(Friday Sermon - March 1, 2019 )

Background and Participation in Battles

Hazrat Salim^(ra) bin Umair bin Thabith was a member of an Ansari tribe called Banu Amr bin Auf. He took part in the first Bai‘at at Aqabah. Hazrat Salim also participated in all the battles alongside the Holy Prophet^(sa), including the battles of Badr, Uhud and the Ditch. (Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 2, p. 337, Salim bin Umair, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2003)

Incident from the Battle of Tabuk

On the occasion of the Battle of Tabuk, when a group of poor companions who desired to partake in the battle of Tabuk appeared before the Holy Prophet^(sa), weeping, because they had no means of conveyance, Hazrat Salim was also one of them. These seven companions came to the Holy Prophet^(sa) just as he was about to depart for Tabuk and requested that they be given some means of transport [so that they could participate]. The Holy Prophet^(sa) replied, “At this time, I have nothing with which I can provide for you to mount on.”

These companions returned with tears in their eyes due to the sheer sorrow of not being able to spend anything in God’s way.

Ibn-e-Abbas^(ra) relates that the verse:

وَ لَا عَلَی الَّذِیۡنَ اِذَا مَا اَتَوۡکَ لِتَحۡمِلَہُمۡ قُلۡتَ لَا اَجِدُ مَا اَحۡمِلُکُمۡ عَلَیۡہِ تَوَلَّوۡا وَّ اَعۡیُنُہُمۡ تَفِیۡضُ مِنَ الدَّمۡعِ حَزَنًا اَلَّا یَجِدُوۡا مَا یُنۡفِقُوۡنَ

“And nor is there any blame upon those who came to you when the announcement of war was made so that you might provide them a mount. So you answered them, ‘I cannot find whereon I can mount you;’ they turned back, their eyes overflowing with tears, out of grief that they could not find what they might spend.” (Surah al-Taubah: 92)

Ibn-e-Abbas^(ra) relates that among the people mentioned in this verse is Salim^(ra) bin Umair and Tha‘libah^(ra) bin Zaid. (Al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra, Vol. 3, p. 366, Salim^(ra) bin ‘Umair, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990) (Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 2, p. 387, Salim^(ra) bin Umair, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2003).

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II^(ra), expounding on this verse, states in his commentary:

وَ لَا عَلَی الَّذِیۡنَ اِذَا مَا اَتَوۡکَ لِتَحۡمِلَہُمۡ قُلۡتَ لَا اَجِدُ مَا اَحۡمِلُکُمۡ عَلَیۡہِ تَوَلَّوۡا وَّ اَعۡیُنُہُمۡ تَفِیۡضُ مِنَ الدَّمۡعِ حَزَنًا

“In terms of its application, this verse is general, but the particular individuals to which it alludes were seven poor Muslims who came to the Holy Prophet^(sa) and requested that some means of conveyance be arranged for them. The Holy Prophet^(sa) informed them, ‘Unfortunately, I do not have the means to arrange any ride for you.’ The companions were greatly pained, and turned back with tears in their eyes. In further narrations it is mentioned that after this event, Hazrat Uthman^(ra) donated three camels, and four other camels were donated by other Muslims. The Holy Prophet^(sa) then distributed one camel to each of the seven companions.”

Hazrat Musleh Maud^(ra) further states:

“The Holy Quran has mentioned this event to contrast (the case of) those who were both wealthy and had means of transport, but looked for excuses to not participate.”

There were some who sought excuses and didn’t join the expedition. However, on the other hand, the passion and zeal of the poor companions was incomparable. Thus, this event illustrated the difference between the two.

Hazrat Musleh Maud^(ra) further explains:

“This verse also reveals that not all those who remained behind in Medina (during expeditions) were hypocrites. There were also sincere and faithful believers who could not participate because of a lack of means.” (Duroos Hazrat Musleh Maud^(ra)_, Tafsir Surah al-Taubah, Verse 92)

Hazrat Musleh Maud^(ra) goes on to explain under the commentary of this verse:

“Abu Musa was the chief of this group of Muslims. When he was asked later about what he requested of the Holy Prophet^(sa), he explained, ‘By God, we did not ask the Holy Prophet^(sa) for camels or even horses – we only asked him that we do not have any shoes to cover our feet. We cannot possibly cover this journey barefoot (we’ll become badly injured even before the battle and won’t be able to fight). If we are only given a pair of shoes, we can keep up alongside our brothers, and participate in the battle on foot.’” (Dibacha Tafsir-ul-Quran, Anwar-ul-Aloom, Vol. 20, p. 361)

Demise

This was the state of their passion and their lack of provisions. Hazrat Salim^(ra) bin Umair lived until the time of Hazrat Muawiyyah^(ra) (Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 2, p. 387, Salim^(ra) bin Umair, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2003).