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ZAID IBN HAARITHAH
The Beloved
In the Battle of Mu'tah, the Prophet (PBUH) stood to pay his farewell to the departing Muslim army
on its way to fight the Romans and to announce the name of the three successive commanders of the
army: "Zaid Ibn Haarithah is your first commander, but in case he is wounded, Ja'far Ibn Abi Taalib will
take over the command, and if the latter is wounded then `Abd Allah Ibn Rawaahah will replace him."
But who was Zaid Ibn Haarithah. Who was the beloved one of the Prophet (PBUH)?
Narrators and historians described his appearance as short, dark swarthy, and snub-nosed. As for his
reality, he was truly a great Muslim.
If we go back in time, we will see Haarithah, Zaid's father, just putting the luggage on the camel that
was to carry his wife, Su`dah, to her family. Haarithah paid his farewell to his wife who carried Zaid - at
that time a young child - in her arms. But every time he was about to leave his wife and child who were
going with a caravan, to return to his house and work, he was driven by a mysterious and inexplicable
urge to keep his wife and son in sight; yet it was time for them to set out on their way and Haarithah had
to pay his last farewell to his wife and head back home. His tears flowed as he said goodbye and stood as
if pinned to the ground until he lost sight of them. At that moment he felt broken-hearted.
Su'dah stayed with her family for a while. One day, suddenly her neighborhood was attacked by one
of its opposing tribes. Taken by surprise, Bani Ma`n were defeated and Zai lbn Haarithah was captured
along with other war prisoners. His mother returned home alone. When Haarithah heard the sad news, he
was thunderstruck. He traveled everywhere and asked everyone about his beloved Zaid. He recited these
lines of poetry on the spur of the moment to lament the loss of his son:
My heart was broken when I lost Zaid. I don't know if he is alive or dead or if I will ever see him
again. By Allah, I still do not know if he was killed on the plain or slain on the mountain. His picture
comes to the mind's eye whenever the sun rises or sets. Even when the wind blows, it brings along his
memory. Alas, I am shrouded by my sadness, grief, and fear for him.
At that time, slavery was a recognized and established social fact that turned into a necessity. This
was the case in Athens, which had long enjoyed a flourishing civilization, in Rome, and in the entire
ancient world, including the Arab Peninsula. When the opposing tribe attacked the Bani Ma'n, it headed
to the market of `Ukaadh, held at that time, to sell its prisoners of war. The child Zaid, was sold to
Hakiim Ibn Huzaam, who gave him to his aunt Khadiijah as a gift. At that time, khadiijah was married to
Muhammad Ibn `Abd Allah but the revelation had not yet descended on him. However, he enjoyed all
the promising great qualities of prophets (PBUH). Khadiijah, on her part, gave her servant Zaid as a gift
to her husband, Allah's Prophet. He was very pleased with Zaid and manumitted him at once. His great
and compassionate heart overflowed with care and love towards the boy.
Later on, during one of the Hajj seasons, a group of Haarithah's tribe ran into Zaid in Makkah and
told him about his parents anguish and grief ever since they had lost him. Zaid asked them to convey his
love and longing to his parents. He told them, "Tell my father that I live here with the most generous and
loving father." No sooner did his father know his son's whereabouts than he hastened on his way to him,
accompanied by his brother.
As soon as they reached Makkah, he asked about the trustworthy Muhammad. When he met him, he
said, "O son of lbn Abd Al-Muttalib! O son of the master of his tribe! Your land is one of security and
sanctuary and you are famous for helping the distressed and sheltering the captive. We have come here to
ask you to give us back our son. So please confer a favor on us and set a reasonable ransom for him."
The Prophet knew the great love and attachment Zaid carried in his heart for him, yet at the same time,
he respected Haarithah's parental right. Therefore, he told Haarithah, "Ask Zaid to come here and make