(Friday Sermon - November 30, 2018 )

Background

Hazrat Qais bin Abi Sa‘sa was an Ansari [inhabitant of Medina]. The father of Hazrat Qais was Amr bin Zaid, however he was more commonly known by the title of Abu Sa‘sa. Hazrat Qais’ mother’s name was Shaibah bint Asim. Hazrat Qais participated in the Bai‘at that took place at Aqabah along with seventy Ansar. He also had the honour of participating in the Battles of Badr and Uhud. (al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra, Vol. 3, p. 392, Qais bin Abi Sa’sa, Dar-ul-Kutb al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990).

When the Holy Prophet^(sa) departed for the Battle of Badr, he, along with his army, camped at Buyut as-Suqya, located on the outskirts of Medina. Some minors, eager to accompany the Holy Prophet^(sa), who had also come along, were sent back from there. Then the Holy Prophet^(sa) ordered his companions to fetch water from the well at Suqya. He drank from its water and then offered the prayer near the houses of Suqya. When departing from Suqya, the Holy Prophet^(sa) ordered Hazrat Qais bin Abi Sa‘sa to take a count of the Muslims. At that occasion he was also appointed to oversee the arrangements for water. After that, the Holy Prophet^(sa) himself stayed near the well at Bir-e-Abi Inaba, located at about 2.5 kilometres from the Prophet’s Mosque. Upon receiving the instruction from the Holy Prophet^(sa) to count the number of people, Hazrat Qais counted them and submitted to the Messenger^(sa) of Allah that their number was 313. The Holy Prophet^(sa) was pleased to hear this number and said that the companions of Talut also numbered the same.

According to the note written with regard to Suqya, it was located about two kilometres from the Prophet’s Mosque. Its previous name was Husaiqa. Hazrat Khallad^(ra) narrates that the Holy Prophet^(sa) changed its name from Husaiqa to Suqya. He states, “I wished to purchase Suqya but Hazrat Sa‘d bin Waqas had already bought it in return for two camels.” According to some, he bought it for seven Auqiyah i.e. 280 Dirhams. When this was mentioned to the Holy Prophet^(sa), he said his trade was very profitable. (al-Sira al-Nabawaiyyah Ala’ Zou al-Quran Wa al-Sina, Vol. 2, p. 124, Maktabah Shamilah) (Subl-ul-Huda Wa al-Rishad, Vol. 4, p. 23 & 25, Dar-ul-Kutb al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1993) (Yaum-ul-Furqan Israr Ghazwah-e-Badr, Dr Mustapha Hasn al-Badwi, p. 124, Dar-ul-Minhaj, Beriut, 2015) (Imta-ul-Isma’, Vol. 8, p. 341, Dar-ul-Kutb al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1999), (Kitab-ul-Maghazi Li-al-Waqadi, Vol. 1, pp. 37-38, Dar-ul-Kutb al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2013)

The Holy Prophet’s^(sa) Advice on Completing the Holy Quran

Similarly, during the Battle of Badr, the Holy Prophet^(sa) appointed him as the leader of the Saaqah. Saaqah is a part of the army that follows behind for protection. On one occasion, he said to the Holy Prophet^(sa), “O Prophet^(sa) of Allah! In how many days should I complete the recitation of the entire Quran?” The Holy Prophet^(sa) replied, “In fifteen nights.” Hazrat Qais^(ra) said, “I find myself capable of doing more than this.” Upon this, the Holy Prophet^(sa) said, “You may complete it in the duration of one Friday to the next.” To this, he said, “I find myself capable of doing even more than this.” Following this, he recited the Holy Quran in this very manner for a long time. He continued with this practise till he grew old and had to cover his eyes with a piece of cloth. He then began to complete the recitation of the entire Quran in fifteen days. At that time, he used to say, “If only I had accepted the concession granted by the Holy Prophet^(sa).” (Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 4, p. 408, Qais bin Abi Sa’sa, Dar-ul-Kutb al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2003) (Taj-ul-Aroos).

Family and Progeny

Hazrat Qais had two children, Alfakeh and Umme Harith. They were both born to Amama bint Mu‘az. The progeny and offspring of Hazrat Qais^(ra) did not continue further. Hazrat Qais^(ra) had three brothers, all of whom had the blessed opportunity of spending time in the company of the Holy Prophet^(sa). However, they were unable to participate in the Battle of Badr. From among them, Hazrat Harith^(ra) was martyred in the Battle of Yamama and Hazrat Abu Kilaab^(ra) and Hazrat Jabir^(ra) bin Abi Sa‘sa were martyred in the Battle of Mautah. (al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra, Vol. 3, p. 392, Qais bin Abi Sa’sa, Dar-ul-Kutb al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990).