Page 18 The Islamic Bulletin Volume XXIV No. 28 Among the prisoners was Abu ‘Azeez ibn ‘Umair, the brother of Mus’ab. Abu ‘Azeez related what happened: “I was among a group of Ansar...Whenever they had lunch or dinner they would give me bread and dates to eat in obedience to the Prophet’s instructions to them to treat us well. My brother, Mus’ab ibn ‘Umair, passed by me and said to the man from the Ansar who was holding me prisoner: “Tie him firmly... His mother is a woman of great wealth and maybe she would ransom him for you.” Abu ‘Azeez could not believe his ears. Astonished, he turned to Mus’ab and asked: “My brother, is this your instruction concerning me?” “He is my brother, not you,” replied Mus’ab. Thus affirming that in the battle between iman and kufr, the bonds of faith were stronger than the ties of kinship. At the Battle of Uhud, the Prophet (S) called upon Mus’ab, now well-known as Mus’ab al-Khayr (the Good), to carry the Muslim standard. At the beginning of the battle, the Muslims seemed to be gaining the upper hand. A group of Muslims then went against the orders of the Prophet (S) and deserted their positions. The mushrikeen forces rallied again and launched a counterattack. Their main objective, as they cut through the Muslim forces, was to get to the noble Prophet (S). The Prophet (S) was injured in this attack. The Quraish believed that they were successful and began shouting that they had killed the Prophet (S). In spite of hearing this tragic news, Mus’ab continued to valiantly fight and persevered through danger. He raised the flag high and shouted the takber. With the flag in one hand and his sword in the other, he plunged into the Quraish forces. The odds were against him. A Quraish horseman moved in close and severed his right hand. Mus’ab was heard to repeat the words: “Muhammad is only a Messenger. Messengers have passed away before him,” showing that however great his attachment was to the Prophet himself, his struggle above all was for the sake of God and for making His word supreme. His left hand was also then severed and as he held the standard between the stumps of his arms, to console himself, he repeated: “Muhammad is only a Messenger of God. Messengers have passed away before him.” Mus’ab was then hit by a spear. He fell and the flag fell. The words he repeated every time he was struck were later revealed to the Prophet (S). After the battle, the Prophet and his companions went through the battlefield, bidding farewell to the martyrs. When they came to Mus’ab’s body, tears flowed. Khabbaab related that they could not find any cloth with which to shroud Mus’ab’s body, except his own garment. When they covered his head with it, his legs showed; when his legs were covered, his head was exposed. The Prophet (S) then instructed the Sahabah: “Place the garment over his head and cover his feet and legs with the leaves of the idhkhir (rue) plant.” The Prophet (S) felt deep pain and sorrow at the number of his companions who were killed at the Battle of Uhud. These included his uncle Hamzah whose body was horribly mutilated. But it was over the body of Mus’ab that the Prophet stood with great emotion. He remembered Mus’ab as he first saw him in Makkah, stylish and elegant, and then looked at the short burdah which was now the only garment he possessed and he recited the verse of the Quran: “Among the believers are men who have been true to what they have pledged to God.” (Quran 33:23) The Prophet (S) then cast his tender eyes over the battlefield on which lay the dead companions of Mus’ab and said: “The Messenger of God testifies that you are martyrs in the sight of God on the day of Qiyaamah.” Then turning to the living companions around him he said: “O People! Visit them, send peace on them for, by Him in whose hand is my soul, any Muslim who sends peace on them until the day of Qiyaamah, they would return the salutation of peace.” As-salaamu ‘alayka yaa Mus’ab... As-salaamu alaykum, ma’shar ash-shudhadaa. As-salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu. Peace be on you, O Mus’ab... Peace be on you all, O martyrs... Peace be on you and the mercy and blessings of God. Need to contact us? Web Address: www.islamicbulletin.org E-Mail: info@islamicbulletin.org Editor, Islamic Bulletin P.O. Box 410186 San Francisco, CA 94141-0186, USA
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjQ1