(Friday Sermon - August 31, 2018 )
His father’s name was Jabr bin Amr. He passed away in 34 AH at the age of 70. His actual name was Abdul Rahman and his title was Abu Abas. He belonged to the Ansar tribe of Banu Haritha. In the era of ignorance his name was Abdul Uzzah, however the Holy Prophet(sa) changed his name to Abdul Rahman because Uzza was the name of their idol. He took part in the Battle of Badr and all the other battles alongside the Holy Prophet(sa). He was also one of the Companions(ra) who killed Ka‘b bin Ashraf, who was a Jew.
The Holy Prophet(sa) established a bond of brotherhood between Hazrat Abu Abas and Hazrat Khunais. He passed away in 34 AH at the age of 70 and he had many children living in Mecca. Hazrat Usman led his funeral prayer and he was buried in Jannatul Baqee. (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifati Al-Sahaba, Vol. 5, pp. 204-205 Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, 2003) (Al- Isaba fi Tamyiz Al- Sahaba, Vol. 7, p. 222, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2005) (Al-Tabkaat-ul-Qubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 238, Dar-e-Ihyaa, Al-Turath Al-Arabi, Beirut, 1996)
It is narrated about Hazrat Abu Abas bin Jabr that he could write in Arabic prior to the advent of Islam. Even though it was not customary in Arabia to write at the time. When Hazrat Abu Abas and Hazrat Abu Burdah bin Nayar accepted Islam, they both had destroyed the idols of Banu Haritha.
Hazrat Umar(ra) and Hazrat Usman(ra) would send those two to collect Sadqa [charity] from the people, meaning that they managed the department of finance. (Al-Tabkaat-ul-Qubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 238, Dar-e-Ihyaa, Al-Turath Al-Arabi, Beirut, 1996)
Hazrat Abu Abas lost his sight during the time of the Holy Prophet(sa). The Holy Prophet(sa) gave him a stick and stated, “Find light through this.” And so that stick would spread light in front of him. (Al- Isaba fi Tamyiz Al- Sahaba, Vol. 7, p. 222, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2005)
One meaning of this could be that this stick will be in your hand and it will assist you in the same manner that other blind people use their stick. However, it could also mean that the stick would spread light and project light for those who cannot see properly at night as there are narrations about certain Companions that their stick would sometimes emanate light when they would travel in the dark. (Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 4, p.693, Hadith 13906, Musnad Anas bin Malik, Alam Al- Kutub, Beirut, 1998)
In fact, it is also mentioned that once three companions of the Promised Messiah(as) were traveling during a dark night when God Almighty showed them some light which was leading them along the way in the same manner [as mentioned]. [Missing reference in original transcript]
Hazrat Abu Abas’ son narrates: “Hazrat Abu Abas would offer his prayers behind the Holy Prophet(sa) and would then return to his tribe, Banu Haritha. On one occasion when he was returning home during a dark and rainy night, light started emanating from his stick and lit up his way.” (Al-Mustadrak ala Al-Sahihain, Vol. 6, p. 2028, Hadith 5495, Maktabah Nazar Al-Mustafa Al-Baaz)
Hazrat Usman(ra) visited him during his time of illness and was in a state of unconsciousness. When he felt better, Hazrat Usman said, “What condition do you find yourself in?” He responded, “I consider my condition to be good apart from that one rope which was used to tie the knee of a camel. Some of the workers and I have lost it. We have not yet found deliverance from this matter.” (Al-Tabkaat-ul-Qubra Li-ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 238, Dar-e-Ihyaa, Al-Turath Al-Arabi, Beirut, 1996)
As I have stated that he would receive money and other items from the people in order to make a collection for Sadqa [charity]. His standard of responsibility and trustworthiness was to the extent that he felt restless on his deathbed with the concern of that one rope which was used to tie a camel and was mistakenly lost. He expressed his worry that this rope might become a source of a trial for them in the hereafter. Thus, these were the people who had such high standards of fear of God Almighty and of honesty.
Keenness for prayers behind the Holy Prophet(sa)
Hazrat Anas(ra) narrates, “There was no one who would offer Asr prayer quicker than the Holy Prophet(sa).” (That is, in terms of offering the prayer on time; the Holy Prophet(sa) would offer Asr prayer at its first prescribed time). “There were two men amongst the Ansar whose residence were the furthest away from Masjid Nabwi [the Prophet’s mosque]. One was Abu Lubaba bin Abdul Munzir who was from Bani Amr bin Auf and the other one was Hazrat Abu Abas bin Jabr who was from Banu Haritha. Abu Lubaba’s house was located in Quba and Hazrat Abu Abas’s house was located in Banu Haritha. It was quite far, about two to two and half miles. Both of them would offer prayers with the Companions of the Holy Prophet(sa) and when they would return to their tribes they still had not offered the Asr prayer yet. (Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 4, p.607, Hadith 12516, Alam Al- Kutub, Beirut, 1998).
Such was their walking speed and also the fact that they would travel large distances in order to offer prayers behind the Holy Prophet(sa).”
Hazrat Abdullah bin Abas narrates: “The Holy Prophet(sa) said, ‘God Almighty has saved one from the fire whose feet become unclean in the way of God Almighty.’” (Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 5, p.469, Hadith 16031, Alam Al- Kutub, Beirut, 1998)
That is, those who strive in the way of God Almighty, those who tread the path [to attain] His pleasure, those who work hard [for His sake] are included in this. Similarly, those who travel to invite others towards Allah and those who travel from afar to offer prayers at the mosque are also included in this group of people. God Almighty states that they have been saved from the fire.