(Friday Sermon - November 23, 2018 )

Background

Hazrat Sinan^(ra) bin Abi Sinan belonged to the tribe of Banu Asad and was a confederate of the Banu Abdi Shams. He participated in the Battle of Badr. He also accompanied the Holy Prophet^(sa) in all of the battles, including Uhud, Khandaq and [the treaty of] Hudaibiya.

There are varying opinions as to who performed the first Bai‘at [oath of allegiance] during the Bai‘at-e-Rizwan. According to some it was Hazrat Abdullah^(ra) bin Umar who performed the Bai‘at, whilst others have mentioned the name of Hazrat Salma^(ra) bin al-Akwa instead. However, according to Waqidi it was Hazrat Sinan^(ra) bin Abi Sinan who was the first to perform the Bai‘at. Other people are of the opinion that it was the father of Hazrat Sinan^(ra) who had the honour of performing the first Bai‘at. In any case, it is recorded in history that at the occasion of the Bai‘at-e-Rizwan, the Holy Prophet^(sa) started taking the Bai‘at, Hazrat Sinan^(ra) also extended his hand to perform the Bai‘at. Upon this, the Holy Prophet^(sa) asked, “For what reason do you make your pledge?” Hazrat Sinan^(ra) replied, “Whatever is in your heart.” Upon this, the Holy Prophet^(sa) said, “Are you aware of what is in my heart?” Being in the company of the Holy Prophet^(sa) had a profound effect on the Companions and hence he replied, “[You have intended] to attain victory or martyrdom.” Hearing this, other people also started to say that they pledged their allegiance on the same terms as Hazrat Sinan^(ra). (Raud al-Anf, Vol. 4, p. 62, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut) (al-Sira al-Halbiyyah, Vol. 3, p. 326, Bab Dhikr Maghaziyah, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2002) (al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 69, Sinan bin Abi Sinan wa min Hulafa Bani Abdi Shams, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990) (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifati al-Sahaba, Vol. 3, p. 561, Sinan bin Abi Sinan, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2003)

Hazrat Sinan^(ra) was a prominent Muhajir companion, [the Muslims of Mecca who migrated to Medina]. (Sirat Ibn Katheer, p. 280, Asmaa Ahli Badr, Harf al-Seen, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2005) (Tarikh al-Islam Wa Wafiyyaat al-Mashaheer Wa al-A’laam, Vol. 3, p. 371, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Arabi, Beirut, 1993, Maktabah al-Shamilah)

When Tulaiha bin Khuwailid claimed prophethood, Hazrat Sinan^(ra) – who at the time was the governor of Banu Maalik – was the first person to inform the Holy Prophet^(sa) through writing. (Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 3, p. 245, Sanah Ihdaa Asharah, Dar al-Fikr, Beirut, 2002)