Pious predecessors(Akabireen) of islam.

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UMAR BIN KHATTAB RA:




“Whoever wants to follow a path, let him follow the path of those who have died because the living ones could fail in their trials. Those are the companions of Muhammad (SAWS)”*.....*‘AbduLlah ibn Mas’ud (RA) addressing the Tabi’in*,

The Prophet (SAWS) said,*“There were people who were Muhadathoon in the nations before me and if there is going to be a Muhadath in my Ummah, it would be ‘Umar.”

Muhadath as said by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (RAH) means:
1) Man who is inspired by Allah (SWT).
2) The man whose intuition is right because of something that is put in his heart
3) The one who speaks the truth, in other words the truth flows naturally from his mouth without even intending.
4) He’s a man whom Angels speak to without him being a Prophet.

The Prophet (SAWS) said,*“Allah (SWT) shows the truth on the tongue of ‘Umar and his heart.”*

The Prophet (SAWS) said,*“If there is going to be a Prophet after me, it would be ‘Umar.”*

The Prophet (SAWS) once said to ‘Umar (RA),*“You are similar to the Prophets Nuh and Musa.”*(because of their strength)

‘Umar (RA) once said,*“I am not a deceiver nor I will allow someone to deceive me!”

His Physical Description:

‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) was born 11 years after the year of the Elephant and accepted Islam when he was 27 years old. He saw described as to be a towering figure. Whenever he would be with any group, he would be the tallest amongst them. It was said that if one would see him from a distance in a group, it would seem that he was riding his mount whilst everybody around him was standing. He was very well built. He wasn’t over-weight but he had a lot of flesh on his bones but it was muscle. He was a wrestler in Jahiliyyah. His limbs were large. He was bald-headed. He was fair-skinned and there was some redness in his colour. He used henna in his hair. The tips of his moustache were long and he used to twist them in his fingers whenever he became upset. He was described as when he would walk he would walk fast, when he would speak you could definitely hear him and when he struck he would strike with strength. His presence was intimidating to his enemy and it would strike fear even in his friends. Once ‘Umar (RA) was walking and he turned around and saw a pregnant lady, and she then had a miscarriage. The Sahabah (RA) were then debating that if ‘Umar (RA) would have to pay blood money on that or not but ‘Ali (RA) then said that blood money was required to be paid but from Bayt al-Maal. When the enemies of Allah (SWT) would hear the name of ‘Umar (RA), their knees would shake and their hearts would tremble.

His Parents:

His father was al-Khattab bin Nufail. ‘Umar (RA)’s father was a very tough man and had a very tough upbringing. When he (RA) became a caliph, he came to the place where he used to be a shepherd and said, “La Ilaha IllaLah The Most High and The Greatest who gives whatever He wants whatever He wants to whomever He wants. I used to be the shepherd for my father in this place and I would wear some harsh wool clothes. And my father was harsh and he would make me exhausted when I would work and he would beat me up if I don’t work and today there is no one between me and Allah.” Once ‘Umar called people to the Masjid and when they all assembled, ‘Umar stood on the pulpit and said, “I had some aunts and I would take their goats or sheep to this valley and I would come back at the end of the day and they would give me a handful of dates or raisins and I would have a miserable day.” Then he came down from the pulpit. Abdul Rahman ibn ‘Awf (RA) said, “You haven’t done more than belittle yourself.” ‘Umar (RA) replied, “Woe to you son of ‘Awf! My nafs was telling me that you are Ameer-ul-Mu’minin so you who is better than you? So I wanted to teach myself a lesson and let it know who it is.” His mother was the cousin of Abu Jahl and her name was Himtimah bint Hisham.*

His Marriage:

He married 7 or 8 in total:

1) Zaynab bint Madh’un during Jahiliyyah and she was the mother of ‘AbduLlah, ‘Abdul Rahman (the eldest) and Hafsah (RA)
2) Maleeka bint Jarwal and she was the mother of ‘UbaydiLlah (RA) and he divorced her.
3) Quraybah bint Abi Makhzoom and he later on divorced who then married ‘Abdul Rahman ibn Abi Bakr (RA).
4) Umm Hakim bin al-Harith (the wife of ‘Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl {RA}) and ‘Umar (RA) married her when ‘Ikrimah (RA) died in battle of Yarmuk. She was the mother of Fatimah (RA)
5) Jamilah bint ‘Asim bin Thaabit.
6) ‘Aatiqah bint Zayd bin ‘Amr bin Nufail who his relative and was married before to ‘AbduLlah ibn Abi Bakr. When ‘Umar (RA) died, she married az-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam.*
7) ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) wanted to marry the youngest daughter of Abu Bakr (RA), Umm Kulthum who was born after the death of Abu Bakr (RA) but she refused. ‘Aishah (RA) told her, “You don’t want to marry Ameer ul-Mu’minin?” She said, “His lifestyle is harsh.” So ‘Aishah (RA) told ‘Amr bin al-‘Aas (RA) about her and he went to ‘Umar (RA) and said, “I have a suggestion for you. Why don’t you marry the Umm Kulthum, the daughter of ‘Ali? Because by marrying her, you’ll have a relationship into the family of RasuluLlah.” So ‘Umar (RA) asked her hand in marriage and she agreed and he married her.
8) Luhayyayah was either slave-girl or his wife, there’s a difference of opinion on this. She bore him Abdul Rahman the youngest.
9) Fuqayhah was a slave-girl and she was the mother of Zaynab.


His Children:

He had 13 children in total: Zayd al-Akbar, Zayd al-Asghar (he named two of his sons Zayd because his elder brother was Zayd whom he used to love very much and who died as a shaheed), ‘Asim, ‘AbduLlah, ‘Abdul Rahman al-Akbar, ‘Abdul Rahman al-Awsat, ‘Abdul Rahman al-Asghar (he name three of his sons ‘Abdul Rahman because he used to love the name very much), ‘Ayaad and ‘UbaydiLlah. Hafsah, Ruqayyah, Zaynab and Fatimah (RA).

His Work:

His first work was as shepherd for his father and his aunts. He then started a business in which he was very successful. He would travel to Syria and Yemen and traded. He became one of the wealthiest men of Quraysh. He was also a wrestler and was unbeatable.

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Continue....



The Prophet (SAWS) made du’a,
“O’ Allah, give Islam strength and power through the most beloved of the two men to you” The two men were ‘Umar ibn Hisham (Abu Jahl) and ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA). Allah (SWT) chose ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA).

Here are some incidents that took place before he (RA) became a Muslim:

'Umar (RA) was a heavy drinker in the times of Jahiliyyah and he used to drink with his "drinking friends."
So, one night 'Umar (RA) didn't find anyone to drink with and he though that since there's nothing better to do, why not go and do tawaf around Ka'bah.
He went out and he saw a man praying alone at the Ka'bah.
Umar (RA) went closer and saw that it was Prophet (SAWS) therefore, he decided to somehow disturb the Prophet (SAWS).
Then 'Umar (RA) hid under the cover of the Ka'bah and slowly he came to the spot from where he could hear the Prophet (SAWS) reciting the Qur'an. Whilst 'Umar (RA) was listening to the recitation of the Prophet (SAWS) , he was impressed by the Qur'an and thought that this might be the word of poet. At that very moment, the Prophet (SAWS) reached the part:
وَمَا هُوَ بِقَوْلِ شَاعِر قَلِيلًا مَا تُؤْمِنُونَ ٍ
"It is not the word of a poet, little is that you believe!"
{Noble Qur'an 69:41}

'Umar (RA) was amazed at this so he thought that this might be the word of a soothsayer and then he heard this:

وَلَا بِقَوْلِ كَاهِنٍ قَلِيلًا مَا تَذَكَّرُونَ
Nor is it the word of a soothsayer (or a foreteller), little is that you remember! (oble Qur'an 69:42)

'Umar (RA) was now really stunned at this and finally he thought then this might be the Word of Allah (SWT).

One day, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) saw a Sahabiyyah who was on her way to Abyssinia. He (RA) said, “Are you leaving?” She (RA) replied, “Yes, because you have oppressed us and persecuted us! We are going to travel in theland of Allah, in order we can practice our religion freely.” He (RA) said, “May Allah be with you!” This statement was contrary to the nature of ‘Umar (RA). ‘Umar (RA) showing compassion to a Muslim was not possible. When Nu’aym bin ‘AbduLlah (RA) came back, he was with the Sahabiyyah (RA), she told him what happened. He said, “It appears that you are hoping for ‘Umar to be a Muslim.” She said, “Yes.” He said, “Let me tell you, the donkey of his father would become a Muslim before he does.”*

‘AbduLlah ibn ‘Umar (RA) narrated, “One day, a handsome man walked in front of us so my father looked at his face and said, ‘If my intuition is right, this man was a fortune teller for his people’.’ So we called the man and ‘Umar (RA) said, ‘Tell me about yourself.’ The man said, ‘Yes, I was the fortune teller of my people.’ So ’Umar (RA) asked him, “Tell me about the strangest thing your Jinn has told you about.” He said, “My Jinn came to me and he mentioned some rhyming words speaking about coming of a Prophet.” ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) said, ‘Yes, that’s true. One day when a man was sacrificing an animal for idols, I heard a very loud voice and this voice was saying something similar that there was a Prophet coming and then immediately after that Muhammad claimed to be the Prophet.’ ”(‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar {RA} said, “Rarely would the intuition of my father would go wrong”)”

One day the Mushrikin were discussing the issue of Prophet (SAWS). They said, “Who’d want to volunteer in killing him?” ‘Umar (RA) said, “I will!” They said, “Yes, you are the man for it.” So ‘Umar (RA) carried his sword in the middle of a very hot day in Makkah and he was walking down the streets to Dar al-Arqam and you could see evil in his eyes.
One of the companions who was practising Islam in secret, saw ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) and he realised that there was something wrong. So, he (RA) told ‘Umar (RA), “Where are you going?” He (RA) said, “To this man who has disunited our people and has made fools out of us and who has cursed our gods, I am going to kill him.”
The Companion (RA) told him (RA), “It seems that you are too confident in yourself. Do you think Bani Abdul Manaf are going to let you walk on the face of this earth if you kill their man?” ‘Umar (RA) was upset, so they started an argument. Then ‘Umar (RA) continued, “I think that you have become Muslim and if I am sure that you are Muslim, I am going to start by killing you first!” So, the Sahabi felt that there is no hope in carrying on this discussion in this way, he told ‘Umar, “Before you go to RasuluLlah, why don’t you take care of our household first?” ‘Umar (RA) said, “What do you mean?” He (RA) said, “Your sister and husband have become Muslim”
This Sahabi said this when every other argument did not work. So now ‘Umar (RA) changed his course and he went straight to the house of his sister. When he (RA) got next to the door, he heard them reciting Qur’an. Fatimah bint al-Khattab and her husband Sa’id ibn Zayd (RA) (who was the cousin of ‘Umar {RA}) were being taught Qur’an by Khabbab ibn al-Arat (RA).
When he (RA) knocked the door and they saw that it’s ‘Umar (RA), Khabbab (RA) immediately went into hiding and Fatimah (RA) hid the scroll of the Qur’an under her thigh. ‘Umar (RA) came and in and said, “What was that humming sound that I heard?” They (RA) said, “It was nothing we were just talking.” He (RA) said, “Don’t lie! What was that noise? And have you become Muslim?” Sa’id ibn Zayd (RA) said, “Well, what if Islam is better than your religion?” At that point, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) attacked Sa’id (RA), he threw him to the ground and then he sat on top of him. When Fatimah (RA) saw that, she came to defend her husband, ‘Umar (RA) struck her. It came onto her face and she started to bleed. She (RA) then said, “O’ Enemy of Allah, you hit me just because I believe in Allah? Whether you like it or not I bear witness and testify that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is Messenger of Allah, do whatever you want!” When ‘Umar (RA) saw the strength emanating from his sister, the confidence and to blood on her face, he regretted what he had done. He felt sorry for what he had done with his sister, so he moved away from Sa’id (RA) and sat down and said, “Hand me over your scrolls.” She (RA) said, “I wont.” ‘Umar (RA) said, “What you said, struck a cord in my heart and I promise you that I will return the scrolls to you safely.” She (RA) said, “You are a Mushrik and in state of impurity so you have to make Ghusl first.” ‘Umar (RA) went and did Ghusl and then came back. She (RA) handed him the scrolls. ‘Umar (RA) started to recited the Ayaat in the scroll:

طه (1) مَا أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لِتَشْقَى (2) إِلَّا تَذْكِرَةً لِّمَن يَخْشَى (3) تَنزِيلًا مِّمَّنْ خَلَقَ الْأَرْضَ وَالسَّمَاوَاتِ الْعُلَى (4) الرَّحْمَنُ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوَى (5) لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَمَا تَحْتَ الثَّرَى (6) وَإِن تَجْهَرْ بِالْقَوْلِ فَإِنَّهُ يَعْلَمُ السِّرَّ وَأَخْفَى (7) اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ لَهُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَى



TaHa.We have not sent down the Qur’an unto you (O Muhammad {SAWS}) to cause you distress. But only as a Reminder to those who fear (Allah).A revelation from Him (Allah) Who has created the earth and high heavens. The Most Beneficent (Allah)*Istawa*(rose over) the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty). To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth, and all that is between them, and all that is under the soil. And if you (O Muhammad {SAWS}) speak (the invocation) aloud, then verily, He knows the secret and that which is yet more hidden. Allah!*La ilaha illa Huwa*(none has the right to be worshipped but He)! To Him belong the Best Names.”{Noble Qur’an 20:1-7}
When ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) recited, he said, “Is this what Quraysh is against? The One who has spoken these words needs to be worshipped. Where is Muhammad?” When Khabbab bin al-Arat (RA) heard this, he came out of hiding and said, “I think ‘Umar Allah (SWT) has accepted the du’a of RasuluLlah!”
They (RA) told him where the Prophet (SAWS) was meeting with the Sahabah (RA). ‘Umar (RA) went to Dar al-Arqam, and knocked the door.
The Sahabah (RA) peeked and saw that it was ‘Umar (RA), so they all sat down. Hamzah (RA) looked at them and asked, “What’s wrong with you?”
They (RA) said, “It’s ‘Umar” He (RA) said, “So what is its ‘Umar? If he came for good, then he is welcomed, if he came for evil, then we are going to kill him with his own sword.”
Hamzah and another companion (RA) opened the door and they held ‘Umar (RA) by his arms and they brought him to Prophet (SAWS). He (SAWS) said, “Leave him alone.”
They (RA) released ‘Umar (RA).
Then the Prophet (SAWS) pulled ‘Umar (RA) by his clothes, brought close to him and said, “Why did you come here O’ son Khattab? Aren’t you going to stop fighting Islam until Allah is going to destroy you?”
‘Umar (RA) said, “O’ Messenger of Allah, I have come here for no reason other than believing in Allah and His Messenger.” Prophet (SAWS) said Takbir.
When the Sahabah (RA) heard the Prophet (SAWS)’s Takbir, the whole place erupted with Takbir. It was so loud, that they immediately had to disperse because everybody else could hear it.

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A True Muslim Leader


Once Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho Anho), during his caliphate, was going on his usual rounds towards Harrah (a suburb of Madinah) with his slave Aslam, when he saw a distant fire in the desert. He said, "There seems to be a camp. Perhaps, it is a caravan that could not enter the town due to night fall. Let's go and look after them and arrange for their protection during the night."

When he reached there, he found a woman and some children. The children were crying. The woman had a pan of water over the fire. Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho Anho) greeted her with salaam and, with her permission, went near her. (The woman didn't recognize that it was Umar ra).

Umar ra, "Why are these children crying?"*

The Woman, "Because they are hungry."*

Umar ra, "What is in the pan?"*

The Woman, "Only water to soothe the children, so that they may go to sleep in the belief that food is being prepared for them. Ah! Allah will judge between Umar (Radhiyallaho Anho) and me, on the Day of Judgment, for neglecting me in my distress."*

Umar (weeping), "May Allah have mercy on you! How can Umar know of your distress?"*

The Woman, "When he is our Amir, he must keep himself informed about us."*

Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho Anho) returned to the town and straight away went to the Baitul Mal (House of Charity) to fill a sack with flour, dates, fat, and clothes, and also drew some money.
When the sack was ready, he said to Aslam, "Now put this sack on my back, Aslam."*

Aslam, "No please, Amir-ul-Momineen! I shall carry this sack."*

Umar refused to listen to Aslam, even on his persistent requests to allow him to carry the sack, and remarked, "What! Will you carry my load on the Day of Judgment? I must carry this bag, for it is I who would be questioned (in the Hereafter) about this woman."*

Aslam most reluctantly placed the bag on Umar's (Radhiyallaho Anho) back, who carried it with a swift pace right to the woman's tent. Aslam followed at his heels. He put a little flour and some dates and fat in the pan and began to stir. He blew (with his mouth) into the fire to kindle it.*

Aslam says, "I saw the smoke passing through his thick beard."*

After some time, the pottage was ready. He himself served it to the family. When they had eaten to their fill, he made over to them the little that was left for their next meal. The children were very happy after their meal and began to play about merrily.

The woman felt very grateful and remarked, "May Allah reward you for your kindness! In fact you deserve to take the place of Khalifah instead of Umar."*

Umar ra consoled her and said, "When you come to see the Khalifah, you will find me there."*

He sat for a while at a place close by and kept on watching the children. He then returned to Madinah. On his way back, he said to Aslam, "Do you know why I sat there, Aslam? I had seen them weeping in distress. I liked to see them laughing and happy for some time."*

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He used to stand up in prayer the whole night and used to weep so much that there had grown two permanently dark tear-lines on his face.

Abdullah bin Shaddad (RA) narrated that one day Hadrat 'Umar (RA) led the prayer and as he came to the Verse:

"Verily, I only complain of my sorrow and my grief to Allah" (Yosuf:86)

he wept so much that the people were greatly perturbed.

Hadrat Imam Hasan (RA) narrated that once Hadrat 'Umar (RA) was leading the prayer. When he reached the Verse:

"The punishment of thy Lord shall certainly come to pass. There is none who can avert it." (At-Tur:7,8)

he wept so much that his eyes were swollen.*

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It is said about Hazrat Umar (ra) that as a Caliph, he made rounds of the city at night to learn about the problems of his people. He helped the poor and needy and aided the grief-stricken. If he came across anyone doing something wrong, he reformed that person.

One night, he was on his usual rounds at the time of Tahajjud, he heard two women in a house speak to each other and he pictured that one of them was an old woman while the other was young.
The former said to the latter who was her daughter, "Mix some water into the milk to increase the quantity before we sell it." The young woman said, "Mother, the Aamir-ul-Mumineen, Umar (ra), has prohibited every milkseller from doing so. We must not do it."
"The aamirulmumineen is not here. He cannot see you. No one can see you in this hour of the night if you put some water into the milk."
The young woman replied, "Mother! It may be true that the Aamir-ul-Mumineen does not watch us but what about his Lord. Is He not watching us? We must not do the wrong thing." Hazrat Umar (ra) heard all that they had spoken and in the morning enquired about them. Then he sent a proposal of marriage of his son for the young woman and Abdullah bin Umar (ra) was married to her. His grandson, Umar bin Abdul Aziz (ra) was born from this family and became to be considered the fifth rightly-guided Caliph."

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Sa'ad bin Abi Waqqas Narrated,*
Umar bin Al-Khattab asked the permission of Allah's Apostle to see him while some Quraishi women were sitting with him, talking to him and asking him for more expenses, raising their voices above the voice of Allah's Apostle.*

When 'Umar asked for the permission to enter, the women quickly put on their veils..*

Allah's Apostle then allowed him to enter and 'Umar came in while Allah's Apostle was smiling, 'Umar said "O Allah's Apostle! May Allah always keep you smiling."*

The Prophet saww said, "These women who have been here, roused my wonder, for as soon as they heard your voice, they quickly put on their veils."*

'Umar said, "O Allah's Apostle! You have more right to be feared by them than I." Then 'Umar addressed the women saying, "O enemies of yourselves! You fear me more than you do Allah's Apostle?!"*

They said, "Yes, for you are harsher and sterner than Allah's Apostle."*

Then Allah's Apostle saww said, "O Ibn Al-Khattab! By Him in Whose Hands my life is! Never does Satan find you going on a way, but he takes another way other than yours."*

Source: Sahih Bukhari*

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Death of umar bin khattab ra:

The famous Tabi’i, Sa’id ibn al Musayyab (RahimahuLlah) mentions, “Upon occasion we were returning from Mina to Makkah when we reached the outskirts of Makkah, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) wanted to rest. He took some sand and made a pillow out of it. Before he lay down, he made a du’a, ‘Allahumma Inni As’aluka Shadatun FeeSabilikWaMawtun Fee Baladi Rasulik.’”

The incident leading to the Martyrdom of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) was that, there was Zoroastrian slave of the famous Sahabi Mughir ibn Shu’bah (RA).
Abu Lu’lu’ was a very skilled carpenter; he would work and give a portion of his wealth to his master.
Upon occasion he came to ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) and complained that the amount he had to give to his master was excessive. ‘Umar (RA) said, “I will speak to Mughira and I will get back to you.”
‘Umar (RA) spoke to Mughir (RA) and came to the conclusion that the amount he (Abu Lu’lu’) had to give to his master wasn’t excessive. When Abu Lu’lu came back, ‘Umar (RA) informed of his decision, Abu Lu’lu’ became enraged and he said, “O’ ‘Umar! Is your justice for everyone in this Dunya besides me?” And then he would go around Madinah and say, “’Umar has eaten my liver!”
Once ‘Umar (RA) was walking by and he saw Abu Lu’lu’ and he (‘Umar {RA}) said, “I’ve heard you make great windmills, make me a windmill!” He said sarcastically, “I will make you a windmill that the Dunya will speak about!” ‘Umar (RA) turned back and said to his companions, “Do you know what he is eluding to? He is eluding to the fact that he will try to kill me.”
The companions said, “O’ Ameer ul-Mu’minin! If that’s the case, then let’s deal with him now!”
He said, “Pre-emptive action can not be taken on the basis of suspicion.”

The day ‘Umar ibn al Khattab (RA) passed away, ‘Amru bin Maimoon (RahimahuLlah) mentioned that, “Between me and ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab was only one person. In front of me was ‘AbduLlah ibn ‘Abbas and then was ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA).”

He mentioned that ‘Umar (RA) came and strained the Sufoof and he said Allahu Akbar and began the Salah. Abu Lu’lu’ was hiding in the Mihrab and he had bought a two-edged knife which was dipped in poison.
When ‘Umar (RA) began the recitation, Abu Lu’lu jumped out and stabbed him Ameer-ul-Mu’minin a number of times. When ‘Umar (RA) was falling down, he managed to hold the hand of ‘Abdul Rahman ibn ‘Awf (RA) and he dragged him upon the Musallah.
Then Abu Lu’lu ran out and he was stabbing the Sahabah. He stabbed 13 Sahabah out of which 7 passed away until finally he was overpowered and they threw a cloak over him when he knew game over, he slit his own throat.
And ‘Abdul Rahman ibn ‘Awf (RA) recited two very short Surahs and then turned to Ameer-ul-Mu’minin and the first thing ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) said was to ‘AbduLlah ibn ‘Abbas (RA) to find out who stabbed him. And ‘AbduLlah ibn ‘Abbas (RA) came back and informed Ameer-ul-Mu’minin that it was Abu Lu’lu’ the Zoroastrian slave.
And even in this state, Ameer-ul-Mu’minin became elated, became happy and said, “AlhamduLilahi Ladhi Lam Yaj’al Mitati ‘Ala Yadi Rajulin Yasjudu LiLlahi SajdatunAlhamduLilahi Ladhi Lam Yaj’al Mitati ‘Ala Yadi Rajulin Yashhadu La Ilah IllaLah”
AlhamduLilahi Ladhi Lam Yaj’al Mitati ‘Ala Yadi Rajulin Yuhajuni Bi La Ilah IllaLah Yawm al-Qiyamah”
“O Praise be to Allah! That He did not make death fall upon the hands of a person who did even did one Sajdah in his life for the sake of Allah (SWT)” “O Praise be to Allah! That He did not make death fall upon the hands of a person who recited the Kalimah La ilaha IllaLah” “O Praise be to Allah! That He did not make death fall upon the hands of a person who will come on the Day of Qiyamah and will argue with me with the KalimahLa Illaha IllaLah”

‘Umar (RA) would become conscious then unconscious and upon occasion he became unconscious for a very long period, the Sahabah (RA) became very concerned. One person said, “Inform Ameer-ul-Mu’minin it is time for Salah for I swear by Allah if he has ounce of life left in his soul, he will respond.” They said, “As Salah Ya Ameer-ul-Mu’minin! As Salah Ya Ameer-ul-Mu’minin!” As soon as they said this, ‘Umar (RA) got alarmed, he regained consciousness. The first thing he asked was, “Have the people prayed?” And they informed him, “Yes O’ Ameer-ul-Mu’minin!”
He said, “La Islama Liman Tarqas Salah” “There is no Islam for the person who disregards prayer.” Then they bought some date water for Ameer-ul-Mu’minin (RA) and he had to drink the water which began to come out of his wounds.
Then they brought some milk and he began to drink the milk which also started to come out of his wounds. ‘Umar (RA) was, at that time, lying in the lap of his son: ‘AbduLlah (RA). And he told him, “O’ AbduLlah! Place my face on the floor.”
AbduLlah (RA) kissing the forehead of his father and his tears flowing said, “Why my father?” He (RA) said, “Because if ‘Umar is destined for Jannah then know the pillars of Jannah are softer than your thighs and if ‘Umar is destined for Jahannam then know you don’t want a Jahannami in your thighs!”
Then ‘Umar (RA) said to ‘AbduLlah ibn ‘Abbas (RA), “O’ ‘AbduLlah! Go into Madinah and ask the people of Madinah that of there is any person ‘Umar has oppressed today? For let him take their revenge today!”
Then ‘AbduLlah ibn ‘Abbas (RA) returned and said, “Ameer-ul-Mu’minin! I have been to all the people of Madinah and I asked them, ‘Is there any person that ‘Umar has oppressed, let him take revenge today,’ I swear by Allah’ I have not passed by one group but they were crying as if they lost their child.”
And throughout this ‘Umar (RA) was saying, “If leave me knowing that there is no sin against me I will be happy.” ‘AbduLlah ibn ‘Abbas (RA) said, “O’ Ameer-ul-Mu’minin! Do not be concerned for I swear by Allah (SWT) you accompany the Prophet saww and he left this Dunya and he was happy with you!
Then you accompanied Abu Bakr and he left this Dunya and he was happy. And you are now leaving the believers and they are happy with you!”
Then ‘Umar (RA) said, “O’ AbduLlah! Will you bear testimony to this on the Day of Judgement?” And ‘AbduLlah (RA) said, “I will!”
Umar (RA) calmed down and organised the Shura, six people from whom one will be the Khalifah out of them, then he sent his son ‘AbduLlah (RA) to ‘Aishah (RA), “Give my salam but don’t say Ameer-ul-Mu’minin because today the believers do not have any Ameer! And ask her, ‘Can ‘Umar be buried next Prophet saww and Abu Bakr (RA)?’”
AbduLlah (RA) knocked on the door and went inside and found ‘Aishah (RA) crying.
And said to her, “’Umar ibn al-Khattab gives you salam and his request is could he be buried next to the Prophet saww and Abu Bakr (RA)?”
She (RA) said, “I reserved that place for myself but today I give it ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA).” When ‘AbduLlah (RA) was coming back, ‘Umar (RA) told the Sahabah to make him sit up straight.
AbduLlah (RA) came and said, “O’ Ameer-ul-Mu’minin! Your wish has been granted!” He became happy. Then he (RA) said, “When you go to bury me and go past her house, ask her again. Maybe she was compelled to agree but if she allows then bury me next to Prophet saww otherwise bury me in the graveyard of the believers ” Then
he (RA) said to the companions, “When I die, be moderate in my kaffan because if Allah (SWT) has good for me, the He will give better than shrouds then these and if Allah (SWT) has bad for me, then He will even strip me from these shrouds. Be moderate in my grave, because if Allah (SWT) has good for me,
He will expand it and if Allah (SWT) has bad for me, He will this even tighter.” And shortly after this, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) passed away and ‘Uthman (RA) saw him in his dream and asked him, ‘Ameer-ul-Mu’minin! When the Angels came to you in your grave, what did they say to you?’ He (RA) said, ‘When the Angels came to me in my grave,*I asked*them,*‘Who’s your Lord?’’

Examples of Justice of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA):

Amr ibn Maimoon (RahimahuLlah) said, “Three days before the demise of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), Hudhaifah (RA) came who was a governor of some place. And ‘Umar (RA) was speaking to him about the land, ‘How is the land there?’ And he (Hudhaifah {RA}) told him (‘Amr ibn Maimoon {RahimahuLlah}), ‘’Umar (RA) said, ‘Beware that you do not overburden the land.’’

Upon occasion a dog drowned in a Muslim land, and ‘Umar (RA) began to collect eminent Sahabah (RA) and began to weep, “What will ‘Umar do on the Day of Judgement when he will stand in front of Allah (SWT) and He (SWT) will say, ‘You were the Ameer-ul-Mu’minin it was your responsibility to look after this dog.’”

Upon occasion he went to the outskirts of Madinah he saw a lady surrounded by her children and they are crying out of hunger. The lady put a pot of water and was boiling it so the children would think that she is cooking food. The children fell asleep as a consequence and ‘Umar (RA) was watching this from distance and then approached this lady and gave her Salam and asked her is he could come closer. She allowed him. And he (RA) asked her, “So what do you say about ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab?” She said, “I complain to Allah (SWT) about ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab!” He (RA) said, “Maybe he doesn’t know about you?” She said, “He’s our Ameer, and he doesn’t know about his subjects?” ‘Umar (RA) went back to Madinah and went to Bayt-ul-Maal and told the keeper to give him a sack of food. Then he told the keeper to place it on his back, the man said, “O’ Ameer-ul-Mu’minin! Please let me carry it!” He (RA) said, “Place it on my back. Will you also carry my sins on the Day of Judgement?” He (RA) then hurried back to this lady. He (RA) lit the fire himself, and it is narrated the smoke was coming out of his beard and then he cooked the food for them. Then when he cooked the food, he also fed the children with his own hands and the lady was watching all of this without knowing that this man is ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) She said to him (RA), “I swear by Allah (SWT) you better than ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab!”
And ‘Abdul Rahman ibn ‘Awf (RA) was with ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) that night and said to him, “O’ Ameer-ul-Mu’minin! Its cold and its dark let’s go back!”
And ‘Umar (RA) said, “I swear by Allah (SWT) I will not depart from this place until I see the children laughing as I saw them crying!”
And then before he left, the lady said, “I will speak to ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) about your state.”
And ‘Abdul Rahman ibn ‘Awf (RA) said, “I swear by Allah (SWT) I can not express to you the way ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab cried in the Fajr Salah because he had seen the believers crying out of hunger.” The next day, when ‘Umar (RA) was sitting at his desk, the same lady came in and she hear everyone say, “Ameer-ul-Mu’minin!”
Then she understood that the man who came to her last night ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA).
He (RA) welcomed her in and said, “O’ sister tell me of an oppression I have afflicted upon you!”
She said, “Ameer-ul-Mu’minin what oppression? Did you not bring the food yourself? Did you not cook yourself? Did you not feed my children myself?”
And Ameer-ul-Mu’minin ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) insisted, “Tell me of an oppression I have afflicted upon you!” And they agreed on 600 Dirhams.
Then he (RA) made a transaction, “I, Ameer-ul-Mu’minin buy from this lady the oppression of a child afflicted upon her for 600 dirhams and upon this transaction ‘Ali ra ibn Abi Talib and ‘AbduLlah ibn Mas’ud (RA) are witness.”
Then he turned to ‘Ali (RA) and said, “O’ ‘Ali when I die, place this between my kaffan and my body for when I stand up in front of Allah (SWT) and Allah (SWT) says, ‘O’ ‘Umar you have oppressed this lady’ and I will say, ‘O’ Allah (SWT)! We reached an agreement.’’’”*

It was one of the Fatawa of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) that if he found out that anyone died in the Muslim area out of hunger, ‘Umar (RA) would take Diya (blood money) out of everyone of the vicinity because it was their responsibility to look after that person.*

[ghumbasa]

Sumayya ra the first martyr in islam:


Among those who sacrificed life for faith of Islam, a woman comes first. The her blessed name is Sumayya (R.A)

Earlier Muslims had to sacrifice a lot to keep their faith. Among the sacrifces, Sumayya (RA) was a woman companion of the blessed Prophet (SAWS) who had to give up her life for the faith.

Yasir (RA) and his wife Sumayya (RA) belonged to a poor family. Ammar(RA) was their son.

During pre-Islamic ages exploitation of the poor was a regular incident. Moreover was the abuse of women.

It was the time women were considered a disgrace to the family and the baby girls were burried alive.

At this corrupt time, the blessed Prophet, came with the message of Islam which mandated the rich to share the wealth and respect the women.

Prophet taught that there is a life after the death in this world and the cruelty done to the baby girls will be questioned.

He asked the women to dress modestly warned against those who prefer boys over girls.

It was not strange that the message captured the victims of horrible practices that existed. Sumayya(RA) was both poor and she was a woman.

Yasir(RA) and Sumayya accepted Islam along with their son Ammar (RA).

Abu Jahal was one of the heads in Makkah. He used to take all the measures to turn the people away from Islam.

But as with any enemy of the Almighty, he found that message of Islam goes so deep in to the heart of the believers.

Abu Jahal and his company used to torture Yasir (RA) and his family. But their faith remained strong.

Prophet (PBUH) at this occassion guranteed the whole family that they will be in the heaven.

Anger and frustration of Abu Jahal and his companions grew each day.

Seeing that they will not give up their faith, Abu Jahal decided to kill them.

He bayoneted the brave and faithful Sumayya (RA) through the most noble part of the woman and killed her.

Even when the pain of spear passing through the private part Sumayya (RA) kept her faith.

And thus she became the first Martyr of Islam to find her place in the heaven as the Prophet (SAWS) has promised.

[ghumbasa]

Rabia Basri

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY:


Birth Name:Hazrat Rabia al-Adawiyya al-Qaysiyya
Born in:between 95 and 99 Hijri. In Basra, Iraq.

In depth:

She was born between 95 and 99 Hijri in Basra, Iraq. Much of her early life is narrated by Farid al-Din Attar. Many spiritual stories are associated with her and it is sometimes difficult to separate reality from legend. These traditions come from Farid al-Din Attar, a later Sufi saint and poet, who used earlier sources. Hazrat Rabia herself did not leave any written works.


She was the fourth daughter of her family and was therefore named Rabia, meaning “fourth”. She was born free in a poor but respected family.

According to Farid al-Din Attar, Hazrat Rabia’s parents were so poor that there was no oil in their house to light a lamp, nor a cloth even to wrap her with.

Her mother asked her husband to borrow some oil from a neighbour, but he had resolved in his life never to ask for anything from anyone except the Creator. However, to satisfy his wife, he went to the neighbour’s house, knocked on the door and came away before anyone opened it. On his return, he told his wife that the door was not opened. Grief-stricken, he fell asleep. In a dream, he saw Rasulallah (s.a.w) telling him, “Do not grieve, this girl born to you is exceptionally fortunate and holy.



By her intercession 70,000 people of my Ummah will be forgiven. Go to the governor of Basra and convey to him this message written on a page:

“Every night you recite 100 Durood on me and on Friday night 400 times. Last Friday night you forgot to recite the Durood. As a compensation for this omission, give this person 400 dinars.”


Hazrat Rabia’s father woke up crying in joy. He wrote out the message and went to meet the governor. He handed the letter to a guard. When the governor read the letter, he was moved by the fact that Rasulallah (s.a.w) had remembered him. He ordered 10,000 dirhams to be given to the poor as a token of gratitude. He went out to meet Hazrat Rabia’s father. After presenting him with the 400 dinars, he said: “In future whatever your needs are, come to me without any hesitation.”



After the death of her father, a famine overtook Basra and Hazrat Rabia parted from her sisters. Legend has it that she was accompanying a caravan, which fell into the hands of robbers. The chief of the robbers took Hazrat Rabia captive, and sold her in the market as a slave. The new master of Hazrat Rabia used to make her work hard with household chores.


She would pass the whole night in prayer, after she had finished her household jobs. She spent many of her days observing fast.


Once the master of the house got up in the middle of the night, and was attracted by the sorrowful voice in which Hazrat Rabia was praying to her Lord. When he looked, he saw a great light surrounding her as she entreated her Lord in these terms:


“Lord! You know well that my keen desire is to carry out Your commandments and to serve Thee with all my heart, O light of my eyes. If I were free I would pass the whole day and night in prayers. But what should I do when you have made me a slave of a human being?”


At once the master felt that it was sacrilegious to keep such a saint in his service. He decided to serve her instead. In the morning, he called her and told her his decision; he would serve her and she should dwell there as the mistress of the house. If she insisted on leaving the house, he was willing to free her from bondage.


She told him that she was willing to leave the house to carry on her worship in solitude. This the master granted and she left the house.

Throughout her life, her Love of God, poverty and self-denial did not waver. They were her constant companions. She did not possess much other than a broken jug, a rush mat and a brick, which she used as a pillow. She spent all night in prayer and contemplation, chiding herself if she slept because it took her away from her active Love of God.


As her fame grew, she had many disciples. She also had discussions with many of the renowned religious people of her time. Though she had many offers of marriage, and (tradition has it) one even from the Amir of Basra, she refused them as she had no time in her life for anything other than God.


More interesting than her absolute asceticism, however, is the actual concept of Divine Love that Hazrat Rabia introduced. She was the first to introduce the idea that God should be loved for God’s own sake, not out of fear — as earlier Sufis had done.


She taught that repentance was a gift from God because no one could repent unless God had already accepted him and given him this gift of repentance. She taught that sinners must fear the punishment they deserved for their sins, but she also offered such sinners far more hope of Paradise than most other ascetics did. For herself, she held to a higher ideal, worshipping God neither from fear of Hell nor from hope of Paradise, for she saw such self-interest as unworthy of God’s servants; emotions like fear and hope were like veils – i.e. hindrances to the vision of God Himself.


She prayed, “O Allah! If I worship You for fear of Hell, burn me in Hell, and if I worship You in hope of Paradise, exclude me from Paradise. But if I worship You for Your Own sake, grudge me not Your everlasting Beauty.”


Hazrat Rabia was in her early to mid eighties when she passed away, having followed the mystic Way to the end. She always believed she was continually united with her Beloved. As she told her Sufi friends, “My Beloved is always with me.”

She died in Jerusalem in 185 A.H ( Zirkali, al-A`lam, vol. 3, p 10, col 1, who quotes ibn Khalikan as his source.)


Philosophy:


She was the one who first set forth the doctrine of Divine Love and who is widely considered to be the most important of the early Sufi poets.

Much of the poetry that is attributed to her is of unknown origin. After a life of hardship, she spontaneously achieved a state of self-realization. When asked by Sheikh Hassan Basri how she discovered the secret, she responded by stating, “You know of the how, but I know of the how-less.”

She was the first in a long line of female Sufi mystics.

Anecdotes:

The prayer of Hazrat Rabia


Once while she was in the service of her Sheikh, she was sent on an errand. Along the way a man pursued her. In fright she fled, slipped and broke her hand. Praying to Allah Ta’ala she cried, “O Allah! I am forlorn, without mother and father. Now my hand too is broken. But I do not mind these things if Thou be pleased with me. But make it manifest to me that you are pleased with me. “

A voice called to her, “On the Day of Qiyamah, even the Muqarrab (very close) Angels will envy your rank.”


Rely on Allah alone:


When she went for Hajj she took along an emaciated donkey on which was loaded her few belongings. The donkey died along the journey. The people accompanying her offered to carry her belongings, but she refused, saying, “Proceed! I did not come relying on you.” The caravan continued, leaving her behind. With her perfect trust in Allah Ta’ala she supplicated for His aid. Even before completing her dua, the donkey came to life. Hazrat Rabia continued her journey and reached Makkah Mukarramah.


The Vision:


Hazrat Rabia in her yearning for Allah, prayed to be shown His Vision. A Voice said to her, “If you desire Me, I shall reveal a manifestation (Tajalli) of Myself and in a moment you will be reduced to ash.”


Hazrat Rabia said: “O Allah! I lack the power for Your Tajalli. I wish for the rank of Faqr (i.e. an extremely lofty spiritual status of divine proximity).”

The Voice said: “O Rabia! Faqr is the famine of My Wrath. We have reserved it exclusively for those Men (Awliyah) who have completely reached Us. There remains not even the distance of a hair between them and Us. At that juncture, We rebuff them and distance them from Our Proximity. Inspite of this, they do not lose hope in Us. They again commence their journey towards Us. While this is their condition, you are still wrapped in the veils of time. As long as you are with the folds of these veils and have not entered into Our Path with a true heart, it is improper for you to even mention Faqr.”


The Voice then commanded Hazrat Rabia to lift her gaze towards the heaven. As she complied, she observed a vast rolling ocean of blood suspended in space. The Voice said, “This is the ocean of tears of blood of My Lovers who are lost in My Absorption. This is their first stage (in their journey to reach Allah).”


The thief & the shawl:

Once, Hazrat Rabia, overcome with tiredness, fell asleep. A thief entered and took her shawl, but he was unable to find his way out. When he replaced the shawl, he saw the exit. Again, he took the shawl and lost the way. He replaced the shawl and again saw the way out. He repeated this process several times.

Then he heard someone saying:

“Why bring a calamity on yourself? She whose shawl this is, has handed herself over to another Being. Even Shaitaan cannot approach her. A thief is not able to steal her shawl. Leave it and depart.”


Beasts of the jungle:


Once when Hazrat Rabia was on a mountain, the wild beasts of the jungle gathered around her and stared at her in wonder. Coincidentally, Hazrat Hassan Basri appeared on the scene. All the animals scattered and disappeared into the jungle. In surprise, he said: “The animals fled when they saw me. Why did they stay with you?” Hazrat Rabia asked, “What did you eat today?” Hazrat Hassan Basri replied, “Meat and bread.” Hazrat Rabia then said, “When you have eaten meat, why should they not flee?”


Allah’s remembrance:


It was said to Hazrat Rabia, “Hazrat Hassan says that if on the Day of Qiyamah he is deprived of Allah’s Vision for even a moment, he will lament so much that the inmates of Jannat will take pity on him.”

Hazrat Rabia said, “True, but this claim is appropriate for only a person who does not forget Allah Ta’ala here on earth for a single moment.”


Regarding marriage:


People asked: “Why do you not take a husband?”

Hazrat Rabia responded, “I am saddled with three concerns. If you remove these worries from me, I shall take a husband. One: Tell me, will I die with Imaan? Two: On the Day of Qiyamah, will my Record of Deeds be given in my right or left hand? Three: On the Day of Qiyamah, will I be among the people of the right side or the left side?” The people said that they were unable to give her assurances regarding these issues. She said, “A woman who has these fears has no desire for a husband.”


The world & hereafter:


She was asked, “From whence have you come and whither are you going?” Hazrat Rabia said: “I came from that world and I am returning to that world.” The people asked: “What are you doing in this world?” Hazrat Rabia let out a cry of lament. They asked, “Why are you lamenting?” Hazrat Rabia said: “I obtain my rizq (provisions) from that world while I am doing the work of this world.”


The pain of separation from Allah:


When asked for the cause of her constant crying, Hazrat Rabia said: “I fear separation from Allah Ta’ala. I fear that at the time of death, I may be rejected and it be announced, “You do not deserve to be in Our Presence.”


The prayer of Hazrat Rabia:


She was asked: “When is Allah pleased with a person?” Hazrat Rabia replied: “When he expresses gratitude for the effort (on His Path) just as he expresses gratitude for bounties.”

Fana or Annihilation:

”As long as man’s heart is not alert, his other limbs cannot find the path of Allah. An alert heart is a heart lost in divine absorption. Such a heart is not in need of the aid of other limbs. This stage is called Fana (annihilation).”

Love of Allah:

One day, she was seen running through the streets of Basra carrying a torch in one hand and a bucket of water in the other. When asked what she was doing, she said:

“I want to put out the fires of Hell, and burn down the rewards of Paradise. They block the way to God. I do not want to worship from fear of punishment or for the promise of reward, but simply for the love of God.”


The Vision:


At one occasion she was asked if she hated Satan. Hazrat Rabia replied, “My love for God has so possessed me that no place remains for loving or hating any save Him.”


Her special status:


When Hazrat Rabia Basri would not come to attend the sermons of Hazrat Hassan Basri, he would deliver no discourse that day. People in the audience asked him why he did that. He replied, “The syrup that is held by the vessels meant for the elephants cannot be contained in the vessels meant for the ants.”

The Kabah meets Hazrat Rabia Basri:


Once Hazrat Rabia was on her way to Makkah, and when halfway there she saw the Kabah coming to meet her. She said, “It is the Lord of the house whom I need, what have I to do with the house? I need to meet with Him Who said, ‘who approaches Me by a span’s length, I will approach him by the length of a cubit.’ The Kabah which I see has no power over me; what joy does the beauty of the Kabah bring to me?”


At the same time the great Sufi Saint Hazrat Ibrahim bin Adam arrived at the Kabah, but he did not see it. He had spent fourteen years making his way to the Kabah, because in every place of prayer he performed two rakats.

Hazrat Ibrahim bin Adam said, “Alas! What has happened? It maybe that some injury has overtaken my eyes.” An unseen voice said to him, “No harm has befallen your eyes, but the Kabah has gone to meet a woman, who is approaching this place.” Hazrat Ibrahim Adam responded, “O indeed, who is this?” He ran and saw Hazrat Rabia arriving, and that the Kabah was back in its own place. When Hazrat Ibrahim Adam saw that, he said, “O Hazrat Rabia, what is this disturbance and trouble and burden which you have brought into the world?”


She replied, “I have not brought disturbance into the world. It is you who have disturbed the world, because you delayed fourteen years in arriving at the Kabah.” He said, “Yes I have spent fourteen years in crossing the desert (because I was engaged) in prayer.” Hazrat Rabia said, “You traversed it in ritual prayer (Salat) but with personal supplication.”
Then, having performed the pilgrimage, she returned to Basra and occupied herself with works of devotion.


The Vision:


One day Hazrat Hassan Basri saw Hazrat Rabia near a lake. He threw his prayer rug on top of the water and said, “Rabia, come! Let us pray two rakats here.” She replied, “Hassan, when you are showing off your spiritual goods in the worldly market, it should be things which your fellow men cannot display.” Then, she threw her prayer rug into the air and flew up onto it saying, “Come up here, Hassan, where people can see us.” Then she said, “Hassan, what you did fishes can do, and what I did flies can do. But the real business is outside these tricks. One must apply oneself to the real business.”


The Act of Repentance (Tawba):


“Repentance which is only verbal is the act of liars. When a vain person repents, he should repent again (for the sin of vanity).”


Divine love & worldly bounties:

Once Hazrat Rabia kept seven fasts and spent the entire night in Ibaadat. On the seventh day, someone presented her a bowl of milk. When she went to fetch the lamp, a cat came and drank the milk. She decided to break fast with water. When she brought a cup of water, the lamp was extinguished. As she lifted the cup, it slipped and broke. She drew a sigh and said, “O Allah! What are You doing to me?” A Voice said, “O Rabia! If you desire the bounties of the world, We shall bestow it to you, but then We shall remove Our love from your heart. Our love and worldly bounties cannot coexist in one heart.”

Henceforth, Hazrat Rabia severed all her worldly hopes and her attitude was like that of a person in his death throes. Each morning she supplicated, “O Allah! Keep me engrossed in You and do not allow the people of the world to divert me.”


Recognition of the Lord:


Once when Hazrat Hassan Basri went to visit Hazrat Rabia, he found one of the wealthy and prominent citizens of Basra standing with a bag of money, weeping at her door. On enquiring, he said, “I have brought this gift for Hazrat Rabia. I know she will refuse it, hence, I am crying. Do intercede for me. Perhaps she will accept it.” Hassan Basri went inside and delivered the message. Hazrat Rabia said, “Since I have recognized Allah, I have renounced the world. I am not aware of its source–whether halal or haram.”


Allah remembers His creation:


Malik Bin Dinaar went to visit Hazrat Rabia. He found in her home only a partly broken jug which she used for wudhu and drinking water, a very old straw-mat on which she slept and a brick which she used as a pillow. Malik Bin Dinaar said, “I have many affluent friends. Shall I ask them to bring some items for you?”

Hazrat Rabia said, “O Malik! Is my Provider, your Provider and the Provider of the wealthy not the same Being?” Malik said, “Yes.” Hazrat Rabia then said, “What, has He forgotten about the needs of the poor on account of their poverty, while he remembers the needs of the wealthy?” Malik Bin Dinaar said, “It is not so.” Hazrat Rabia then said, “When He never forgets anyone, why should we remind Him? He has wished this condition for me and I am pleased with it because it is His pleasure.”


Hazrat Rabia’s wish:


*Hazrat Rabia supplicated, “O Allah! My duty and my desire on earth are Your remembrance and in the Aakhirah, Your Vision. You are the Master. O Allah! Maintain the presence (i.e. concentration) of my heart or accept my ibaadat, devoid of concentration.”


The end of Hazrat Rabia’s worldly life:


When her time to depart from earth was near, the illustrious Mashaikh gathered by her. She said, “Go away and leave place for the Angels.” They all went out and closed the door. While they were waiting outside, they heard from within a voice reciting:

“O soul at rest! Return to your Rabb.”

For a long while thereafter there was silence. When they went inside, they discovered that Hazrat Rabia’s soul had taken flight from this world and had reached Allah.


Who is your Rabb?


In a dream someone asked her, “What happened when Munkar and Nakeer came to You?” Hazrat Rabia said, “When they asked me, “Who is your Rabb?” I said, “Go back! Say to Allah: When You had never forgotten this weak woman despite Your remembrance of entire creation, how can she forget You when on earth You were her only remembrance? Why do you send Angels to question her?”


From beyond the grave:

Muhammad Aslam Toosi and Nu’maa Tartoosi (R.A) stood at her graveside. One of them said:

“O Hazrat Rabia! During your lifetime you made bold and audacious claims of having renounced the world. Tell us, what has transpired now with you?”
From inside the grave, Hazrat Rabia (R.A) spoke, “May Allah grant me barkat (blessings) in what I have seen and am seeing (i.e. of the wonders of the spiritual realm).”

[ghumbasa]

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YuyHnG8OpA4

Allah accepted his hajj...

[ghumbasa]

Al Hasan al Basri :

He was one of the most renowned tabi`een (the generation after the death of the Prophet**) and prominent figures of his time. He was a jurist and a scholar. He was a pious and devout person. He was famous for his eloquence, inspiring speeches, wisdom, asceticism, and deep knowledge. He is the revered tabi`ee and the scholar of the people of Basrah, Abu Sa`eed Al-Hasan Ibn Abi Al-Hasan Ibn Yasaar Al-Basri.

Birth and early years:

Al-Hasan Al-Basri was born in Al-Madeenah in 21 A.H.,642 A.C. during the caliphate of the leader of the Believers, `Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab ra.Both his parents were slaves. His father became a prisoner of war when the Muslims conquered Misaan, an area between Basrah and Waasit in Iraq.
His father embraced Islam and lived inAl-Madeenah where he married a bondwoman called Khayyirah who was the maid-slave of Umm Salamah ra...the wife of the Prophet saww. The Mother of the Believers, Umm Salama rafreed Khayyirah after she gave birth to her son Al-Hasan.

Al-Hasan spent his early years with his family in Waadi Al-Qura near Al-Madeenah. Before he was fourteen years old, he managed to memorize the Glorious Quran. He also learnt reading, writing, and some mathematics. He heard many sayings of the Companions of the Prophet saww and he used to listen to the leader of the Believers, `Uthmaan Ibn `Affaan ra whenever he delivered the Friday sermon. Al-Hasan was fourteen years old at that time.

Moving to Basrah and seeking knowledge:

When he was fifteen years old, Al-Hasan moved to basrah in 36 A.H., 656 A.C. He began learning jurisprudence, Hadeeth, and the Arabic language at the hands of a large number of the companions of the Prophet saww who were living in Basrah at that time. His tutor for the recitation of the Glorious Quran was Hattaan Ibn `Abdullaah Ar-Riqashi while his tutor for the methodology of delivering sermons, religious speeches, and recounting religious tales, was Ibn Surayyi` At-Tameemi, the poet.

Delivering sermons and recounting religious tales appealed to Al-Hasan and he took a place in the mosque of Al-Basrah to teach people.
Many story tellers back then tended to exaggerate. They were all banned from telling religious tales in the mosque of Al-Basrah except for Al-Hasan who adopted a different methodology. He used to talk about the life after death, reminding people of death, drawing their attention to the religious and moral defects they may have, and how they could overcome them according to what he had learnt from the Book of Allaah, the Sunnah of the Prophet saww, and the revered companions.

His classes:

Al-Hasan Al-Basri had a large class in the mosque of Al-Basrah in which he taught people the Prophetic Hadeeth, jurisprudence, the Glorious Quran, the Arabic language, and rhetoric. He also conducted a special class in his house to teach people about asceticism and deliver touching speeches.

Al-Hasan was one of the most knowledgeable people on jurisprudence and the lawful and unlawful acts. He loved the religion of Allaah and he was a pious man who used to refrain from committing any illegal act. He adhered to the straight path in all his affairs. He shouldered the responsibility of guiding and advising people to save his society from the deviations and aberrations that were beginning to prevail.
Al-Hasan Al-Basri adopted the doctrine of the companions.He was their student and he had the pleasure of accompanying them. He was influenced by their methodology and he steered their course.

The judge of Al-Basrah:

Al-Hasan Al-Basri used to frequently advise the rulers and governors and he never feared anybody except Allaah. He was especially well-known in the last years of the reign of the Umayyad caliph, Mu`aawyah Ibn Abi Sufyaan ra.
Al-Hasan lived in Iraq when Al-Hajjaaj Ibn Yoosuf Ath-Thaqafi was the ruler and Al-Hasan used to severely criticize Al-Hajjaaj's harsh policies.

Al-Hasan Al-Basri was a close friend of the Rightly-Guided Umayyad Caliph, `Umar Ibn `Abdul-`Azeez who loved him very much and used to consult him in some affairs related to administering the Muslim State. Al-Hasan became the judge of Al-Basrah in 102 A.H., 720 A.C. and performed this role on a voluntary basis.

The character of the Imam:

Imaam Al-Hasan Al-Basri was a peerless scholar with vast knowledge. He was eloquent and an ascetic and pious worshipper who used to fast many voluntary days. When he recited the Glorious Quran, he would weep until his tears flowed down his cheeks reflecting the extent to which he was deeply influenced by the Holy Book. He was also a courageous fighter who loved to perform Jihaad in the way of Allaah. Whenever Al-Muhallab Ibn Abi Sufrah fought the polytheists, he used to put him in the front line. Al-Hasan was greatly admired and esteemed by his contemporary scholars.

Abu Burdah said: "I have never seen a man who did not accompany the companions of the Prophet saww yet resembled them, like this scholar (meaning Al-Hasan).

Abu Qataadah Al-`Adawi said: "Follow this scholar, for I have never seen a man who had similar opinions to `Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab ra except him."

Abu Qataadah also said: "Al-Hasan Al-Basri was one of the most knowledgeable people on the lawful and unlawful acts."

Humayd and Yoonus Ibn `Ubayd said: "We have never seen a man more decent and courteous than Al-Hasan Al-Basri.

They also said: "We have seen many jurists, but none was more knowledgeable than Al-Hasan Al-Basri."

`Awf said: "I have never seen a man who knows more about the way leading to Paradise except Al-Hasan.

Some of Al-Hasan's sayings:

Al-Hasan Al-Basri was a wise, eloquent man whose words were just like pearls.
For example, he said: "Son of Adam, you are no more than a few days. Whenever a day passes, a part of you has gone."

He also said: "Son of Adam, never please anybody if this entails the Wrath of Allaah. Never obey anybody if this entails disobedience to Allaah. Never thank anybody for something which Allaah granted you. Never blame anybody for something which Allaah did not grant you. Allaah created people and they steer the course pre-determined for them. Whoever thinks that extra care and interest will increase his provisions, let him try such extra care and interest in increasing his life span, changing his color, or increasing the size of his limbs and build!"

He also said: "Whoever gives money undeserved high esteem, Allaah will humiliate him."

His death:

Al-Hasan Al-Basri died on the first of Rajab, which was a Thursday night,110 A.H., 728 A.C. His funeral was attended by a large number of people. Before his death, he stated that the following should be written down in his will:

This is what Al-Hasan Ibn Abi Al-Hasan believes: He testifies that none is worthy of being worshiped but Allaah and that Muhammad saww is the Messenger of Allaah. Whoever sincerely believes in this upon his death will enter Paradise.

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Story of a shop keeper

There lived a pious man all by himself, who spent most of his time in praying, fasting and praising Allah. Almost all his waking hours were utilised in meditation and devotions. He was very happy with his spiritual progress. No wicked thoughts came to his mind and no evil temptations entered his heart.

One night, he dreamt a rather disturbing dream. He saw that a shopkeeper in the town was far superior to him in spirituality and that he must go to him to learn the basics of true spiritual life.

In the morning, the pious man went in search of the shopkeeper. He found him busy with his customers, selling goods and collecting money with a cheerful face. He sat there in a corner of the shop and watched the shopkeeper carefully. No signs of any spiritual life at all, he said to himself. His dream could not be true. But then he saw the shopkeeper disappear to pray his Salah. When he returned, he was busy dealing with money matters again.

The shopkeeper noticed the pious man sitting in the corner and asked: "As Salamu Alaikum, would you like something, brother?"

"Wa Alaikum As Salam. Oh! No! No!" said the pious man. "I don't want to buy anything, but I want to ask you a question." He then related his dream.

"Well, that is very simple to explain," said the shopkeeper, "but you will have to do something for me before I answer your question."

"I will do anything for you," replied the pious man.

"All right! Take this saucer; there is some mercury in it. Go to the other end of the street and come back fast within half an hour. If the mercury falls out of the saucer, you will hear nothing from me. There you go now."

The pious man took the saucer and started running. The mercury nearly wobbled out of the saucer. He saved it just in time, and slowed down. Then he remembered he had to return within half an hour, so he started walking at a fast pace. At long last he returned puffing and panting. "Here is your mercury, safe and sound," he told the shopkeeper. "Now tell me the true interpretation of my dream."

The shopkeeper looked at the pious man's weary condition and asked him: "Well, friend, how many times did you remember Allah while you were going from this end of the street to the other?"

"Remember Allah!" exclaimed the pious man. "I did not remember Him at all. I was so worried about the mercury in the saucer."

"But I do remember Him all the time," said the shopkeeper. "When I am doing my business, I am also carrying mercury in a saucer. I am fair, honest and kind to my customers. I never forget Allah Ta'ala in my dealings with other men."

"Men whom neither trade nor sale (business) diverts from the remembrance of Allaah (with heart and tongue) nor from performing As‑Salaah (Iqaamat‑as‑Salaah) nor from giving the Zakaah. They fear a Day when hearts and eyes will be overturned (out of the horror of the torment of the Day of Resurrection). That Allaah may reward them according to the best of their deeds, and add even more for them out of His Grace. And Allaah provides without measure to whom He wills" [Al Quran, Surah an-Noor 24:37-38]

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The Story of a Pious Man who married a deaf, dumb and blind Woman.



The story of the pious man who married a deaf dumb and blind woman....

The marriage was announced and the man was taken to see his bride… She was covered from head to toe ..*

As a pious man he decided in his mind that this is what Allah chose for him and the woman has to be treated well and he should fear Allah and never hurt her or let her feel any bad feelings about her handicaps.
He went towards her and said bismillah and he removed the veil and he looked at her subhan Allah she is a good looking woman with a tranquil and smiling angelic face. He heard her reply bismillah ..
He said astonished ,"Subhan Allah are you the bride or I came to the wrong room"
She smiled and said : "yes I am your bride ."
The man said: "But your father said that your deaf dumb and blind."

She smiled and said: "My father didn't lie I am deaf to all bad words I have never allowed my ears to hear haram or hear what might displease Allah and I am blind to all bad things on which an eye can look .I have never looked at haram ..and I am dumb as my tongue never uttered a bad word and I never did backbiting or lying or anything haram Alhamdulilah."

The man said:" O ya Allah now this is a pious woman that I don't deserve after my sin, how come you reward me like this "

The father came and said:

"when I discovered how pious you are and how your fear from Allah's anger and the hellfire and you accepted to stay in my house till I find a compensation to your sin I kept watching you till I realized that I will never be sure that my daughter is safe and secure as a wife and a woman except in the hands of a pious man who fears Allah the most, even more than his own wishes and desires .. and when you accepted to marry her thinking that she is deaf dumb and blind just to please Allah , I realized that my daughter will be blessed by marrying you insha Allah."
The happy pious couple got married and they had a beautiful son ..they say that the son of this pious couple is Imam Abu hanifah the father of one the biggest school of thoughts …

So if you want a pious partner,first be pious and put your pure heart in the secure hands of Allah and ask Allah and wait for the gift ' sure you will get a pious partner with whom your heart will be pleased both in the dunya and the hereafter'
No one can choose for us better than Allah so we ask Allah.

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The Leftover of Majzoob (One Lost in Divine Mediation)
An incident of the childhood of Hazrat Sayyed-e-na Khwaja Gharib Nawaz is that once He was watering His garden when the famous majzoob of that period Hazrate Sayyed-e-na Ibrahim Qandouzi entered the garden. The moment He saw that pious person, He immediately left all the work and ran and greeted Him with salaam, kissed His hands and made Him sit under the shadows of a tree, with respect and then presented a bunch of grapes to Him with great submissiveness.

The friend of Allah was flattered by the way of the young gardener. He happily, took out a piece of Khali (oilcake) from his pouch and had a bite from it and then put into Khwaja Sahib's mouth. As soon as the piece of Khali went down the throughout, the feelings of Khwaja Sahib's heart changed and the heart became disgusted towards the world. He sold everything which he owned, including a garden which he inherited, and a windmill, at a very minimal cost and spent all the money and other possessions in the path leading to Allah. And took permission from his mother and left the house, at the age of fifteen years for the path leading to Allah in order to earn religious education. Allah bestowed a lot of blessings on Him and He became a leader of Saints and the uncrowned King of India.

The ones who spend the night sleeping negli-gently are awakened by. The years and years of sleepless nights of Yours.

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Owais Qarni (RA)*

Uwais al-Qarni or "Oveys Gharani" (Arabic: أويس القرني) (died 657 A.D.) was a Muslim resident of Qaran in Yemen who lived during the lifetime of Muhammad. His grave is in Baykan, Siirt Turkey. Although his life was insignificant from a worldly point of view, he is renowned and honored among both Shia and Sunni Muslims, Sufis in particular, for his piety, practice of zuhd (asceticism), and love for Muhammad(PBUH).

Life

Uwais embraced Islam during Muhammad's lifetime but he could not present himself before Muhammad(PBUH) because he looked after his elderly, blind mother and thus remained deprived of the honour of companionship. It is said that he spent his hours in solitude, fasting, night vigil and salat (prayers). In honour of Muhammad(PBUH), who at the Battle of Uhud in 625, had lost two of his teeth, Uwais al-Qarni drew out his own teeth. Muhammad(PBUH) called him the best of the Tabieen (successors) and he advised his companions to, “Get him to pray for your forgiveness.”

In a Hadith Qudsi recorded by the Companion Abu Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet Muhammad, upon whom be peace and blessings, said speaking on behalf of his Lord:

"Allah, Exalted and Mighty is He, loves of His creation the God-fearing, the pure in the heart, those who are hidden, and those who are innocent, whose face is dusty, whose hair is unkempt, whose stomach is empty, and who, if he asks permission to enter to the rulers, is not granted it, and if he were to ask for a gentle lady in marriage, he would be refused, and when he leaves the world it does not miss him, and if he goes out, his going out is not noticed, and if he falls sick, he is not attended to, and if he dies, he is not accompanied to his grave."

They asked him, "O Messenger of Allah, how can we find someone like that?" He, upon whom be peace and blessings, said, "Uwais al-Qarani is such a one."

Concerning the hadith of the Prophet, upon whom be peace and blessings, "More people shall enter Paradise through the intercession of a certain man from my Community than there are people in the tribes of Rabi`a and Mudar,"[1] al-Hasan al-Basri said: "That is Uwais al-Qarni."

At times the Prophet Muhammad, upon whom be peace and blessings, would say of him. "I feel the breath of the Merciful, coming to me from Yemen." Shortly before Muhammad died, he directed Umar ibn al-Khattab (second Caliph) and Ali ibn Abi Talib (the first Imam of the Shi'a) to take his cloak for Uwais.

Following the death of Muhammad(PBUH) in 632, Umar and Ali set out on a quest to find Uwais, who was residing alone in the desert. When they found Uwais, he was engaged in prayer, and they waited until he finished his devotions. They then asked for his blessings, gave him Muhammad's greeting and enjoined him to pray for the Muslim ummah (community).

According to Hujwiri¹, Attar Niyshabpouri², and Sheikh Mohammad Ghader Bagheri³, the first recipient of Muhammad(PBUH)’s Cloak was Uwais al-Qarni.

In so doing, Muhammad(PBUH) confirmed the method of heart to heart communication through which Uwais had received the essence of Islam. The method of the passing of the Cloak represents two significant elements in the teachings of Muhammad which constitute the method of instruction of the School of Islamic Sufism--cognition must take place inwardly, and cognition must be confirmed--as it was in the case of Uwais, and Ali.

In the famous book of poetry, “Masnavi”, by Jalaleddin Rumi, the following is said by Mohammad about Uwais Qarni:

The Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) says that*

the breeze brings O’men!
The divine perfume from Yemen.
The scent of Ramin comes from Uwais
The fragrance of God from Uwais.
Uwais’ heavenly perfume from God,
Overjoyed the heart of the Prophet of God.
Forsaking his mortal being willingly
That earthly (Uwais) become heavenly.


Uwais al-Qarni says, “Keep watch over thy heart”, (Arabic: عليك بقلبك) "Alayka bi-Ghalbik".

Uwais al-Qarni said, “Hidden invocation (al-du`a fi dhahr al-ghayb) is better than visiting and meeting," because hypocrisy (riya) might enter in the latter two.

The method of the passing of the Cloak represents two significant elements in the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad(PBUH)which constitute the method of instruction of the School of Islamic Sufism--cognition must take place inwardly, and cognition must be confirmed--as it was in the case of Hazrat Uwais, and Amir al-Mumineen Hazrat `Ali.

Since that time, the cloak and the method of receiving knowledge through the heart, symbolizing the highest level of divine illumination, and conferring honor, recognition and respect on the recipient, has been handed down through an unbroken succession of Sufi masters.


Not long after this meeting Uwais left his homeland of Qaran and came to Kufa, in modern day Iraq. One day he was seen by Harim ibn Hayyan, but after that nobody saw him until the period of the first Muslim civil war (656-661). He fought for Ali ibn Abi Talib against the army of Muawiyah and was martyred at the Battle of Siffin in 657.[2] Other accounts relate that he died in an expedition accompanying `Umar ibn al-Khattab, may God be pleased with him, to Azerbaijan.

Hazrat Owais Al-Qarni (رضى الله عنه)and his Mother:

The great Saint Owais of Qaran! Was presented the blessed cloak of Rasulullah (Sallal Laahu Ta'ala Alaihi Wasallam) on the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Ta'ala Alaihi Wasallam)'s instruction. It is preserved in Istanbul, Turkey. He reached his Spiritual status due to obedience to his mother.

Owais (radi Allahu anhu) was from the village of Qaran, in Yemen. He had asked his mother's permission to visit Allah's Messenger, and she said: "You have my permission to go, see him once, and come straight back. If the Messenger is at home, you may meet with him; if not, come straight back here." Owais made a journey of three months on foot, from the Yemen to Madinah the Illuminated. When he reached Rasulullah (Sallal Laahu Ta'ala Alaihi Wasallam) 's house, he knocked on the door and Hazrath Aisha (radi Allahu anha), wife of the Chosen Prophet and Mother of the Believers opened the door. She told him that Rasulullah (Sallal Laahu Ta'ala Alaihi Wasallam) was in the Masjid. Owais (radi Allahu anhu) remembered his promise to his mother and replied: "Please convey my salaams to my Beloved Rasulullah (Sallal Laahu Ta'ala Alaihi Wasallam). Kindly inform him that Owais came from the Yemen, did not find him at home, and is returning to the Yemen, since he does not have permission from his mother to meet him in the mosque."*

When the Rasul (Sallal Laahu Ta'ala Alaihi Wasallam) came home from the mosque, he found the radiance of Owais in his house. Hazrat Aisha (radi Allahu anha) told him what had happened, and conveyed Owais's salutations. His blessed eyes looked towards Yemen and the blessed Prophet said: "The fragrance of our friend is reaching us." The noble Companions asked: "If Owais is your friend, why did he not stay to see you?" Rasulullah (Sallal Laahu Ta'ala Alaihi Wasallam) replied: "He complied with a promise given to his mother and he is serving her."