A hero on the cross!

[Haaraahur.]

KHUBAIB IBN ADIY

 

A Hero on the Cross!

 

And now, pave the way for this hero. Come nearer from all directions, from everywhere. Come in any way you can and strive your utmost, come hurrying and submitting. Approach in order to be taught the lesson of sacrifice, an incomparable lesson. You will say, Weren't all the stories you have previously told lessons of incomparable sacrifice?

 

Indeed, they were lesson of uncomparable magnificence. Nothing whatsoever can be similar to it. However, you are now in front of a new master illustrating the art of sacrifice, a figure who, if you miss meeting him, then you have missed a great deal, indeed a great deal. Come to us, all people of faith in every nation and country. Come to us, lovers of exaltedness in every period and era. And you, too, who carry a heavy burden of illusion and you whose belief in creed and religions is one of falsehood and error. Come with your illusion. Come and see how Allah's religion built men. Come and see what glory, what strength, what firmness, what determination, what sacrifice, what loyalty!

 

To sum up, what extraordinary and amazing greatness has been granted by the belief in truth to its sincere followers.

 

Can you see the crucified body? It is our lesson today - to all mankind! Indeed, the crucified body in front of you is our subject, our lesson, our master. His name is Khubaib Ibn 'Adiy. Remember this name well!

 

Remember it, sing it, it is an honor for anyone belonging to any religion, to any sect, belonging to any ethnic group and living in any He belonged to the Aws tribe from Al-Madiinah. He belonged to the An'aar.

 

Since the day of the Prophet's Hijrah to Al-Madiinah and since the day of his belief in Allah, Lord of the Worlds, he frequently visited the Prophet (PBUH).

 

His soul, spirit, and conscience were pure, and his belief was firm. He was described by Hassaan Ibn Thaabit, Islam's poet: "He looked like a falcon among the Anaaar. Allah endowed him with noble character and good morals."

 

When the standards of the Battle of Badr were lifted, he was there, a bold warrior and a daring fighter. Among the polytheists whom he killed with his sword during the battle was Al-Haarith Ibn 'Aamir Ibn Nawfal.

 

After the battle was over and the defeated remnants of the Quraish had returned to Makkah, the sons of Al-Haarith learned that their father had been killed. They learned the name of his killer very well by heart: Khubaib Ibn 'Adiy.

 

The Muslims returned from Badr to Al-Madiinah and persistently built their new community. Khubaib was a true worshiper, a pious devotee, carrying the nature of a devotee and the longing aspiration of a worshiper. There he turned to worship with the spirit of a passionate lover, praying at night, fasting during the day, glorifying Allah, Lord of the Worlds.

 

One day the Prophet (PBUH) wanted to know the Quraish's secrets so as to be fully aware of the target of their movements and any preparations for a new battle. Therefore, he chose ten of his Companions, among whom was Khubaib, and 'Aasim Ibn Thaabit as leader.

 

The expedition set off towards its destination until they reached a place between 'Asafaan and Makkah. News of them reached an area of Hudhail called Bani Hayaan. They hastened to them with 100 of their most skillful spearmen. They set out to pursue them and to follow their tracks.

 

They almost lost them but for the fact that one of them found some discarded date pits on the sand. He picked them up and, with the amazing skill Arabs were famous for, glanced at them, then shouted loudly so that the others could hear him, "They are date pits from Yathrib"'. Let's follow them and they will surely guide us." They followed the discarded date pits until they could see in the distance what they were searching for.

'Aa&im, the expedition's leader, felt that they were being chased, so he ordered his companions to mount the high peak of a mountain. The 100 spearmen approached and surrounded the foot of the mountain and besieged them thoroughly.

 

They asked them to surrender themselves after giving them their word not to hurt them. The ten turned to their leader, 'Aasim Ibn Thaabit Al-Ansaariy (May Allah be pleased with them all), and waited for his command. He then said, "As for me, by Allah, I will never let myself fall into the protection of a polytheist. May Allah inform our Prophet (sollallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) about us."

 

The spearmen then began to throw their spears at them. Their leader 'Aasim was wounded and died as a martyr. In the same way seven others were wounded and died as martyrs.

 

The rest were then called and promised that they would be safe if they came down. The three descended, Khubaib and his two friends. The spearmen approached Khubaib and his companion, Zaid Ibn Ad-Dithinnah, and tied them up. Their third one recognized the beginning of their deceipts, so he decided to die there where 'Aasim and his companions had fallen. He died where he wished.

 

That is how some of the greatest, most faithful, most loyal to Allah and his Prophet (PBUH), and most sincere believers passed away. Khubaib and Zaid tried to untie themselves, but they were tied very thoroughly and tightly.

 

The deceptive spearmen took them to Makkah where they sold them to the polytheists. The name of Khubaib reached everyone's ear. The sons of Al-Haarith Ibn "Aamir, who had been killed in Badr, remembered his name very well and were moved by spite and hatred. They hurried to buy him. Most of the inhabitants of Makkah, who h d lost their fathers and leaders in the Battle of Badr, competed in purchasing him in order to take revenge. They enjoined each other to take revenge on him and commenced to prepare him for a fate to satisfy their desire for revenge, not directed at him, as such, but at all the Muslims.

 

Some other people took Khubaib's companion Zaid Ibn Ad-Dithinnah and set out to torture him severely.

 

Khubaib submitted his heart, his whole life, and destiny to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. He turned to His worship with a firm soul, unruffled and fearless, accompanied by a divine tranquility. Even hard, solid mountain rocks and terror itself might melt and simply vanish due to it.

 

Allah was with him, and he was with Allah. Allah's hand was over him, and he could almost feel His fingers within his chest.

 

One day, one of Al-Haarith's daughters entered where he was kept as a captive at Al-Haarith's house. She quickly hurried out, calling the people to see an unbelievable thing! "By Allah, I saw him holding a big bunch of grapes, eating from it while being fettered with iron chains - at a time when there isn't a single grape in Makkah. I can't think of it except as being a blessing from Allah!"

 

Indeed, it was a blessing given by Allah to His virtuous worshiper, as He gave to Maryam (Mary, mother of Jesus) daughter of 'Imraan before: < Whenever Zakariya entered the sanctuary he found her furnished with provision, he said, "O Mary from where did you get this?" She said. "It is from GOD, surely GOD provides who He pleases without measure" > (3 : 37).

 

The polytheists brought him the news of the death of his companion Zaid Ibn Ad-Dithinnah (May Allah be pleased with him). They hoped thereby to break down his nerves. However, they did not know that Allah, the Most Merciful, had invited him into His hospitality, blessing him with divine tranquility and mercy.

 

They set out to bargain with him over his faith, promising to save his life if he disbelieved in Muhammad and his Lord, but they were like children trying to catch the smiby a mere arrow-shot.

 

Indeed, Khubaib's faith was like the sun in its strength, flame, light, and far-reachedness. He shed light upon those seeking light and warmed those seeking warmth, but the one who approached him to challenge him would be burned and destroyed.

 

When they lost hope of reaching their desire, they took the hero to face his destiny. They took him to a place called At- Tan'iim, where he would be killed.

 

As soon as they reached this place, Khubaib asked them to allow him to pray two rajahs. They allowed him with the hope that he would make up his mind to announce his surrender and disbelief in Allah, His Messenger and His religion.

 

Solemnly, peacefully and humbly Khubaib prayed two rak'ahs. He felt the sweetness of faith within his soul, so that he wished that he could keep on praying and praying. However, he turned toward his killers and said to them, "By Allah, were it not for your thinking that I'm afraid of death, I would have continued praying." Then he lifted his hands towards the sky and said, "O Allah! Count them one by one and then perish them all!" Then he scanned their faces intently and set out singing:

 

When I am being martyred as a Muslim,

I do not care in what way I receive my death

For Allah's sake.

If He wishes,

He will bless the cut limbs.

 

 

It was perhaps the first time in Arab history to crucify a man then kill him on the cross. They had prepared out of palm tree trunks a huge cross on which they fixed Khubaib, his limbs tied tightly. The polytheists gathered in obvious glee at his suffering while spearmen prepared their lances.

 

All that cruelty was intentionally performed slowly in front of the crucified hero. He did not close his eyes, and amazing tranquility beamed from his face. Then spears began to skirmish and swords to tear his flesh into pieces.

 

One of the Quraish leaders approached him saying, "Would you like Muhammad to be in your place and you be healthy and secure among your kin?"

 

Only then did Khubaib burst like a thunderstorm, shouting to his killers, "By Allah, I woud not like to be among my relatives and sons enjoying all the world's health and well-being while even a tiny thorn hurts the Prophet."

 

They were the same great words spoken by Zaid Ibn Ad-Dithinnah when he was being killed! The same amazing, dazzling strong words Zaid said one day before they were said by Khubaib. At that, Abu Sufyaan, who had not yet embraced Islam, had to shake his head and say astonished, "By Allah! I've never seen anybody love somebody else the way Muhammad's companions love Muhammad."

 

Khubaib's words were so provocative that the spears and swords began to tear the hero's body to pieces, attacking it with complete madness and cruelty.

 

Not far away from the scene, birds and buzzards were flying around as if waiting for the butchers to end their task and leave the spot so that they could approach the fresh dead body to have a delicious meal. However, soon they called to one another and gathered, and their beaks moved as if whispering and talking.

 

Suddenly they flew away in the sky, far, far away. They smelled by their instinct the scent of a pious, repentant man which spread from his crucified body, so they were ashamed to approach him or to hurt him. The flock of birds flew away, just and pure, into the vastness of space.

The group of malicious polytheists returned to their dens in Makkah while the dead body of the martyr stayed there, guarded by a group of Quraishi spearmen.

 

When they were lifting Khubaib onto the palm trunk cross and tying him firmly, Khubaib turned his face towards the sky asking his Ever Manigifcent Lord, "Allah! We fulfilled the mission of Your Messenger. Inform him in the early morning of what is happening to Allah responded to his prayer. While he was in Al-Madiinah, the Prophet (PBUH) was filled with a strong feeling that his Companions were facing a severe trial, and he could almost see the crucified dead body of one of them.

 

Immediately the Prophet (PBUH) sent for Al-Miqdaad Ibn "Amr and Az-Zubair Ibn AAwaam. They mounted their horses and set off to cross the land rapidly. Allah guided them to their desired destination. They lowered Khubaib's body to a pure spot of ground waiting to shelter him under its moist soil.

 

No one knows to this day where Khubaib's grave lies. Maybe that is better and more respectable for him so that he remains in history's memory and in the conscience of life a hero, a hero on the cross.

 

http://www.iberr.org/khubaib.htm

[S.O.S]

Jazaakal-Laahu khayran Brother, everytime I read that event I have difficulties in breathing while tears flow from my eyes in abundency, I can't help but feel ashamed of myself and the way I am. May Allah grant us courage and inspiration from the above event.

[Haaraahur.]

^

You are not the only one. This sahaba fainted whenever he recalled the event because he was present and didn't rush to aid him.

 

SA'IID IBN 'AAMIR

Greatness Under Worn-out Garments

 

Does any of us know this man or have any of us ever heard his name before? Most probably, the majority of us, if not all, have not heard his name mentioned before. I imagine that you wonder, who is Sa'iid Ibn 'Aamir? Well, you are about to embark on a journey back in time so as to find out all that there is to be known about this "happy" ("Sa'id" means "happy ") man, so fasten your seat belts.

 

In short, Sa'iid was one of the outstanding Companions of the Prophet (PBUH), notwithstanding the fact that his name was seldom, if ever, mentioned. He was one of the most distinguished unknown pious Companions. It was natural that he, like all Muslims, would accompany the Prophet (PBUH) in all his expeditions and battles, for as a believer, he could not lag or turn his back on Allah's Prophet (PBUH) in peace or war time. Shortly before the Conquest of Khaibar, Sa'id submitted himself to Islam. Ever since he embraced Islam and gave his allegiance to the Prophet (PBUH)), he consecrated his life, existence, and destiny to the service of Islam. All the great virtues of obedience, asceticism, dignity, humbleness, piety, and pride thrived harmoniously inside this pure and kind man.

In our attempt to unveil his greatness, we must bear in mind that, in most cases, appearance contrasts with reality. If we are to judge him by his outer looks, we will not do him justice, for he was definitely ill-favoured as regards his appearance. He had dusty uncombed hair. Nothing in his looks or appearance distinguished him from poor Muslims. If we are to judge his reality by his appearance, we will see nothing impressive or breath-taking. But if we dive deep into his inner self beyond his outer appearance, we will see greatness in the full meaning of the word. His greatness stood aloof from the splendour and ornament of life. Yet, it lurked there beyond his modest appearance and worn-out garments. Have you ever seen a pearl hidden inside its shell? Well, he was much like this hidden pearl.

 

When the Commander of the Faithful 'Umar Iban Al- Khattaab dismissed Mu'aawiyah from his position as governor of Horns, in Syria, he exerted himself in searching for someone who was qualified to take over his position.

 

Undoubtedly, 'Umar's standards of choice of governors and assistants were highly cautious, meticulous, and scrutinizing. He believed that if a governor committed a sin, error, or violation, two people would be asked to account for it before Allah: "Umar and the governor, even if this governor were in the farthest comer of the earth. His standards of estimation and evaluation of governors were highly subtle, alert, and perceiving. Centuries before the advent of Islam, Horns, was a big city that witnessed, one after the other, the dawn and eclipse of many civilizations. Besides, it was a vital trade center. The attractions of the vast city turned it into a place of seduction and temptation. In "Umar's opinion only an ascetic, devout, and repentant worshiper would be able to resist and renounce its attractions.

 

'Umar suddenly realized that Sa'iid Ibn Aamir was the man he was looking for and cried out, "Sa'id Ibn Aamir is the right man for this mission." He summoned him. Sa'iid was offered the governorship by the Commander of the Faithful, but he refused saying, "Do not expose me to Fitnah (trials and affliction)." 'Urnar then cried out, "By Allah, I will not let you turn me down.

 

Do you lay the burdens of your trusteeship and the caliphate upon my shoulders, then you refuse to help me out? " Instantly, Sa'iid was convinced of the logic of 'Umar's words. Indeed, it was not fair to abandon or avoid their obligation towards their trusteeship and towards the caliphate and lay them on 'Umar's shoulders. Moreover, if people like Sa'iid Ibn 'Aamir renounced the responsibility of rule, then 'Umar would definitely have a hard time to find a man who was highly pious and righteous enough to be entrusted with such a mission.

 

Hence, Sa'id traveled with his wife to Syria. They were newly wed. Ever since his bride was a little girl, she had been an exquisitely blooming beauty. Umar gave him a considerable sum of money at the time of his departure.

 

When they settled down in Syria, his wife wanted to use this money, so she asked him to buy appropriate garments, upholstery, and furniture, and to save the rest of it. Sa'id said to her, "I have a better idea. We are in a country with profitable trade and brisk markets, so it would be better to give this money to a merchant so as to invest it." She said, "But if he loses it ?" Sa'id said, "I will make him a guarantee that the amount will be paid notwithstanding." She answered, "All right then."

 

Of course, Sa'id went out and bought the necessities for an ascetic life, then gave all his money in voluntary charity in Allah's cause to the poor and those in need. Time went by, and every now and then his wife would ask him about their money and their profits and he would answer, "It is a highly profitable trade."

 

One day, she asked him the same question before one of his relatives who knew what he had done with the money. His relative smiled, then he could not help laughing in a way that made Sa'id's wife suspicious. Therefore, she prevailed on him to tell her the truth. He told her, "Sa'id on that day gave all his money in voluntary charity in Allah's cause." Sa'id's wife was broken-hearted, for not only had she lost her last chance to buy what she wanted but also lost all their money. Sa'id gazed at her sad, meek eyes glistening with tears that only added more charm and grace to her eyes; yet before he yielded to this fascinating figure, he perceived Paradise inhabited by his late friends and said: "I had companions who preceded me in ascending to Allah and you will not deviate from the path they have taken, not for the world." He was afraid lest her excelling beauty should make her disobey him; therefore he said as if he were talking to himself, "You know that Paradise is filled with Houris, fair females with wide and lovely eyes as wives for the pious, who are extremely lovely. If one of them had a peep at the earth, she would illuminate it with her light that combines the light of both the earth and the moon. So you should not blame me if I chose to sacrifice your love for their love and not vice versa." Throughout his talk, he was calm, pleased, and satisfied. His wife was peaceful, for she realized that she had no choice but to follow Said's example and adopt herself to his rigid, ascetic, and pious way of life.

 

Horn, at that time was called the second Kufa. The reason behind this was that its people were easily stirred and swayed to revolt against their governors. Horns was named after Al-Kufa in Iraq, which was notorious for endless mutiny and uprisings.

 

Although, the people of Horns were given to mutiny, as we have already mentioned, Allah guided their hearts to His righteous slave Sa'iid. Thus, they loved and obeyed him.

 

One day, Umar said to him, "I find it rather strange that the people of Syria love and obey you." Sa'iid answered, "Maybe they love me because I help and sympathize with them."

 

Despite the love of the people of Horns for Sa'id, their innate rebellious disposition got the better of thern. Hence, sounds of discontent and complaint began to be heard, thus proving that Horns was not called the second Kufa in vain. One day, as the Commander of the Faithful was visiting Horns, he asked its people who gathered around him for their opinion of Sa'id. Some made complaints against him which were blessings in disguise, for they unveiled an impressively great man.

 

"Urnar asked the criticizing group to state their complaints one by one. The representative of the group stood up and said, "We have four complaints against Sa'iid : First, he doesn't come out of his house until the sun rises high and the day becomes hot. Second, he does not see anyone at night. Third, there are two days in every month in which he doesn't leave his house at all. Fourth, he faints every now and then, and this annoys us although he can't help it." The man sat down and Umar was silent for a while for he was secretly supplicating Allah saying: "Allah, I know that he is one of Your best slaves. Allah, beseech You not to make me disappointed in him." He summoned Sa'id to defend himself. Sa'id replied, "As for their complaint that I do not get out of my house before noon, by Allah I hate to explain the reason that made me do that, but I have to do so. The reason is that my wife does not have a servant, so I knead my dough, wait for it to rise, bake my bread, perform ablution and pray Duha, then I go out of my house." Umar's face brightened as he said," All praises and thanks be to Allah." Then he urged him to refute the rest of the allegations. Sa'id went on, "As for their complaint that I do not meet anyone at night, by Allah, I hate to say the reason, but you force me to. Anyway, I have devoted the day to them and consecrated the night for Allah. As for the third complaint that they do not see me two days per month, well, I do not have a servant to wash my garment and I have no spare one. Therefore, I wash it and wait for it to dry shortly before sunset, then I go out of my house to meet them. My defence against the last complaint of the fainting fits is that I saw with my own eyes Khubaib Al-Anaaariy being slain in Makkah.

 

The Quraish cut his body into small pieces and said, 'Do you want to save yourself and see Muhammad in your place instead?' He answered, 'By Allah, I will not accept your offer of setting me free to return to my family safe and sound, even if you gave me all the splendors and ornaments of life in return for exposing the Prophet (PBUH) to the least annoyance, even if it was a prick of a thorn.' Now, every time this scene of me standing there as a disbeliever, watching Khubaib being tortured to death and doing nothing to save him flickers in my mind, I find myself shaking with fear of Allah's punishment and I faint."

 

These were Sa'id's words which left his lips that were already wet from the flow of his pure and pious tears. The overjoyed 'Umar could not help but cry out, "All praises and thanks be to Allah Who would not make me disappointed in you!" He hugged Sa'id and kissed his graceful and dignified forehead.

 

What a great guidance must have been bestowed on those outstanding men! What an excellent instructor Allah's Prophet (PBUH) must have been! What a penetrating light must have emanated from Allah's Book! What an inspiring and instructive school Islam must have been! I wonder if the earth can take in so much of the piety and righteousness of those fortunate men. I presume that if that happened, then we would no longer call it the earth but rather Paradise. Indeed the "Promised Paradise."

 

Since it is not time for Paradise yet, it is only natural that those glorious superior men who pass by life are but few, very few. Sa'id Ibn 'Aamir was definitely one of those superior Muslims.

 

His position allowed him a considerable salary, yet he took only enough money to buy the necessities for himself and his wife and gave the rest in voluntary charity in the way of Allah. One day, he was urged to spend this surplus on his family and relatives, yet he answered, "Why should I give it to my family and relatives? No, by Allah, I will not sell Allah's pleasure to seek my kinfolks' pleasure."

 

He was later urged, "Spend more money on yourself and on your family and try to enjoy the lawful good things." But he always answered, "I will not stay behind the foremost Muslims after I heard the Prophet (PBUH) say, 'When Almighty Allah gathers all people on the Day of Reckoning, the poor believers will step forward in solemn procession. They will be asked to stop for reckoning but they will answer confidently: We have nothing to account for. Allah will say: My slaves said the truth. Hence, they will enter Paradise before all other people.'"

 

In A.H. 10, Sa'iid met Allah with a pure record, pious heart, and honourable history. He yearned for so long to be among the foremost Muslims; in fact, he consecrated his life to fulfil their covenant and follow in their footsteps. He yearned for so long for his Prophet (PBUH) and instructor and his pure and repentant comrades. He left all the burdens, troubles, and hardships of life behind.

 

He had nothing but his pious, ascetic, awesome, and great inner self. These virtues made the balance of good deeds heavy rather than light. He impressed the world with his qualities rather than with his conceit.

 

Peace be upon Sa'id Ibn 'Aamir. Peace be upon his life and resurrection. Peace be upon the honourable and obedient Companions of the Prophet and blessings and peace be upon him.

[Warrior of Light]

Jazkhallah kheir for sharing tales of these honourable Muslims. Especially the trials and tribulations they went through is unmeasurable. It makes me feel ashamed. May Allah give us patience in what little we go through in our times and give us a solid heart. Amin