(Friday Sermon - July 6, 2018 )
Recently I have been describing some of the Companions of the Holy Prophet(sa), who took part in the Battle of Badr. Some of them are well described in history while many get only a brief reference. Nonetheless, they all occupy a great stature for having taken part in the Battle of Badr. Thus, they should be mentioned, even if only in a few lines. Many of the companions I will mention today will only be described very briefly.
Hazrat Mujazar bin Ziyaad was martyred during the battle of Uhud. Mujazar was his title which means “A person possessing a heavy body”. The Holy Prophet(sa) established a bond of brotherhood between Hazrat Mujazar and ‘Aaqil bin Buqair. It is mentioned in another place that the Holy Prophet(sa) established brotherhood between Hazrat Mujazar and Hazrat ‘Ukasha bin Mehsin. Hazrat Mujazar participated in the Battle of Badr and the Battle of Uhud. (Al-Asaba Fi Tameez Al-Sahaba, Vol. 5, pp. 572-573, Mujazar bin Ziyaad, Da-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, 1995, Beirut), (At-Tabaqat Al-Kubra, Vol. 3, p. 417, Mujazar bin Ziyaad, Da-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, 1990, Beirut) & (Ayun Al-Asar, Vol. 1, pp. 232-233, Zikr-ul-Mua’kha, Dar-ul-Qalam, Beirut, 1993)
Ibn-e-Ishaaq narrates, “The Holy Prophet(sa) had prohibited the killing of Abu Bakhtari because he prevented people of Mecca from tormenting the Holy Prophet(sa). (Thus, the Prophet(sa) had stated to not kill him). Abu Bakhtari would not cause any suffering to the Holy Prophet(sa) and he was amongst those who protested against the pact of the Quraish against the Banu Hashim and the Bani Mutalib.”
Hazrat Mujazar once came across Abu Bakhtari and said: “The Holy Prophet(sa) has stopped us from killing you.” Abu Bakhtari’s friend, who had left Mecca with him, was with him at the time. His name was Junada bin Mulayha and he was from the Banu Lais tribe. Abu Bahktari’s name was ‘Aas. He enquired, “What instructions do you have for my friend?” Hazrat Mujazar responded, “I swear by God, we will not spare your friend. The Prophet(sa) has instructed us only about you.” He responded, “If we are going to die then we shall die together. I cannot bear the thought of Meccan women talking about this and saying that I abandoned my companion to save my own life.” Both of them were ready to fight with Hazrat Mujazar, and during the battle, (Hazrat Mujazar) killed Abu Bhakhtari. Hazrat Mujazar came to the Holy Prophet(sa) and said, “I swear by the One Who ordained you with the Truth, I tried my utmost to take him as a prisoner and bring him to you, but he was unwilling. At last, he fought me and I took his life.” (Usdul Ghaaba, Vol. 5, pp. 59-60, Mujazar bin Ziyaad, Dar-ul-Kutub-ul-Ilmiyyah, Beirut), (Ayun Al-Asar, Vol. 1, p. 301, Baab Ghazwa Badr, Dar-ul-Qalam, Beirut, 1993)
Hazrat Mujazar’s children were in Medina and also in Baghdad. It is narrated by Abi Wajzah, “The three men, amongst the Martyrs of Uhud, who were buried in a single grave were Mujazar bin Ziyaad, Nu‘man bin Malik and ‘Abdah bin Hassas.” (At-Tabaqat Al-Kubra, Vol. 3, p. 417, Mujazar bin Ziyaad, Da-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, 1990, Beirut)
However, another narration states that Hazrat Aneesah bint ‘Adi came to the Holy Prophet(sa) and stated, “O Messenger of Allah(sa), my son ‘Abdullah, who fought in the Battle of Badr, was martyred in the battle of Uhud. It is my desire that I bury my son near our home so that I remain close to him.” The Holy Prophet(sa) allowed her to do so and also it was decided that along with Hazrat ‘Abdullah, his friend Hazrat Mujazar shall also be buried in the same grave. Hence, both friends were wrapped together in one single of sheet of cloth and were carried to Medina on a Camel. Abdullah was bulkier and well-built than Mujazar who was slim and slender. It is mentioned that people were astonished to notice that they both weighed the same when people took them off of the camel. The Holy Prophet(sa) stated, “Their deeds have made them both equal to each other.” (Usdul Ghaaba, Vol. 7, p. 31, Aneesah bint ‘Adi, Dar-ul-Kutub-ul-Ilmiyyah, Beirut)