnotthoseofvirtueamongyouandwealthswearnottogive[aid]totheirrelativesandtheneedyandtheemigrantsforthecauseofAllah,andletthempardonandoverlook.Would

younotlikethatAllahshouldforgiveyou?AndAllahisForgivingandMerciful.Surahan-Nur,24:22

SoAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر pardonedandforgaveMistahandsaidhewouldcontinuetopayhim,becausehesaidIwantAllahtopardonandforgiveme.ThatiswhyitistheconsensusofthescholarsthatanyonewhoattackstheintegrityofAisha اھنع هللا يضر hasdisbelievedintheQur’an,becauseAllahfreedherfromeverykindoferrorandsinbytheversesoftheQur’aninSurahAn-Nur(21verses).AndthisiswhyAisha’sintegritywasprotectedintheQur’aninandofitselfandthestatusofthefamilyofAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر .


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PASSINGOFTHEPROPHETملسو هيلع هللا ىلصWhenProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص passedaway,theCompanionsgatheredinagardenknownasSaqeefatBaniSaa’idahwhichwasafewfootstepsawayfromthemasjidoftheProphet.ThisgardenbelongedtothetribeofBanuSaai’dah,anditremainspreservedtothisday.TheCompanionscongregatedinthisexactgardentochoosethenextleader.TheAnsarcongregatedinthegardenfirst,thinkingtheyshouldchoosetheleadersincetheywerethecitizensofMadinah.Whenthemuhajireenheardofsuchnews,theysentadelegationwhichincludedAbuBakr,‘Umar,andAbu‘Ubaydah‘AmirbinJarrah امهنعuqrtر .‘UmarheardtheAnsarspeakingloudlyinthegarden,debatingwhothenewleaderwillbefromeithertheAwsofKhazrajtribes.‘Umarsays,“Howdareyou!?”AbuBakrtellshimtocalmdown,andheaddressesthecongregation.AbuBakrrises,praisesAllah %اعت هناحبس و ,andsendssalamontheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.Hethensays,

“TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصlovedandpraisedyouall.Hesaidtousinhisfinalspeech,‘TheAnsararefrommeandIamfromtheAnsar.Youallgaveusyourhomesandwelcomedus.Yougaveusfoodandclothes.Youtookcareofusandgaveusrefugewhennobodywould.Andwerecognizethat!’”Wheneveryouwanttogiveadvicetopeople,alwaystalkaboutthegoodtheydo.AbuBakrcontinues,sayingthattheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصalsosaid,“You,theAnsar,aretheministersandadvisorswhilewe,theQuraysh,aretheleaders.Idon’tknowanyonewhoismoredeservingofleadershipthanthesetwomen:‘UmarorAbu‘Ubaydah‘AmirbinJarrah.”ThenAbuBakrsitsdown.AlHubabibnMundhir هن ع 2ا ضر fromtheAnsarsays,“Aleaderfromyou,andaleaderfromus.‘Umargetsupandsays“No,byAllah,thisisnothowtheaffairsoftheMuslimsareled!HowdareanyonepreferthemselvesovertheCompanionofProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصmentionedintheQur’an?!”‘UmarexplainedthatAbuBakrwastheirleaderandthathewasthebestofthem.TheCompanionsfellquiet.BasheeribnSa’ad هنع 2ا ضر getsup,putshishandinthehandofAbuBakr,andsays,“Igiveyouleadership.IgiveyoumypledgeastheSuccessoroftheProphet”.ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص50Companionsfollowsuitandonebyone,theyeachgivetheirpledgetoAbuBakrastheKhalifah.ABUBAKR ھنع هللا يضر &UMAR ھنع هللا يضر WITHTHEPROPHETملسو هيلع هللا ىلصDUAASOneday,Umar ھنع هللا يضر waswearingniceclothes.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصaskedhimifhewaswearingsomethingnew,towhichUmar ھنع هللا يضر respondedwith“yes”andthankedhimfornoticing.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصthenmadeaduaaforUmar ھنع هللا يضر :“Newclothes,liveprosperously,andmayyoudieasamartyr.”Umar ھنع هللا يضر diedasamartyr!ThiswasbecauseoftheduaaoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.


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AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر usedtomakethefollowingduaas:“OhAllah,Iaskyouforcompleteblessingsinallthings,asIaskYoutomakemethankfulforthoseblessingsuntilYouarepleased.EvenafterYoubecomepleasedwithme,allowmetobethankfulforthoseblessings.”“OhAllah,makethebestofmylifebetheendofmylife,thebestofmydeedsbethelastofthem,thebestofmydaysbethedaywhichIwillmeetYou.”SITTINGSWITHTHEPROPHETملسو هيلع هللا ىلصOneday,theProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwassittingwiththeSahabahatatimewhenhewouldusuallyspeaktothem,whichwasafterFajr.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwouldoftenaskthemabouttheirdaysatthattime,andifanyonesawadream,hewouldinterpretit–thatwastheir“hangout”time.Onthisparticularday,theProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصasked,“Whowasfastingtoday?”AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر saidthathewas.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصthenasked,“Whoamongyouhasfollowedafuneralprocessiontoday?”AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر hadfoundsomeonethathadpassedawaythenightbefore,sohehad.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصthenasked,“Whoamongyouservedfoodtotheneedytoday?”AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر had!TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصfinallyasked,“Whoamongyouvisitedthesicktoday?”Onthewaytothemasjid,AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر had.Onlyafewhoursofthedayhadgoneby,andAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر hadalreadydonesomuchgood–andhewastheonlyonetoraisehishand.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصthensaid,“AnypersonwhohasdonethesefourthingsinonedaywillenterJannah.”ThisisanamazingSunnahandHadithforustotrytoimplementtoday.ABUBAKR ھنع هللا يضر ASAPERSONMANNERS&CHARACTERAbuHurayrah ھنع هللا يضر narratedthatamanoncecursedAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر inagatheringwheretheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwaspresent.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصbegantosmilebecauseAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر wasnotresponding.Whenthemanwenttoofar,AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر respondedbyrepeatingthesametypeofcurse.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصbecameupset,andheleftthegathering.AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر wentafterhim,andaskedtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,“Whenhewascursingme,youremainedseated.WhenIresponded,whydidyougetangry?”TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsaid,“TherewasanAngelwithyouansweringonyourbehalf,butwhenyourepeatedthecurses,Shaytancamedown.ItwasnotfitformetositinagatheringwithShaytan.”TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصthensaid,“Iwilltellyouaboutthreematters,allofwhicharetrue:(1)IfanyservantofAllahiswronged,andiftheyoverlookandforgive,Allahwillhonorthemandhelpthembecauseofthat;(2)Ifapersonopensthedoorofgivinggiftsandcharityandjoiningfamilytieswithsomeonetheyarenotgettingalongwith,Allahwillincreasetheirsustenance;and(3)Ifsomeoneopensthedoorofaskingandbeggingforhelpfromotherpeopleseekinganincreaseintheirrizqwhentheydonottrulyneedit,Allahwillincreasethemintheirsufferingandgivethemless.”


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ThispowerfuladvicewasgiventoAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر :DonoteverseekretributionforyourownselfbecauseAllahwillbetheonetodefendyou.ThroughouttheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص’slife,heneversoughtretributionforhimself.ThiswasimportantadviceinbuildingthecharacterandleadershipofAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر .WORSHIPAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر usedtoprayregularlyinthebeginningofthenight.Umar ھنع هللا يضر usedtoprayregularlyinthelastthirdofthenight.Theybothlookedatwhatwasfeasibleforthem,andthisisanimportantlessonforus:manytimes,wehavetheattitudethatifwecannotdosomething,wedecidethatwearenotgoingtodoitatall.Inthiscase,Qiyam-ul-Laylisanytimefrom‘IshauntilFajr!AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر knewthathewouldnotbeabletowakeuplater,soheprayedrightaway.OneofSheikhHasib’steacherssaid,“EvenifyouareSOtired,andyouarelyingonyourbed,turntotheKa’bahandpraywhilelyingdown.”Why?Islamencouragesaction,sodoinganactionisbetterthandoingnothingatall.Eventhoughitisbettertoprayinthelastthirdofthenight,thatdoesnotmeanthatwegiveupifwearenotabletodothat.Weshouldbehonestwithourselves,andworkonwhatweknowwecando.AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر startedwithwhathewascapableof,andsoshouldwe.WeknowthathewasthebestaftertheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,andevenheprayedinthebeginningofthenight.STANDINGUPFORTRUTHAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر stoodupforthetruththroughouthisentirelife,andthereareplentyofexamplesofhimdoingthis.KNOWLEDGESahihibnHibban:TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصoncesawadreamthathementionedtohisCompanions.Hesaid,“IsawadreamthatitwasasifIwasbeinggivenalargeglassfilledwithmilk.IdrankfromthisuntilIbecamefull.Ithensawthatmilkflowingthroughmyveins.Somemilkwasleftintheglass,andIgaveittoAbuBakr ھنع هللا The”. يضرCompanionssaid,“ItisasifthismilkrepresentstheknowledgethatAllah(SWT)hasgiventoyou.”TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsaid,“Youarecorrect.”ImamAhmadwasaskedwhyhesoughtknowledge,andhesaid:“Toliftignorancefrommyself–thentoliftignorancefromothers,andmotivatethem,andshowthemthedepthIslamiclegacy.”THESTATUSOFABUBAKR ھنع هللا يضر WhentheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwassick,hecommandedAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر toleadtheprayer.Ayesha(RA)didnotwantpeopletohavesuspicionofherfather,soshewenttoUmar يضر


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ھنع هللا andaskedhimtolead.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصgotupset,andsaidtocommandAbuBakrھنع هللا يضر toleadtheprayer;andthathewouldnotacceptanythingelse.Umarھ نع هللا يضر

usedthisinhisspeechthathegaveinthegarden:“HowcananyofusnotbepleasedwhentheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصchoseAbuBakr ھن ع هللا يضر toleadusinanaffairoftheAakhirah(Salah)?HowcanwenotchoosehimthentoleadusinanaffairoftheDunya?”SahihBukhari:JubayribnMut’imsaid,“AwomancametotheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwhoorderedhertoreturntohimagain.Shesaid,‘WhatifIcameanddidnotfindyou?’asifshewantedtosay,‘IfIfoundyoudead?’TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsaid,‘Ifyoudonotfindme,thengotoAbuBakr

ھنع هللا يضر .’”

Chapter Five Succession: Abu Bakr ھنع هللا يضر

WhentheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصpassedaway,Ayesha(RA)madeapowerfulstatement:“Theywerelikesheepinthewild,onastormynight,inalandfullofbeasts...IswearbyAllahtheydidn’tstarttodisagreeonasingleissueexceptmyfathergrabbeditbyitsreignsandbroughtthemcalm.”Ayesha(RA)explained:“OneofthebiggestproblemsthathappenedintheMuslimUmmahwassedition.ArabsbacktrackedontheircovenantswiththeProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصandagroupofthembecameapostates.TheRomanEmpire,Jews,Christians,andthePersianSassanidEmpirefeltthatthiswasamomenttoattackAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر ’snewreign.Hypocrisybecameapparent...”UMAR ھنع هللا يض SPEECHS’رAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر gotuptospeak,butUmar ھنع هللا يضر wantedtospeakfirsttoexplainwhathappenedthenightbeforewhenhewasholdingaswordandthreateningpeople.Umar ھنع هللا يضر said,“Ohpeople,IsaidsomethingtoyouyesterdaywhichisnotfromtheBookofAllah,norwasitfromtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصthathepromisedus;justthatIfeltthattheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwouldoutliveus.Nonetheless,AllahhasleftyouHisBookthroughwhichHeguidedtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.IfyousticktothesameBook,AllahwillguideyouonthesamepaththatHeguidedHisMessengerملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.Allahhasbroughtyouunderyournewleader.Heisthebestamongyou–hewasthesecondofthetwointhecave,sostandupandpledgeyourallegiance.”EveryonethenstoodupinMasjidan-Nabawiandgavetheirallegiance.ABUBAKR ھنع هللا يضر ’SSPEECHAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر thensaid:“Ohpeople,IhavebeenappointedoveryouthoughIamnotthebestamongyou.IfIdowell,thenhelpme,andifIactwrongly,thencorrectme.Truthfulnessisinfulfillingtrust,andlyingistreachery.Theweakamongyouisstrongto


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meuntilIreturnthemthatwhichisrightfullytheirs,Insha’Allah.ThestrongamongyouisdeemedweakbymeuntilItakefromthemwhatisrightfullysomeoneelse’s,Insha’Allah.NogroupofpeopleabandonfightinginthesakeofAllah(jihad)exceptthatAllahmakesthemsufferhumiliation.WickednessdoesnotbecomewidespreadamongpeopleexceptthatAllahafflictsthemwithwidespreadcalamity.ObeymeaslongasIobeyAllahandHisMessengerملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,andifIdisobey,thenIhavenorighttoyourallegiance.Standupnowtopray.MayAllahhaveMercyonyou.”AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر askedUmar ھنع هللا يضر toleadtheprayer,andUmar ھنع هللا يضر pushedAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر untilhebecametheImam.ABUBAKR ھنع هللا يضر &AHLULBAYTTheveryfirstthingthatAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر didwasrealizethattherewasanunsettlingfeelinginMadinahwithsomeSahabah.AYESHA(RA)’SNARRATION(BUKHARI)“Fatimah(RA),thedaughteroftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,sentsomeonetoAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر ,askingforherinheritanceofwhatAllah’sMessengerملسو هيلع هللا ىلصhadleftofthepropertygrantedtohimbyAllahfromtheFai(i.e.wealthgainedwithoutfighting)inMadinah,Fadak,andwhatremainedoftheKhumusoftheKhaybarwarspoils.AbuBakr ھنع ‘Allah’sreplied, هللا يضرMessengerملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsaid,“Ourpropertyisnotinherited.Whateverweleave,ischarity,butthefamilyofMuhammadcaneatofthisproperty.”IswearbyAllah,IwillnotmakeanychangeinthestateofthecharityofAllah’sMessengerملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,andwilldisposeofitasAllah’sMessengerملسو هيلع هللا ىلصusedtodo.’AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر refusedtogiveanythingofthattoFatimah,soshebecameangrywithAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر andkeptawayfromhimanddidnottalktohimuntilshedied.SheremainedaliveforsixmonthsafterthedeathoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.Whenshedied,herhusbandAli ھنع هللا BakrAbuinformingwithoutnightatherburied يضر

ھنع هللا يضر ,andsaidthefuneralprayerbyhimself.WhenFatimahwasalive,thepeopleusedtorespect‘Ali ھنع هللا يضر muchbetter,butafterherdeath,Ali ھنع هللا يضر noticedachangeinthepeople’sattitudetowardshim.SoAli ھنع هللا يضر soughttoreconcilewithAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر andgavehimanoathofallegiance.Ali ھنع هللا يضر hadnotgiventheoathofallegianceduringthosemonths(i.e.theperiodbetweentheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص‘sdeathandFatimah’sdeath).Ali ھنع BakrAbutosomeonesent هللا يضر ھنع هللا يضر saying,‘Cometous,butletnobodycomewithyou,’ashedislikedthatUmar ھنع هللا يضر shouldcome.Umarھن ع هللا يضر said(toAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر ),‘No,byAllah,youshouldnotgotothemalone.’AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر said,‘Whatdoyouthinktheywilldotome?IswearbyAllahIwillgotothem.’SoAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر wenttothem.AlipronouncedtheonenessofAllah(tashahhud)andsaid(toAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر ),‘WeknowwellyoursuperiorityandwhatAllahhasgivenyou,andwearenotjealousofthegoodthatAllahhasbestoweduponyou,butyoudidnotconsultusinthequestionoftheruleandwethoughtthatwehavegotarightinitbecauseofournearrelationshiptoAllah’sMessengerملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.’AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر ’s


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eyesflowedwithtears.AndwhenAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر spoke,hesaid,‘IswearbytheOnewhohasmysoulinHisHand,tokeepgoodrelationswiththerelativesofAllah’sMessengertheforasButrelatives.ownmywithrelationsgoodkeeptothanmetodearerisملسو هيلع هللا ىلصtroublewhicharosebetweenmeandyouaboutthisproperty,IwilldomybesttospenditaccordingtowhatisgoodandwillnotleaveanyruleorregulationwhichIsawAllah’sMessengerملسو هيلع هللا ىلصfollowing,indisposingofit,exceptthatIwillfollow.’Onthat,Ali ھنع هللا يضر saidtoAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر ,‘Ipromisetogiveyoutheoathofallegiancethisafternoon.’SowhenAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر hadofferedthenoonprayer,heascendedthepulpitandpronouncedtheonenessofAllahandthenmentionedthestoryofAliandhisabstainingtogivetheoathofallegianceandexcusedhim,acceptingthereasonshehadoffered.Then,Ali ھنع هللا يضر gotup,andprayingtoAllahforforgiveness,hepronouncedtheonenessofAllah,praisedAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر ’sright,andsaidthathehadnotdonewhathehaddonebecauseofjealousofAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر orasaprotestofthatwhichAllahhadfavoredhimwith.Ali ھنع هللا يضر added,‘Butweusedtoconsiderthatwetoohadsomerightinthisaffairandthathedidnotconsultusinthismatter,anditcausedustofeelremorse.’WiththatalltheMuslimsbecamehappyandsaid,‘Youhavedonetherightthing.’TheMuslimsthenbecamefriendlywithAliashereturnedtowhatthepeoplehaddone.”HADITHBREAKDOWNWhenFatimah(RA)cametoAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر andaskedaboutherinheritancefromtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر saidtoher,“IgiveyouwhattheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصhasgiven,andIwillnotdecreaseinasingledinarordirham,buttheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsaidthat,‘Weasprophetsdonotinherit,andourinheritanceischarity’–butwhatwasleftintheremainsofhiswealth,Iwillequallysplitamongthefamilywithouttheinheritancefactor.”Thishastwolevelsofsignificance:1)Ininheritancelaw,doesadaughtergetmoreorlessthanason?Adaughtergetsless.ItisfromthewisdomoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصandtherevelationofAllahthatthelawofinheritanceisnotappliedonwhattheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصleftbehind–itissplitevenlyamongthewholefamilysoitistotheirbenefit.Fatimahwasupset,evenwhenAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر toldherthis.Shethoughtthattheydeservedthisinheritance,andshebackedoffwhenAbuBakr

ھنع هللا يضر toldherthishadith.2)HowisitthatFatimahhadnotheardofthishadith?ManyoftheSahabahnarratedhadiththattheotherSahabahhadnotheard.SomeSahabahsawcertainincidents,whileothersdidnot.TheydidnotallseeeverysingleactionoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,orheareverysinglewordhesaid.


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ThefactthatFatimahdidnotspeaktoAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر untilshepassedawayisnottrue,butAyesha(RA)saidthatbecauseshedidnotseethemspeak!AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر actuallywenttovisitFatimah(RA)tocleartheair–Ayesha(RA)justdidnotseethatpart.AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر wenttovisitFatimah(RA)whenshewasill,andAligavepermissionforhimtoenterafterconsultingFatimah(RA).AbuBakr ھن ع هللا يضر wantedtopleaseher,sohepraisedherstatusandrelationshiptotheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.Hesaid,“Nooneshouldhaveanydoubt,byAllah,itismorepleasingtometokeepgoodrelationswiththerelativesoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصthantokeepgoodrelationswithmyownfamily.”Fatimah(RA)becamepleasedwiththat,andpassedaway.Onthe4thofRamadan,AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر ledherJanaazah.THEARMYOFUSAMAHWhatwasthestateoftheMuslimUmmahatthistime?AftertheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصpassedaway,MadinahwasthecapitoloftheMuslimUmmah,andwasledbyAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر .Therewere11differentprovincesledbydifferentleadersinArabia.ManyleftthepactthattheyhadwiththeProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.Beforehepassedaway,hesentUsamahibnZaid ھنع هللا يض themeetandempireMuslimtheofbordersthetooutgotoرRomans.Twodaysbeforetheycouldleave,theProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصfellsickandpassedaway.TheywereleftwithaforceledbyUsamah ھنع هللا يضر .Whywashisarmysent?HerealizedthattheRomanEmpirewasseekingtotesttheMuslimempirethathadjustgrownandincreasedinstrength.WhentheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصbecamestrong,hesentalettertoanemperornamedHeraclius.Whenhesentthisletter,heclarifiedtohimthathewastheMessengerofAllahملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,andthatheshouldacceptIslam.HeracliusunderstoodthechangethathappenedintheArabianPeninsula,andtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصreceivedamessagethathedidnotacceptIslam.TheRomanswerepreparingafterbeatingthePersianEmpiretofaceoffagainsttheMuslims.TheylearnedthattheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصhadcompletecontrolofthearea.WhentheMuslimswereatthebordersoftheRomanEmpire,inthey9thyear,theyheardabouttheRomanforceinTabuk.ThiswaswhentheArmyofDistresswasestablished,inwhichAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر gaveallofhiswealth,Umar ھنع هللا يضر gavehalfofhiswealth,andUthman

ھنع هللا يضر gave1,000goldcoins.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصpreparedover100camels,andfor30,000Sahabahtogoout.TheRomansnevershowedup,though!ItwasatesttoseehowpreparedtheMuslimswere.Eventually,theRomanscamebackfortheBattleofMu’tahthefollowingyear.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsentZaidibnHaarithah ھنع هللا يضر ,Ja’faribnabiTalib

ھنع هللا يضر ,AbdullahibnRawahah ھنع هللا يضر ,andKhalidbinWaleed ھنع هللا يضر tofaceoffagainsttheRomans.TheBattleofMu’tahwasoneofthebiggestbattlesthathappened


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whiletheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwasalive.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwasgiventhemiracleofavisionofthebattle.Hesaid,“Ja’far(whowashiscousin)takestheflagandbecomesaShaheed,Zaid(whowasextremelyclosetotheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص)takestheflagandleads,thenfallsanddies,andthenAbdullah.”TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصcriedasherecountedthistothepeopleofMadinah.THEARMYOFUSAMAHCONTINUEDBeforetheProphet‘sملسو هيلع هللا ىلصdeath,theRomanByzantinesituationbecamemoredangerous.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwantedtosendamessagethattheycan’tthreatentheMuslims.Therefore,hedispatchedUsamahibnZaid ھنع هللا يضر withalargenumberofbraveSahabahtofighttheRomans.However,theexpeditionwashaltedbecausetheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصbecameseriouslyillandthenpassedaway.Afewdayslater,AbuBakr(RA)commandedUsamah’sarmytocontinue.PeopletoldAbuBakrtosubstituteUsamah,whowasonly18yearsold,withanelderlypersonwhowasmoreexperiencedtoleadthearmy.AbuBakr,however,refusedtolisten.Hesaid,“IswearbyAllah,IwillnevergoagainstthecommandofwhattheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص,saideverinmylife,whenhewaslivingorafterhisdeath.”AbuBakrcontinuedtoexecutetheplanaccordingtohowtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصhadplannedbeforehedied.WhenUsamaharrivedatthebordersoftheRomanlands,HeracliusreceivedthenewsoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصdeath.ThiscausedthemtobealarmedbecausetheywereindisbeliefthattheMuslim’shadstillsentanarmyalthoughtheirleaderhadjustdied.ThisledHeracliustorefusetomeettheMuslimarmyandletthetributarystatestodealwiththem.TheMuslim’shadfoughtwiththemandtooksomelandthenheadedbacktoMadinah.SUCCESSIONOFABUBAKR–THEWARSOFSEDITIONThe Wars of Sedition occurred for multiple reasons:

- Apostasy- Thosewhobelievedinfalseprophets- Thosewhowaitedandwanttoseewhathappens- Thosedidnotwanttopayzakah

The Areas of Sedition

- NorthernArabia:BanuTameemandMalikibnNuwayrah- TulayhaAlAsadi- Yemen:HadramawtandKindah-AlAswadAl‘Ansy- BanuHanifah-MusaylimahAlKadhab- OmanandBahrain- RomanByzantineEmpire

AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر decidedthathewillfighteveryoneofthegroupsthatarechangingintegralpartsofthereligioneveniftheysaylailahaillah.Hecalledoutagainstthemand


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saidthattheyhadleftthefoldofIslamorcommittedapostasy.ImamAnNawawicommentedsayingapostasyisitistocutoneselfofffromIslameitherbyintention,byaction,orbyawordofdisbelief.11ARMIESSENTOUTATONCE

1) KhalidibnSa’id-North-RomanByzantium2) KhalidibnAlWalid>NorthofArabia-MalikibnNuwayrah,TulayhaAlAsadi,

MusaylimahAlKadhab3) ‘Amribnal’As>DurmatalJandal-Quda’ah,Wadi’ah,AlHarith4) Al‘AlaibnAlHadramy>Bahrain-AlMundhiribnAlNu’manibnalMundhir(Al

Maghrur)5) IkrimahibnAbuJahl>Yamamah,Oman-MusaylimahAlKadhab6) ShurahbilibnHasanah>Yamamah,HadramawatYemen-MusaylimahAlKadhab7) HudhayfahibnMihsan>Oman-LaqitibnMalikAlAzdi8) ‘ArfajahibnHarthamah>Muhrah,HadramawtYemen-AlAmirAlMusabbah9) TarrifahibnHajiz>EastofHijaz-BanuSalim,IyasibnAduallahibnAdyalil10) AlMuhajirinAbuUmayyah>Yemen,Kindah,Hadramawt–AlAswadAl‘Ansy,Al

Ash’athibnQays11) SuwaydibnMuqaminAlMuzani>TihamahYemen

Thereasonforsendingoutthearmieswastostopapostasy.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصhadforecastedthatthiswouldhappen.Hesaid,

أرأك مانملا ف تي

أش نمهف بهذ نم نيراوس ىدي ف ن

أف امهن

أ %إ حو

ن

أأف اراطف امهتخفنف امهخفن

ل لاقي يدعب نم ناجري يبذك امهلو

امهدح

ءاعنص بحاص سنعلاو ةماملا بحاص ةمليسم"Ihadadreamwhilesleepingasifthereweretwogoldbraceletsinmyhandswhichbotheredmeverymuch.Soitwasrevealedtometoblowthemoff.Iblewthemoffandtheyflewaway.Iinterpretedthemtobetwoliarswhowouldappearafterme.OneofthemcalledMasalamah

ofYamamah,and(theother)Al-'ansiofSan'a'."[SahihJamiat-Tirmidhi]ThescholarsinterpretedthishadithsayingthatwhentheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصworethegoldbracelets,thismeantthatpeoplewouldchasematerialgainandwealth.WhentheProphetinbutthreat,greatalikeseemedAl’ansiandMasalamahthatmeantitaway,themblewملسو هيلع هللا ىلصrealitytheyweretooweakandvulnerabletoattackandthattheywoulddissipate.BothMasalamahandAl’ansiclaimedtobeprophetsduringProphetMuhammadملسو هيلع هللا ىلصtime.


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ThescholarsfurtherexplainedthatthebraceletsbeingwrappedaroundtheProphet’shandindicatedthattheyplannedtosurroundtheMuslimsfromalldirections.However,himblowingitandnotdirectlytouchingthebraceletsmeantthathisfollowerswouldgetridofthemandnothimself.MASALMAHALKADHABDuringthe9thyearofHijra,MasalamahalKadhabapproachedtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصandsaid,“TheQurayshdon’tgiveusafairshare,howaboutwedividetheArabianpeninsulaandallthewarspoils,halfformeandhalfforyou.”TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsmiledandraisedabranchandsaid,“IswearbyAllah,ifyouaskedmeforabranchIwouldn’tgiveittoyou.”MasalamahhadwrotealettertotheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsayingthathisleadershiphasgrownandthathewantstheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصtoalsoacceptthatheisaprophetfromAllah.TheProphetsentaletterbacktohimsaying,“InthenameofAllahtheMostMercifultheonethatgivesmercy.ThisisfromMuhammadtheprophettoMasalamahtheliar.Toproceed,theearthbelongstoAllahandHegivesittowhomeverhepleasesamonghisservantsandthegoodendisforthosewhofearAllahandwhohaveconsciousnessofhimandpeacebeonthosethatfollowtrueguidance.”Masalamahsetupanarmyandafollowinginhistribe.WhentheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصpassedawayheannouncedawiderfollowingandsaidthattheywerenotgoingtopayzakat.HeagainclaimedthathewastheprophetaftertheMessengerofAllahملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.TherewasanotherwomannamedSajaah,aChristian,whobegantothinkabouthowtoincreaseherpowerandgainleadership.ShedecidedtobeaprophetwiththeArabsandfoundMasalamahalKadhabhadafollowing.SheapproachedhimandsuggestedtheycometogethertoattackMadinahduringtheirtimeofweaknessbecausetheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصhadpassedaway.Masalamahdecidedthebestwaytodothiswasbymarryinghim.Sheagreedandtheyjoinedforces.HoweverwhenMasalamahrealizedhewasn’tabletoattackMadinah,hetoldherthatherdowrywasthisguythatwillbeheradvisor.Becauseshewasn’treceivinganymoney,sheleftthemarriageandranaway.HerfollowersjoinedMasalamahcausinghisarmytoincreaseinnumbers.APOSTASYINYEMENApostasyinYemenbeganduringtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصtime.AlAswadAlAnsiwasamanthatwasjealousthatYemenacceptedIslamwithoutanyconquest.YemenacceptedIslamunderaleaderthatwashalfPersiannamedBaathaam.HesentalettertotheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصhisacceptanceofIslam.AlAnsiroseupagainstBaathamandkilledhim.Healsotookhiswifeasaslave.


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Beforetheuprisingoccurred,theProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsentadelegationof11companions.Whentheuprisingtookplace,AlAnsihadcontroloverallprovincesinYemenandkickedoutthecompanions.AlAnsiconvincedthesurroundingYemenitribestonotletthehalfPersianscontrolthecountry.Hewouldtellthemtofollowhimandthatheisaprophet.AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر sentalargenumberofcompanionstogivethemsupportandreinforcementtothetruebelieversinYemen.ThiscausedthemtogetridofAlAnsi’sleadership.BEFORETHEWARSOFSEDITIONTheRomanByzantineEmpire,thePersianEmpire,andtheArabsdidn’thaveapeacetreaty.Theydidn’tattackoneanotherbecauseofeithertoomuchpowerortheywerebusywithinternalstruggles.Allah ىلاعت و ھناحبس describesoneoftheinternalandexternalstrugglesinSurahRum:

“TheByzantineshavebeendefeated(2)Inthenearestland.Butthey,aftertheirdefeat,willovercome(3)Withinthreetonineyears.ToAllahbelongsthecommandbeforeandafter.

Andthatdaythebelieverswillrejoice(4).”SurahArRum,30:2-4TheEmperorthatwasbeingdescribedisHeraclius.HeracliuslivedinthetimeoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصandwasthesameageashim.HeracliusfoughtagainsttheEmperorPhocasandtookhisplace.TheRomansweredefeatedunderhisrulebythePersians.TheyattackedhisarmyandtookcontrolovertheHolyLand.TheoutcomeofthisincidentwasrevealedbeforehandinSuratArRum,inwhichAllah ىلاعت و ھناحبس saidthattheRomanByzantineswouldbedefeated.WhenAbuBakrheardtheseverses,hewenttothepagansandtoldthemhowAllahhasrevealedaversestatingthatthePersianswillbedefeatedbytheRomans.PaganQurayshlovedthePaganPersiansandtheMuslimsusuallysidedwiththeChristians.AbuBakrhadmadeawagerwithQurayshof5sacksofgoldiftheRomansaredefeatedin3to9years.TheyweredefeatedandAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر askedforhiswager.Duringthistimebettingwaspermissible.


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In614CEwaswhenthePersianskilledofftheRomanEmpire.Theytookthetruecrosswiththem,inwhichtheybelieveIsa(AS)wascrucifiedon,andplaceditwhereMasjidAlAqsaistoday.TheJewishtribescommittedtreacheryagainsttheChristians.TheysidedwiththePersiansandkilled60,000-90,000Christians.ThiswashowthePersianshadwon.Nineyearslater,theEmperorHeracliusbeatsthematthisbattle.HemadeanoathtoAllahsayingthatifhewins,hewillwalkfromSyriaallthewaytoJerusalemwiththetruecross.Heracliusbecomesoneofthemostwell-knownemperorsinByzantinehistory.TheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsendsalettertoHeracliusinvitinghimtoacceptIslam.Theletterbothershimandholdsameetingwithhisministersaskingthemaboutthemessageandwhothesepeoplewere.Theyclaimedtheprophetwasaliar.HeracliushadaskediftherewereanyArabsfromthemhere.AbuSufyan,notMuslimyet,wasbroughttothecourt.HeracliushadaskedhimnumerousquestionstoseeiftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصwastrulyaprophetandcametoaconclusionthatheis.However,herejectsthemessage.HERACULESANDABUSUFYANHeraculesasksthroughaninterpreter-whoisthenearestofkintothismanwhoclaimstobeaProphet,AbuSufyanstandsup.What’syourrelationshiptohim?Distantcousin–bringhimcloser–tellhiscompanionsthatI’mgoingtoquestionhimaboutthemanwhoclaimstobeaprophet,ifhetellsalie,Iwillpunishhimforhislie.Heaskedhowisthelineageofthismanamongyou–AbuSufyansaidheisamanofnobledescent.Hasanyoneamongyouclaimedthesamewhatheclaimed?Ishepronetolying?Wasanyoneakinginhisancestorsaking?No–dotheoneswhoarehigherinsocietyorthelowerhumbleaccepthim?Thepowerless,nottheonesinthehighclass–aretheyincreasingorreducinginnumber?Increasing–doesanyonerenounceitafterawhile?No–Doeshebreakhiscovenant?No–wehaveatrucewithhimnowbutwefearhemaybetrayus.Haveyoueverfoughteachother,yes.Howdothebattlesturnout?Sometimeshewins,sometimeswedo.Whatdoeshetellyoutodo?WorshipAllahaloneandnottoworshipanythingalongwithHim,renounceallidols,pray,givecharity,bechaste,fulfillpromises,anddischargeourtruststoourclosestkin.AbuSufyansaidthatifIwasafraidoflyingIwouldhavetoldhimeverythingfalse.Afterthis,HeraculessaidIaskedyouabouthislineageandyousaidhecomesfromsoundlineage?AllmessengersofGodcomefromsoundlineage–whenIaskedyouifanyclaimedthesameProphetoodfromsametribe,yourreplywasnonehave,whenIaskedyouifyoufoundhimaliarandyousaidthatyouhadn’t–IknowthatapersonwhodoesnotlieaboutothermenwouldnotlieaboutGod–anyancestorsaking?Iwouldhavethoughthewastyingtorestorehiskingdom–Iaskedyouifthehigherclasswasfollowingorthelowerandyousaidhisfollowersweremainlyhumblepeople–thisisthewayofthefollowersofthemessengers.ThenIaskedyouifhisfollowersweredecreasingorincreasingandyousaidtheywereincreasing,andsoitiswithtruefaithuntilitiscomplete,weretherewasanyonewhoembraceshisfaiththenturnsawaydiscontentandrenouncesit,yourreplywasinthe


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negativethisishowtruefaithis,whenthesweetnessofitmixescompletelyinpeople’shearts–Iaskedyouwhetheryoufoughtoneanotherandyousaidyes–sometimesthewinswereinyourfavorsometimesinhis.Thisiswithallmessengersbutthefinalvictorywillbewithhim.Iaskedyouwhetherheistreacherous,andyousaidno,thisisthewayofmessengers—theyneveracttreacherously.ThenIaskedyouifheenjoinsyouinreligion,andwhathepreaches,youstatedthatheordersyoutoworshipGodaloneandnotassociateanythingwithHim,andnotworshiptheidolsofyourancestors,andheenjoinsyoutoprayandgivecharity,tobechaste,fulfillcovenants,andfulfillyourtrusts,thisisthedescriptionofwhataprophetdoes.HeraculesthensendsoffAbuSufyan,hegathershisministersandhehasthedoorsshutbehindthem,andhetellsthemwhatwereyoutosayifIweretosayIbelieveinthemessengeroftheArabs.Theyloseit—theyareabouttomutinyandleavethecastlewhentheysawthedoorsandlocked,Heraculessayscomeback–IwasjusttestingyourfaithandherejectsthemessageoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.ThisisthesameHeraculesthatlivedinthetimeofAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر andUmar ھنع هللا يضر .heammasesarmiesatthehearingofthepassingofRasulullahملسو هيلع هللا ىلصtofaceagainstUsamaibnZayd هللا يضر

ھنع .ThisandknowingthatAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر wascomingafterhimCHRONOLOGICALEVENTSOFCONQUEST:WARSOFSEDITIONTulayhaalAsadiwasanotherpersonwhoclaimedtohaveprophethood–tribeBanuAsad–theycametotheProphetMuhammadملسو هيلع هللا ىلصandsaid,wecametobearwitnessthatnonehastherighttobeworshippedexceptAllahandyouarehisslaveandmessengerthoughyouwerenotsenttous..wecameonourown–theyhadthisrealarrogance,feltthattheyweredoingtheProphetMuhammadملسو هيلع هللا ىلصafavor–actedasiftheirIslamwasafavortotheProphetMuhammadملسو هيلع هللا ىلصTheywereawarriortribe,nobleman.AllahrevealedintheQur’an:

… "DonotconsideryourIslamafavortome….

SurahAl-Hujurat,49:17

WhentheyheardthistheywentbacktoBanuAsad,TulayhaopenlyclaimedthathewasnolongerMuslim,andsaidBanuAsadwedon’tneedMuhammadS,I’myourprophet,IhaveJibrilcometomejustlikehecomestohim–AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر sentKhalidbinWalid

ھنع هللا يضر tosolvethisproblem–AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر saidaboutthis,IheardtheMessengersaythatKhalidbinWalid ھنع هللا يضر isablessedslaveofAllahandablessedbrothertohispeople,andheisaswordfromtheswordsofAllahthatAllahachievedagainstthesedisbelieversandhypocrites.


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WhenhewentnearthisareaofBanuTameemandabouttoattack,oneoftheSahabahpleadedwithKhalidbinWalid ھنع هللا يضر bythenameof‘AdybinHatimsayingdon’tattackthemyet,givemethreedaystotalktothemandseeiftheycancomebackinpeace–wentandspokewithhistribeandKhalidbinWalid ھنع هللا يضر sentoutanadvancedpartyoftwocompanionsThaabitibnAkramandO’kashaibnMihsal.TheyweremetbyamannamedHibaalwhowasthenephewofTulayha–hesaidwhatareyoudoingcrossingourpaths?Andhekilledthesetwocompanions امھنع هللا يضر .WhenKhalidbinWalid ھنع هللا يضر heardthishewantedtolaunchanattack–thetwocompanionsthatwerekilled–onewasO’kasha–theProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصonedaysaidtothecompanionsAllahSWThas70,000servantsthatenterparadisewithoutanyaccountorpunishment,70,000multipliedby70,000–theHandofAllahwillalsotakebyhisHandahandfulofwhatAllahwillsfromHisownmercy–(4.9billionplusmorethanthat)andhesaidthesepeoplearethosewhohavetruefaithinAllahandtheydon’taskforruqya–O’kasha ھنع هللا يضر wassmartandgotupandsaid,yaRasulullahletmebeamongthem,andhesaid,you’reamongthem–someoneelsesaiditandtheProphetMuhammadملسو هيلع هللا ىلصsaidO’kashawasaheadofyou,hegotitfirstandnoonegetsitafterthat—willseeonDayofJudgementwhoelsedoes.SothiscompanionwaskilledbyTulayhaal-Asadi’snephew.Afterthat,KhalidbinWalid ھنع هللا يضر allowed‘AdyibnHatimtocontinueandwhenheheardofthedeathofO’kashahewantedtoattackand‘Ady ھنع هللا يضر comesoutandsaysgivemethreedays–theywanttocallbacktheirfellowtribesmenthathavegonetoTulayha,theysaythatoncethesetribesmenreturntheywillopenlyfollowyou–iftheyopenlyfollownow,theyareafraidofTulayhakillingthem–KhalidbinWalid ھنع هللا يضر calmeddownbecauseofthisgoodpointeventhoughtheyhadkilledsahabah.‘AdybinHaatmcamebackwith500fightersthatleftBanuTameem,whowerereallyMuslimshidingundertheruleofTulayhaandKhalidbinWalid ھنع هللا يضر thenlaunchesafullattackonTulayha’stroopsandBanuTameemandthisbecameknownastheBattleofMudaah–goingfullforceagainstthisarmy,Tulayhaissittinginhistentwithaclothoverhimwaitingforrevelationtocome–sooneofthefollowersthatleftIslaminMadinahandobeyedTulayhawas‘UyaynabinHisnandcametohiminthemiddleofthefightandsaystohim,didJibrilcometoyouyetandtellyouwho’sgoingtowin?Andhetellshimno,nonotyet.Thenhecamebackagain,saidno–camebackandsaid,Jibrilcameandsaidthingswillhappenaccordingtowhat’sinstoreforus–and‘Uyaynagotsomadhestartedscreaming“OhpeopleTulayhaisaliar,wearelost”–Tulayhahearsthis,runsoutofhistent,takeshiswifeandputsheronhishorseandrunsawaywhileeveryoneisdestroyedbecauseoffollowinghim.‘UyaynaibnHisnistakeninchainsandhe’sbroughtbacktoMadinah–acceptsIslamagain–afterthis,KhalidbinWalid ھنع هللا يضر thenattacksanothergroupofpeoplewhowereinchargeofBanuAsadandtheBattleofBuzakhaandinthatamanwhohadsidedwithTulayhafeltguiltyofwhathehaddoneandherecantedfromhimbuthestillrefusedtoexceptIslam–hisnamewasMalikibnNuwayra.KhalidbinWalid ھنع هللا يضر tookhimasa


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prisonerandaskedhimwhyherejectedtheProphetMuhammadملسو هيلع هللا ىلص–youmeanyourprophet?Ormyprophet?KhalidbinWalid ھنع هللا يضر gotsoupsetthatheimmediatelyexecutedhim–thisnewsreachedMadinahandUmar ھنع هللا يضر hadafitatthissayingthatKhalidbinWalid ھنع هللا يضر isoutofcontrolandthatheshouldhaveputhimundertrialfirst–AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر saidhewasn’tgoingtoopposehimbecausehedidhaveatrialanddisrespectedRasulullahملسو هيلع هللا ىلصandcontinuouslyrefusedtosidewith‘AdybinHatimandturnawayfromtheapostates–hadenoughofachance–whatKhalidbinWalid ھنع هللا يضر didwasnotagainstinjustice.KhalidbinWalid ھنع هللا يضر alsodidsomethingwhichwascriticizedbyhistorians,heeventuallymarriedthewifeofMaalikibnNuwayra–controversyspreadaboutthis,thathewantedtomarryhersohekilledhim,thisisnonsense,heonlymarriedherafterMaalikrefusedandleftIslamandshewasn’tMuslimsoitwastherightofKhalidisshewantedtomarryhimandhewantedtomarryherthathemarriesher.AsforwhathappenedinYemen,andthestoryofAlAswadAl‘AnsiandtheseditionofYemen,‘AnsigatheredahugetribeofpeopletocauseanuprisingagainstthepeopleofYemen,theysentthreebattalionsToYemen–oneofthewaysAbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر triedtocontrolisbyempoweringthepeoplethatalreadylivedtherewiththereinforcement–youallknowthelandbettersoyouleadus–AbuBakr ھنع هللا يضر allowedthemtoleadagainstAlAswadal‘Ansi–theysaidwewilltakeeitherhisclosestmanortrytogettohiswifetohelpusgettoAnsidirectly–ifheiskilled,theentiretyoftheinsurrectionwillbeputdown,sotheysaidfine,theygotamessagetoAazaadsayingyourcousinwillenterthecastlegivehimaccesstoitandconvinceAlAswadal‘Ansitobealonewithher–soshedidthat,whenhecomesin,shegoesaroundthecorner,andherecomeshercousinFayruzad-Dilamicomesandkillshimandthrowshisheadoutsidethecourtandlandsamongsthisfollowersandtheyimmediatelyscatter,andYemenistakenback.ThishappenedinthelifeofABandtheseditionendsinYemenafterAnsiloseshishead.TheYemeniinsurrectionendedanditwastimetoattackthefinaltwopartsofthisinsurrection:BanuHanifaandMusaylamaalKadhaab.ABlatersendswordtoKhalidbinWalid ھنع هللا يض ofcaretakeandHanifaBanutogotoرMusaylama–oneofthereasonswhythesepeopleweresoinfluentialisbecauseoftheirstatusandtheireloquenceandtheirpositionineachoneofthesetribes–Al-Aswadal‘AnsiusedtribalismandMusaylamawasapoetinthiscase,andthisinfluencedpeopletofollowhim.WhentheygottoMusaylama,citybythenameofYamamah,thisiswhereafamousbattletookplace,BattleofYamahmah,andKhalidbinWalid ھنع هللا يضر movedforwardwithhisarmywithIkrimahibnAbiJahal ھنع هللا يضر andastheymovedforward,Sajaahranaway–gotlostinhistory.Musaylamahadover21,000soldierswithhimandKhalidbinWalid

ھنع هللا يضر camewithalargenumberofSahabahandtheyattackedMusaylamaal-Khadhab–thewaytheyattackedhimwasthatKhalidbinWalid ھنع هللا يضر setupanarmyofmuhajirvsansaarwithinthearmyandtheyhaveatittoseewhowillgettohimfirst–KhalidbinWalid ھنع هللا يضر saidthatwehadnevereverfoughtagainstpeoplewhohad


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suchstrongwillpoweragainstusthanthefollowersofMusaylamaal-Khadhab–whentheygotthere,Musayalamaandhisarmypushedthroughandgotnearhistentandalmostkilledhiswifewhentheymountedanattackagainstthem–pushedinsidefortofYamamah–amannamedMuhakkamdecidedtogivearilingspeechtoMusaylama’sfollowers–AbulRahmanibnAbiBakrstrikesanarrowstraightthroughhisthroatashewasspeaking–lockedthemselvesinfort,sahabahsurroundedaskingwhatthemselvesdoshoulddoAl-BaraaibnMaliksaidIhaveanidea-takeashieldandcatapultmeintothefort,areyououtofyourmind?Iwillopenthedoorfromtheinside–followersofMusaylamawerenotexpectingthis,senthimoverthegardenandwenthelandedinside,heranstraighttothedoorandopeneditandthesahabahrushedinandattackedallofthefollowersofMusaylamah–theytriedtofindMusaylamahfirstHe’shopingtodieaquickdeath–Wahshi ھنع هللا يضر wasamongthepeoplewhoenteredthegardenlookingforMusaylama–assassinatedHamzainUhud–Hinddint’wanthimtodoanythingexceptthis–Wahshikillshimandwhenshefindshimdead,shehashimcutopenandtakesabiteoutofhisliver–HindacceptedIslaminconquestofMakkah,WahshialsoacceptedIslam–notauthenticthattheProphetMuhammadملسو هيلع هللا ىلصturnedhisfacefromWahshi–ifyoucanstayawayfrommebecauselookingatyouremindsmeofthedeathofmyuncle,buthedidnotturnhisfaceWahshiseesMusaylamaal-KhadhabandramsaspearthroughMusaylama–andAbuDujanahcomesandstrikeshimandtheykillMusaylamaal-Khadhabinthisgraden,over10,000werekilledinthisgarden,knownasthegardenofdeathInthisbattle,Musaylamaiskilledandeveryoneinthegardeniskilledtoo–amongtheSahahbathatfoughtinthisbattlewasUmmAmmara,Nusayba اھنع هللا يضر –theonethatfoughtinthebattleofUhud,wasthereatHudaybiyyahandalsofoughtinHunaynandwasherefightingwithhersonshadashoulderinjuryinbattleofUhud,over14woundsinthisbattleandhandcutoff–KhalidbinWalid ھنع هللا يضر treatedmewithhonorandrespectandABhimselfwouldcomecheckonme–losttwosonsagainstMusaylama,onewhofoughtinBadr–shewasawarriorwholiterallysacrificedtwosonsforthesakeofIslamandshelostherownhandsinthisbattle.AmongthepeoplewasalsoThaabitibnQaysibnShammas-apersonthattheProphetMuhammadملسو هيلع هللا ىلصmadeduaaforsayingthathewoulddieasaShaheed–flagbearerofAnsaar–brotherofUmar ھنع هللا يضر ,Zaidibnal-Khattab,hisolderbrotherdiedinthisbattle–whenUmarlearned,hecriedalot–saidhebeatmeingoodnesstwice,heembracedIslambeforemeandthefirstofustobeshaheed


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ABUBAKR’SDREAMAbuBakrhadadreamwhichsomescholarsinterpretedasvictory.TherewasalsoaroughmountainpasswhichcansignifyhardshipforboththeMuslimsandtheenemy.AsforthesayingtotheMuslimsto‘attacktheenemyofAllah ,andIwillguaranteeyouvictoryandspoils’,thisreferstothefactthattheMuslimswillbeneartheterritoryofthosewhodisbelieve.IwillencouragethemtofightforthesakeofAllah andremindthemoftherewardandspoilsthatwillbedistributedamongstthem.Asfortheflagyouhadwithyouwhenyouenteredthevillage,afterwhichtheyaskedforaguaranteeofsafetyandwegrantedittothem,thatsignifiesthatyouwillbeoneofthecommandersoftheconquestofIslamandAllah willgranttheMuslimsvictoryatyourhands.Asforthethrone,itsignifiesthatAllah willraisemeandlowerthosewhofoughtagainstme.

Withthisdream,thepersonwasannouncingtoAbuBakr thenewsofhiseminent

death.JustastheProphetMuhammad learnedofhisdeaththroughtherevelationof

SurahNasr,AbuBakr alsorealizedthatthiswasasignofhispassing.Hesays,withtearsinhiseyes,“Iwillenjoingoodandforbidevil.IwillbesternwiththosewhoabandonAllah ’scommands,andsendoutarmiestothosewhoassociatepartnerswithAllahSWT,betheyintheeastorinthewestuntiltheysay‘AllahisoneandHehasnopartners’,orpaythetax.ThisisthecommandofAllah andthesunnahofHismessenger,sothatwhenAllahcausesmetodie,hewillnotseemeinastateofweaknessorwavering.HewillnotseemedesiringonlyalittlefromtherewardofthosewhofightforHissake.”ConsultationwithhisCompanions

Afterhearingthisnews,AbuBakr askedcouncilfromtheSahabah.HeconsultedwithhiscompanionsandtheleadersoftheMuhajireenandtheAnsarandaskedthemwhattheiropinionwasaboutwagingwaragainsttheRomansandShaam.Heremindsthemthat“whoeveramongthemdieswithdieaShaheedandwhoeverliveswillhaveliveddefendinghisreligionandAllah hasmadeitbindingonHimselftorewardthosewhohavestruggledforHiscause.So,leteachpersoncouncilmebasedonhisopinion.”

EveryonespokeexceptAli .AbuBakrasksAliwhathethinks.Ali responds,“Ithinkyouropinionsareblessed.Whetheryouleadanarmyyourselforsendone,youwill

begrantedvictory.”AbuBakr asksAlihowheknowsthis,towhichAli says,“I

heardtheProphetMuhammad say‘thisreligionwillcontinuetoprevailoverthosewhoopposeituntilIslamanditspeopleriseupinvictory.’”Uponhearingthis,AbuBakr


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becomesveryhappyandsays,“thefamilyoftheProphetMuhammad saysthisandmayAllah grandyougladtidings.”ThecouncilagreesthattheyshouldattacktheRomanByzantineEmpire.Atthispoint,Abu

Bakr sendsamessagetoKhalidibnWalidandtellshimtoleaveIraqandtotraveltoShaam,takingonlythepeopleofstrengthfromthecompanions.There,KhalidibnWalid

shouldmeetwithAbuUbaydah andtheMuslimswithhimandKhalidibnWalidwill

betheirleader.Muthanna wastoldtostayinPersiaandtakecareofthingstheresincehewashalfPersian.

KhalidibnWalid hastwochoices.HeeitherfacestheentireRomanEmpirefromthenorth,whichwouldtakehimalongtimeandpotentially,alotoflossoflife,orhecould

bringhisforcesfromthesouth.KhalidibnWalid consultsagroupofcompanionsandpeoplewhoknowthewayastowhichwouldbefaster.Theytellhimthatthereisonlyoneway,throughthedesert,anditisnotforanarmyof18,000.Itwasdangerousevenforloneridersandsmallcaravans,letalongahugearmy.Armieshavealargenumberofpeople,animals,andsupplies,andwaterwouldnotbeavailablethroughthisrouteforatleastfive

days.ButKhalidibnWalid wasdeterminedandgoesaheadwiththepreparationsto

takethisjourneythroughthedesert.HeasksRaafi’ tocomeupwithaplanthatwillhelpthearmysurvive.Raafi’advisesthattheyfeedthecamelstofullinwater,andthencauterizethemsotheydonotusethebathroom.Everyday,thearmyshouldslaughterfivecamelstofeedthemselvesanddrinkthewaterinthecamels’humps.Thiswouldbetheonlywaytheycansurvive.

KhalidibnWalid takeshisarmyand20camelsthatarejustfordrinkingandriding.Heforbidshisarmyfromwalking,theymustallride,andeveryoneshouldridebynight,notbyday.Onthe5thdayinthedesert,thearmyrunsoutofwaterandareafraidthattheycould

die.KhalidibnWalidasksRaafi’forhisadvice.Raafi’ tellshimthatthereisonlyonewayofbeingsaved,whichisbyfindingatreeattheendoftheroad,markingtheValleyofAusaj.Thetreemarkstheplains,whichhavewaterunderneaththem.Oncethearmyreachesthisvalley,theyaresafe.BythemercyofAllah ,thearmyfindsthetreeanddigtofindthewaterunderneath,beingthefirsttocompleteafeatthathadbeenattemptedandfailedbymany.


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Meanwhile,4morearmiesaresentbyAbuBakr .Yazeed ,thebrotherof

Mu’aawiyah ,issenttoDamascus,ShurahbilibnHasanah issenttoJordan,Abu

Ubaydah toHums,andAmribnAas toPalestine.KhalidibnWalidwasorderedtomeetthearmyinHums,andeacharmywillcovereveryentrypointtotheRomanEmpire.Asthearmiesaregatheringandontheirwaytofight,theyfindthattheyareinmassivedanger.HeracliushadorderedhisgeneralstolettheMuslimarmiescomeintotheRomanEmpireandletthemtakeovermassiveamountsofland.WhentheMuslimarmiesweretoodeepintotheRomanterritory,theRomanarmywouldsurroundthemwitharmiesof100,000.Heracliusgavethemafalsepretenseofsecurity,butsecretlyorderedhisarmytogatherinPalestine,whowouldthensplitintofourtoattackthefourMuslimarmiesoneatatime.Inaddition,Heracliussentaspecialforcegroupof9,000soldierstospecificallyattack

AmribnAas andhisunit.BeingstoppedintheirtracksandfacingthemassivearmiesofHeraclius,eachofthe

MuslimgeneralsstartedtowriteletterstoAbuBakr .AmribnAasdescribeshis

situationtoAbuBakr andAbuBakrrespondsthatwhentheywerewiththeProphet

,Allah grantedthemvictory,butnotbyprovidingsoldiers.Theyonlyhadtwohorses,andwouldtaketurnsridingcamels,yetAllah grantedthemvictory.AbuBakr

RAremindsAmribnAas thatthemostobedienttoAllahistheonewhodespisessinsthemost,soobeyAllah andorderthecompanionstoobeyHim.


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AbuBakr sendsBilal,andordershimtocalloutandannouncethatpeopleshouldgathertogethertosupporttheirMuslimbrothers.HesendsAnastoYemenandfivedays

later,thousandsofYemeniscomefromthesouthandgatherwithAbuBakr .Bilal

alsostartsgatheringhisthingstogofightandAbuBakr asksBilalwhyheisleaving

Madinah.Bilal says,“OhKhalifah,ifyoufreedmesothatIcouldstaywithyou,andsoyoucouldpreventmefromdoingthegoodthingsIwanttodo,thenI’llstay.IfyoufreedmesoIcanbeinchargeofmyselftodowhatwillbenefitme,letmego.Fightinginthepathof

Allah ismorebelovedtomethanstayinghere.”AbuBakr doesnotorderBilaltostay,butrequestshimtogivetheathaanonemoretime,sincethinkingaboutpartingfrom

Bilal makesAbuBakrfeelasenseofloneliness.BilaltellsAbuBakr thathedoes

notwanttogiveathaanagainaftertheProphetMuhammad .AbuBakrunderstandsthis,andtellsBilalthattheywillnotmeetagainuntiltheDayofJudgment,remindinghimtodogooddeedsasthosewillbehissustenanceintheworld,andbecauseofgooddeeds,


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Allah willmentionhiminthehighestofcompanyinJannah.Withthis,Bilal and

AbuBakr partways,asBilalgoestoAbuUbaydah inDamascus.TheplanwasthatalloftheMuslimarmieswouldwithdrawandgatherintheValleyof

Yarmouk,withKhalidibnWalid leadingallofthem.TheRomansattackedtheMuslimarmyintheBattleofYarmouk,with30,000MuslimsfightingwithKhalidibnWalidandAmribnAasandtheywonthebattleagainsttheRomans.

Meanwhile,inIraqatthesametime,Muthanna wastakingcareofthePersianswhoweregatheringtheirforcesagainsthim.HereachesBabylonandoutofasenseof

desperation,thePersiansreleaseaflightofelephants.Muthanna andhisarmykillalltheelephantsandwinthebattle.Inthis,manyofthegeneralswhodefendedtheCityofKingswerekilled.MuthannafinallygetstothegatesoftheCityofKingsandstops.Hesends

alettertoAbuBakr tofigureoutwhattodonext.AfternothearingfromAbuBakr,MuthannahimselfgoestoMadinahtofigureoutwhatishappening,andfindsAbuBakronhisdeathbed.

Inspiteofhispoorcondition,AbuBakr welcomesMuthannaandlistenstohim.HetellsMuthannatoamassthearmyandattackthecapitalcity.Afterthis,AbuBakrsummons

Umar andtellshimtolistenandobeywhathehastosay.Beforenightfall,UmarmustmakesuretoencouragepeopletojoinMuthanna,andthecalamityofAbuBakr’sdeath

shouldnotdistracttheMuslims.Withthat,AbuBakr passesaway.

Umar takesreignandimmediatelysendsalettertothearmiesinRome.KhalidibnWalidistostepdownasarmygeneralassoonashereadstheletterandAbuUbaydahwastotakehisplace.ThebattleofYarmouklastsforanumberofdays,andKhalidibnWalid

andtheMuslimsfinallyhavevictoryoverthisbattle.Unfortunately,manyofthe

Sahabahpassaway,includingIkrimah .TheMuslimslost3,000peopletotal.

Duringthebeginningofthebattle,KhalidibnWalid receivesUmar ’sletter

announcingAbuBakr ’sdeath,butKhalidibnWaliddoesnotwanttodemoralizethearmysohedoesnotopentheletteruntilthebattlewasover.Hethenstepsdownasarmy

general,andAbuUbaydah isthenewleaderofthearmy.

InAbuBakr ’ssickness,hetellshiscompanionsthathehasbeenafflictedwithasevereillnessandknowsthathewilldiesoon,sothecouncilmustchooseanewKhalifah.Hegivesthedecisionovertoagroupofscholars,intellectuals,andpeopleofinfluence,whichwas


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liketheMuslimElectoralCollageatthetime.ThiscouncilwantedAbuBakr’sopinionasto

whoshouldbehissuccessor,andAbuBakrrecommendsUmar ,statingthathisprivatelifeisbetterthanhispubliclife,andnooneisequaltohiminhissincerity.ABUBAKRAPPOINTS‘UMARASKHALIFAWhenUmar هنع 2ا ضر wasappointedasthesuccessortoAbuBakr هنع 2ا ضر ,heinitiallyrefuses.AbuBakr هنع 2ا ضر says,“AreyouthesameUmarthatwillturnbackfromtheresponsibilitythatwasgiven?”Umarthenacceptstheappointment.AbuBakrthenadvisesUmar,saying“OhUmar,fearAllah.HehasdeedswhichHecommandshisservantstodobydayandwhicharenotacceptedifheperformsthematnight.Andhehasdeedswhichhecommandsatnight,andHedoesnotacceptthemiftheyareperformedduringtheday.Andhedoesnotacceptvoluntarydeedsunlessobligatorydeedsarefirstperformed.Ifaperson’sscaleisheavyontheDayofJudgement,thatisbecausehefollowedthetruthintheabodeofthisworld,eventhoughdoingsowasdifficult.Andifaperson’sscaleislightontheDayofJudgement,thatisbecausehefollowedfalsehood.”THEILLNESSOFABUBAKRAisha اهنع 2ا ضر saidtheillnessofAbuBakr هنع 2ا ضر beganwhenhetookabathonacoldday,whichwasfollowedbyafeverfor15days.Oneachofthosedays,hedidnotcomeoutforprayer,butwouldhaveUmar هنع 2ا ضر leadtheprayer,followingthefootstepsofthe

Prophetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.Peoplewouldvisithim,butUthman هنع 2ا hisduringhimtocloseststayed ضرillness.WhenAbuBakr هنع 2ا ضر nearedhisdeath,hetoldAishatogoseehowmuchwealthhehad.Hesentitall,exceptforaslavethattookcareofhischildrenandacamelthatwateredhisgarden,toUmar هنع 2ا ضر andrequestedthatitbegivenascharity.Umar هنع 2ا ضر said,“MayAllahhavemercyofAbuBakr.HehasbeentoilingandfatiguedagreatdealsincethedeathoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.”ThelastwordsofAbuBakr هنع 2ا ضر onthisearthwerefromthefollowingayah:

"Cause me to die a Muslim and join me with the righteous"

SurahYusuf,12:101


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Afterwards,herequestedtobeburiednexttothebelovedProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص. UmarledhisJanaazahandprayedoverhim.UmarlosthisbestfriendandtheonewhoremindedhimmostoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص. ‘UMAR’SKHILAFABEGINSUmar هنع 2ا ضر isnowundertheburdenofkhilafahatatimewhenthenewscamethattheMuslimarmieshaddefeatedtheRomanempire,andtheRomanswereinretreatfromallofthemajorRomanprovinces.UmaradoptedthetitleAmeerulMu’mineen,whichmeansleaderofthebelievers.ThiswasinplaceofKhalifatKhalifatRasoolAllah,whichmeansthesuccessorofthesuccessoroftheProphetofAllahملسو هيلع هللا ىلص becausethistitlewastoocumbersome.AbuBakr’s هنع 2ا ضر legacywashisdefeatofthesedition.Umar هنع 2ا ضر learnedanumberoflessonsfromtheruleofAbuBakr,themostimportantofthembeing:

1. TheimportanceofappointinggovernorstomanageMuslimterritoriesandallowingthepeopletorulethemselves

2. ThatworshipofAllahiswhatbringsaboutsuccessors;AllahplacesonEarththosewhoarerighteous

TherewereotherareasinwhichUmar هنع 2ا ضر madeuniquecontributions:

1. TheinventionofacarriersystemconsistingofthefastestridersrelayingmessagesbetweenUmarandtheMuslimarmies.

2. CompletingthecompilationoftheQuran3. Theinventionofacalendarsystem

‘UMAR’SINVENTIONOFTHECALENDARSYSTEMOneoftheproblemsthattheMuslimsfacedduringthereignofAbuBakr هنع was, 2ا ضرrelatedtothelackofacalendarsystem,whichcausedconfusionduringcommunicationbetweentheKhalifahandMuslimarmies.UponconsultationwithAli هنع 2ا ضر ,Umarestablishedacalendarsystemwiththeyear

startingfromtheHijrahoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص becauseitmarkedthebeginningofanewpageinthehistoryofIslam.Asforthestartingmonthinthecalendar,therewereanumberofchoicesthatwerenotselected:

1. ThemonthinwhichtheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص wasborn2. ThemonthinwhichProphethoodbegan3. ThemonthofHijra4. ThemonthofthepassingoftheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلص

TheydecidedtoselectthemonthofMuharramasthestartingpointofeachyearbecausetheyearendsafterHajj,andMuharramisthemonthafterHajj.


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CHANGESINMAKKAHANDMADINAHUmar هنع 2ا ضر builttheinfrastructureofMasjidAl-NabawiandMasjidAl-Haram.HedestroyedthehomesaroundtheKa’bahandbuiltawall.HealsomovedmaqamIbrahimbackfromtheKa’bahinordertoprotectworshippersfromtrippingandfalling.Umarremovedthemanylayersofmulti-coloredcloththatcoveredtheKaabaandreplaceditwithasinglewhitecloth.THERULEANDEXPANSIONOF‘UMARUmar’srulelastedapproximately10years,duringwhichtimethebordersoftheMuslimempirecontinuedtogrow,andmanybattlestookplace.OneoftheseexpeditionswastheMarchtoMadaa’in,animportantcampaignagainsttheSassanidEmpire.ElevenyearspriortothatduringtheBattleoftheTrench,theProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصstatedthattheywouldbegivenconquestofthewhitepalaceofthePersianEmpire.WhentheMuslimswalkedintothewhitecastleofMadaa’in,itmarkedtheentranceoftheMuslimforcesintotheCityofKings.Theystartedtocallout“AllahuAkbar!ThisiswhattheProphetملسو هيلع هللا ىلصpromisedusofconquestandvictory.”Umar هنع 2ا ضر thenpushedforwardwithSaadibnabiWaqqas هنع 2ا ضر inAl-QaadisiyaTheMuslimtroopsweresplitaccordingtotheirtribesanddefeatedtheremnantsofthePersianempire.Afterwards.theconquestofAfricatookplace,andduringtheyearofRamada,amassivedroughtandaplagueoccurredcalledtheplagueofUmwas,whichtookthelifeofAbuUbaydahibnAlJarrah.THEULTIMATECONQUESTOFPERSIANahawandalsotookplace,duringwhichtheremaininggeneralsofthePersianempirewerekilled.ItwasconsideredtheultimateconquestofthePersianempire.Thefollowing3yearswassimplyfinishingoffsmallpocketsofpeople.TheMuslimskeptmovingeastuntiltheyreachedtheTurks.ACCEPTANCEOFISLAMBYTHETURKSItwasbecauseofUmarthattheTurksacceptedIslam.Iftheyhadn’t,theenemiesofIslamwouldhavetakenoverMakkahandMadinah.TheTurkshadafiercewarriorculture–theywerenomadswhoadoptedtheculturewithwhichtheymixedorconquered.TheTurksbelievedthattheydidn’thaveahomeland;rather,thelandunderneaththeirfeetwastheirhome.


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DEVELOPMENTOFTHEMUSLIMSTATEUmar هنع 2ا ضر continuedtodeveloptheMuslimstatebyemployingaspecificformatinurbandesign:

• Masjidlocatedinthecenterofthecity• Governor’shomerightnexttothemasjid• Everystreetledtothemasjid• Citywassplitintodistricts.50,000MuslimsfromMuslimlandswerepetitionedto

liveinnewly-conqueredareassothatnewly-conqueredpeoplewillinteractwithMuslimfamilies.Thisledtoremovalofbaggagefrompreviousreligionsandincreasedincamaraderie.ThosewhowerenotMuslimwouldseehowtheylivedinequalityandpeace.

• OneexampleofacityUmarraisedfromgroundupisBasraUmarestablishedawelfaresystemwhereeveryoneinthecityreceivedspoilsofwarinequalamounts.HealsoestablishedDaarulQamh–anyonewhowastravelingwouldbegivenfreefoodandaccesstofreetransportationoncamelstotravelbetweencitieswithintheMuslimempire.CONQUESTOFJERUSALEMThevictoryoftheMuslimsinYarmukmadeitclearthattheRomanempirewasfallingbecauseallmajorRomanarmiesandgeneralswerecompletelydefeated.Inthe16thofHijra,AmribnAas هنع 2ا ضر siegedJerusalemandgaveitsinhabitantstwooptions:

1. Resist,andthecitywillbetakenfromyoubyforce2. Surrender,andyouwillbeallowedtolivefreely

TheygavethepeoplethesetwooptionsbecausewhenthePersiansdefeatedtheByzantineRomans,theJewishtribescommittedtreacheryandallowedthePersianstoenterthecityandannihilatetheChristians.WhentheRomanstookbackJerusalem,theyexiledtheJews.TheChristianinhabitantswereafraidthattheMuslimswouldalsobringbacktheJewishtribesandslaughtertheChristians.So,AmribnAas هنع 2ا ضر reassuredthemthattheywouldnotdowhatthePersiansdidinthepast.Rather,theChristianswouldonlyneedtopaythetax,whichislessthanZakah.Theyagreed.CONQUESTROMAN:BAYTALMAQDIS(JERUSALEM)HeracliusretreatsfromshamAsHeracliustooktotheseaonashipfromDamascustoConstantinopleinthenight,itissaidthatashisshipsetsail,hebadealastfarewelltoSyria,saying,"Farewell,alongfarewelltoSyria,myfairprovince.Thoughartaninfidel’s(enemy’s)now.Peacebewithyou,OSyria-whatabeautifullandyouwillbefortheenemy.”HeracliusneveracceptedIslamandultimatelylosteverything.


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SiegeofBaytalMaqdisAmribnal-As ھنع هللا يضر issuccessfulinhissiegeofJerusalem.ThepeopleofQudsaskfortreatyThepeopleofQudstellAmribnal-As ھنع هللا يضر thattheywillonlyacceptthetreatywiththeleader.Amribnal-As ھنع هللا يضر ,ascommanderofthearmy,statesheistheleader.Theystillrefuse,citingthattheyheardnewsthatajustarmylikethisdoesnotfitthedescriptionthatyouhaveintermsofleadership.Amribnal-As ھنع هللا يضر sendswordtoUmar ھنع هللا يضر thattheywillonlyagreetothecovenantunderhisleadership,soUmar ھنع هللا يضر leavesMadinahandcomestomeettheminJerusalem.UmararrivesinJerusalemUmar ھنع هللا يضر walksintoalQudsnotwithanarmyof100,000,notwith1000,butwithonly1servanttohelphim.Throughoutthejourney,hesharestimewithhisservantontheircamelorhorse.AstheyreachtheedgeofBaytAlMaqdis,theservantwasonthecamelwhileUmar ھنع هللا يضر walkedonfoot.TheservantyellsconcernedthataskhalifahUmar

ھنع هللا يضر shouldmakeanentrancebutUmar ھنع هللا يضر insistedtohonortheservant’stimeonthecamel.KhalidIbnWalid,Mu’awiyah,Amribnal-As,andAbuUbaydahibnJarrahareallinthefinestclothes,waitingonthefinesthorsesforthekhalifah.Umar ھنع هللا يضر arriveswithmuddiedtatteredclothes.AbuUbaydah ھنع هللا يضر speakswithhim,saying,‘IfearthatthepeoplewillnothonoryounorgiveyouthestatusthatyoudeserveastheleaderofMuslims.”Umar ھنع هللا يضر responds,‘OhAbuUbaydah,Iwishsomeoneelsehadsaidthis.Youshouldknowbetter.”AbuUbaydah ھنع هللا يضر says,“Don’tthinktheworldhasenteredourhearts,wearestillonwhatyoutoldus!Wearewearingtheseclothesbecausetheyarethenormofthesepeopleforthoseinleadershiptowearsuchthingsandnotbecauseithasreachedourhearts.”Umar ھنع هللا يضر saysfine,butthathewouldnotwearitand“Asforhonor,weweredishonorablepeoplebutthenAllahhonoredwithIslamandwhenwetrytoseekhonorinotherthanIslam,Allahwilldishonorus.”Whenhesaidthis,AbuUbaydahfeltlikehewasant.KhalidBinWalidھ نع هللا يضر neverspokeoutagainstUmar ھنع هللا يضر .Hewouldsayifyouwanttodoitbetter,thenyoudoityourself.AndUmar ھنع هللا يضر hadnothingbutloveforKhalidBinWalid,butwouldsaythathefearedKhalidBinWalid’sleadershipintwothings.ThefirstthatpeoplehavetoomuchtrustinKhalidbinWalidandtheywilllosetheirtrustinAllah.Secondly,youarereckless,inthatyoudothingsandwedonotknowwhatisgoingtohappen,andUmar ھنع هللا يضر couldnothandlethat.


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Praying in Al Aqsa The first thing that Umar هنع 2ا ضر does is pray in Aqsa, wanting to pray where the Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص had prayed. There was no building at the time; it was a garbage dump used by the Christians at the time. So, he cleaned the area. He went to K’ab al-Ahbar, a Jewish Rabbi scholar, who was sitting near the Dome of the Rock, to ask where the Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص used to pray. The Jewish Rabbi pointed toward the rock, which upset Umar هنع 2ا ضر because the Jewish people sanctify this rock because it where they said Ibrahim wanted to sacrifice Ishaaq not Ismaeel. Umar ه نع 2ا ضر then cleaned that area and was the first to build a structure called Masjid al Aqsa.

Umar’s Covenant: Treaty with Saphronius Umar هنع 2ا ضر seeked to establish a covenant with the Christians at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the holiest site of Christianity because they believe this is where Jesus died and the location of his tomb.


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To make the covenant, Umar هنع 2ا ضر meetst with Saphronius, the patriarch of Jerusalem at the time. Umar’s Covenant was as follows:

The Christians then ask him as a show of safety and love between one another to pray in their Church. However, Umar هنع 2ا ضر , refused, not because he did not want to pray in the church because he was worried that Muslims would later conquer it citing that Umar هنع 2ا ضر had prayed there. So, he walked 100 yards away from the church area, and sure enough Muslims later built a mosque on that location. Al Masjid Al Aqsa Later, Umar هنع 2ا ضر commissioned the building of the masjid. Those walls were initially built in 61 CE, those walls of the masjid walls are literally walls that the Sahaba saw. They see Bilal ضر

هنع 2ا in the masjid.

The Covenant

In the name of God, The Merciful, the Compassionate. This is the assurance of safety which the servant of God, ‘Umar, the Commander of the Faithful, has given to the people of Ilyaa’

(Jerusalem.) He has given them an assurance of safety for themselves, for their property, their churches, their crosses, the sick and healthy of the city and for all the rituals which belong to

their religion. Their churches will not be inhabited by Muslims and will not be destroyed. Neither they, nor the land on which they stand, nor their cross, nor their property will be damaged. They

will not be forcibly converted. No Jew will love with them in Jerusalem.

The people of Jerusalem must pay the taxes like the people of other cities and must expel the Byzantines and the robbers. Those of the people of Jerusalem who want to leave with the

Byzantines, take their property and abandon their churches and crosses will be safe until they reach their place of refuge. The villages may remain in the city if they with but must pay taxes

like the citizens. Those who wish may go with the Byzantines and those who wish may return to their families. Nothing is to be taken from them before their harvest is reaped.

If they pay their taxes according to their obligations, then the conditions laid out in this letter are

under the covenant of God, are the responsibility of His Prophet, of the caliphs and of the faithful.

Witnessed by: Khalid b. Walid, Amr b. al-As, Abdu’l-Rahman ibn ‘Awf, Mu’awiyah ibn Abu

Safyan. The assurance of safety was written and prepared in the year 15 AH. – [The Great Arab Conquests, Tarikh Tabari]


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Bilal هنع 2ا ضر gives Adhan- Remembering the Beloved ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص All the Muslims that were there, went to Umar هنع 2ا ضر to see if he could ask Bilal هنع 2ا ضر to

make adhan the way he did for Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص. Bilal said that he does not make adhan after the Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص, for which Umar هنع 2ا ضر replied that the Muslims are gathered and are asking him. Bilal هنع 2ا ضر looks at the situation and agrees. He climbs to the top of the masjid and gives the same call to prayer that he once gave at the Masjid Al Nabawi and on the Kab’ah. Now he gives the adhan at Masjid Al Aqsa, the last of the 3rd holiest mosques. The entire masjid was crying and Umar هنع 2ا ضر could not even stand, having to hold his hand

against the wall remembering the Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص. In one of the truly beautiful moments of what Islam truly means and showing of a peaceful conquest, one that was a reverberation of the conquest of Makkah and the peace that Abu Bakr showed in his succession. This marked the Khalifah of Umar هنع 2ا ضر . LESSONS FROM THE CONQUESTS OF UMAR Succession is not had except through Justice Victory is not given to those except those who have conquered over their own souls and egos, before they seek to conquer others. Allah grants victory to those who bring justice, even if they are not Muslim. Righteousness in leadership is developed in the discipline and through the guidance of Allah and his Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص. Umar هنع 2ا ضر does final Hajj In the final year of his life, Umar هنع 2ا ضر went on Hajj. In that Hajj, he makes du’a, saying, “Oh Allah, I complain to you only of the weakness of my power, and how people may look at me in not fulfilling the responsibility you have given. Take me in a time before I cannot fulfill my responsibility.”


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The Murder of Umar THE PLOT A slave who wanted retribution In the end of his life, Umar هنع 2ا ضر returns to Madinah. Two months later, there is plotting to assassinate him by a slave. The slave, named Fairuz, says he is a slave of one of the companions, al-Mughira ibn Shu’ba, and that he is upset that Umar هن ع 2ا ضر imposed a heavy tax on him that he cannot afford. Umar asks the amount, which is 2 dirhams. Umar هنع 2ا ضر asks what he does, for which he responds that he is a carpenter, painter, and ironsmith. Umar هنع 2ا ضر states that the amount he is taxed is trivial and thus the complaint is invalid. The slave says, ‘I will make a mill whose sound will be heard by the West and the East,’ meaning that he would kill Umar and it the news would be heard by everyone out of his hatred of Umar. Fajr at Masjid al-Nabawi Next day the people go to Fajr at Masjid Al-Nabawi. As Umar هنع 2ا ضر was leading prayer, a slave named Fairuz, also known as Abu Lu’ lu’ al Majusi, comes out of the line and started stabbing the khalifah 6 times. Then he goes to the front, and slides the knife left, right, up, and down so he could not recover from the wound. It was also poisoned. As he did, this there was a commotion in the masjid to catch him, but he begins stabbing others. As they attempt to capture him, he commits suicide. As Umar هنع 2ا ضر is about to pass out, he pulls Abdul Rahman ibn Awf to finish the Fajr salat, while the people grab Umar هنع 2ا ضر to take him to his house. UMAR’S هنع 2ا ضر REACTION When Umar هنع 2ا ضر awakes from passing out, he asks the identify of his assassin, for which they respond Abu Lu’Lu, the Zoroastrian slave. Umar هنع 2ا ضر replies, ‘Alhamdillilah that I am not killed by a man who called himself a Muslim or performed sajdah.” A physician was sent who gives him a mix of dates and milk. Blood starts to gush out from his wounds, so the physician tells Umar هنع 2ا ضر to prepare for his death.


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PREPARING FOR DEATH Succession Preparation Umar هنع 2ا ضر then gathered the greatest Sahaba to choose the next leader. Talha was not there so he told them wait 3 days; if he does not arrive, then choose amongst you to be the next leader. His Dua He then turned to Abdullah and requested he go to Aisha and tell her that Umar, not Ameer Al-Mu’ma’een, is asking if he could be buried next to the Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص when he dies. Aisha says she had in mind to reserve the burial place for herself, but that today because she knows how much Umar loves the Prophet I will give precedence to Umar. Abdullah returns running with the news that she gave him what he wished, which he responds that it was the greatest wish of his life to be rejoined with my beloved Rasullulah ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.

Umar’s Martyrdom UMAR’S هنع 2ا ضر DEATH He was wounded on Wednesday, the 27th of Dhul Hijjah and died 1st of Muharram. This was 17 days or so after he made that dua that Allah relieve him of his responsibility. The greatest of companions after Abu Bakr was prayed on by Suhayb and was buried next to the Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.

أ ،نادبع انثدح

أ نبا نع ،ديعس نب رمع انثدح ،2ا دبع انبخ

أ ،ةكيلم ب ،سابع نبا عمس هن

أ لبق نولصيو نوعدي سالا هفنكتف ،هريس T رمع عضو لوقي

أو ،عفري ن yإ نعري ملف ،مهيف ان

أ تفلخ ام لاقو ،رمع T محتف T اذإف ،بكنم ذخآ لجر

أ ادح

أ %إ بح

أ ن هلمع لثمب 2ا قل

ل تنك نإ ،2ا مياو ،كنمأ نظ

أ تبسحو ،كيبحاص عم 2ا كلعي ن

أ ايثك تنك ن

لص بلا عمس

أ تبهذ لوقي ملسو هيلع 2اأو ان

أ تلخدو ،رمعو ركب وب

أو ان

أ تجرخو ،رمعو ركب وب

أو ان

ركب وب

.رمعو


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Narrated Ibn Abbas, “When [the dead body of] Umar was put on his deathbed, the people gathered around him and prayed for him before the body was taken away, and I was amongst them. Suddenly, I felt somebody taking hold of shoulder and found out that he was Ali b. Abu Talib. Ali prayed for Allah’s Mercy for Umar and said, ‘O Umar! You have not left behind you a

person whose deeds I like to imitate and meet Allah with more than I like your deeds. By Allah! I always thought that Allah would keep with you your two companions, for very often I used to hear the Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص saying, ‘I, Abu Bakr, and Umar went (somewhere); and I, Abu Bakr, and

Umar went out.” [Bukhari 3685]. This marks the end of the succession of Umar.

Conclusion- In the Company of the Prophet, Abu Bakr, Umar, and the Companions

أ ،يثك نب دمم انثدح

أ نب عماج انثدح ،نايفس انبخ

أ انثدح ،دشار ب نبا دمم نع ،لعي وب

ل تلق لاق ،ةيفنلا

أ ب

أ لاق ملسو هيلع 2ا لص 2ا لوسر دعب يخ سالا ى لاق نم مث تلق .ركب وب

أ تيشخو .رمع مث

أ مث تلق نامثع لوقي نأ ام لاق تن

.يملسملا نم لجر yإ ان

Narrated by Muhammad ibn al-Hannafiyyah, “I asked my father (`Ali bin Abi Talib), "Who are the best people after Allah's Messengerملسو هيلع هللا ىلص?" He said, "Abu Bakr." I asked, "Who then?" He said, "Then `Umar. " I was afraid he would say "Uthman, so I said, "Then you?" He said, "I am

only an ordinary person.” [Bukhari 3671]

With that, the succession of these two great Khulafa was fulfilled. This lead to the Khilafah of Uthman ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص who had the longest reign of all of them.

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