Part 55

“There is no one here except you and me; now you can tell me freely what it is you wish to say.”

was in total darkness. He said:

“Now tell me what you wish to say. There is no need to feel shy or embarrassed. You cannot even see my face now, so why are you feeling nervous?”

Finally, with great difficulty, the scholar said,

“We are starving since many days and nights. I was too ashamed to ask you for assistance and to talk about our helplessness to you.”

“Please meet the officer of the treasury and your work will be done.”

When morning came the scholar went to the treasury and met the officer. He told him that he had received orders from the governor to give him something and asked him if he could bring some man to carry his things for him. The scholar answered that he did not have any such man and went home to his wife and scolded her, saying that the governor must have instructed his officer to provide him with some foodstuff. If he was planning to give him some money why would he need a man to carry it?

His wife told him:

“Don’t worry whatever we get will be by the will of Allah and we should submit to His Decision. Insha’ Allah, He will Provide for us. Since we are hungry even a bag of flour should be acceptable to us.”

But the scholar refused to go to the treasury a second time.

Some time later the official from the treasury came to his house and told him:

“T told the Governor that you did not have anybody to help you. So he told me to take three slaves and place three bags containing ten thousand dirhams each on their heads and reach these to your house personally. So please accept this gift from the governor. These three slaves are also gifted to you, and they will serve you.”

When the scholar saw this treatment meted out by the governor, Sa‘eed bin Al-’Aas 3, to a scholar of religion, he was overwhelmed.

“I am weeping because | am wondering how the earth will feel receiving such a generous and good man when he dies; how will the earth feel like feeding on you. You seem to me to be the incarnation of a great angel.”

Sufyan bin ‘Ainiyah narrates that when any person approached Sa’eed bin Al-‘Aas . for money, and he did not have any money on him, he would write a note and give it to the man. He would tell him to keep the note and bring it to him when he had money and claim it from him. Thus he became indebted for a very large sum. Asa result his son, ‘Amr bin Sa’eed bin Al-’ Aas, had to sell his palace in order to pay off his debts. When he was on his death-bed he sent for his son, Amr 4%, and told him to go to Amir Mu‘awiyah after his burial and give him the news of his death. If Amir Mu‘awiyah 4 offered to pay off his debts, he should not accept the offer. If he, ‘Amr 4, did not have enough money he should sell his palace in order to pay off the debts,

When Sa’eed bin Al-’Aas .# passed away he was buried in JannatulBaqi’. His son in accordance with his last will, announced:

“If my father owes any money to anyone, please come and collect it from me.”

After the burial, the obedient son set out for Syria; upon reaching there, he informed Amir Mu’awiyah 4 about the passing away of his father.

Amir Mu’awiyah 4 was grieved to hear this news and asked if Sa’eed bin Al-Aas # had any debts. ‘Amr -% answered that his father did owe money to people. Amir Mu’awiyah asked him, how much? ‘Amr - replied that his debts were to the tune of three hundred thousand dirhams.

Amir Mu’awiyah - wanted to lake over the responsibility of the debts. ‘Amr # refused saying that his father’s last wish was that if he made such an offer it should not be accepted. However, he said, if he wished to buy the palace for the amount of three hundred thousand dirhams then he would be able to sell it to him and pay off his father’s debts.

Amir Mu’awiyah bought the palace for the said amount and sent it to Al-Madinah. The son then distributed the money to the debtors.

Among the debtors was a destitute and wretched person. He was carrying slap for twenty thousand dirhams. The son was really amazed to seeing, how his father owed this beggar such a huge amount. Then the beggar told him, One day I started walking along with your father on the street. He asked me:

“Why are you walking with me?” T answered:

“I am a poor and destitute man. Having heard stories of your philanthropy and generosity { have come to ask for your help, so that I can be free of my needs. | depend on your generous nature to relieve my distress and do not think that you will disappoint me.”

Hearing this he said: “At present I do not have anything with me.”

Then he wrote a promissory note for twenty thousand dirhams and handed it to me, saying that you could collect the amount a few days later from him. This is how I have come to claim the amount of twenty thousand dirhams from you,

After hearing the poor beggar’s story the obedient son handed him the promised amount.

It was a great era in human history when people were so generous and their sons and heirs cared more deeply for a dead father’s word of honour than for their share of inheritance. The least consideration was given to things worldly. Even angels could feel proud of the noble actions and integrity of character of these great Companions of the Prophet 38.

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

A great Companion and Mujahid who took part in the Battle of Badr. When his sword was broken while fighting against dishelievers, the Prophet % gave him the branch of a date palm. He continued his attack on the enemy with this branch and in moments it became a sword. (Historians)

‘Ukashah bin Mohsin 2

He is one of those seventy thousand fortunate people who will enter Paradise without any reckoning or process of accountability. He was a great Companion and Mujahid who took part in the Battle of Badr. When his sword was broken while fighting against disbelievers, the Prophet 3% gave him the branch of a date palm. He continued his attack on the enemy with this branch and in moments it became a sword. This miraculous sword remained with him till the end of his life and he fought many a battle with it and shattered to pieces many enemies.

His sister, Umm Qais bint Mohsin narrated:

“My brother was very good-looking. He excelled by virtue of nobility of birth and was superior to others by virtue of knowledge and learning. He was also a great leader and ruler. When the Prophet # passed away he was twenty-four years old. He had taken part in the Battle of Badr and the Battle of Uhud and other battles with great favor and enthusiasm. He displayed exceptional expertise in many wars.

The Prophet 3% declared that seventy thousand individuals from his Ummah would enter Paradise without any accounting. ‘Ukashah was seated near him. He immediately asked if his name was also among them. The Prophet 3% answered that his name was among them. Another person, who was seated beside him, asked the same question. But the Prophet 38 said ‘Ukashah had taken precedence over him.

Paradise without being answerable for one’s deeds is the very peak of suspiciousness and good fortune. ‘Ukashah bin Mohsin was indeed a very fortunate man!

He was the son of Mohsin bin Harsaén and was a scion of the Banu Asad tribe. Even before the migration of the Prophet 3% he had sworn allegiance to him in person. Then he had the honour of migrating to Al-Madinah.

He fought bravely and heroically in the Battle of Badr and the Battle of Uhud and many other battles. This personification of beauty, both inward and outward spent his whole life for Jihaéd and left unforgettable tales of heroism in the annals of military history. He is among some of the greatest Companions of the Prophet 3%.

On the way from Al-Madinah to Najad is Ghamar, which was under the control of the Banu Asad. It is a small place with a fresh water spring, hence has great value in the desert. Travelers often stopped here to take rest and drink the pure waters of this stream.

The Prophet 38 appointed ‘Ukashah -# as the Commander of a small but loyal band of forty Mujahideen to attack Ghamar. ‘Ukashah bin Mohsin led his small army of men very professionally, not allowing the enemy to stabilize themselves. They were taken by surprise at the sudden and swift advance of the Mujahideen. Instead of facing them the Banu Asad fled leaving the spring and their livestock behind. The Mujahideen got two hundred camels and some goats; and they took these to Al-Madinah. The Prophet 3£ was very happy that ‘Ukashah had shown such military and leadership skills in the very first enterprise entrusted to him.