After reciting the Tashahhud, Ta’wwuz, and Surah Al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) stated: There was a Companion of the Holy Prophet Prophet (sa), whose name was Hazrat Khallad Bin Rafe Zurqi. He was from among the Ansar [inhabitants of Medina] and those fortunate people, who participated in the Battles of Uhud and Badr. God Almighty granted him many children. He and his brother travelled to take part in the battle of Badr and when we reached a place called Bareed, their camel gave up and sat down. Upon this, Hazrat Khallad Bin Rafe Zurqi prayed, ‘O Allah we make this vow to you that if you return us to Medina, we will sacrifice this camel.’ At that time, the Holy Prophet (sa) was passing by and when he found out about the camel, he prayed for the animal and mixed his saliva in some water. This water was poured into the camel’s mouth and then some upon its neck, its shoulders, its hump, its back and its tail. Then the Holy Prophet supplicated, ‘O Allah make it possible for Rafe and Khallad to ride on it and to reach their destination.’ Then the Holy Prophet (sa) left. Hazrat Khallad Bin Rafe Zurqi says that we caught up with the Holy Prophet (sa) at Mansaf, while our camel was at the forefront of the caravan. When the Messenger of Allah (sa) saw us, he smiled. (Due to the prayer of the Holy Prophet (sa), the camel’s weakness had completely vanished.) We continued travelling until we reached Badr. While returning from Badr, when we reached Musalla, the camel sat down again, upon which my brother slaughtered it and distributed its meat, which we gave out as sadaqah [charity].” They had made a vow that once they reach a certain place, they will slaughter it. Thus, they acted accordingly.
A Companion is mentioned [in literature], whose name was Harithah Bin Suraqah. He passed away in 2 Hijri at the occasion of the Battle of Badr. He accepted Islam before the Migration along with his mother, while his father had already passed away. The Holy Prophet (sa) formed a pact of brotherhood between him and Hazrat Saib Bin Usman Bin Maz’oon. It was a pact, a covenant between the two brothers, which he made. Abu Na’eem related that Hazrat Harithah Bin Suraqah used to treat his mother with great kindness. Harithah Bin Suraqah once requested saying, “O Prophet of Allah (sa)! Pray for me to embrace martyrdom.” Hence, the Holy Prophet (sa) prayed for him and on the day of the Battle of Badr, when the horsemen were called, he [Haritha], may Allah be pleased with him, was the first to emerge and he was also the first to be martyred. When Hazrat Haritha’s mother, Hazrat Rubai’ah, received the news of his martyrdom, she went to the Holy Prophet (sa) and said, “you are aware of how much I loved Haritha. He used to serve me greatly. If he is among the inhabitants of paradise, I will bear this with patience. However, if this is not the case, only God knows better what will happen to me.” The Holy Prophet (sa) said, “O mother of Haritha! There isn’t just one paradise. Rather, there are several paradises and Haritha is in the highest paradise.” Upon this, she said, “I will most certainly be patient.”
With regards to the people of Badr, God Almighty said that they may do as they please, as paradise has been made incumbent upon them. God Almighty said to the people of Badr that they may do as they please, as paradise has been made incumbent upon them. However, this did not mean that they may do whatever they like and that despite committing sins, paradise will be incumbent upon them. Rather, it signified that they would no longer be able to act in a manner, which was contrary to the teachings of God Almighty and that God Almighty would Himself guide them.
Then, there is a companion by the name of Hazrat Abbad bin Bishr, who passed away during the battle of Yamama in the eleventh year after Hijra [migration to Medina]. Hazrat Abbad bin Bishr’s title was Abu Bishr and Abu Rabi. He belonged to the tribe of Banu Abd-ul-Ash’al. He only had one daughter, who also passed away. In Medina, he accepted Islam at the hands of Hazrat Mus’ab bin ‘Umair, prior to Hazrat Sa’d bin Mu’adh and Hazrat Usaid bin ‘Uzair. At the time of forming bonds of brotherhood in Medina, the Holy Prophet (sa) formed a bond of brotherhood between him and Hazrat Abu Hudhaifa bin Uqba. Hazrat ‘Abbad bin Bishr participated in the battles of Badr, Uhud, Khandaq and all other battles alongside the Holy Prophet (sa). He was among those companions, who were sent by the Holy Prophet (sa) in order to execute Ka’b bin Ashraf, a Jewish leader, who was a traitor, guilty of treason and was a master in the art of secret schemes and conspiracies.
When news of the execution of Ka‘b became known, a tremor rippled through the city, and the Jewish people were deeply enraged. The following day, in the morning, a delegation of the Jews presented themselves before the Holy Prophet (sa) and complained that their leader Ka‘b bin Ashraf had been murdered in such and such way. The Holy Prophet (sa) listened to their comments and said, ‘Are you also aware of the crimes which Ka‘b is guilty of?’ Then, the Holy Prophet (sa) briefly reminded them of all the evil schemes which Ka‘b was guilty of, i.e., infraction of treaty, inciting war, sedition, use of foul language and conspiracy of assassination, etc. After this, the Holy Prophet (sa) said, ‘At least from here onwards, you would do well to live in peace and harmony, and do not sow the seed of enmity, violence and disorder.’ As such, with the agreement of the Jews, a new treaty was drafted, and the Jews promised once again to live with the Muslims in peace and harmony, and to abstain from a course of violence and disorder
Though, the execution was Ka’b bin Ashraf absolutely justified and he was deserving of this punishment. However, it should also be made clear that nowadays, extremists and governments misinterpret such incidents and believe that it is justified to execute [people] in this manner. First of all, disorder is not being spread in the manner it was being done then. Those people who are executed, are not among those who spread disorder. Secondly, on that occasion, it was only the criminal who was punished, not his family or anyone else. When these people execute [others], they kill innocent people, women and children and leaving many others handicapped and disabled. Nevertheless, according to the rules and laws of today, this is not permissible. However, this form of punishment was applicable and compulsory at that time and it was prescribed by the government. The Holy Prophet (sa) appointed Hazrat ‘Abbad bin Bishr as the collector of the spoils of the battle of Hunain. The Holy Prophet (sa) appointed him as the supervisor of security around the Holy Prophet (sa) during the battle of Tabuk. He was counted among the outstanding companions. Hazrat ‘Aisha has narrated that there were three individuals from among the Ansar], above whom no other Ansari companion could be given precedence. All of them belonged to the tribe of Banu ‘Abd-ul-Ash’al; and they are, Hazrat Sa’d bin Mu’adh, Hazrat Usaid bin Uzair and Hazrat Abbad bin Bishr. Hazrat Abbad Bin Bishr was martyred during the battle of Yamama at the age of 45. Hazrat Aisha (ra) narrates, “the Holy Prophet (sa) performed the Tahajjud prayer in my house, and then he heard the voice of Abbad who was praying in the Mosque. The Holy Prophet (sa) asked, ‘O Aisha! Is this the voice of Abbad?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ The Holy Prophet (sa) said, ‘O Allah! Show mercy to Abbad!’ He was also amongst the companions who travelled at the time of the Sulah Hudaibiya. There is an incident from the battle of Zaatul Riqaa when Hazrat Abbad bin Bishr, was offering prayers at night, while camping on the battle field. The enemy spotted him and placed an arrow in his bow and fired it which pierced into the body of Hazrat Abbad bin Bishr. Hazrat Abbad bin Bishr was engaged in prayers at the time. He took out the arrow and threw it away and continued praying. He struck Abaad with another arrow but Abbad took it out and continued to pray. However, when he struck Abaad with an arrow for the third time, ‘Ibad lost a lot of blood. Hazrat ‘Ibad completed his prayers and woke up Hazrat Ammar bin Yassir. When Hazrat Ammar bin Yassir saw Hazrat Abbad’s condition, he enquired, “Why did you not wake me up before?” Hazrat Abbad responded by saying: “I was reciting Surah Kahaf during salat and I did not feel like cutting it short.” Such were the standards of worship of these people.
Hazrat Abu Sa’eed Khudhri narrates: “I heard Hazrat Abbad bin Bishr stating ‘O Abu Sa’eed! I saw in a dream last night that the heavens were opened for me and were closed shut. God willing, I will achieve martyrdom.’ I said: ‘By God! You have witnessed something really good.’” Hazrat Abbad bin Bishr was martyred that day.
There was a companion whose name was Hazrat Suwaad bin Ghazyah (ra) who was an Ansari and was from the Banu Adi bin Najar tribe. He took part in the battle of Badr, Uhud, Khandaq and the battles that took place afterwards. He imprisoned Khalid Bin Hasham Makhzoomi in the battle of Badr. It is narrated that the Holy Prophet (sa) sent him as the collector of revenue in Khaibar. He returned with excellent dates and the Holy Prophet (sa) purchased 3 kg of dates from him in return for 3.5 kg of normal dates.’ The Holy Prophet (sa) liked the dates so he purchased them for its actual price by exchanging dates in return.
Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib writes in his book in relation to the Battle of Badr and Hazrat Suwaad blessed fortune and love for the Holy Prophet (sa). He writes, “It was Friday the 17th of Ramaḍān 2 A.H.2 or the 14th of March 623 A.D., according to the Christian calendar system. In the morning, Ṣalat was first offered and then these worshippers of Divine Unity fell in to prostration before the One God, in an open field. After this, the Holy Prophet (sa) delivered an address on Jihad. When light began to appear, the Holy Prophet (sa) began to arrange the Muslim ranks with the indication of an arrow. A Companion by the name of Sawad (ra) was standing somewhat ahead of his row. The Holy Prophet (sa) used his arrow to indicate that he should move back in line. It so happened however, that the wooden part of the arrow belonging to the Holy Prophet (sa) touched his chest, whereupon he boldly protested, ‘O Messenger of Allah! God has sent you with the truth and justice, but you have unjustly poked me with your arrow. By God, I insist upon retribution.’ The Companions were shocked, as to what had gotten into Sawada (ra). However, the Holy Prophet (sa) stated with extreme affection, ‘Alright Sawad, you may poke me with an arrow as well,’ and the Holy Prophet (sa) lifted the cloth upon his chest. In his immense love, Sawada (ra) stepped forward and kissed the chest of the Holy Prophet (sa). The Holy Prophet (sa) smiled and inquired, ‘Why did you devise this plan?’ He responded with a trembling voice, ‘O Messenger of Allāh! The enemy is before us. There is no telling whether I shall live to return or not. It was my desire, therefore, to touch your blessed body before my martyrdom’”
The Holy Prophet (sa) then prayed for his welfare. These companions had wonderful ways of expressing their love and affection for the Holy Prophet (sa). A simialr incident of Hazrat Okashah (ra) Shas been related but that took place much later, in the latter part of his life, however this took place much earlier. They would constantly be trying to find an opportunity to not only express their love for the Holy Prophet (sa) but also ways to benefit from his nearness,
May God Almighty continue to elevate the station of these shining stars and enable us to understand the true love for the Holy Prophet (sa).