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While Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was besieging one of the forts of Khaybar, a shepherd belonging to a Jew came to him and submitted, “Present Islam to me.” Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam presented Islam to him and he embraced Islam on the spot.
After becoming a Muslim, he realised that the Jews, who were his former masters, are now his enemies. He thus enquired from Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam what to do explaining to him that he works for the owner of the sheep and as a result, the sheep are a trust by him; alluding to the fact that he cannot continue shepherding for his previous owner, nor can he take the sheep. The trustworthiness and loyalty of this man is really remarkable. Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam told him to turn the faces of the sheep and they will return to their owner in the fort. Accordingly, he took some sand and threw it in their faces and told them to return to their master. They complied and returned as a flock as if someone was herding them until they entered the fort.
Now since he was a Muslim, he wanted to do some action pleasing to Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala. It was not the time for salah, so he entered into the ranks of the Muslims and began fighting. While fighting, a rock struck him and he was martyred; and he never yet performed a single salah.
He was brought to Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and placed behind him, with his face covered by the cloak he was wearing. Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam turned around to look at him and then suddenly turned away. When asked the reason for this he explained that two of his wives from the large eyed damsels were with him.[2]
This Companion only performed one good action, after proclaiming his shahadah, yet his stage is among the 100 ranks reserved in Jannat for the warriors of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala. Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam mentioned, “Jannat has one hundred grades which Allah has reserved for the mujahidin who fight in His cause. The distance between each of two grades is like the distance between the heaven and the earth. So, when you ask Allah (for something), ask for Firdaws which is the best and highest part of Jannat. Above it is the Throne of the Beneficent (i.e. Allah), and from it originates the rivers of Jannat.”[3] How fortunate he was to embrace Islam moments before attaining martyrdom.
[1] Tanwir al Ghabash: Aslam. Ma’rifat al Sahabah: Yasar. Usd al Ghabah: Yasar. Al Isabah: Aslam and Yasar.
[2] Usd al Ghabah, pg. 1239, Biography: 5628; Ma’rifat al Sahabah, pg. 2810, Biography: 3079.
[3] Sahih al Bukhari, vol. 4, Book 52, Hadith: 48.
BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents
While Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was besieging one of the forts of Khaybar, a shepherd belonging to a Jew came to him and submitted, “Present Islam to me.” Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam presented Islam to him and he embraced Islam on the spot.
After becoming a Muslim, he realised that the Jews, who were his former masters, are now his enemies. He thus enquired from Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam what to do explaining to him that he works for the owner of the sheep and as a result, the sheep are a trust by him; alluding to the fact that he cannot continue shepherding for his previous owner, nor can he take the sheep. The trustworthiness and loyalty of this man is really remarkable. Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam told him to turn the faces of the sheep and they will return to their owner in the fort. Accordingly, he took some sand and threw it in their faces and told them to return to their master. They complied and returned as a flock as if someone was herding them until they entered the fort.
Now since he was a Muslim, he wanted to do some action pleasing to Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala. It was not the time for salah, so he entered into the ranks of the Muslims and began fighting. While fighting, a rock struck him and he was martyred; and he never yet performed a single salah.
He was brought to Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and placed behind him, with his face covered by the cloak he was wearing. Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam turned around to look at him and then suddenly turned away. When asked the reason for this he explained that two of his wives from the large eyed damsels were with him.[2]
This Companion only performed one good action, after proclaiming his shahadah, yet his stage is among the 100 ranks reserved in Jannat for the warriors of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala. Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam mentioned, “Jannat has one hundred grades which Allah has reserved for the mujahidin who fight in His cause. The distance between each of two grades is like the distance between the heaven and the earth. So, when you ask Allah (for something), ask for Firdaws which is the best and highest part of Jannat. Above it is the Throne of the Beneficent (i.e. Allah), and from it originates the rivers of Jannat.”[3] How fortunate he was to embrace Islam moments before attaining martyrdom.
[1] Tanwir al Ghabash: Aslam. Ma’rifat al Sahabah: Yasar. Usd al Ghabah: Yasar. Al Isabah: Aslam and Yasar.
[2] Usd al Ghabah, pg. 1239, Biography: 5628; Ma’rifat al Sahabah, pg. 2810, Biography: 3079.
[3] Sahih al Bukhari, vol. 4, Book 52, Hadith: 48.