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`ABD ALLAH IBN RAWAAHAH
O My Soul, Death Is Inevitable, So It Is Better
for You to Be Martyred
When the Prophet (PBUH) met secretly with Al-Madiinah's delegation on the outskirts of Makkah
away from the disbelievers of the Quraish, twelve representatives of the Ansaar took an oath of
allegiance in the first Pledge of `Aqabali. `Abd Allah Ibn Rawaahah was one of those representatives
who ushered Islam to Al-Madiinah and who paved the way for the Hijrah, which was considered an
excellent springboard for Allah's religion, Islam. `Abd Allah was also one of the great 73 of the Ansaar
who gave the Prophet (PBUH) the Second Pledge of `Aqabah in the following year. After the Prophet
(PBUH) and his Companions emigrated and settled in Al-Madiinah, `Abd Allah Ibn Rawaahah was the
most active Muslim of the Ansaar who strived to support the thriving religion. He was also the most alert
Muslim to the plots of `Abd Allah Ibn Ubaiy whom the people of Al-Madiinah were about to crown king
before the Muslims arrived. He never got over the bitterness he felt for losing the chance of his lifetime
to become a king. Therefore, he used his craftiness to weave deceitful plots against Islam, while `Abd
Allah Ibn Rawaahah kept on tracing and detecting this craftiness with remarkable insight that frustrated
most of Ibn Ubaiy's maneuvers and plots.
Ibn Rawaahah (May Allah be pleased with him) was a scribe at a time in which writing was not
prevalent. He was a poet. His poetry flowed with admirable fluency and strength. Ever since his Islam he
devoted his poetic genius to its service. The Prophet (PBUH) always admired his poetry, asking him to
recite more of it. One day, as he was sitting among his Companions, `Abd Allah Ibn Rawaahah joined
them, so the Prophet (PBUH) asked him, "How do you compose a poem?" `Abd Allah answered, "First I
think about its subject matter, then I recite." He immediately recited:
O the good descendants of Al Haashim
Allah raised you to a high station
Of which you are worthy above all mankind.
My intuition made me realize at once
Your excelling nature,
Contrary to the disbelievers belief in you.
If you asked some of them for support and help,
They would turn you down.
May Allah establish the good that descends
On you firmly
And bestow victory upon you as He did to Muusaa.