Biography – 165 [Part – 2]
الحمد لله ربّ العالمين
COMMANDERS OF THE MUSLIM ARMY AMONG THE COMPANIONS OF THE PROPHET ﷺ
Usāmah bin Zaid رضي الله عنهما
The beloved, son of the beloved
Fatima bint Qais reported that Abu ‘Amr b. Hafs divorced her absolutely when he was away from home, and he sent his agent to her with some barley. She was displeased with him and when he said:
I swear by Allah that you have no claim on us. she went to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) and mentioned that to him. He said: There is no maintenance due to you from him, and he commanded her to spend the ‘Idda in the house of Umm Sharik, but then said: That is a woman whom my companions visit. So better spend this period in the house of Ibn Umm Maktum, for he is a blind man and yon can put off your garments. And when the ‘Idda is over, inform me. She said: When my period of ‘Idda was over, I mentioned to him that Mu’awiya b. Abu Sufyan and Jahm had sent proposal of marriage to me, whereupon Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: As for Abu Jahm, he does not put down his staff from his shoulder, and as for Mu’awiya, he is a poor man having no property; marry Usama b. Zaid.
I objected to him, but he again said: Marry Usama; so I married him. Allah blessed there in and I was envied (by others). [Sahih Muslim 1480a]
Ibn Umar reported that Umar saw Utarid al-Tamimi standing in the market (and selling) the silk garments, and he was the person who went to (courts of) kings and got (high prices) for these garments from them. Umar said:
Allah’s Messenger I saw ‘Utarid standing in the market with a silk garment; would that you buy and wear it for (receiving) the delegations of Arabs when they visit you? I (the narrator) said: I think he (‘Umar) also said: You may wear it on Friday (also). Thereupon, Allah’s Messenger (may peace he upon him) said: He who wears silk in this world has no share in the Hereafter. Later on when these silk garments were presented to Allah’s Massenger (ﷺ) he presented one silk garment to ‘Umar and presented one also to Usama b. Zaid and gave one to ‘Ali b. Abu ‘Talib. saying: Tear them and make head coverings for your ladies. ‘Umar came carrying his garment and said: Allah’s Messenger, you have sent it to me, whereas you had said yesterday about the (silk) garment of Utarid what you had to say.
He (the Holy Prophet) said: I have not sent it to you that you wear it, but I have sent It to you so that you may derive benefit out of it; and Usama (donned) the garment (presented to him) and appeared to be brisk, whereupon Allah’s Apostle (ﷺ) looked at him with a look by which he perceived that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did not like what he had done. He said: Allah’s Messenger. why is it that you look at me like this. whereas you yourself presented it to me? He said: I never sent it to you to wear it, but I sent It to you so that you may tear it and make out head covering for your ladies. [Sahih Muslim 2068c]
Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon, him) came back from ‘Arafa and Usama (Allah be pleased with him) was seated behind him. Usama said that he (the Holy Prophet) continued the journey in this very state until he came to Muzdalifa. [Sahih Muslim 1286a]
Usāmah bin Zaid رضي الله عنهما reported: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) on his way back from ‘Arafat got down in one of these creeks (to answer the call of nature), and after he had done that I poured water (over his hands) and said: Are you going to pray? Thereupon he said: The place of prayer is ahead of you. [Sahih Muslim 1280c]
Narrated Nafi`: Ibn `Umar said, “The Prophet (ﷺ) arrived at Mecca and sent for `Uthman bin Talha. He opened the gate of the Ka`ba and the Prophet, Bilal, Usama bin Zaid and `Uthman bin Talha entered the Ka`ba and then they closed its door (from inside). They stayed there for an hour, and then came out.” Ibn `Umar added, “I quickly went to Bilal and asked him (whether the Prophet (ﷺ) had prayed). Bilal replied, ‘He prayed in it.’ I asked, ‘Where?’ He replied, ‘Between the two pillars.’ “Ibn `Umar added, “I forgot to ask how many rak`at he (the Prophet) had prayed in the Ka`ba.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 468]
When the Muslims faced defeat in the Battle of Hunayn, some of the Companions like Usāmah bin Zaid, Abbās, Abu Sufyan رضي الله عنهم and a few others remained steady and resolute in the battlefield. The Prophet ﷺ kept on repeating this message to the enemy.
أنا النبي لا كذب أنا ابن عبد المطلب
“I am the Prophet, and this is not a lie, I am the son of ‘Abdul Muttalib.”
During the Battle of Uhud Usāmah bin Zaid رضي الله عنه set out for Jihād with boys of his age. Some of them were accepted for Jihād, but some were rejected due to being underage. He was one of among the latter. When he returned he was literally weeping because he had not been given a chance to fight under the flag of the Prophet ﷺ.
In the Battle of Ahzāb, when he set out to volunteer for Jihād, he started walking on his toes so as to appear taller and thus older. He feared that on this occasion too he would be rejected because of his age. When the Prophet saw this he smiled and allowed him to participate. When he first went into the battlefield for Jihad he was only fifteen years old.
In the Battle of Mu’tah Usamah رضي الله عنه fought under the command of his father, Zaid bin Hārithah رضي الله عنه. He was less than eighteen years old at the time. He saw with his own eyes his father martyred in the battle, but did not lose courage; on the other hand he continued to fight under Ja’far bin Abu Talib until he too was slain. Then ‘Abdullah bin Rawahah رضي الله عنه took over command, but soon he too was martyred. Then Khalid bin Waleed رضي الله عنه took over, and obeying his instructions, Usāmah bin Zaid remained stubbornly in the battlefield. Using brilliant military strategy, Khalid bin Waleed رضي الله عنه extricated the Muslim army from the jaws of the Roman forces, and succeeded in getting them out safe and sound. Usamah bin Zaid buried his martyred father in Syria and rode back to Al-Madinah on his horse.
ACCUSATION REGARDING THE ARMY OF USAMAH رضي الله عنه
Those who criticize the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم state that in Safar 11 A.H, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prepared an army to face the Romans, appointing as their leader Usamah ibn Zaid رضي الله عنه. The Shia scholar Ibn Mutahhar al Hilli reports that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
Send the army of Usamah. May the curse of Allah be upon the one who does not join the army of Usamah. The three (Abu Bakr, ‘Umar and ‘Uthman) were with him, then Abu Bakr prevented ‘Umar from going with the army.
The objection is that after the Messenger of Allah ﷺ passed away, Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه fell short in sending off this army; himself not joining and also preventing ‘Umar رضي الله عنه from joining them. This was clear opposition to the emphatic command of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
ANSWER TO THE ALLEGATION:
A number of points will be presented in reply to this objection, through which the objection will have no basis.
Scholars have commented on the words in this narration, “May the curse of Allah be upon the one who does not join the army of Usamah”, that these words are not correct and they have been added to the narration.
If this narration is taken to be correct, then there are a number of negative implications. For example, ‘Ali رضي الله عنه did not join the army of Usamah رضي الله عنه; how will the above mentioned words be correct for him?
Moreover, this point is worthy of note, that during his final moments, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ instructed Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه to lead the salah, which he did, in accordance with the command of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Thereafter, after the demise of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, he was chosen by the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم for the position of khalifah. In these conditions, how could he رضي الله عنه join the army of Usamah رضي الله عنه?
In light of this, the scholars have explained that the words of cursing are not correct. Moreover, it is incorrect that Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه went against the command of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in sending out the army of Usamah رضي الله عنه. This is because the reality is that after the demise of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ , Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه did indeed send the army of Usamah رضي الله عنه out, which is transmitted in a number of narrations. One of these narrations is presented below:
When Abu Bakr made a firm resolution to prepare the army of Usamah, then some of the Ansar said to ‘Umar: “Tell Abu Bakr that he should appoint someone besides Usamah as the leader over us,” and ‘Umar mentioned this to Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr said: “I shall not appoint a leader other than the leader who the Messenger of Allah ﷺ appointed.” Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه then personally went to Jurf and walked at the head of the army of Usamah, and commanded them to depart. He walked along with them whilst Usamah was mounted. ‘Abdul Rahman ibn ‘Awf was pulling the reins of the conveyance of Abu Bakr. Usamah said: “O Khalifah of the Messenger of Allah, either mount the conveyance or shall I dismount.” Abu Bakr said: “Neither will you dismount, nor will I mount.
After this, Abu Bakr asked Usamah for ‘Umar to be returned from the army, whereas ‘Umar was part of the army. So, Usamah permitted ‘Umar to return.
This is why whenever ‘Umar رضي الله عنه used to meet Usamah رضي الله عنه, he would say:
السلام عليك ايها الامير
“Peace be upon you, O Amir.” [Al Bidayah wa al Nihayah vol. 6 p. 305]
[Note: Khalifah ibn Khayyat has also mentioned this narration in his history work (vol. 1 p. 65) that Amir al Mu’minin Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه took permission from the leader of the army, Usamah ibn Zaid رضي الله عنه for ‘Umar رضي الله عنه to return.
It is clear from the above narration that Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه did not go against the command of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ , and despite the opinion of some to delay this expedition, he order them to march. He did not suspend the departure of the army of Usamah رضي الله عنه at all. Moreover, it is also clear that ‘Umar رضي الله عنه was not opposed to the army of Usamah رضي الله عنه, but Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه and ‘Umar رضي الله عنه took permission from Usamah رضي الله عنه for him to be left behind. Therefore, the objection that they have raised regarding the army of Usamah رضي الله عنه not being sent out is wrong and contrary to reality.]
Narrated Usama bin Zaid bin Haritha: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) sent us (to fight) against Al-Huraqa (one of the sub-tribes) of Juhaina. We reached those people in the morning and defeated them. A man from the Ansar and I chased one of their men and when we attacked him, he said, لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ “None has the right to be worshipped but Allah.” The Ansari refrained from killing him but I stabbed him with my spear till I killed him.
When we reached (Medina), this news reached the Prophet. He said to me, “O Usama! You killed him after he had said, لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah?”‘ I said, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! He said so in order to save himself.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “You killed him after he had said, لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah.”
The Prophet (ﷺ) kept on repeating that statement till I wished I had not been a Muslim before that day. [Sahih al-Bukhari 6872]
As time passed Muslims started appreciating and valuing Usamah bin Zaid رضي الله عنه more and more. And all this grandeur and glory he achieved was due to his loyalty to the Prophet ﷺ.
Mother of the believers ‘Aishah رضي الله عنها narrated:
The people of Quraish worried about the lady from Bani Makhzum who had committed theft. They asked, “Who will intercede for her with Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)?” Some said, “No one dare to do so except Usama bin Zaid the beloved one to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) .” When Usama spoke about that to Allah’s Messenger, Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, (to him), “Do you try to intercede for somebody in a case connected with Allah’s Prescribed Punishments?” Then he got up and delivered a sermon saying, “What destroyed the nations preceding you, was that if a noble amongst them stole, they would forgive him, and if a poor person amongst them stole, they would inflict Allah’s Legal punishment on him. By Allah, if Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad stole, I would cut off her hand.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 3475]
Even though the Prophet ﷺ loved Usamah رضي الله عنه deeply, it was the love of Allah Almighty which, took precedence and overcame all other considerations.
It was narrated from Usamah bin Zaid that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“I am not leaving behind me any tribulation that is more harmful to men than women.” [Sunan Ibn Majah 3998]
At the time the Prophet ﷺ passed away, Usāmah bin Zaid رضي الله عنه was barely eighteen or twenty years old. He did not have a chance to spend much time with the Prophet ﷺ after he gained maturity, yet people used to refer to him and ask him about the Prophet’s opinions on certain matters. For example, Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas رضي الله عنه asked Usamah to narrate any instructions he remembered of the Prophet regarding plague. Usāmah رضي الله عنه told him that the Prophet ﷺ had said:
Narrated ‘Amir bin Sa`d bin Abi Waqqas:
That he heard Usama bin Zaid speaking to Sa`d, saying, “Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) mentioned the plague and said, ‘It is a means of punishment with which some nations were punished and some of it has remained, and it appears now and then. So, whoever hears that there is an outbreak of plague in some land, he should not go to that land, and if the plague breaks out in the land where one is already present, one should not run away from that land, escaping from the plague.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 6974]
After the death of Prophet ﷺ, Usāmah رضي الله عنه settled in Wadi al-Qura, then later in Medina. He died in al-Jurf “at the end of the caliphate of Mu’awiyah (رضي الله عنه)”, i.e., c.680. [Al-Tarikh al-Rusul wa’l-Muluk]
[The End]
May Allāh سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى Shower His Blessings on the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his Companions.
اَللّٰهُ أَعْلَم
(To be continued…)
ان شاء الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰ
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