(Friday Sermon - May 11, 2018 )

Background

He was from the Khazraj tribe and the family of Banu Ghanam Bin Auf. He had a daughter named Furiya. (At-Tabaqat Al-Kubra, Vol. 3, p.282, Malik bin Dukhshum, Dar Ihya At-Turath Al-Arabi, 1996, Beirut).

The scholars dispute whether Hazrat Malik bin Dukhshum took part in the Baiat of Uqba or not. According to Ibn Ishaq and Musa bin Utba, he was a part of it. In any case, the difference of opinions amongst the scholars continues. Hazrat Malik took part in the Battle of Badr, Khandak and all other battles alongside the Holy Prophet^(sa). (Al-Isti‘ab, Vol. 3, pp.405-406, Malik bin Dukhshum, Darul Kutub-ul-Ilmiya, 2002, Beirut)

Battle of Badr

Suhail bin Amr was amongst the senior and respected leaders of the Quraish. He was part of the Battle of Badr on the side of the idolaters and was captured by Hazrat Malik bin Dhuhshum^(ra).

The traditions mention that Amir bin Sa’d^(ra) narrates from his father, Hazrat Sa’d bin Abi Waqas^(ra), “On the day of the Battle of Badr, I fired an arrow at Suhail bin Amr which pierced through one of his arteries. I followed the trail of blood and I saw that Hazrat Malik bin Dukhshum^(ra) was holding him by the hair on his forehead. I said this is my prisoner as I fired the arrow at him, however Hazrat Malik said this is my prisoner as I have seized him. They both took Suhail before the Holy Prophet^(sa), who took Suhail from both of them however at Roha, Suhail escaped from the grasp of Hazrat Malik bin Dukhshum^(ra). Hazrat Malik called out loudly among the people and set out to find him. The Holy Prophet^(sa) said whoever finds him should kill him.”

(This is because he had come to wage war against the Muslims and escaped as a prisoner and therefore he was a threat of danger if he reappeared. Nevertheless, he was a prisoner of war and thus this instruction was given.)

“However, since he was destined to survive. And so, instead of anyone else finding him, Suhail bin Amr was in the end found by the Holy Prophet^(ra). Since he was found by the Holy Prophet^(sa), he did not kill him.”

This is the lofty example set by the Holy Prophet^(sa) and serves a rebuttal to those unjust people who allege that the Holy Prophet^(sa) committed injustices and caused bloodshed. Despite encountering the individual about whom the death penalty had been ordained, he still did not kill him. According to one narration, “The Holy Prophet^(sa) found Suhail amongst the acacia trees. The Holy Prophet^(sa) instructed to tie him up and so his hands were tied with his neck. In other words, he was imprisoned.” (Tarikh-e-Dimashkh Li-ibn-e-Asaqar, Vol. 12, p. 333, Suhail bin Amr bin Abdu Shams, Dar Ihya At-Turath Al-Arabi, Beirut).

The declaration of the Kalima: a misconception removed

There is a Hadith in Sahih Al-Bukhari narrated by Hazrat Itban bin Malik^(ra), who was among those Ansari Companions who fought in the Battle of Badr, in which he stated that he went to see the Holy Prophet^(sa) and said, “O Messenger of Allah! My eyesight has weakened significantly. I usually lead the prayers for my people. When it rains heavily the path between my place of residence and the mosque becomes flooded and I cannot lead the prayer. It is my wish O Messenger of Allah^(sa) that you come to my home and offer your prayers here, after which I will turn my house into a mosque.”

The Holy Prophet^(sa) replied, “Insha-Allah [God willing] I will come.” He then said, “One morning, the Holy Prophet^(sa) and Hazrat Abu Bakr^(ra) came to my home after sunrise. Upon reaching the door, the Holy Prophet^(sa) requested permission to enter. I permitted them to enter. When the Holy Prophet^(sa) entered the home he did not sit down, rather he asked, ‘Which part of the house do you wish for me to offer prayers?’ I pointed to a corner of the house where I wished for him to offer prayers. The Holy Prophet^(sa) stood up for prayer and said ‘Allahu Akbar’.  We stood forming a row for the prayers. He led two units of prayer and then offered the salaam [signalling the end of prayer].”

The narrator then says, “I offered him Khazeerah (a dish prepared from meat and flour or bread) due to this the Holy Prophet^(sa) stayed a while longer.”

The narrator further states, “Some other residents of the area also gathered together in the house. One of them said, ‘Where is Malik bin Dukhshum?’ One of them replied, ‘He is a hypocrite and has no love for Allah nor His Messenger^(sa).’” As he lived nearby, perhaps he said this because he did not attend the gathering. Upon hearing this, the Holy Prophet^(sa) said:

“Do not say this. Do you not see that he professes the Islamic creed of La Ilaha Illallah [There is none worthy of worship except Allah] in the hope of attaining the pleasure of God?” The one who said the aforementioned statement then said, “God and His Messenger^(sa) know best.

“He then said:

“We only see him showing his attention and compassion towards the hypocrites.” (Perhaps due to his kind nature, he wished to spread the message to the hypocrites and thus through this he would bring them closer to Islam. That is why he had compassion for them and owing to this, a misunderstanding developed within some of the companions.)

The Holy Prophet^(sa) then said, “Verily God Almighty will forbid the fire to touch that individual who declares La Ilaha Illallah, on the condition that it is pronounced keeping the pleasure of God in mind”. (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Salat, Baab Al-Masajid Fi Al-Buyut, Hadith: 425).

This is the response to all the so-called scholars who brandish the edict of kufr [disbelief] and with regards to Ahmadis they commit atrocities. It is the edicts of these so-called scholars that have destroyed the peace within the Muslim countries.

At present, in Pakistan there is an organisation by the name Labbaik Ya Rasulallah. They raise many slogans, but the real meaning of Labbaik Ya Rasulallah would be to act on this saying of the Holy Prophet^(sa) and refrain from labelling anyone a “non-Muslim” who attests to La Ilaha Illallah. God Almighty has made the fire [of Hell] forbidden for that individual who affirms this keeping the Will of God in mind. These people say that we do not pronounce this declaration keeping the Will of God in mind. Do these people know what is concealed in the hearts more than the Holy Prophet^(sa)? May God Almighty protect the people from this organisation.

In another narration it is stated that Hazrat Itban bin Malik^(ra) said to the Holy Prophet^(sa) that Hazrat Malik bin Dukhshum^(ra) is a hypocrite. To this the Holy Prophet^(sa) said, “Does he not profess La Ilaha Illallah?” Itban replied, “Indeed he does, however his profession is not genuine”. The Holy Prophet^(sa) then asked, “Does he not offer his prayers?” He replied, “Indeed he does, however it cannot be deemed as prayers.” (Perhaps in those days there were certain people who were of stern nature, the likes of which we see among the religious clerics today). The Holy Prophet^(sa) then said, “It is such people about whom God Almighty has stopped me from passing any sort of judgement.” (Usdul Ghaaba, Vol. 4, p.230, Malik bin Dukhshum, Darul-Fikr, 2003, Beirut).

Only God Almighty knows what is concealed in the hearts. God Almighty stopped the Holy Prophet^(sa) from passing any judgement, however, these scholars seem to have a licence to commit all sorts of atrocities in God’s name, especially the clerics of Pakistan.

Hazrat Anas bin Malik^(ra) relates that Hazrat Malik bin Dukhshum^(ra) was slandered in front of the Holy Prophet^(sa) who then said,

لَا تَسُبُّوْا اَصْحَابِيْ

Meaning, “Do not insult and malign my companions.” (Al-Isti‘ab, Vol. 3, pg.406, Malik bin Dukhshum, Darul Kutub-ul-Ilmiya, 2002, Beirut).

Masjid Zarar

On the way back from the Battle of Tabuk, the Holy Prophet^(sa) stopped near Medina at a place called Ze’awan. During this stay, the Holy Prophet^(sa) was informed about Masjid Al-Zarar through revelation. The Holy Prophet^(sa) called for Hazrat Malik bin Dukhshum^(ra) and Hazrat Ma’an bin Adi^(ra) and ordered them to go towards Masjid Al-Zarar.

Hazrat Malik bin Dukhshum^(ra) and Hazrat Ma’an bin Adi^(ra) went to the Banu Salim tribe, which was the tribe of Hazrat Malik bin Dukhshum^(ra). Hazrat Malik bin Dahsham^(ra) said to Hazrat Ma’an^(ra) to wait for him to bring something with which he could light a fire with. He went home and brought a dried date palm branch lit on fire. They then went towards Masjid Al-Zarar and, according to narrations, they arrived between Maghrib and Isha prayers. They set it alight and it burned to the ground. (Sharah Al-Zarqani, Vol.4, pp.97-98, Ghazwa-e-Tabuk, Darul Kutub-ul-Ilmiya, 1996, Beirut).

Thus, we should not be making assertions about Companions^(ra) based on ill suspicion. It was assumed that perhaps he deviated from the right path to the extent that he was accused of being a hypocrite. However, later he became the one who destroyed the centre of the hypocrites under the instructions of God Almighty.