Global Intifada

Here’s a rough draft of a packet I’m preparing for my students. I’ve still got some stuff to add.

I’ve assigned them a project to make a gigantic family tree illustrating the filial relationships between the Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) and the Sahabah (radhi allahu anhum). It will be in the form of a power point presentation and if you click on the name of a particular companion it will function as a hyperlink and transfer you to a slide containing some basic biographical information. InshaAllah, it should be ready within 3 weeks or so. If anyone wants to help, lemme know.

Anyhow, take a look at the packet below and help me weed out any errors you see or make suggestions on things I can add. I’m going to polish up the stuff about the Sahabah (radhi allahu anhum) and then add more biographical information concerning the Ahl ul Bayt. What I really need help on is the section on the fitnah.

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Definition of Companion:

A person who met the Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam), believing in him, and dying in a state of Islam.

 

Title of Respect:

• After mentioning a single male companion we say “radhi allahu anhu.”
• For a group of male companions, we say “radhi allahu anhum.”
• For a single female we say “radhi allahu anha.”
• For a group of female companions we say “radhi allahu anhunna.”

 

Number of Companions:

The exact number of the Companions (radhi allahu anhum) is unknown, but it is over 100,000. The beauty of having such a large number of Companions (radhi allahu anhum) is that the Shari’ah becomes fully explained. They provide us with many role models that we can choose from to imitate.

After all of the Anbiyah (alaihi mus salam), the Sahabah (radhi allahu anhum) have the highest rank. To have love for them is a fundamental part of our deen and imaan and to have hatred for them is a sign of kufr (disbelief), nifaaq (hypocrisy), and fisq (corruption). No one will ever be able to attain their rank since they are the most exalted generation. They were given the glad tidings of Jannah in this life. Even though they are not sinless, we say that Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) is pleased with them and that they will enter jannah.

 

Love of the Companions for the Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam)

• It is obligatory for all Muslims to love the Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam):
  • Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) said in the Qur’an:
    • “Say: (O Muhammad to Mankind): If ye love Allah , follow me; Allah will love you and forgive your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” (Surah al-Imran 3:31)
    • “Say: if your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your tribe and your possessions you have earned, commerce you may fear may slacken, dwellings you love – if these are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger and to struggle in His way, then wait until Allah brings His command.” (9:25)
  • These verses verse establish that its obligatory to love both Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) and the Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) in order to be a Muslim. This is further emphasized in the following ahadeeth.
    • The Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) said “None of you will believe until I am more beloved to him than his children, his father and all people.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim, and an-Nasa’i)
    • The Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) said “Whoever loves me will be with me in the Garden.” (al-Isfahani)
• Examples of the Love of the Sahabah for the Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam):
  • When Quraysh sent ‘Urwa ibn Mas’ud to the Messenger of Allah (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) in the year of al-Hudaybiyya, he saw the unparalleled respect which his Companion displayed towards him. Whenever he did wudu’ they ran to get his leftover wudu’ water and very nearly fought over it. If he spat they took it with their hands and wiped it on their faces and bodies. If a hair of his fell they ran to get it. If he commanded them to do something, they ran to do his command. If he spoke, they lowered their voices in his presence. They did not stare at him due to their respect for him. When he returned to Quraysh, he said, “People of Quraysh! I have been to Chosroes in his kingdom, and Caesar in his kingdom and the Negus in his kingdom, but by Allah , I have not seen any king among his people treated anything like the way Muhammad is treated by his Companions.” (Al-Bukhari)
  • ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab said to the Prophet, “I love you more than anything except my soul which is between my two sides.” The Prophet replied, “None of you will believe until I am dearer to him than his own soul.” ‘Umar said, “By the One who sent down the Book on you, I love you more than my soul which is between my two sides.” The Prophet said, “Umar, now you have it!”
  • Anas (radhi allahu anhu) said “The Prophet used to go out with his Companions from the Muhajirun and Ansar when Abu Bakr and ‘Umar were with them. None of them raised their eyes to look at him except Abu Bakr and ‘Umar. They would look at him and he at them. They would smile at him and he at them.”
  • Hind bint Abi Hala said “When he spoke, those sitting around him bowed their heads as if there were birds on top of them.”
  • Al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib said, “I wanted to ask the Messenger of Allah about something but waited for years out of awe for him.”

 

Texts Concerning the Companions

• Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) says in the Qur’an: “As for the first and foremost of the Emigrants and the Supporters and those who followed them in goodness, Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Allah , and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow where they shall live for ever. That is the supreme success.” (Surah al-Taubah 9:100)
  • This verse indicates that the Sahabah (radhi allahu anhum) will all be in paradise. The Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) said “… the fire of Jahannum cannot touch the Muslim who has seen me or has seen those who have seen me.” (Tirmidhi) We believe that while they may have made mistakes and errors, it is not our place to discuss their faults when Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) has clearly forgiven them and rewarded them with Paradise.
  • This verse also indicates that those who follow the Sahabah (radhi allahu anhum) in piety will also be guaranteed paradise.
• Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) says in the Qur’an: “But the Messengers and the believers in his company have carried out jihad with their wealth and lives, and for them there are the good things, and they are the successful. Allah has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow where they will live forever. That is the supreme success.” (Surah al-Taubah 9:88-89)
  • One of the characteristics of the true believer is the willingness to sacrifice their time, energy, wealth, and even lives in the way of Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). The hypocrites were lazy when it came to these things and tried to come up with as many excuses as possible so that they wouldn’t have to go fight or give up their wealth in the way of Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). This verse indicates that those who did what the Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) commanded and fought for the sake of Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) will be in Paradise.
• Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) says in the Qur’an: “Allah was pleased with the believers when they were pledging allegiance with you by placing their hands in your hands under the tree, and He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down tranquility upon them, and rewarded them with a well-nigh victory …” (Surah al-Fath 18)
  • The reference in this verse is to the pledge that was given at Hudaibiyah. The oath came to be known as bai’at-ur-Ridwaan (the pledge that earned Allah ’s pleasure). On the day of Hudaibiyah, the companions were 1400 people and the Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) said to them “You are the best of people living on the surface of the earth.” (Bukhari, Muslim) The Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) also said “None of those who swore fealty under the tree will enter the Fire.” (Muslim)
  • The participants of this allegiance are like the participants of the battle of Badr. The Qur’an and Hadith give glad tidings of Allah ’s pleasure and Paradise to the participants of the Battle of Badr. Likewise the sources give glad tidings of Allah ’s pleasure and Paradise to the participants of ba’at-ur-Ridwan. These tidings bear testimony to the fact that these sincere participants meet their end in the state of faith, righteousness, and with deeds that please Allah , because this announcement of Allah ’s pleasure guarantees that.
  • The Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) said “Any person that remains alive after me will see many differences in the Ummah. Therefore he should hold on fast to my way and the way of the Khulafaa e Rashideen. He must hold on to it with his teeth. Take Heed! Stay away from all new innovations (that will spring up), because all such innovations (which are regarded as being part of the Deen) are a bid’a and every bid’a is astray.”
  • The Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) said “The Bani Israel were separated into 72 sects and my Ummah will split into 73 sects. All of them, besides one, will be in the Fire.” It was asked: “Oh Rasulullah (sallahu alayhi wa sallam)! Which will be the successful sect?” The Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) replied “Those that will remain on that path which I and my Companions are on.”
  • The Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) said “The best of my nation is my generation then those who follow them and then those who follow them.” (Bukhari)

 

Suffering for Islam

• Sumayyah (radhi allahu anha) was the first martyr of Islam. She was killed by Abu Jahl, who put his spear through the most private part of her body, causing her death. She had refused to renounce Islam in the face of terrible torture in her old age.
• Bilal (radhi allahu anhu) was tortured by Ummayah bin Khalaf by making him lie down on the burning sand at midday and place a heavy stone on his chest so that he was not able to move even a limb. He would yell at him “Renounce Islam or swelter and die.” Bilal (radhi allahu anhu) would respond by exclaiming “Ahad [“The One”]” over and over again. He was whipped at night so much that his torturers would get tired and take turns.
• Khabbab (radhi allahu anhu) was tortured by being forced to put on steel armor and lying in the sun to sweat and swelter. Often he wsa made to lie flat on burning sand which caused the flesh of his back to waste away. He used to be branded on his head with a hot iron rod. Later on, he showed his back to Umar (radhi allahu anhu) when he was the Khalifah. Umar (radhi allahu anhu) said “I have never seen such a back before.” Khabbabh (radhi allahu anhu) said “My body was dragged over heaps of smoldering charcoal, and the blood and fat coming out of my back put out the fire.”

Ranks of the Companions (radhi allahu anhum)

According to consensus, the rank of the Sahabah is as follows based on different evidences from the Qur’an, hadeeth, and opinions of the Salaf us Saleh:

1. The Khalifah Rashidun

a. Abu Bakr as-Sideeq

b. Umar al-Khattab

c. Uthman ibn Affan

d. Ali ibn Abu Talib

2. Ashara e Mubasharah – Not only were the Companions forgiven by Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) and guaranteed paradise, but some of them had the honor of being specifically named by the Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) and told they were going to Jannah.

i. The Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) said “Abu Bakr is in Jannah, Umar is in Jannah, Uthman is in Jannah, Ali is in Jannah, Talha is in Jannah, al-Zubayr is in Jannah, Sa’d ibn Malik (ibn Abi Waqas) is in Jannah, Abdul Rahman ibn Awf is in Jannah, Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah is in Jannah.” He was asked about the tenth repeated, then he said “Saeed ibn Zayd.”

b. Abu Bakr as-Sideeq

c. Umar al-Khattab

d. Uthman ibn Affan

e. Ali ibn Abu Talib

f. Saad bin Abi Waqqas

g. AbdurRahman bin Auf

h. Abu Ubaidah bin jarrah

i. Saeed bin Zaid

j. Talha

k. Zubair

3. Glad tidings were also given to Fatima, Hasan, Hussein, Khadija, Aisha, Hamza, Abbas, Salman, Hubaib, Ammar bin Yaasir (radhiAllahu anhum ajmaeen)

4. The Participants of the Battle of Badr

5. The Participants of the Battle of Uhud

6. The Participants in the Ba’it e Ridwan. (Prior to the Treaty of Hudaybiyah)

7. Those who entered Islam the year of the Conquest of Makkah

 

Prohibition on Thinking Ill of the Companions

• The Companions as a whole (radhi allahu anhum) are forgiven by Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) and guaranteed paradise. If Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) has forgiven them and guaranteed them paradise, then who are we to judge them when our own status in the akhirah is unknown? It is better to remain silent about their shortcomings. This is the path of taqwa.
• Moreover, the Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) has given us the direct command not to curse the Companions and has warned us of the grievous consequences of doing so.
  • The Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) said “Allah ! Allah ! My Companions! Do not make them targets after me! Whoever loves them loves them by my love. Whoever hates them hates them by my hatred. Whoever harms them harms me. Whoever harms me harms Allah . Whoever harms Allah is about to be seized.” (Ibn Abi Hatim)
  • The Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) said “Anyone who curses my Companions has the curse of Allah on him, and of the angels, and of all people. Allah will not accept any exchange or recompense from him.” (Ad-Daylami and Abu Nu’aym)

• • The Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) said “My Companions are like stars. Whichever of them you follow, you will be guided.” (al-Bazzar)

Definition of the Ahl ul Bayt

The term Ahl ul Bayt refers to the “People of the Household” of the Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam). It includes the (a) wives of the Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam), (b) his children, (c) his foster children, (d) his step children, and (e) his servants.

1. His Descendants:

a. ‘Ali

b. Fatima

i. Hasan

1. Zayd

2. al-Qasim

3. Abu Bakr

4. ‘Abd Allah

5. ‘Umar

6. ‘Abd al-Rahmah

7. al-Husayn

8. ‘Amr

9. Muhamad

10. Ya’qub

11. Ja’far

12. Hamza

13. Talha

ii. Husayn

1. Abu Bakr

2. ‘Abd Allah

3. ‘Ali al-Kabir

4. ‘Ali Zayn al-Abidin

5. ‘Umar

6. Fatima

7. Sukayna

8. Zaynab al-Sughra

9. Umm Kulthum al-Sughra

iii. Muhassan

iv. Zaynab

v. Umm Kulthum

2. His Wives

a. Khadija bin Khuwaylid

i. Al-Qasim

ii. ‘Abd Allah

iii. Zaynab

iv. Fatima al-Zahra

v. Ruqiyya

vi. Umm Khulthum

b. Sawda bint Zam’a

c. ‘Aisha bint al-Siddiq

d. Hafsa bint ‘Umar

e. Zaynab bint Khuzayma

f. Umm Salama, Hind bint Umayya

g. Zaynab bint Jahsh

h. Juwayriyya bint al-Harith

i. Safiyya bint Huyayy

j. Umm Habiba bint Abi Sufyan

k. Maymuna bint al-Harith

l. Marya al-Qibtiyya (concubine)

i. Ibrahim

3. Banu Hashim and Bau al-Muttalib

Status of the Ahl ul Bayt

Part of respect for the Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) and devotion to him is devotion to his family, his descendants, and his wives, the Mothers of the Believers, as he urged and as did the Salaf.

Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) said, “Allah wants to remove impurity from you, people of the House.” (33:33)

Allah (subhana wa ta’laa) also said, “His wives are their mothers.” (33:6)

The Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) said “I am leaving you something, taking hold of which will prevent you from going astray: the Book of Allah and my family, the People of my House. So take care how you follow me regarding them.” (at-Tirmidhi)

Zayd ibn Arqam said, ‘The Messenger (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) stood up among us one day to address us at a watering place … He praised and glorified Allah , admonished and reminded people and then said, “O people! I am a mortal and the messenger of my Lord will soon com to me and I will respond. I leave you two great things. The first is the Book of Allah which contains guidance and light. So take the Book of Allah and cling firmly to it.” He promoted the Book of Allah and stimulated our desire for it. Then he said, “And the people of my house. I remind you of Allah with respect to the people of my house. I remind you of Allah with respect to the people of my house.” (Muslim)

The Companions would refer to the wives as “Ya Umma” and “Ya Ummi”. It wasn’t just a conceptual title, but they were actually addressed as mothers.

 

The Fitnah

Khabbab (radhi allahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) once performed an unusually long rakaat while leading a Salaat. When the Sahabah mentioned it to him, he said, “This was a Salaat of yearning and humility. I asked three boons from Allah . I besought him: ‘O Allah ! Let not my Ummah perish by famine; let not my Ummat be annihilated by an enemy gaining an upper hand on them; and let not my Ummat fight among themselves.’ Allah granted the first two prayers, but not the third one.”

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