(Friday Sermon - February 15, 2019 )

Background, Participation in Battles and Progeny

Hazrat Haritha bin Nu‘man’s^(ra) title was Abu Abdullah. He was an Ansari companion and belonged to the Banu Najjar clan of the Khazraj tribe. He participated alongside the Holy Prophet(sa) in all battles including the battles of Badr, Uhud and Khandaq. He is considered among the prominent companions. Hazrat Haritha’s mother was Jadah bint Ubaid. The children of Hazrat Haritha bin Nu‘man are as follows: Abdullah, Abdur Rahman, Saudah, Umrah and Umme Hisham. Their mother’s name was Umme Khalid. His other children include Umme Kulthum, whose mother belonged to the tribe of Banu Abdullah bin Ghatfan and Amatullah, whose mother belonged to the Banu Jundu tribe.

Incident With the Angel Gabriel^(as)

In a narration, Ibn Abbas relates that Hazrat Haritha bin Nu‘man passed by the Holy Prophet^(sa) and at the time, Gabriel^(as) was sitting beside him. In reference to this incident, there is a brief narration which is as follows:

“Hazrat Haritha bin Nu‘man^(ra) passed by the Holy Prophet and offered his Salam to which Gabriel replied, ‘Wa alaikumussalam.’”

However, a detailed narration of this incident is as follows:

“Hazrat Ibn Abbas relates that Hazrat Haritha bin Nu‘man^(ra) passed by the Holy Prophet^(sa) while Hazrat Gabriel^(as) was sitting beside him and the Holy Prophet^(sa) was speaking to him in a low voice. Hazrat Haritha^(ra) did not say Salam to the Holy Prophet^(sa) and Gabriel asked why he did not say Salam? Afterwards, the Holy Prophet^(sa) enquired from Haritha^(ra) “When you were passing by, why did you not say Salam?” He replied, ‘I saw a person beside you and you were speaking to him in a low voice. I did not deem it appropriate to interrupt your conversation,’ i.e. he did not want to cause the Holy Prophet^(sa) to divert his attention by saying Salam. The Holy Prophet^(sa) asked, ‘Did you see the person sitting beside me?” He replied in the affirmative. Upon this the Holy Prophet^(sa) said: “It was Gabriel^(as) and he said that had that person extended the greeting of Salam, he would have replied to his greeting. Following this, Gabriel^(as) said, ‘He is among those eighty individuals.’ The Holy Prophet^(sa) then asked Gabriel^(as) for the meaning of this to which Gabriel^(as) replied, “He is among those eighty individuals who remained steadfast alongside you during the Battle of Hunayn. The responsibility of providing for him and providing for his offspring in paradise lies with God Almighty.’”

Hence, the Holy Prophet^(sa) mentioned all of this to Hazrat Haritha^(ra).

Hazrat Aisha^(ra) relates that the Holy Prophet^(sa) had great respect and honour for Hazrat Haritha^(ra). Hazrat Aisha^(ra) has also spoken about him with regard to his excellent treatment towards his mother and the Holy Prophet^(sa) advised that everyone ought to follow his virtuous example.

Spending in the Way of Allah

Hazrat Haritha bin Nu‘man’s eye sight worsened gradually and towards his last years, he lost his sight. He had tied a rope from the praying area to the door of his room and he used to keep a basket full of dates with him. Whenever a poor person, someone in need or a guest would come to see him and say Salam, or whenever he considered someone to be in need, he would use that rope to walk from his prayer room to the door and give them some dates. His family members used to say to him that they could help him and carry it out on his behalf as his vision was worsening, and he did not need to burden himself. However, he used to say, “I heard from the Holy Prophet^(sa) that helping the needy safeguards a person from an evil death.”

It has been mentioned in a narration that Hazrat Haritha bin Nu‘man had a few houses which were situated close to the houses of the Holy Prophet^(sa). He owned several homes and properties in Medina and whenever there was a need, he would offer his properties to the Holy Prophet^(sa). (Al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra, Vol. 3, pp. 371-372, Haritha bin Nu’man^(ra), Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990) (Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 1, pp. 655-656, Haritha bin Nu’man(ra), Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2003)

In other words, whenever a need arose, for instance if there was a marriage, or for any other reason, he would offer his home, in fact he would donate it. When Hazrat Ali^(ra) married Hazrat Fatima^(ra), the Holy Prophet^(sa) instructed Hazrat Ali^(ra) to search for a separate house for himself. Therefore, Hazrat Ali^(ra) found a place of his own and settled there with Hazrat Fatima^(ra) after their marriage. Following this, the Holy Prophet^(sa) said to Hazrat Fatima^(ra), “I wish to bring you close to me.” That is, for her to move closer to the Holy Prophet^(sa).

Hazrat Fatima^(ra) suggested to the Holy Prophet^(sa) if he could ask Haritha bin Nu‘man to move elsewhere and they could move into his house. The Holy Prophet^(sa) replied, “Haritha^(ra) has moved for me on a number of occasions. He has some properties nearby and always vacates those properties for me. Therefore, I feel embarrassed to ask him to move again.” When Hazrat Haritha^(ra) heard this, he moved out of his house to a new property. He then came to the Holy Prophet^(sa) and stated, “O Messenger (sa) of Allah! I heard that you would like for Hazrat Fatima^(ra) to move close to you. These houses of mine are the closest to your home from amongst all the houses of the Banu Najjar. My wealth and I are all for the sake of Allah and His Messenger (sa). O Messenger (sa) of Allah, please take any wealth of mine that you wish. Whatever you leave for me will be dearer to me than any wealth.” The Holy Prophet^(sa) stated, “Indeed you have spoken the truth. May God shower his blessings upon you.” Hence, the Holy Prophet^(sa) asked Hazrat Fatima^(ra) to move into the house of Hazrat Haritha^(ra).” (Al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra, Vol. 8, pp. 18-19, Fatima bint Rasulillah(ra), Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990)

Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad^(ra) has written some further details to this incident in Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin [The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets]. He writes:

“Until now, Hazrat Ali^(ra) perhaps lived with the Holy Prophet^(sa) in an apartment built next to the mosque. However, a separate abode was now required, where husband and wife could reside after marriage. Therefore, the Holy Prophet^(sa) instructed Hazrat Ali^(ra) to find a place where both of them could reside. Hazrat Ali^(ra) temporarily arranged for a home and the rukhsatana [marriage] of Hazrat Fatima^(ra) took place. On the very same day, after the rukhsatana, the Holy Prophet^(sa) visited their new home and called for some water to be brought to him, prayed on it and then sprinkled it on both Hazrat Fatima^(ra) and Hazrat Ali^(ra), whilst repeating the following words:

اَللّٰھُمَّ بَارِکْ فِیْہِمَا وَبَارِکْ عَلَیْھِمَا وَبَارِکْ لَھُمَا نَسْلَھُمَا

Meaning, ‘O my Allah! Bless the mutual relations of both of them, and bless the relations of both which are built with others and bless their progeny.’” That is, he prayed for their mutual relations, their relations with their family members and the society at large. He prayed for their progeny to be blessed. “‘After this, the Holy Prophet^(sa) left the newly wedded couple alone and returned. Afterwards, one day, when the Holy Prophet^(sa) came to visit Hazrat Fatima^(ra), she submitted to the Holy Prophet^(sa) that Haritha bin Nu‘man Ansari^(ra) was in possession of a few homes, and asked if the Holy Prophet^(sa) would request him to vacate one of them. The Holy Prophet^(sa) said, ‘He has already vacated so many homes for our sake. Now I feel embarrassed requesting more of him.’ In some way or another, when Haritha^(ra) happened to find out about this, he came running to the Holy Prophet(sa) and submitted, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Everything I own belongs to you, my Master. By God, whatever you accept of me causes me greater joy than that which remains with me.’ Then, this faithful companion insisted and vacated one of his homes, and presented it to the Holy Prophet^(sa). After this, Hazrat Ali^(ra) and Hazrat Fatima^(ra) moved to this home.” (Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad^(ra), p. 456)

Modesty

Hazrat Aisha^(ra) narrates:

“On the day of Hunayn, the Holy Prophet^(sa) addressed the Companions and stated: ‘Who amongst you will be on watch at night?’ Hazrat Haritha bin Nu‘man^(ra) stood up slowly and calmly. It was not his habit to rush through anything. The Companions commented on the slow and relaxed manner in which he stood up stating: ‘His modesty has tainted his habits. He should have stood up quickly on this occasion.’ The Holy Prophet^(sa) stated: ‘Do not say such a thing, rather, it would be true to say that modesty has saved Haritha.’ (Al-muntaqa Min Kitab Makarim Al-Akhlaq lil-Khara’iti, p. 68, Bab Fadeelatil Hayaa Wa Jaseem Khatarahu, Hadith 127, Darul Fikr, Damascus, 1988).

Demise

Hazrat Haritha bin Nu‘man passed away during the rule of Hazrat Amir Muawiyyah. (Al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra, Vol. 3, p. 372, Haritha bin Nu’man(ra), Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990)