Epilogue

BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents

 

Epilogue

 

After this humble offering, I express my gratitude to my Helper subhanahu wa ta ‘ala for granting me the ability to delve into this prestigious domain, the domain of defending the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum. All praise is to Allah for granting me the ability and keeping me true. I ask Him to increase His blessings and benevolence upon me and to make this work solely for His pleasure.

It seems befitting to conclude this book by recounting its more important conclusions followed by some advices in relation to our subject matter.

 

Conclusions

— Praise worthy characteristics and nobility are innate as much as they are a product of a person’s environment and family.

— It is a grave injustice to judge or define a child by the sins of their parents.

— A person whose faith, reliability, or nobility has been established with certainty, cannot be relegated except by another certainty.

— It is an injustice to attribute something to a person without authentic evidence.

— A Muslim yearning to practice upon the sunnah in his last moments is an indication of Divine aid.

— Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam appointing a Sahabi to a significant undertaking is an indication to the reliability and nobility of that Sahabi.

— All of the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum are ‘udul with differences in status.

— Anyone wishing to come to a true and accurate conclusion whilst studying history, must study the dispositions of the era under discussion.

— The dispositions of societies change with a change of environment and leadership.

— Understanding the disposition and character of a society lends a great deal of insight in understanding the reports of that era.

— Sedition can be a result of incorrect understanding, ignorance, jealousy, or hatred.

— In times of Fitan, safeguarding one’s tongue is the best way to secure salvation.

— There are many misconceptions regarding individuals of the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum due to the fitnah occurred. Amongst them is ‘Amr ibn al ‘As radiya Llahu ‘anhu. The misconceptions relating to him can be grouped into five categories:

1. Misconceptions related to his lineage radiya Llahu ‘anhu.
2. Misconceptions related to his integrity radiya Llahu ‘anhu.
3. Misconceptions related to his relationship with Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.
4. Misconceptions related to his relationship with the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum.
5. Misconceptions relating to his conquest of Egypt, his governance, his relation with its people, and more specifically the Copts.

All of these misconceptions, which amount to 16 in total, are at odds with this eminent Sahabi and carry no weight. They are either products of weak chains of transmission or are misunderstood and misplaced by individuals who either have no knowledge or are unware of the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum; a group deemed pure and true by Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala. How apt was ‘Abdullah ibn al Mubarak rahimahu Llah in saying:

 

الاسناد من الدين و لو لا الاسناد لقال من شاء ما شاء

Chains of transmission are part of din, and if it were not chains of narration then anyone would say whatever they wished.

And:

بيننا وبين القوم قوائم

Between us and the innovators are pillars [referring to the Isnad].^[1]

 

In conclusion I say, it is possible that I may have not addressed all the misconceptions and allegations that have sought to blemish the eminent Sahabi ‘Amr ibn al ‘As radiya Llahu ‘anhu. However, if you do find any other misconception then treat it as I have treated these. I have placed a blueprint before you in this study to follow in determining the truth.

I must admit my inadequacy in defending this unique personality. It is but an attempt to ward off those who wish to attack his immortal biography and historical utterings. I ask of Allah by way of His beautiful names to keep us on the path of His favour and friends. He is sufficient for me and a most wonderful protector.

 

~ Exalted is your Lord, the Lord of might, above what they describe. And peace upon the messengers. And praise to Allah, Lord of the world’s ~

 

Advices

— I advise the scholars and researchers to assist each other in penning studies regarding the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum by recounting their virtues, the reciprocatory praise between them, and by refuting allegations that are made against them.

— I advise the scholars to critically study books of history and biographical collections in order to clarify the weak and fabricated narrations and incidents contained therein regarding the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum.

— Every author and orator, when writing and speaking of the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum, must be wary of recounting weak and fabricated narrations and incidents regarding the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum that seek to disparage them.

— I advise the Muslim Ummah to inculcate within themselves the love of the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum. To elucidate their virtue and warn of the severity of disparaging them. To enact seminars, write books, and broadcast programs with this sole aim.

 

 

---

^[1]  Muqaddimah Sahih Muslim, pg. 15.