Background and Participation in Battles
Hazrat Malik bin Rabi‘ah is better known as Abu Usaid. Some have said his name was Bilal bin Rabi‘ah. He belonged to the Banu Sa‘da branch of the Khazraj tribe. (Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 5, p. 13, Abu Usaid Al-Asa’idi(ra), Printed in Darul Fikr, Beirut 2003) (Al-Isabatu Fi Tamyiz Al-Sahaba, Vol. 5, p. 535, Printed in Darul Kutub Al-Ilmiyya, Beirut)
Hazrat Abu Usaid Malik bin Rabi‘ah was of a short stature. His hair and his beard had turned grey but had a full set of hair. In his old age he lost his eyesight and died in 60 Hijri, during the time of Muawiyyah at the age of 75. He was the last person among the Ansar to pass away who had participated in the Battle of Badr. (Al-Isabatu fi Tamyiz Al-Sahabah, Vol. 5, p. 536, Printed in Darul Kutub Al’Ilmiyyah, Beirut) (Usdul Ghabah, Vol. 5, p. 22, Malik bin Rabi‘ah(ra), Printed in Darul Fikr, Beirut 2003)
Hazrat Abu Usaid accompanied the Holy Prophet(sa) in the Battles of Badr; Uhud; Khandaq [The Battle of the Trench] and later battles. He carried the standard of Banu Sa‘da at the time of the conquest of Mecca. (Al-Tabaqat Al-Kubra, Vol. 3, p. 286, Abu Usaid Al-Sa‘idi, Dar Ihyaa Al-Turath Al-Arabi, Beirut, 1996)
Wedding
According to Hazrat Sahl bin Sa‘d, Hazrat Abu Usaid invited the Holy Prophet(sa) to attend his wedding. On the day of the wedding, his wife-to-be was serving in the house of the Holy Prophet(sa) and was later to become bride for that wedding. It was a simple occasion and the bride was cooking and serving the guests herself. Hazrat Sahl says: “Do you know what he offered the Holy Prophet(sa) to drink?” (It was his style to ask the question and then answer it himself). She put some dates in water in a cup the night before and offered this juice to the Holy Prophet(sa) when he finished eating. (Sahih Muslim, Kitabul Ashribah, Chapter “Ibahatul Nabidh alladhi lam yashtaddu wa lam yasir muskiran”)
The Holy Prophet(sa) On Separating a Child From Its Mother
Once some prisoners were brought to the Holy Prophet(sa). He found a woman among them who was crying. The Holy Prophet(sa) asked her why she was crying. She said that [her captor] had taken her son and sold him to the Banu Ubbais. The Holy Prophet(sa) summoned her captor and discovered that it was Hazrat Abu Usaid Sa‘di. When the Holy Prophet(sa) asked him if had separated the mother from her son, he said the child was unable to walk and the woman could not carry him, that was why he had sold him to Banu Abbas. The Holy Prophet(sa) ordered him to bring back the child. Thus, Abu Usaid himself brought the child back and returned him to his mother. (Sharful Mustafa, Vol. 4, p. 400, Jamia Abwab Sifat Akhlaqihi wa Aadaabihi, Hadith 1649, Printed in Darul Bashair Al-Islamiyyah Mecca, 2003)
The Holy Prophet(sa) said that a mother, no matter if she is a free woman or a slave, cannot be separated from her child even if she is incapable [of looking after him].
The Holy Prophet(sa)‘s Horse and Camel
The Holy Prophet(sa) once held a camel and horse race. His own camel, which was ridden by Hazrat Bilal(ra) won the race. Similarly, during a horse race, the Holy Prophet’s horse, which was ridden by Abu Usaid Sa‘idi left all others behind. (Imta‘ul Asma‘, Vol. 1, p. 212, Himayat Al-Naqi‘ li Khail Al-Muslimeen, Darul Kutub Al-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1999)
The Naming of Munzir bin Usaid
Hazrat Sahl says that Abu Usaid brought his new born son – Munzir bin Usaid – to the Holy Prophet(sa) who sat the baby down on his thigh. Abu Usaid also sat down in the gathering. A short while later, the Holy Prophet(sa) became occupied in something else and left (He did not leave, in fact he became preoccupied with other work whilst seated in the same gathering). People picked up the baby from him. When the Holy Prophet(sa) had finished his work, he enquired as to the whereabouts of the baby. Hazrat Abu Usaid said that they had sent him away. The Holy Prophet(sa) asked what he had named the baby. Hazrat Usaid told him such and such name, the Holy Prophet(sa) said, “No, he is to be given the name Munzir.” Thus, the Holy Prophet(sa) named him Munzir. (Sahih Bukhari, Kitabul Adab, Chapter “Tahweel Al-Ism ila Ism Ahsan minhu”, Hadith 6191)
Commentators of the Ahadith have said that Abu Usaid had a cousin by the name of Munzir bin Amr who was martyred in Bi‘r-e-Ma‘unah. The reason for naming the baby Munzir was in the hope that he may prove to be a good successor for his namesake. (Fathul Bari Sharh Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitabul Maghazi, Vol. 7, p. 497, Hadith 4094, Old Print from Kutub Khana Aram Bagh, Karachi)
Vision Loss
Hazrat Sulaiman bin Yassar narrates that prior to the martyrdom of Hazrat Uthman, Hazrat Abu Usaid Sa‘di lost his vision and his eyes were permanently damaged. Hence, upon this he used to say “I thank Allah for granting me the faculty of sight during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet(sa) and for enabling me to witness all of these blessings. Furthermore, when Allah the Exalted desired to put people through trials, he took my sight from me and I lost my vision so that I will not have to witness these terrible circumstances.” (Al-Mustadrak ‘ala Al-Sahihain, Vol. 3, p. 591, Book “Ma‘rifat Al-Sahabah”, Hadith 6198, Printed in Darul Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Bierut, 2002)
Childhood Memory of Hazrat Uthman bin Ubaidullah
Hazrat Uthman bin Ubaidullah, who was the freed slave of Hazrat Sa‘d bin Abi Waqas, narrates: “I have seen Hazrat Ibn Umar, Hazrat Abu Hurairah, Hazrat Abu Qatada and Hazrat Abu Usaid Sa‘di. These people would pass by us while we were in school [receiving education] and we could smell the fragrance of Abeer emanate from them.” This fragrance is created from a mixture of saffron and various other things. (Author Ibn Abi Shaibah, Vol. 6, p. 216, Kitabul Adab, Chapter “Ma yustahabbu lirrijaal an yujada rihuhu minhu”, Dar Al-Tafkir, Beirut)
Distribution of Alms
Marwan bin al Hakam used to appoint Hazrat Abu Usaid Sa‘di for the collection and distribution of charity. When Hazrat Abu Usaid Sa‘di would come to his door, he would make his camel sit down and give him everything for the distribution. The last item he would give was the whip and whilst doing so, he would say that this is from your share. Once, Hazrat Abu Usaid came in order to distribute the Zakat [alms]. He left after having distributed everything. He went home, fell asleep and saw in a dream that a snake had wrapped itself around his neck. He woke up perturbed by the dream and asked a female servant or his wife if there was anything left behind from the sum that he was given in order to distribute? She said no. Hazrat Abu Usaid replied that why then did the snake wrap itself around my neck? Go and take a look. Perhaps something is left behind. When she went to take a look, she said that indeed, there is a rope to tie the camel with, which was also used to tie a small bag [for distribution]. Hence, Hazrat Abu Usaid went and returned this rope as well. (Sha‘bul Iman lil Bayhaqi, Vol. 5, p. 167, Hadith 3247, Maktabatul Rushd, Nashirun Riyadh, 2003)
Allah the Exalted desired to enable these companions to tread on the subtlest paths of righteousness and uphold and fulfil the highest standards of returning the trusts that they were entrusted with. This is the reason they received guidance even in their dreams.
The Esteemed Tribes of the Ansar
Ammarah bin Radhiya narrates this statement of his father that some youths asked Hazrat Abu Usaid about the excellences the Holy Prophet(sa) had mentioned about the Ansar [Muslims native to Medina]. Upon this, he said that he heard the Holy Prophet(sa) say that from among the tribes of the Ansar, the best households were those of Banu Najjar, then Banu Abdul Ash‘al, then Banu Harith bin Khazraj and then Banu Sa‘da. Furthermore, every household of the Ansar is filled with virtue. Upon this, Hazrat Abu Usaid used to say that if he was to accept anything but the truth, he would have started with a household from among the Banu Sa‘da. (Al-Mustadrak ‘ala Al-Sahihain, Vol. 3, p. 592, Kitab Ma‘rifat Al-Sahabah, Hadith 6194, Printed in Darul Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Bierut, 2002)
Incident From a Marriage of the Holy Prophet(sa)
With reference to an incident in history, Hazrat Musleh Maud(ra) has stated on one occasion that when Arabia was conquered and Islam began to spread, there was a lady from the tribe of Qinda, who whose name was Asmaa or Umaima, who was also called Jaunia or Bint-ul-Jaun. Her brother, Luqman, came to the Holy Prophet(sa) as a representative of his tribe. On that occasion he also expressed his desire for his sister’s hand to be given in marriage to the Holy Prophet(sa). He made the request directly to the Holy Prophet(sa) saying: “My sister, who was previously married to a relative, is now widowed. She is very beautiful and intelligent. Please accept her proposal of marriage.” As the Holy Prophet(sa) desired to unite the tribes of Arabia, he accepted this request of his and said that the nikah [marriage ceremony] should be announced on the basis of twelve and a half ounces of silver [as her dowry]. He said, “O Prophet of Allah(sa)! We are counted amongst the honourable families and chiefs of my people. This dowry is too low.” The Holy Prophet(sa) replied, “I have not set a higher dowry for any of my wives, nor any of my daughters.” Once he expressed his satisfaction, the nikah [marriage ceremony] was announced. Furthermore, he requested the Holy Prophet(sa) to send a person in order to pick her up. The Holy Prophet(sa) appointed Abu Usaid for this task. He went there. Jaunia invited him to her home upon which Hazrat Usaid said that the wives of the Holy Prophet(sa) have been instructed to observe the veil. Upon this, she inquired about further guidance, which he imparted to her. He brought her to Medina on a camel and settled her in a house, which was surrounded by date palms. The relatives of this lady sent her wet-nurse along with her.
Hazrat Musleh Maud(ra) writes “In our countries, affluent and people of a higher status used to send female maids along with them. This is no longer the custom nowadays. However, it used to be like this in the older days so that she [the bride] would not feel any form of discomfort or problem. As this lady, who was married to the Holy Prophet(sa), or whose brother proposed and desired for her to get married and was eventually married [to the Holy Prophet(sa)], was known for her beauty and as is customary that the women of the local area wish to meet a new bride in the area, the women of Medina also went to see her. This lady was known for her beauty and according to her own testimony, another lady had taught her to impose her authority and dignity from the very first day. She was told that when the Holy Prophet(sa) approaches, she should say ‘I seek Allah’s protection from you.’ In this manner, he will become fonder of you.”
Hazrat Musleh Maud(ra) writes that if this was not a fabrication of this lady, it is very possible that a hypocrite schemed this mischief through his wife or another relative. Nevertheless, when the Holy Prophet(sa) received the news of her arrival, he went to the house which was designated for her. In the Ahadith [sayings of the Holy Prophet(sa)] it is written that when the Holy Prophet(sa) approached her he said to her, “Offer yourself to me [in marriage].” Upon this she replied, “Does a queen offer herself to ordinary men?” Abu Usaid says that as the Holy Prophet(sa) thought that she was nervous due to not being familiar with him, he placed his hand on her in order to comfort her. As soon as he placed his hand on her, she uttered these utmost abhorrent and irrational words that “I seek Allah’s protection from you.”
Hazrat Musleh Maud(ra) states, “As a prophet becomes humbled when he hears the name of God the Exalted and is awestruck by His magnificence, the Holy Prophet(sa) immediately said upon hearing her words ‘You have sought refuge and protection of the Highest Being, Who grants protection in great abundance. Therefore, I accept your request.’ Hence, the Holy Prophet(sa) immediately came out of the house and said ‘O Abu Usaid! Give her two pieces of cloth and send her to her family.’ Hence, following that, apart from her dowry, the Holy Prophet(sa) instructed to give her two sheets as a gesture of kindness. In accordance with the commandment of the Holy Quran of, ‘Do not forget to do good to one another’ (Surah Al-Baqarah: V. 238), the Holy Prophet(sa) gave more and expressed his kindness.”
Hazrat Musleh Maud(ra) then says: “This [verse] is in relation to women, who are divorced without having consummated the marriage. The Holy Prophet(sa) sent her away and Abu Usaid brought her to her home. This matter was very burdensome for the people of her tribe and they scolded her. However, she continued to reply that it was her ill fortune. At times, she even said that she was deceived and told that when the Holy Prophet(sa) approached her, she should step aside and express a sense of dislike. In this manner she would impose her rank and dignity on him. Whether this was the reason or something else, she expressed a sense of dislike and the Holy Prophet(sa) separated himself from her and sent her away.” (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 2, P533-535, Tafsir Surah Al-Baqarah, V. 228)
This entire incident is sufficient as a reply to the allegations that are raised against the Holy Prophet(sa) in relation to his wives and that, God forbid, he was keen of beautiful women. Hazrat Abu Usaid used to say that whenever something was requested from the Holy Prophet(sa), he never rejected or declined. (Majma‘ Al-Zaw‘id, Vol. 8, p. 409, Kitab Alamat Al-Nubuwwah, Chapter “Fi Judihi”, Hadith 14179, Darul Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Bierut, 2001)