Part 68

Ubaiy ibn Ka*b was one of the first Muslim scribes who wrote down the revelation that descended on the Prophet (PBUH) as well as messages. He was a pioneer in learning the Holy Qur'aan by heart, reciting it ina slow, pleasant tone and comprehending its content.

One day, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said to Ubaiy Ibn Ka’b, "I was ordered to recite the Qur'aan to you." Ubaiy knew that the Prophet (PBUH) took his orders from the Spirit, therefore, he was

overwhelmed with thrill and asked the Prophet (PBUH) anxiously, "You are dearer to me than my own mother and father! Please tell me, did the Spirit mention me by name?” The Prophet (PBUH) answered, "Yes, it resounded your very name and your family name in the kingdom of heaven and earth."

Now, a Muslim who was so close to the Prophet (PBUH) must indeed be a special one. Throughout the years in which Ubaiy Ibn Ka*b accompanied the Prophet (PBUH) , he tried to stay close to him so as to quench his thirst for Islam from the Prophet's inexhaustible spring. Ubaiy Ibn Ka‘b adhered tenaciously to his covenant in worship, piety, and conduct. Even after the Prophet's death, he was always there to warn people against wrong-doing and remind them of their pledge, morals, and asceticism when the Prophet was alive. He used to address his companions in such impressive words saying, "We stood as one man when the Prophet was alive, but as soon as he departed we went in different directions."

He was steadfast in his adherence to.piety. He resorted to asceticism to escape life's seduction and delusion. He saw that life really begins when it ends and that no matter how long a man lives in luxury surrounded by graces and blessings, he will end up emptyhanded but for his good deeds and bad deeds. Ubaiy contemplated about life and said, "Man's food is a good example of what life is all about, for no matter how much you are careful that it tastes delicious and that its ingredients are well proportioned, look what it turns to after you digest it.”

Whenever Ubaiy addressed people, he was like a magnet that attracted their attention and interest. He feared no one but Allah and desired nothing of life. When Islam gained more lands and influence and he saw that Muslims flattered their rulers, he warned

saying, "They are ruined and will ruin others. I don't pity them, but I pity the Muslims that they will ruin.”

His extreme piety and fear of Allah made him cry whenever Allah or the Day of Judgment was mentioned. The noble Qur'aan's verses shook his heart and soul whenever he recited them or heard them recited. Yet a certain verse made him incredibly sad: < He has the power to send torment on you from above or ‘from under your feet, or to cover you with confusion in party strife, and make you to taste the violence of one another > (6:65).

The thing that Ubaiy most dreaded was that one day the Islamic nation would suffer turmoil and violence at the hands of its own sons. He always asked Allah's safety and protection. He won it by Allah's mercy and grace and met Allah as a true believer who felt completely secure and rewarded.

(45) SA‘D IBN MU'AADH Rejoice, Abu ‘Amr !

He committed himself to Islam at the age of 31 and won marytrdom at 37. This seven years lapse was a tough one in which Sa’d Ibn Mu‘aadh (May Allah be pleased with him) exerted all his enegry in the service of Allah and His Messenger (PBUH).

Look ! Do you see that handsome, gallant, tall man with a radiant face? He is the one.

He ran quickly to As‘ad Ibn Zuraarah to see this man who came from Makkah, Mus*ab Ibn ‘Umair, whom Muhammad (PBUH) had sent to Al-Madiinah to call people to commit themselves to Islam and monotheism. He was going there to drive this stranger out of AlMadiinah along with his religion ! But no sooner had he approached Mus*ab's assembly at the house of his nephew, Asad Ibn Zuraarah, than his heart was revived by a sweet pacifying breeze. No sooner had he reached those men who gathered there, taken his place among them and listened intently to Mus*ab's words than Allah guided him to the right path that illuminated his heart and soul. In one of the incredible miracles of fate, the leader of the Ansaar put aside his spear and shook hands with Mus‘ab as a sign of his allegiance to the Prophet (PBUH).

A new sun shone on Al-Madiinah as soon as Sa‘d Ibn Mu‘aadh committed himself to Islam. It would encompass many hearts that would revolve in the sphere of Islam later on. Sa‘d committed himself to Islam and withstood the hardships that ensued with much heroism and greatness. When the Prophet (PBUH) emigrated to AlMadiinah, the houses of Bani Al-Ashhal —Sa*d's tribe — welcomed

the Muhaajiruun, and their money was utterly at their disposal without arrogance, abuse, or limitation.

When the Battle of Badr was about to take place, the Prophet (PBUH) gathered his Companions, both Angaar and Muhaajiruun, to consult them on the preparations for war. His amiable face turned towards the Ansaar and he addressed them saying, “I want to know your opinion about what should be done concerning the imminent battle."

Sa‘d Ibn Mu‘aadh stood up and said "O Prophet of Allah, we firmly believe in you, and we witness that what descends on you is the truth. We swore a solemn oath and gave you the allegiance, so go ahead with whatever you want, and we shall stand by your side. We swear by Allah Who has sent you with the truth that if you reach the sea and cross it, we will cross it hand in hand with you. No man will lag or stay behind. We are absolutely ready to go to war against our enemy tomorrow for we are given to terrible warfare and we are sincere in our desire to meet Allah. I hope that Allah will make us do what will make you proud of us. So go on with whatever is in your mind. Allah bless you."

Sa‘d's words made the Prophets’ face brighten with satisfaction and happiness as he addressed the Muslims and said, "Rejoice, for Allah promised me one of the two parties of the enemy (either the army or the caravan). By Allah I can almost see with my own eyes where each one of the enemy will be killed."

In the Battle of Uhud, the Muslims lost control and dispersed as they were taken by surprise by the army of disbelievers. Everything was hectic, yet Sa‘d Ibn Mu‘aadh stood there as if pinned

to the ground next to the Prophet (PBUH). He defended him courageously as a noble warrior should do.

The Battle of Al-Khandaq came as a suitable opportunity for Sa*d to show his admirable manliness and amazing valor. The Khandagq Battle came as a clear sign for the shrewd and deceitful schemes with which Muslims were being ruthlessly haunted by an enemy who had no consideration whatsoever for justice or covenant. For while the Prophet (PBUH) and his Companions were living in AlMadiinah in peace, reminding one another to worship and obey Allah, hoping that the Quraish would refrain from their hostility, a group of Jewish leaders stealthily headed for Makkah to instigate the Quraish against the Prophet (PBUH). The Jews pledged to help the Quraish if they decided to raid AlMadiinah. They made an agreement with the disbelievers and even laid down the battle plan. Moreover, on their way home they incited Bani Ghatfaan — one of the biggest Arab tribes — and made an agreement with its leaders to join forces with the Quraish army.

The war plan was ready and everyone knew his role. The Quraish and Ghatfaan were to attack Al-Madiinah with an enormous army, whereas the Jews were to sabotage Al-Madiinah simultaneously with the attack.

When the Prophet (PBUH) found out the treacherous scheme, he resorted to counterplot. First, he ordered his Companions to dig a trench around Al-Madiinah to hold back the attackers. Second, he sent Sad Ibn Mu’aadh and Sa*d Ibn ‘Ubaadah to Ka*b Ibn Asad, the leader of Bani Quraidhah, to learn exactly where they stood concerning the imminent war. At that time, mutual agreements and treaties were already signed between the Prophet (PBUH) and the Jews of Bani Quraidhah. The two messengers of the Prophet met with the Jewish leader, yet to their surprise he denied the agreement

by saying, "We did not sign any agreement or treaty with

. It was hard for the Prophet to expose the people of AlMadiinah to such a deadly invasion and exhausting siege; therefore, the only answer was to neutralize Ghatfaan so that the attacking army would lose half of its men and strength. He began to negotiate with the Ghatfaan leaders so that they would forsake the Quraish in exchange for one third of Al-Madiinah's crops. The leaders of Ghatfaan accepted this agreement, and both parties were to sign it shortly.

The Prophet (PBUH) could not go any further without consulting his Companions. He valued Sa‘d Ibn Mu‘aadh and Sa‘d Ibn “Ubaadah's opinion, for they were the leaders of AlMadiinah and had the right to have a say in any decision that affected it.

The Prophet (PBUH) told them about his negotiations and that he had resorted to this compensation lest Al-Madiinah and its inhabitants be exposed to this dangerous attack and horrible siege. Both Sa‘ds asked the Prophet (PBUH), "Is it a matter of choice or is it an inspiration from Allah?" The Prophet (PBUH) answered, "It is actually a matter that I chose for you. By Allah, I only do this because I can clearly see that the Arabs joined forces to strike you as one man so I want to curb their strength." Sa‘d Ibn Mu*aadh had the intuition that their fate as men and as believers was being subtly tested so he said, "O Messenger of Allah, when we and those Jews were disbelievers and polytheists, they did not even dream of eating a date from our land unless we gave it to them out of generosity, hospitality, or for trade purposes. So how is it, after Allah has guided us to Islam and made us honored by it and by you, that we give them our money? By Allah, we can do without this agreement, and we will give them nothing but warfare until Allah settles our dispute." The Prophet (PBUH) at once changed his mind and

notified Ghatfaan's leaders that his Companions rejected the proposed agreement and that he approved and supported their