After reciting the Tashahhud, Ta’wwuz, and Surah Al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) stated:
Hazrat Ammar bin Yassir was an early and devout companion of the Holy Prophet (sa). His father, Hazrat Yassir, was of qahtani descent. He was originally from Yemen. He came to Mecca, along with his two brothers, Haris and Malik. Later, Haris and Malik returned to Yemen, while Hazrat Yassir took up residence in Mecca and became a confederate of Abu Huzaifah Makhzumi. Abu Huzaifah married him to his bondswoman, Hazrat Sumayya. Hazrat Ammar was born out of that wedlock. Hazrat Ammar and Hazrat Yassir stayed with Abu Huzaifah until his demise.
Upon the advent of Islam, Hazrat Yassir, Hazrat Sumayya, Hazrat Ammar and his brother Hazrat Abdullah bin Yassir accepted Islam. Hazart Ammar narrates, “We presented ourselves before the Holy Prophet (sa). He told us about Islam and we accepted Islam. We stayed there until night and then departed Dar-e-Arqam in secret.”
Hazrat Ammar bin Yassir was among those weak people of Mecca, who used to be persecuted after accepting Islam, so that they may revert from their faith.
The Quraish would severely persecute him in the intense scorching heat in the middle of the day, so that they may abandon their faith. Hazrat Ammar bin Yassir had severe bruises and scars on his back as a result of the torture that the Quraish of Mecca inflicted upon me under the burning sun at the middle of the day. The idolaters burnt Hazrat Ammar with fire. When the Holy Prophet (sa) passed by Hazrat Ammar, he put his hand on his head and said: O fire! Be cold and become a means of safety for Ammar as you were for Abraham!
Once the Holy Prophet (sa) was passing through the valley of Mecca and saw that Ammar and his mother were being tortured. Hazrat Yasir enquired, ‘Will we always be treated in this manner?’ The Holy Prophet (sa) said to Hazrat Yasir, ‘Be patient!’ He also offered this prayer that o Allah! Forgive Yasir and his family and You have most certainly done so.” The idolaters would torture Hazrat Ammar by sinking his head into water.” In other words, they would sink his head into water and then beat him. This is a similar kind of torture that is inflicted nowadays by the enemy on people or by certain governments to those who are under accusation of committing a crime. However, Hazrat Ammar was tortured far greater. Ammar, his father Yasir and his mother Sumaiyyah were severely tortured by Bani Makhzum, to whom Sumaiyyah was enslaved at some point, the accounts of which make the body tremble. In the end, Yasir passed away as a result of this torture. Furthermore, the barbaric Abu Jahl mercilessly pierced a spear through the thigh of the elderly Sumaiyyah, which penetrated her body and reached her private parts. Hence, this innocent lady quivered and gave her live on the same spot.
In one of his books, Chashma Ma’rafat, the Promised Messiah (as) has quoted some extracts from a book on the life of the Holy Prophet (sa), written by a Hindu, Parkash Devji. The Promised Messiah (as) advised his Jama’at to buy this book and read it as it was written by a non-Muslim. This book gives a clear account of this torture.
Sufiyan relates a narration from his father that Hazrat Ammar (ra) was the first person who set up a mosque for worship in his house. Hazrat Ammar bin Yasir (ra) stayed in the house of Hazrat Mubashar bin ‘Abdul Munzir (ra) when he migrated to Madina. During the construction of the Prophet’s mosque, Amar bin Yasir would bring two bricks at a time when others will car only one. Once the Holy Prophet (sa) walked past him and removed the dust off of Hazrat Ammar’s (ra) head and said, ‘What a pity! The rebellious group will kill him. Ammar will call them towards God and they will call him towards fire.’ Hazrat Ammar would always pray, ‘I seek refuge with God Almighty from the evil ploys.’”
Hazrat Ammar was sick and was working in a state while recovering from illness and weakness. Seeing this, the Holy Prophet (sa) dropped the bricks from Hazrat Ammar’s hand and instructed him to rest.’” So, these people did not want to be deprived from offering their service even in a state of severe weakness.
Hazrat Hakam bin Utaibah narrates: “It was between sunrise and midafternoon when the Holy Prophet (sa) arrived in Madina. Hazrat Ammar said, ‘We should create a place of shade for the Holy Prophet (sa) where he can sit down, take rest and offer prayers.’ Hence, Hazrat Ammar gathered some rocks and set the foundation of Masjid Quba. This was the very first mosque constructed and Hazrat Ammar was the one who did this.” Hazrat Ibn-e-‘Umar says, “I saw Hazrat Ammar in the battle of Yamama. He was standing on a high mound and was calling upon the Muslims. He was a very brave man. He said, ‘O Muslims! Are you running away from paradise? I am Ammar bin Yasir, come towards me.’” Hazrat Ibn Umar states: “I was watching him and noticed that one of his ears was cut deeply and was dangling. Despite all of this, Hazrat Ammar was engrossed in the battle.” In reference to the same injured ear, Tariq bin Shahab states, “Someone from the Banu Tamim tribe taunted Ammar about his mutilated ear. Hazrat Ammar responded by saying, ‘You have abused my finest ear.’” That is, you are mocking me for the ear that was sacrificed in battle for the sake of God Almighty. This ear of mine is my best ear.
The Holy Prophet (sa) once said, ‘Whoever possesses enmity towards Ammar, then God will become such a person’s enemy and whoever holds a grudge against Ammar, then God will hold a grudge against such a person.’
Hazrat Ali relates that I was sat with the Holy Prophet (sa) when Hazrat Ammar bin Yasir asked to come forward. The Holy Prophet (sa) allowed him to do so and said, “welcome o pure and chaste person!” thus, this was the honour that the Holy Prophet (sa) gave him.
Hazrat Aisha relates that the Holy Prophet (sa) said whenever Ammar had to settle between two decisions he would always adopt the wiser option.
The Holy Prophet (sa) said that faith is running through the veins of Ammar bin Yasir, i.e. he is completely immersed in faith. Hazrat Ammar bin Yasir is counted among those whom God Almighty had granted refuge against Satan.
Hazrat Umar once appointed Hazrat Ammar bin Yasir as the governor of Kufa and later, after some complaint from the people of Kufa, Hazrat Umar (ra) dismissed Hazrat Ammar bin Yasir from there. Hazrat Umar (ra) later on asked him, “was my dismissing of you unpleasant for you?” Hazrat Ammar replied, “As you have asked, at the time when you appointed me it was unpleasant for me, yet you still appointed me, and it was out of obedience I accepted it. It was also unpleasant for me when I was dismissed. Of course, it did not please me, but I remained silent and obeyed wholly even when being dismissed”, to the extent that he only expressed what was in his heart when Hazrat Umar (ra) himself enquired about it.
When the mischievous hypocrites and rebels caused a revolt in Medina against Hazrat ‘Uthman, unfortunately out of his naivety Hazrat Ammar bin Yasir was also misled and deceived by them, although he did not physically support them Ammar bin Yasir, fell to deception was because he was not very informed in the field of politics. However, Ammar bin Yasir did not practically participate in the rebellion. Although he was present in Medina when it was attacked, apart from sitting quietly at home and not taking part in opposing the rebels, practically, he did not take any part in the rebellion. (thus, his only weakness that he did not actively oppose the rebels that attacked Medina). However, he was completely innocent of the crimes committed by the rebels,
In the Khilafat of Hazrat Ali (ra), Hazrat Ammar bin Yasir fought alongside Hazrat Ali (ra) in the Battle of Siffin and in the Battle of Jamal. Abu Al-Bakhtri relates that on the occasion of the Battle of Siffin, Hazrat Ammar bin Yasir (ra) said, “Bring me milk to drink because the Holy Prophet (sa) had told me that the last drink I have in this world will be milk.” Thus, milk was brought and Hazrat Ammar drank it and then went forth to fight until he was martyred. In another narration it states that when milk was brought before Hazrat Ammar (ra), he laughed and said, “The Holy Prophet (sa) stated that the last drink I have would be milk.” And so he was happy at the fact that he was being martyred in such a state. On the occasion of the Battle of Siffin, Hazrat Ammar bin Yasir (ra) said, “Paradise lies under the lustre of the sword and the thirsty shall reach the spring. Today, I shall meet my loved ones and today I shall meet the Holy Prophet (sa) and his Companions.” While travelling towards Siffin, at the edge of the River Euphrates, Hazrat Ammar bin Yasir (ra) said, “O Allah! If I knew that by throwing myself off of this mountain is the most desirable act in Your sight, then I would I have done so. If I knew that You will be most pleased with me lighting a great fire and throw myself into it then I would have done so. …. I am only taking part in this battle in order to attain Your pleasure. I desire that You do not cause me to fail and I only seek to attain Your pleasure.”
Hazrat Ammar passed away during the era of Hazrat Ali’s (ra) Khilafat during the Battle of Safeen in Safar 37 Hijri at the age of 94. The age of 91 and 93 are also reported according to some estimates. Hazrat Amaar bin Yasir was buried in Safeen. Hazrat Ali (ra) lead the funeral prayer of Hazrat Ammar bin Yasir and Hashim bin Atba and kept Hazrat Amaar bin Yasir closer to him and Hashim was placed in front of Hazrat Amaar. He then recited the Takbeerat over both of them 5, 6 or 7 times in a row.
These were the Companions who fought for the truth and sacrifices their lives for it. May God Almighty elevate their station. There are a few more accounts and narrations regarding him and I will inshAllah mention these in the future.