(Friday Sermon - December 7, 2018 )

Background and Participation in Battles

Hazrat Abdullah^(ra) bin Jad’s father’s name was Jad bin Qais whose title was Abu Wahab and he was from the Banu Salama, one of the tribes of the Ansar. His maternal cousin was Hazrat Mu‘az^(ra) bin Jabal. Hazrat Abdullah bin Jad participated in both the Battles of Badr and Uhud. (al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 430, Abdullah bin al-Jad^(ra), Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990) (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifati al-Sahaba, Vol. 1, p. 589, Abdullah bin al-Jad^(ra), Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2003)

Incident Before the Battle of Tabuk

At the Battle of Tabuk, the Holy Prophet^(sa) said to Abu Wahab, the father of Hazrat Abdullah bin Jad, “Abu Wahab, will you not join us for the battle on this occasion?” Abu Wahab replied, “Please excuse me, and do not put me through any trial.” He then stated a very peculiar justification to the Holy Prophet^(sa) saying: “I am unable to go because my people know how much I adore women. If I see the women of Ban Asfar (in other words, the Byzantine women), I will not be able to restrain myself.” The Holy Prophet^(sa) turned away and excused him.

Since he was making excuses, it was best to simply let him be and accept his refusal. When Hazrat Abdullah^(ra) bin Jad became aware of the incident he approached his father and said, “Why did you reject the request of the Holy Prophet^(sa)? I swear by God that you are the wealthiest person among the Banu Salama, and today was the opportunity to take part in the battle. Neither do you go forth for battle yourself, nor do you provide support for others to go.” His father replied, citing another excuse to his son, which was in fact the truth: “O my son! How can I set forth towards the Banu Asfar in such a hot and difficult climate? I swear by God, even in Khurba (the home of the Banu Salama) I do not feel safe in my home and am afraid of them.” He was very afraid of the Byzantines and was a cowardly man. “So how can I proceed to challenge them and enter into battle? O my son! I swear by God that I am fully aware of the times of changing fortunes. I know that circumstances can transform from day to day.” Hearing this from his father, Hazrat Abdullah^(ra) became stern towards him and said, “I swear by God, there is hypocrisy in you. Certainly, Allah the Almighty will reveal His words to the Holy Prophet^(sa) in the Holy Quran with reference to you so everyone can read it.” In other words, Allah the Almighty would manifest his hypocrisy. Hearing this, Hazrat Abdullah’s father took off his shoe and threw it upon Hazrat Abdullah’s face. Hazrat Abdullah departed and did not speak to his father. (Kitabul Maghazi Li al-Waaqidi, Vol. 2, p. 381, Ghazwah Tabuk, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2004) (Wafaa al-Wafaa, Vol. 4, p. 67, al-Maktabah al-Haqqaniyyah, Pashawar)

It is written in Usdul Ghaaba about Jad bin Qais, the father of Hazrat Abdullah^(ra), that some count him among the hypocrites. Also, that during the treaty at Hudaibiyyah people joined in a pledge of allegiance with the Holy Prophet^(sa), however he refrained from taking part. It is said that later he repented, and he died in the Khilafat of Hazrat Uthman^(ra). (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifati al-Sahaba, Vol. 1, p. 521, Jad bin Qais^(ra), Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2003)