Part 45

Zaid bin Harithah & answered:

“Father, | am deeply moved by the praiseworthy qualities of the character of the Prophet %, and by the way he treats me with love and affection. I just cannot leave him and live anywhere else.”

“O family of the Quraish, be witness that this is my son and heir, and ] am his heir.”

The father and uncle of Zaid bin Harithah 4 were surprised to hear this announcement and happy too. They went home pleased with the outcome. From that day on Zaid bin Harithah came to be called Zaid bin Muhammad, until such time as the Verses of the Noble Qur’an_ were revealed in where Allah Almighty commanded in Surah Al-Ahzab:

“Call them after their fathers: that is more just in the sight of

Then once again he began to be called, Zaid bin Harithah . OOK

When Zaid bin Harithah & gave preference to the Prophet % over his parents no one knew what wealth was in store for him. He did not even know to what position Muhammad % was to be elevated. No one knew that one day Muhammad 4 would be the Guide for the whole world, and a Divine Order would be established on the soil of Saudi Arabia, which would then become the cradle of Justice, Peace and

Tranquillity. Neither did Zaid bin Harithah % know that he would have the honour of being the first brick in the grand edifice of Islam. Doubtless this is due to the beneficence of Allah. He bestows on whom He Pleases.

Only a few years had passed after Zaid bin Harithah & had opted to stay with the Prophet 3s rather than with his parents, when Allah nominated the latter to the position of His Divine Messenger. He was to preach the Doctrine of the Truth and Unity or Oneness of Allah. Zaid bin Harithah 4 was the extremely fortunate man who first pledged allegiance to Islam personally to the Prophet %, believing in him. He had this unique honour and was the confidant of the Prophet # and one of the first Commanders-in-Chief of the army of Islam. He also had the honour of being the vicegerent of the Prophet 3 on an occasion when he had gone out of Al-Madinah to fight in a war.

Just as Zaid bin Harithah 4 had shown a great love for the Prophet 35 overriding all other bonds, so also the Prophet 3 considered him a son and truly a member of his family. Whenever Zaid bin Harithah 4 left on a mission he would pray earnestly for his success and be very happy to see him return.

“When Zaid bin Harithah & returned to Al-Madinah after a journey, the Prophet # happened to be in my house. When he knocked on the door, the Prophet 3 quickly got up to answer. He found that it was Zaid at the door; he was overjoyed and hugged him warmly, kissed his forehead. By Allah! I had never seen him so excited in welcoming any other Companion.”

This is why Zaid bin Harithah # was known among the Muslims as ‘Beloved of the Messenger of Allah’ and the son of Zaid bin Harithah 4 was known among the Companions as ‘Son of Beloved of the Messenger of Allah’.

In the year 8 Hijrah, Allah saw it fit to make His Prophet suffer the loss of a very loyal and beloved Companion. The Prophet 3 had sent Harith bin ‘Umair with a letter for the Shah of Basrah, inviting him to accept Islam. When he reached a place called Motah on the border of Jordan, Amir Ghassan Sharjeel bin ‘Amr confronted him, and then captured him and killed him. The Prophet 3 heard this terrible news with anguish and grief. He appointed Zaid bin Harithah # Commander-in-Chief and sent an army of three thousand soldiers to Motah. He said if Zaid bin Harithah # was martyred, then Ja’far bin Abi Talib # should take over the Command. In case he too was martyred, ‘Abdullah bin Rawahah & should become the Commander. And in case he too was martyred, the Mujahideen should choose whoever they considered the best to lead them.

The army of Islam set out reciting the Name of Allah and reached the eastern city of Ma‘an in Jordan. The Emperor of Rome came to the battlefield with a hundred thousand men; another hundred thousand ‘mushrikeen’ of Arabia joined up with him. This huge army came forward arrogantly and confronted the Muslims.

The Muslims spent two nights at Ma’an consulting and planning what military strategy should be adopted under the circumstances. One Mujahid suggested that they should write to the Prophet # informing him about the huge numbers of the opposing army, and wait for his orders.

Another said, “By Allah we do not fight depending on our numbers, neither do we fight depending on our military strength. We are armed only for the defence and protection of our True Faith. My companions! Remember the purpose for which we set out towards the battlefield of Jihad. Allah has guaranteed one of two prizes for you; either you will be blessed with victory or you will be blessed with martyrdom.”

At Motah the two opposing forces came face to face. There were only three thousand soldiers in the army of Muslims and there were two hundred thousand soldiers in the enemy army, The Mujahideen fought so courageously in the battle that the enemy panicked and was overcome.

He replied, “These are the tears of a beloved for a beloved.” In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

“Come back to your Lord - well-pleased (yourself) and wellpleasing (unto Him).” (89: 28)

Jareer bin ‘Abdullah bin Jabir 2 Prophet = supplicate for Jareer bin ‘Abdullah:

“O Allah % please grant Jareer bin ‘Abdullah the ability to sit firmly on his horse, and make him a righteous leader who will guide others to the straight path.”

Jareer bin ‘Abdullah bin Jabir 2

Jareer bin ‘Abdullah bin Jabir was a popular leader of the tribe of Bajeelah. He was a tall handsome and attractive man, and had a radiant face. This was his physical appearance; but by nature he was no less pleasing. He was a courteous, polite man with a superb command of the language and was soft-spoken yet eloquent. Considering all these wonderful traits of character, ‘Umar Faroog had given him the title of ‘A second Yusuf’

The Prophet %, in his Friday sermon, spoke of him in such a charming manner that everyone started to look at him enviously. This was at the time that he arrived at Al-Madinah and entered the mosque of the Prophet 3% to pledge allegiance to Islam.

Imam Ahmed in his Masnad describes the incident in the words of Jareer bin ‘Abdullah bin Jabir 2 himself. He narrates:

“My trusted friends! A prince of Yemen will soon come in your midst, he will have an impressive regal look and dignity about him.”

My happiness knew no bounds when I heard these highly complimentary words used by the Prophet # for me. Doubtless this was a great honour coming as it did from the Prophet 3% himself. My heart seemed to sing and my face turned pink with pleasure and for the first time in my life 1 seemed to have found real happiness and peace. After the Friday prayers we presented ourselves before the Prophet %. He expressed his pleasure at seeing us so well dressed and spreading out his cloak for me asked me to be seated. He said,

“When a person from another tribe, deserving of respect comes to visit you, you must treat him with deference.”

Once my friends and I had settled down, he asked me affectionately, ’ How did you happen to come? We answered respectfully.

“O Messenger of Allah 38, we have come into your presence to pledge allegiance to Islam. We will be very fortunate indeed if we are blessed with the bounty of Islam.”

On hearing our request his face lit up. He told me:

“Come and swear the oath of allegiance to me and promise with all your heart and soul that there is no other worthy of worship but the One True Allah. And also acknowledge that I am the true Prophet sent by Allah. Besides this, you will have to offer the obligatory prayers regularly; paying ‘zakah’ or the poor dues is a must and you must fast during the month of Ramadhan. If you can afford it you have to perform the ‘Hajj’. You must wish well for all Muslims and behave sympathetically towards them. Remember the Allah has no Mercy on him who has no mercy on others. Co-operate with the person who has been appointed your leader or Amir, and obey him even if he is from a weaker tribe’”