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Wherever she looked, she saw the face of her son Habiib. It was somewhere out there smiling
contentedly on every victorious fluttering flag.
(44)
UBAIY IBN KA'B
Rejoice with the Knowledge, Abu Al-Mundhir
The Prophet (PBUH) asked Abu Al-Mundhir one day, "Which is the greatest verse in the Holy
Qur'aan?" He answered, "Allah and His Prophet know best." The Prophet (PBUH) then repeated his
question, "which is the greatest verse in the Holy Qur'aan, Abu Al Mundhir?" Ubaiy finally answered
"Allah! None has the right to be worshiped but He, the Ever-Living, the One Who sustains and protects
all that exists." (2: 255)
The Prophet's face brightened with joy as he patted Abu Al Mundhir on the back and said, "I
congratulate you for having such knowledge and insight, Abu Al-Mundhir."
Abu Al-Mundhir whom the Prophet (PBUH) congratulated for the insight that Allah had bestowed
on him is Ubaiy Ibn Ka'b, the great Companion. He was one of the Ansaar, the citizens of Al Madiinah
who helped and aided the Muhaajiruun. He belonged to Al-Khazraj tribe. He witnessed the Pledge of Al-
Aqabah, the Battle of Badr, and the rest of the great events. He held a highly distinguished position
among those who were the first to commit themselves to Islam.
The Commander of the Faithful `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said, "Ubaiy is the master
of the Muslims."
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 in a slow, pleasant tone and comprehending its content. One day, the Holy Prophet (PBUH)
said to Ubaiy lbn 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 wrongdoing 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 empty handed 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."