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Men of Excellence

Summary of Friday Sermon Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V(aba)

After reciting the Tashahhud, Ta’wwuz, and Surah Al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) stated: Today, I will speak about two further companions of the Holy Prophet (sa). [The first is] Hazrat Abu Usaid Maalik bin Rabia Sa’idi. Hazrat Maalik bin Rabia is better known as Abu Usaid. Some have said his name was Bilal bin Rabia. He belonged to the Banu Sa’da branch of the Khazraj tribe. Hazrat Abu Usaid Maalik bin Rabia was of a short stature. His hair and his beard had turned grey, but had a full set of hair. In his old age he lost his eyesight and died in 60 Hijri, during the time of Muawiyah at the age of 75. He was the last person among the Ansar to pass away who had participated in the Battle of Badr.  Hazrat Abu Usaid accompanied the Holy Prophet (sa) in the Battles of Badr; Uhud; Khandaq [The Battle of the Trench] and later battles. He carried the standard of Banu Sa’da at the time of the conquest of Makkah.

Hazrat Sulaiman bin Yassar narrates that prior to the martyrdom of Hazrat ‘Uthman, Hazrat Abu Usaid Sa’di lost his vision and his eyes were permanently damaged. Hence, upon this he used to say “I thank Allah for granting me the faculty of sight during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet (sa) and for enabling me to witness all of these blessings. Furthermore, when Allah the Exalted desired to put people through trials, he took my sight from me and I lost my vision so that I will not have to witness these terrible circumstances.”

Once, Hazrat Abu Usaid came in order to distribute the Zakat [alms]. He left after having distributed everything. He went home, fell asleep and saw in a dream that a snake has wrapped itself around his neck. He woke up perturbed by the dream and asked a female servant or his wife that is there anything left behind from the sum that I was given in order to distribute? She said no. Hazrat Abu Usaid replied that why then did the snake wrap itself around my neck? Go and take a look. Perhaps something is left behind. When she went to take a look, she said that indeed, there is a rope to tie the camel with, which was also used to tie a small bag [for distribution]. Hence, Hazrat Abu Usaid went and returned this rope as well. Allah the Exalted desired to enable these companion to tread on the subtlest paths of righteousness and uphold and fulfil the highest standards of returning the trusts that they were entrusted with. This is the reason they received guidance even in their dreams.

Ammarah bin Radhiya narrates this statement of his father that some youths asked Hazrat Abu Usaid about the excellences the Holy Prophet (sa) had mentioned about the Ansar [Muslims native to Medina]. Upon this, he said that I heard the Holy Prophet (sa) say that from among the tribes of the Ansar, the best households are those of Banu Najjar, then Banu ‘Abdul Ash’al, then Banu Harith bin Khazraj and then Banu Sa’da. Furthermore, every household of the Ansar is filled with virtue. Upon this, Hazrat Abu Usaid used to say that if I were to accept anything but the truth, I would have started with a household from among the Banu Sa’da.

With reference to an incident in history, Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) has stated on one occasion that when Arabia was conquered, and Islam began to spread, there was a lady from the tribe of Qinda, who whose name was Asma or Umaima, who was also called Junia or Bint-ul-Jaun. Her brother, Luqman, came to the Holy Prophet (sa) as a representative of his tribe. On that occasion he also expressed his desire for his sister’s hand to be given in marriage to the Holy Prophet (as). As the Holy Prophet (sa) desired to unite the tribes of Arabia, he accepted this request of his. This lady was known for her beauty and was misguided by some other women. After Nika, Hazrat Abu Usaid escorted her to Medina. When the Holy Prophet (sa) went to the house which was designated for her, she uttered these utmost abhorrent and irrational words that ‘I seek Allah’s protection from you.’ The Holy Prophet (sa) immediately said upon hearing her words that ‘you have sought refuge and protection of the Highest Being, Who grants protection in great abundance. Therefore, I accept your request.’ Hence, the Holy Prophet (sa) immediately came out of the house and said “O Abu Usaid! Give her two pieces of cloth and send her to her family.” Hence, following that, apart from her dowry, the Holy Prophet (sa) instructed to give her two sheets as a gesture of kindness. In accordance with the commandment of the Holy Qur’an of [Arabic] (Al-Baqarah: 238) ‘do not forget to do good to one another,’ the Holy Prophet (sa) gave more and expressed his kindness. This entire incident is sufficient as a reply to the allegations that are raised against the Holy Prophet (sa) in relation to his wives and that, God forbid, he was keen of beautiful women. Hazrat Abu Usaid used to say that whenever something was requested from the Holy Prophet (sa), he never rejected or declined.

The other companion is Hazrat Abdullah bin Abdil Asad. His name was Abdullah and known as Abu Salmah. His mother was Barrah bint Abdil Muttalib. He was the cousin of the Holy Prophet (sa) and the foster brother of the Holy Prophet (sa) and also Hazrat Hamza. He had been suckled by Sobiah, the servant of Abu Lahab. He first married Umme Salmah. With reference to this Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad also writes in Seerat Khatamun Nabiyyin that Abu Salmah bin Abdil Asad was the foster brother of the Holy Prophet (sa) and belonged to Banu Makhzoom. After his demise, his wife Umme Salmah married the Holy Prophet (sa). Hazrat Abdullah bin Abdil Asad was among the first people to accept Islam.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Abdil Asad and his wife Umme Salmah were among those in the first migration to Abyssinia. After returning from Abyssinia to Mecca they migrated to Medina. Ibn Ishaaq states that when Abu Salma returned from Abyssinia and sought the protection of Hazrat Abu Talib, few people of Banu Makhzoom visited Abu Talib and inquired, “You have given protection to your nephew Muhammad, but why have you given protection to our brother Abu Salma?” Abu Talib replied, “He sought my protection and he also is my nephew (sister’s son). If I had not given protection to my nephew (Holy Prophet) then I would not have given protection to my other nephew.”

Abū Salamah bin ‘Abdul-Asad (ra) sustained injuries during the Ghawa of Uhud and then had to undertake an expedition to disperse a group of people who were inciting the people of their region to wage war against the Holy Prophet (sa). Due to the strenuous labour of this journey, the injury sustained by Abū Salamah (ra) at Uḥud, which had apparently healed until then, began to deteriorate again. Despite medical treatment, the wound continued to worsen, and ultimately in this very illness, a faithful and pioneer Companion of the Holy Prophet (sa), who was also the foster-brother of the Holy Prophet (sa) passed away. When Hazrat Abu Salmara passed away, the Holy Prophet (sa) closed his open eyes and prayed after his demise that “O Allah, treat Abu Salma with forgiveness and elevate his status amongst the guided people, become the Guardian of the heirs he left behind. O’ Lord of all the worlds! Forgive him and us too.” In another narration it states that in the final moments of his life, Hazrat Abu Salma (ra) prayed, “O Allah! Find the most excellent person to replace me who shall look after my family.” Thus, this prayer was accepted and the Holy Prophet (sa) married Umme Salma (ra).

Hazrat Umme Salma (ra) states, “When Abu Salma (ra) was martyred, I prayed – even though my heart did not truly desire to say this prayer – that is, ‘O Allah! grant me someone in place of Abu Salma (ra).” I then said to myself that who could be better than Abu Salma (ra); he possessed such and such qualities. In other words, he had many qualities and attributes, but still I offered this supplication.” When Hazrat Umme Salma’s Iddat [certain period of time a woman observes after the husband’s demise] was completed, she received a message from the Holy Prophet (sa) asking for her hand in marriage. When the Holy Prophet (sa) sent a proposal of marriage to Umme Salamah (ra), she was somewhat reluctant on account of various difficulties and excused herself saying, “I have grown old and am no longer able to bear children.” However, she ultimately accepted. Her son acted as the guardian of his mother and married her to the Holy Prophet (sa). As it has already been mentioned, Umme Salamah (ra) was a lady of distinct stature and in addition to being extremely intelligent and sharp, she possessed a lofty rank in sincerity and faith.. Ḥaḍrat Umme Salamah (ra) knew how to read as well, and played a significant role in educating and training the Muslim women. Many narrations and Aḥādīth are related by her in the books of Ḥadīth, and in this respect she stands second among the wives of the Holy Prophet (sa), and twelfth among all the Companions in total (including both men and women).

Thus, this the description of the Companions (ra). May God Almighty continue to further elevate their lofty status and also enable us to adopt their virtuous practices.

I shall now mention some details of a few people who have recently passed away and also offer their funeral prayers [in absentia].

The first is Raja Naseer Ahmad Nasir, who served as a life-devotee and a missionary of the Community. He has also formerly served as Nazir Islaah o Irshaad Markaziyya. He passed away on 6th July 2018 at the age of 80 in the Tahir Heart Institute [Rabwah] - Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return. After graduating from Jamia Ahmadiyya, he had the opportunity to serve the Community for 47 years. He had great trust in God Almighty and was devoted to his prayers and supplications. His son writes that when they lived in Bangladesh, a fire once broke out and was almost approaching the homes of the Ahmadis. At the time he prayed, “O Allah! Your Messiah has stated, ‘[Threaten me not with fire,] for fire is my servant and indeed the servant of my servants’ thus save us from the fire.” He relates that the fire approached the houses and the flames were even touching the corner of one of the houses, but it stopped there and did not spread any further and the houses of the Ahmadis were saved.

He had great passion for the recitation of the Holy Qur’an. His son writes that his father desired to complete the reading of the Quran in the air and on water. He had finished the Quran many times on land. Thus, he had the opportunity to complete the reading of the Holy Qur’an whilst travelling on sea. The travel by air was never long enough but however much time he spent whilst travelling in the aeroplane, he would recite the Holy Qur’an. His son, who is a life-devotee and is currently serving in Wakalat-e-Tasneef, Raja Ataul Manan, says that their father always advised them about two things; never to do Shirk [associate partners with God] and to always remain attached to the institution of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyyat in all circumstances. He himself also always adhered to these two principals.

Aside from this there is a funeral prayer of two martyrs, who although were not martyred for the sake of the Jamaat, however a robbery took place at their shop and the thieves shot them as a result of which they were martyred. One of them is Mubeen Ahmad Sahib, son of Mehboob Ahmad Sahib, and the other is Muhammad Zafrullah Sahib, son of Liaqat Ali Sahib. On 7th July 2018 at approximately 3pm, in the Korangi Industrial area of Karachi, armed robbers fired at three Khuddam; namely Mubeen Ahmad Sahib, son of Mehboob Ahmad Sahib, Zafrullah Sahib and Muhammad Nasrullah Sahib. As a result of this, Mubeen Ahmad Sahib and Zafrullah Sahib were killed. To Allah we belong and to Him shall we return. The armed robbers wanted to loot their electronics shop. Since they resisted, they opened fire and killed them.

Ahmadiyyat entered the family of Mr Mubeen Ahmad Sahib, son of Mehboob Ahmad Sahib, through his great paternal grandfather, Mr Chaudhry Aladaad Sahib. He performed the bai’at in 1940 through his elder brother Abdul Aziz Patvari Sahib. After performing the bai’at, his sons began to reproach him. They made a separate area in the house for him to stay and separated his bed and cutlery. However, he endured all of this with great patience. The deceased’s grandfather, Mr Ali Muhammad Sahib was a staunch opponent of the Jamaat and a follower of Ataullah Shah Bukhari, who was a fierce opponent of Ahmadiyyat. During the partition when Ataullah Shah Bukhari used abusive language against Qaid-e-Azam [Muhammad Ali Jinnah], calling him Kafir-e-Azam [the great disbeliever] and also used profanities against the Muslim League, that is when his grandfather distanced himself from him. Subsequently after the partition of India, the Jamaat [headquarters] were shifted [temporarily] to Lahore, he saw the fulfilment of the prophecy of the Promised Messiah (as) regarding migration. Consequently, he began to incline towards the Jamaat. After the partition he moved to Nawabshah with his family. When Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) visited Sindh [Pakistan], the deceased’s grandfather saw him at a railway station. When he saw the countenance of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra) he said that it could not be the face of a liar, and subsequently performed the bai’at and entered into the Jamaat.

Mubeen Ahmad Sahib was a studying for his BA and at the age of his martyrdom he was 20 years old. Mubeen Ahmad Sahib had many qualities; he was very tolerant, had a balanced temperament and a strong build. He regularly observed the five daily prayers and treated everyone in his home with love and respect. The deceased would fully partake in Jamaat activities and was an active Khadim. If he had to sacrifice his work for the sake of the Jamaat he would do so without hesitation. The deceased had filled his Wasiyyat and had been assigned a case number. His Wasiyyat will be accepted, God Willing. He had a good relationship with all of his neighbours. Everyone has commented on this fact irrespective of whether they are old or young. Mubeen Ahmad Sahib was related to the second person martyred in this incident, Muhammad Zafrullah Sahib, through his aunt. Aside from his father, Mr Mehboob Ahmad Sahib and his mother Amatul Hafeez Begum Sahiba, he leaves behind two sisters; Mubeena Mehboob aged 23 years and Kinzah Mehboob aged 16 years and one brother Ameen Ahmad aged 13 years.

The second martyr whose funeral prayers will also be lead is Muhammad Zafrullah Sahib, son of Liaqat Ali Sahib. During this incident he was hit by three bullets which fatally injured both his kidneys. His operation was successful, however his health deteriorated again. The doctors decided to take him for another operation, however, he passed away last night. To Allah we belong and to Him shall we return. Ahmadiyyat also entered his family through his great paternal grandfather Ghulam Deen Sahib, who was from the district of Gurdaspur and worked on the land belonging to a companion of the Promised Messiah (as), Hazrat Abdul Aziz Patvari. One day he went with him to Qadian and after meeting with the Promsied Messiah (as), he performed the Bai’at.

The deceased Muhammad Zafrullah Sahib was born on October 1993 in Karachi. He was a cheerful and well-mannered Khadim, who always had a smile on his face. The deceased would partake in Jamaat activities and was involved in various departments in Khuddamul Ahmadiyya. By the grace of Allah he was a Moosi [part of the Institution of Al-Wasiyyat] and he was 25 years old when he was martyred. He is survived by his father, Liaqat Ali Sahib, his mother Naseera Begum Sahiba and five brothers; Wajahat Ahmad who is 33 years old, Mansoor Ahmad, 31 years old, Mustenser Ahmad, 28 years old, Shuja Ahmad, 27 years old and Hafiz Muhammad Nasrullah who is 24 years old. The third person injured in this incident was his brother Hafiz Nasrullah, who is currently in hospital having undergone surgery. May Allah grant him a swift recovery and restore him to full health. May he elevate the status of the deceased and grant steadfastness to their families.


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