Part 60

“Why is this dust being raised?”

‘Abdullah bin Rawahah - was also present there and he could not bear it that anyone should comment thus on his beloved Prophet 38. He immediately welcomed the Prophet 38 affectionately and reverentially, saying:

“May our parents be sacrificed for you O Messenger of Allah. We are blessed by your coming here. Just a look at your radiant face is like being btessed with an immeasurable treasure. And your words of wisdom inspired and purified by the sacred waters of Zamzam and the Kauther of Paradise are great blessings for us. The sweet fragrance of your presence perfumes the whole atmosphere of Al-Madinah. Your word is our command.”

Actually this was a fitting retort directed by ‘Abdullah bin Rawahah -% in reply to the devilish ill-feelings expressed by ‘Abdullah bin Abi. It was meant to wound and agitate this enemy of Islam by making him realize the depth and intensity of the love and admiration that people nurtured in their hearts for the Messenger of Allah 38. The Prophet 3% cared very deeply for ‘Abdullah bin Rawahah -% in return for the regard and love that he always felt and expressed for him.

Once ‘Abdullah bin Rawahah was taken ill; his condition was so serious that he went into a coma. When the Prophet 38 came to know of this he immediately went to see him. When he saw him unconscious he offered the following supplication to Allah Almighty:

“O Allah 38! If it is ordained that he should die, please make it easy for him. If it is ordained that he should live please heal him and cure him.”

‘Abdullah bin Rawahah always tried to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet 3 as far as possible in all matters, however difficult or arduous he may have found it, His brother, Abu Darda’a -%, narrates that whenever they traveled with the Prophet 38, even in the most terrible of summers, the Prophet 3, and with him ‘Abdullah bin Rawahah <4 would be the only ones fasting among those who were in the caravan.

His zeal and ardour in worship and prayer was worth seeing. Whenever he went out of the house and whenever he entered it, he

would offer two units of supererogatory prayer. This is an excellent practice to gains nearness to Allah. And people who devote their whole lives to gaining the pleasure of Allah Almighty have always tried to offer as many supererogatory prayers as possible to be near Allah as often as possible. It is in the act of prostration and prayer that one is closest to Him. A person's humility and supplications and praises of the Almighty in this posture of lowliness takes him to the highest position in the Heavens. The angels talk about him and they look at his piety with envy. It seems as if the whole of creation prays for this person and the Help and Assistance of Allah Almighty is always with him and he is blessed with Victory by Him.

“As for the Poets, the erring ones follow them.” (26: 224)

“Alas! We are destroyed. We are among those who are censured in the Noble Qur’an. What will happen to us now? We wish that we had not had even the remotest connection with poetry.” Taking pity on their mourning and weeping, Allah 3& revealed the following Verse:

Except for those who have believe in Allah and do good deeds.

In other words the true Muslims and poets who do good deeds are exempt from this criticism and censure. After listening to this Verse the three poets were relieved and felt a sense of tranquillity and peace. A shining radiant happiness replaced the sadness in their eyes, and their sorrowing hearts began to sing paeans of joy. Then they directed their creative energies to writing beautiful inspiring verses for the defense of Islam. During the construction of the Prophet’s Mosque,

while carrying cement and bricks, they sang the following well-known and popular couplet written by ‘Abdullah bin Rawahah -% again and again.

O Allah! The real life is the life of the Hereafter Please forgive the Ansar and the Muhdjir

The atmosphere was joyful with the Companions humming this couplet as they busied themselves, constructing the Prophet’s Mosque. The Prophet 3% was reciting this verse loudly and delighting in offering this supplication to Allah. This in itself was proof of the excellence and worth of poetry, which inspired people to perform good deeds. The work of good and great poets is always recited and enjoyed by righteous people.

Ans bin Malik narrates that when the Prophet 38 went to Makkah to perform his ‘Umrahtul-Qaza,' ‘Abdullah bin Rawahah #%, was holding the reins and reciting the following verses:

O children of the disbelievers give way to our Prophet 38 On his arrival today we wiil hit you in a way

Which will separate your heads from your bodies

And the dearest of friends will forget each other.

When ‘Umar Khattab % heard these verses he told ‘Abdullah bin Rawahah <s:

“Son of Rawahahh, it is not appropriated to recite such verses in a sacred place in the presence of the Messenger of Allah 38.”

When the Prophet 38 heard him he said:

“O ‘Umar! Let him be and do his job. 1 swear by Allah Who has control over my life that these words of ‘Abdullah are inflicting wounds in the hearts of the kuffar, deeper than those inflicted by spears. His verses are piercing their bodies like arrows and drilling holes in them. These are not words but arrows raining down from the bow of an archer.”

! Performed by the Prophet 3 since, he had not been allowed by the Quraish to enter Makkah. After the treaty of Hudaibiyah was signed it was agreed.

By Allah! If He was not with us, we could not be on the right path We would not have given charity or prayed. Allah! Please bestow peace on us. O Allah! Please keep us steadfast when we battle with the enemy! The enemy has been cruel but we do not cow down to his mischief-making. One day his wife was grumbling to her slave girl about his sexual impure. He told her that cannot read the Words of Allah. Then he came out spontaneously with this line:

I bear witness that the Promise of the Almighty is true Jahannum is the ultimate home of disbelievers.

After that he recited another verse with the same metrical and rhyme:

Certainly the Throne of Allah 88 is floating on water

And He is seated on his Throne in all His Majesty

The angels bear the Throne of Allah 3

And these angels of Allah 38 are honoured and near to Him.

When ‘Abdullah bin Rawahah <, narrated to the Prophet 38 what his wife had said and what he had recited, he smiled and appreciated it.

The Prophet 3% organized the Muslim army, which left for Syria, border town of Motah, and appointed three Commanders-in-Chief and said: “The first Commander-in-Chief is Zaid bin Harithah <4; in case he is martyred, then Ja’far bin Abu Talib - should take his place; in the event, he also being martyred, ‘Abdullah bin Rawahah -#, should take Command.”

After they received their orders from the Prophet 3%, the Mujahideen set out carrying with them the good wishes and prayers of the people of Al-Madinah. On this occasion ‘Abdullah bin Rawahah 4, spontaneously recited the following verses:

I beg Allah for Divine Forgiveness

And I pray for a sharp sword

Which will spurt foam from blood

And I pray for a sharp spear

Which can pierce through the enemy’s hearts.

I desire that people should say

When they pass by my grave

Allah showed him the path of a true conqueror.

The Mujahideen camped at Motah and saw that the Emperor Herqal of Rome had come to do battle with a hundred thousand troops. Some of them, realizing the danger suggested:

“We should inform the Prophet 3% that the battle is going to bea very tough one and that the Roman Emperor has arrived with a huge army of one hundred thousand men, whereas there are only three thousand of us. We should then act according to the instructions we receive from the Prophet 38.”

‘Abdullah bin Rawahah 4%, gauging the situation said:

“My friends, why are you panicking? Paradise awaits you. This is a golden chance to gain the noble and lofty position of a martyr, When we step into the battlefield of Jihad we should not

look at the inadequacy or excess of numbers. We have come here with an aspiration for martyrdom and for the exaltation of our religion. Islam has given us honour and eminence. We should leap into the fray without worrying about the consequences. Whatever the result it will be in our favour. If we die we shall achieve martyrdom, if we survive we will be Ghazi or conquerors of the infidels.” His electrifying speech inspired the Mujahideen who entered the battlefield ready to risk their lives and untroubled by the fear of death. Fierce fighting ensued and the Commander-in-Chief, Zaid bin Harithah . was martyred fighting valiantly. The flag of Islam now went into the hands of Ja’far bin Abi Talib 4%. He also went on lifeeternal fighting courageously. ‘Abdullah bin Rawahah - moved forward and picked up the flag. As he took over command of the army, he was reciting the following verses:

I swear O soul! You have to enter the battlefield Either willingly or reluctantly. What if some people gather and shout What is this I see that you are averse to entering Paradise? No doubt you have lived for long in peace and tranquillity, Were you not a lowly drop of water in the womb? And at the same time he was admonishing himself. O soul, even if you are not killed, you will die And you will meet this Bird of Death. What you wished for has been bestowed on you If you can do what your martyrs have done You will be on the Right Path. But if you fail and avoid stepping into the battlefield Then your fate will be tragic indeed! Reciting these verses he advanced and fighting as if possessed he met