(Friday Sermon - July 26, 2019 )
Background
The name of Hazrat Muzahir bin Rafay’s father was Rafay bin Adiyy. Hazrat Muzahir(ra) belonged to the Banu Haritha bin Harith clan of the Aus tribe of the Ansar. Hazrat Muzahir(ra) and Hazrat Zuhair(ra) were brothers and both of them were paternal uncles of Hazrat Rafay(ra) bin Khudaij. (al-Sirat al-Nabawiyyah li Ibn Hisham, p. 324 footnote, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2001)
Hazrat Rafay(ra) bin Khudaij is being mentioned because, although he was not a Badri companion, nevertheless, he holds great importance in history. Hazrat Muzahir(ra) was his uncle, and so Rafay was his nephew’s name as well as his father’s.
I shall briefly mention about Hazrat Rafay(ra) that he was the companion who presented himself for participation in the Battle of Badr, but the Holy Prophet(sa) sent him back due to his young age. He later permitted him to participate in the Battle of Uhud. Hazrat Rafay(ra) participated in the battles of Uhud, the Ditch and the rest of the battles. His collarbone was struck by an arrow on the day of Uhud and although the arrow was removed, a piece of the arrowhead remained in his body until his demise.
The Holy Prophet(sa) once said to Hazrat Rafay(ra), “I will bear witness in your favour on the Day of Judgement.” Hazrat Rafay(ra) passed away during the reign of Abdul Malik bin Marwan in 74 AH at the age of 86. (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifat al-Sahaba Li Ibn Athir, Vol. 2, p. 232-233, Rafay bin Khudaij(ra), Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2008)
In any case, these were some details in reference to his nephew. However, I will now continue to relate the account of Hazrat Zuhair(ra).
Participation in Battles
Imam Bukhari(rh) has mentioned that Hazrat Zuhair(ra) participated in the Battle of Badr along with his brother. He has not recorded the name of that brother, however, the commentators of Bukhari have written that the brother’s name was Muzahir. Similarly, regarding Hazrat Zuhair(ra) bin Rafay, it is written in Subul al-Huda War-Rashaad, a book on the biography of the Holy Prophet(sa), that according to Bukhari, his brother, Hazrat Muzahir(ra), also participated in the Battle of Badr.
Earlier, I stated the name of Hazrat Zuhair(ra), however I am relating the account of Hazrat Muzahir(ra).
In the books on the biographies of the companions, such as Usdul Ghaba, al-Isabah and al-Isti‘abetc, there is no mention of Hazrat Muzahir’s participation in the Battle of Badr. With regard to Hazrat Muzahir(ra), it is written in these three books that Hazrat Muzahir(ra) participated in the Battle of Uhud and in all the subsequent battles alongside the Holy Prophet(sa). Hazrat Muzahir(ra) passed away during the Khilafat of Hazrat Umar(ra). (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitabul Maghazi) (Irshad As-Sari Li Sharhi Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol 7, p 195, Darul Fikr, Beirut, 2010) (Subulal Huda War Rashaad, Vol 4, p.106, Ghazwah Badrul Kubra, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1993) (Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 5, p. 185, Muzahir bin Raafi, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2003) (al-Isaba Fi Tamyeez al-Sahaba, Vol. 6, p. 106, Muzahir bin Raafi, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1995) (al-Isti‘ab Fi Ma’rifatil Ashaab, Vol. 4, p. 39, Muzahir bin Raafi, Dar-ul-Jeel, Beirut, 2002)
However, the sources that prove that Hazrat Muzahir(ra) participated in the Battle of Badr are considered more reliable.
Martyrdom
Yahya bin Sahl bin Abu Hathmah narrates that Hazrat Muzahir(ra) bin Rafay Harithi brought some strong workmen along with him from the region of Levant so that they may work on his land. When he arrived at Khaybar, he stayed there for three days. There, the Jews started to instigate those labourers to murder Hazrat Muzahir(ra) and also secretly gave them a few knives. When Hazrat Muzahir(ra) came out of Khaybar and arrived at a place called Sibaar, which is situated six miles away from Khaybar, these men attacked Hazrat Muzahir(ra), piercing his abdomen as a result of which he was martyred.
Following this, these individuals returned to Khaybar upon which the Jews gave them provisions for their journey as well as food and set them off until they returned and reached Levant again. When Hazrat Umar(ra) bin al-Khattab was informed of this news, he said that he would set out towards Khaybar, distribute the wealth that was found there and clearly mark the boundaries in the land. That is, revenge would be sought. He also declared that he would exile the Jews from there as the Holy Prophet(sa) had said in relation to them that he would grant them protection until God Almighty had granted them protection. Now, God Almighty had granted permission to exile them. Hence, Hazrat Umar(ra) exiled them. (Kanzul Ummal, Vol. 4, p. 509, Ikhraajul Yahood, Hadith 11505, Mu’assisah al-Risalah, Beirut) (al-Isti‘ab, Vol. 4, pp. 39-40, Muzahir bin Raafi, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2002) (Mu‘jamul Buldan, Vol. 2, p. 6, Dar Ihyaa al-Turath al-Arabi, Beirut)
The incident of the martyrdom of Hazrat Muzahir(ra) occurred in 20 AH. (Al Kamil Fi Al Tarikh li Abi Hasan bin Ali, Vol 2, p.410, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2002)