After reciting the Tashahhud, Ta’wwuz, and Surah Al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) stated that he mentioned some narrations about Hazrat Abdullah Bin Mas’ood (ra) last Friday and will continue with some more.
Hazrat Abdullah Bin Mas’ood had an exceptional status with regards to his closeness to God Almighty and his relationship with Him. He was a special adviser along with Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and Hazrat Umar (ra). And according to anther narration, the Holy Prophet (sa) used to tell them to hold fast to the way/practise of Hazrat Abdullah Bin Mas’ood. The Holy Prophet (sa) had special trust in him and Hazrat Abdullah Bin Mas’ood also had exceptional love for the Holy Prophet (sa). Hazrat Abdullah Bin Mas’ood was a righteous, pious, and worshiping individual. He was so fond of worshipping and nawafil [voluntary prayers] that, in addition to the obligatory prayers and Tahajjud, he would also observe the prayer at the time of Chasht [period between morning and noon]. Likewise, he used to observe voluntary fasts every Monday and Thursday.
He was well recognised as a person of excellent morals, a kind teacher, and extremely God-fearing. Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood fulfilled the rights of the bond of brotherhood, as established by the Holy Prophet (sa), with his brother in faith, Hazrat Zubair bin Al-Awam, in an excellent manner. Placing his entire trust in him, he bequeathed him to take care of all of his financial matters.
Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood was once walking towards a gathering which was being held in the company of the Holy Prophet (sa). He was still on the path outside, when he heard the following words of the Holy Prophet (sa), “Sit down!” Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood had not yet reached the gathering. However, he heard this voice of the Holy Prophet (sa) while he was on the path outside and he immediately sat down and dragged himself to the mosque. When a person, criticised him and asked him what kind of foolishness this was. Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ood replied saying, “I heard a commandment of the Holy Prophet (sa), if I were to die before I reached the mosque, I would not wish to die in a state of disobedience to the Holy Prophet (sa). This was the extraordinary obedience and spirit of following the Holy Prophet (sa) in every step which he possessed. This is why despite the fact that the Companions were completely illiterate; and it was commonly stated that there were only 7 literate people in the whole of Mecca, in spite of this they triumphed over the whole world. Hence, as a result of their obedience this is the station they attained and the success they gained. Therefore, we must always remember this particular point. This is the example that every Ahmadi must try to follow.
On one occasion Hazrat Umar (ra) met a caravan of people. But because of the darkness he was unable to see them. Among that group was Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood. Hazrat Umar (ra) sent someone to ask where the group had come from. When he enquired, Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood answered “Fajjul Ameeq”, i.e. from a distant track. He then asked “where are you heading to?’” He answered, “To the Baitul Ateeq (Ancient House)” i.e. to the Ka’bah. Hazrat Umar (ra) asked, “Is there any scholar among them?” and instructed someone to ask them which verse of the Holy Quran is the loftiest. Upon the enquiry of Hazrat Umar (ra), Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood, who was in that delegation answered, Allah — there is no God but He, the Living, the Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining. Slumber seizes Him not, nor sleep.’ (Al-Baqarah 256). He stated Ayatul Kursi. Hazrat Umar (ra) then asked, “Which is the most encapsulating verse of the Holy Quran?” Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood answered, Verily, Allah enjoins justice, and the doing of good to others; and giving like kindred;’ (Al-Nahl 91). Hazrat Umar (ra) then instructed the man to ask which is the most comprehensive verse of the Holy Quran? Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood answered, ‘Then whoso does an atom’s weight of good will see it, And whoso does an atom’s weight of evil will also see it.’ (Al-Zilzal 7-9). He then asked which is the verse of the Holy Quran which causes one to tremor the most? Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood answered, ‘It shall not be according to your desires, nor according to the desires of the People of the Book. Whoso does evil shall be rewarded for it; and he shall find for himself no friend or helper beside Allah.' (Al-Nisa 124). Hazrat Umar (ra) told him to ask which of the verses of the Holy Quran is the most promising? Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood replied, ‘Say, “O My servants who have committed excesses against their own souls! despair not of the mercy of Allah, surely Allah forgives all sins. Verily He is Most Forgiving, Merciful. (Al-Zumar 54)
Hazrat Abdullah narrates, “Once Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood was feeling ill and became terrified. We asked, ‘We have never seen you this troubled at times of illnesses before this.’ He responded, ‘I became sick suddenly and do not consider myself as well prepared to face the afterlife and this is worrying me.’” By the Grace of God Almighty Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood had become quite affluent that in the last years of his life, his financial worth was ninety-thousand dirham, he wrote in his will that at the time of burial, his shroud should consist of very simple cloths worth two hundred dirham. Hazrat Usman lead his funeral prayers and he was buried in Jannatul Baqee’ at nighttime.
The other Companion who I shall mention today is Hazrat Qudama bin Maz’un. Hazrat Qudama bin Maz’un was the brother of Hazrat Usman bin Maz’un and was the husband of Hazrat Safiya, who was the sister of Hazrat Umar. Hazrat Qudama bin Maz’un had multiple marriages. One of his wives was Hind bint Waleed who gave birth to Umar and Fatima, another wife was Fatima bint Abu Sufiyaan who gave birth to Aisha. Then there was Umm-e-Wald who gave birth to Hafzah and Hazrat Sufiya bin Khitab gave birth to Hazrat Ramlah. He was nineteen years of age when he accepted Islam so he accepted Islam at a very young age and his entire family left their homes in Mecca and resettled when the Migration to Medina took place. His family was hosted by Abdullah bin Salma Ujlani in Medina. When the Holy Prophet (sa) migrated from Mecca to Medina, he arranged permanent residences for Hazrat Qudama and his brothers by allotting them pieces of lands.
Hazrat Qudama was amongst those early Muslims who had participated in both the migration to Abyssinia and to Medina. He was able to participate in the battle of Badr, Uhud and all other battles alongside the Holy Prophet (sa). When Hazrat Usman bin Maz’un passed away, left behind one daughter about whom he advised his brother Hazrat Qudama regarding her. Hazrat Qudama agreed to one proposal for her but the girl and the mother were inclined towards the anoother proposal. “This matter was then presented to the Holy Prophet (sa) and he called for Hazrat Qudama said to him, ‘This girl is an orphan. She will marry whomsoever she pleases. She will accept any one of the two marriage proposals that she prefers.” Thus, this was the decision of the Holy Prophet (sa). This is how the Holy Prophet (sa) established freedom of choice for women and taught the Muslims to take special care of the orphan. He made sure that she is was not wronged because her father had passed. Hazrat Qudama passed away on thirty-six Hijri at the age of sixty-eight years.
May God Almighty enable us to follow in the footsteps of these individuals who had deep insight about faith and through their loyalty and faithfulness they showed an outstanding level of love for the Holy Prophet (sa), and may He safeguard us from becoming part of any disorder.
After the prayers I will lead two funeral prayers in absentia. The first is of Mrs Amatul Hafeez Bhatti Sahiba – wife of Mahmood Bhatti sahib – of Karachi, who served as Sadr Lajna of the district of Karachi for a long time. She passed away on 27th September at the age of 93; to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.
The second funeral is of Adnan Vandenbroeck Sahib, who was the National Secretary Amoor-e-Kharja [External Affairs]. He passed away on the 29th September; To Allah we belong and to him shall we return. His father was Rizwan Vandenbroeck Sahib who was the first Belgian Ahmadi in the Belgium Jama’at who accepted Ahmadiyyat in 60s. Adnan Sahib did not accept Ahmadiyyat because of his father, in fact he said he wanted to research it for himself and thereafter he did the Bai’at 1994. After accepting Ahmadiyyat he was very active in the field of TablighHe offered his prayers regularly, served the Jama’at and was loyal to the institution of Khilafat. He would listen to the Friday Sermon every week and would also make his children listen to it too. He had a deep bond with Khiilafat.”
May God Almighty elevate his status and grant him His forgiveness and mercy. May God Almighty grant the Jama’at with many devoted induvial like him. He leaves behind his wife, one son and one daughter; may God Almighty enable them to remain established on their faith and increase the strength of their faith and enable them to follow the footsteps of their father.