*This is a brief Biography of the Abū Mūsā Al-Ash’arī Radhi’Allāhu’anhu; we ask Allāh to benefit us thereby.*
53. Abū Mūsā Al-Ash’arī رضي الله عنه Oft-Repentant Believer
He is the great leader, the Companion of Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ), Abū Mūsā Al-Ash’arī At-Tameemi, the scholar and reciter (of the Qur’an), ‘Abdullah bin Qays Al-Yamani.
He became a Muslim in Makkah and went forth with the contingent of the two ships, three years after the Conquest of Khaybar and the Prophet (ﷺ) distributed it between them. He took part in military campaigns alongside Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ) and he took from him a considerable amount of knowledge. He ruled over Basrah on behalf of ‘Umar and ‘Uthmān. He also ruled over Kufah where he eventually died. He was among those who emigrated to Abyssinia. May Allāh be pleased with him.
Imām Adh-Dhahabi said: “He was given to fasting a lot, steadfast, pious, ascetic and a devoted worshipper (of Allāh). He was amongst those who merged their knowledge with action and consequently had peace of mind. Position of authority did not alter his personality. He was never deceived by the (glitters of the) world.” [See: Siyar ālam An-Nubalā (2/396).]
Abū Mūsā narrated the story of his migration, he said: “We left Yemen along with more than fifty other persons of my people. Three of us were brothers-myself, Abū Rahm and Abū Āmir. We steered our ship to the land of Najāshi while Jā’far and his companions were still under his hospitality. We returned only when Khaybar was conquered so Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: ‘For you is (the reward of) two migrations. You migrated to Najāshi, and you migrated to me.” [Sahih: reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim and others.]
The Prophet (ﷺ) used to love him and his people dearly. It is reported from Anas that he said: Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: “A group of people will arrive in your midst tomorrow. They have the most tender hearts for Islām amongst you.” And the people of Ash’ari arrived (the next day). When they approached, they broke into poetic chant. غداً نلقى الأحبه محمداً وحزبه [Tomorrow we shall meet with the beloved Muhammad and his party]
On their arrival, they kept shaking hands with the people. They were the first to bring practice of shaking the hands with people. [Its chain is Sahih: Reported by Ahmad (3/155) and others.]
Iyyad Al-Ash’ari narrated that when this verse was revealed: “O you who believe! Whoever from among you turns back from his religion (Islām), Allāh will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him; humble toward the believers, stern toward the disbelievers, fighting in the Way of Allāh, and never afraid of the blame of the blamers.” (Al-Maidah:54) The Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) said, “They are your people, O Aba Mūsā.” and he gesticulated to him.
The Sweetness of His Voice With the Recitation of the Qur’ān
No one had a more beautiful voice amongst the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) than Abū Mūsā. Abū Mūsā narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said to him, “O Abū Mūsā! You have been given one of the musical wind-instruments of the family of Dāwūd. [Sahih reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim. See also: Sahih Sunan At-Tirmidhi (3029).]
It is reported from Anas bin Mālik that he said: Abū Mūsā was sweet of voice. One night, he stood up to pray and the wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) could hear his voice. They stayed awake listening to him. When it was morning, it was said to him: “The women could hear you.” He responded: “If I had known, I would have gladdened and delighted them the more.” [Its chain is Sahih: Reported by Ibn Sa’d in At-Tabaqāt (4/109).]
Abū ‘Uthmān An-Nahdee said: “I have never listened to a musical wind instrument, a lute and a cymbal more beautiful than the voice of Abū Mūsā. If he led us in prayer, we would wish he recited Al-Baqarah because of the beauty of his voice.” [Ibn Asākir (527) from path of Imām Ahmad.]
Abū Salamah narrated: Whenever Abū Mūsā sat in his presence, ‘Umar would request him: “Remind us, O Aba Mūsā,” and he would recite the Qur’ān. [Reported by Ibn Sa’d (4/109) and Al-Arna’ūt said its narrators are reliable. Siyar (2/391).]
Abū Nadhrah reported: ‘Umar once said to Abū Mūsā, “Awaken our yearning for our Lord,” and he recited the Qur’ān until the people called his attention to the time of prayer saying: “As-Salāt! As-Salāt!” “Umar replied them: “Are we not in salāt? [Its chain is Sahih: Reported by Ibn Sa’d (4/109).]
His Bashfulness and Chastity
Abū Mūsā said: “For my nostril to be filled with the odor of carrion is more beloved to me than for it to be filled with the smell of a woman (i.e.. woman not lawful for him).” [(Its narrators are reliable: Siyar Aalam An-Nubalā (2/399).]
Anas said: “Abû Mūsā had trousers which he would wear for fear of his nakedness becoming exposed.” [Ibn Asākir mentioned it (535, 536).]
A Sermon from the Heaven
Abū Mūsā narrated: “We went on a military expedition on the high sea. We traveled until we entered into turbulence, then we heard a voice calling out to us: ‘O contingent of the ship, stop so that I may inform you.’ I stood up, looked right and left but could not see anything. The voice repeated his call seven times repeatedly. Then I said: ‘Don’t you see in what situation we are; we can’t stop here!’ Then the voice said: ‘Shouldn’t I inform you of the covenant Allāh has placed on Himself? Anyone who bears the pangs of thirst on a hot day for the sake of Allāh, his right is upon Allāh to quench his thirst on the Day of Judgment. Since then, it was almost impossible to find Abû Mūsā not fasting even on a very hot day.”
Owing to the intensity of his sincerity, his speeches were most sweet. Allāh has placed in it amazing effects.
Abū Labeed reported: “We used not to compare the words of Abū Mūsā except to a butcher who never errs in (separating the) joint.” [Its chain is Sahih: Ibn Sa’d (4/111).]
[To Be Continued…] May Allaah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى be pleased with them and they with Him.
اَللّٰهُ أَعْلَم (To be continued…) ان شاء الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰ Please Share 🔹 Facebook: https://fb.me/BiographiesIslamic 🔹 Telegram: https://t.me/BiographiesIslamic
