men_around_the_prophet

88 / 255

More info and Downloads at Page 88 of 255
That was `Ammaar. Allah had granted him abundant blessings and guidance. In the level of
guidance and certitude, he reached a great height which made the Messenger (PBUH) commend his faith
and raise him among the Companions as a model and an example, saying, "Take the examples of the two
succeeding me, Abu Bakr and `Umar, and follow the guidance of "Ammaar. The narraters described him,
saying, `He was tall, with bluish-black eyes, broad- shouldered, among the most silent of the people and
the least talkative."
How did the life of that giant proceed, the silent, bluish-black-eyed, broad-shouldered man whose
body bore the scars of the horrible torture and, at the same tim, the document of his amazing
steadfastness and his extraordinary greatness?
How did the life of that loyal disciple, the true believer, the overawing sacrificer proceed?
He witnessed with his tutor and messenger all the battles: Badr, Uhud, Al-Khandaq and Tabuuk and
others. When the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) passed away, the outstanding Companion continued his
march. At the meeting of Muslims with Persians, with Romans, and, before that, at their meeting with the
army of apostates, `Ammaar was always there in the first line, an honest, brave soldier who did not miss
an opportunity.
He was a pious believer. No desire would take him away from Allah. When the Commander of the
Faithful `Umar lbn Al-Khattaab chose governors for the Muslims meticulously and with reservation, his
eyes usually fell on `Ammaar Ibn Yaasir in complete trust. That was how he hastened to him and made
him the governor of Kufa, and made Ibn Mas'uud in charge with him of its treasury (Bait Al-Maal). He
then wrote to the people of Kufa heralding the new governor and said, "I send you `Ammaar lbn Yaasir
as a governor, and lbn Mas`uud as a teacher and a minister. They are of the distinguished people of
Muhammad's Companions, and of the people of Badr." During his rule, `Ammaar followed a way which
was hard for worldly people to endure so that they turned against him, or were about to. His rule made
him more modest, more pious, and more ascetic.
One of his contemporaries in Kufa, Ibn Abi Hudhail said about him, "I saw `Ammaar Ibn Yaasir when he
was the governer of Kufa buying some vegetables. He tied them with a rope and carried them on his
shoulders and went home."
One of the public said to him when he was the governor of Kufa, "O you whose ear is cut off." He
was scorning him because of his ear which had been cut off by the swords of the apostates during the
Yamaamah War. The governor, in whose hands was the power of rule, merely said to his insulter, "You
insulted the best part of my ear. It was injured in the cause of Allah."
It is true. It was injured in the cause of Allah on the Day of Yamaamah, which was one of
`Ammaar's glorious days. This giant set out in stormy courage to annihilate the soldiers in the army of
Musailamah the Liar, offering death and destruction. When he perceived a lack of enthusiasm among the
Muslims, he sent his quaking shouts which pushed them as shot arrows.
`Abd Allah Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I saw `Ammaar Ibn Yaasir on the
Day of Yamaamah on a rock shouting, "O you Muslim people, are you running away from Paradise? I
am `Ammaar lbn Yaasir, come to me." When I looked at him, I found his ear cut off and swinging while
he was fighting fiercely.
If there is anyone who has his doubts concerning Muhammad (FBUH), the truthful Messenger and
the perfect teacher, let him halt in front of these examples of his disciples and Companions and ask
himself, "Is it possible for anyone to produce that refined style except a noble messenger and a great
teacher?" If they were involved in a fight for Allah's cause, they hastened as if they were looking for
death, not only for victory. If they were caliphs and rulers, the caliph went himself to milk the orphans'
sheep and make their bread, as Abu Bakr and Umar did. If they were governors, they carried their food
on their backs, tied with a rope, as `Ammaar did, or gave up their pay and set to making baskets and
vessels out of plaited palm leaves, as Salmaan did. Should we not bow in salutation and respect to the
faith that produced them and to the Messenger who raised them, and before all that to Almighty Allah