After reciting Tashahhud, Ta’awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness (aba) continued to mention the Badri Companions of the Holy Prophet (sa).
His Holiness (aba) said that today he would mention the companions Hazrat Zubair bin Awwam (ra). His father’s name was Awwam bin Khuwaylid and his mother’s name was Safiyya bint Abdul Muttalib, who was the paternal aunt of the Holy Prophet (sa). Hazrat Zubair (ra) was also the nephew of Hazrat Khadijah (ra), beloved wife of the Holy Prophet (sa). He was married to Hazrat Asma (ra), daughter of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra). As the Holy Prophet (sa) was married to another daughter of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), Hazrat A`isha (ra), Hazrat Zubair (ra) was related to the Holy Prophet (sa) in this way as well.
His Holiness (aba) said that the Hazrat Zubair (ra) was either the fourth or fifth person to accept Islam when he was at a very young age. Hazrat Zubair (ra) was among the ten companions to whom the Holy Prophet (sa) gave the glad tidings of heaven, and was also among the six companions who Hazrat Umar (ra) selected before his demise as a part of a consultative body to elect the next Khalifa.
Hazrat Zubair’s (ra) Upbringing
His Holiness (aba) related an incident from the childhood of Hazrat Zubair (ra), and the fact that his mother would be very strict with him and would beat him at times. When a family member expressed their concern in this regard, Hazrat Zubair’s (ra) mother said that she only wished for him to become brave, and treated him this way so that he may defeat great armies in the future. His Holiness (aba) commented that no doubt, as the events of his life would go on to show, this proved successful. His Holiness (aba) also said that so much is said of a mother’s love, thus Hazrat Zubair’s (ra) mother undoubtedly showed him a great deal of love and affection as well.
Persecution From His Family
His Holiness (aba) quoted the Second Caliph (ra) in relation to an incident from the early days of Hazrat Zubair’s (ra) life after he had accepted Islam. His uncle would wrap him in a cloth and engulf him smoke, urgung him to leave the religion of Islam he had just accepted. However, even at that young age, Hazrat Zubair (ra) showed great steadfastness and asked how he could leave Islam after having recognised the truth.
First Child of the Muhajirin After the Migration
His Holiness (aba) related an incident narrated by Hazrat Asma (ra), wife of Hazrat Zubair (ra), that she was pregnant while travelling from Makkah to Madinah during the migration. Once she had given birth, she took her newborn (ra) son to the Holy Prophet (sa) who lovingly took him in his lap. The Holy Prophet (sa) named him Abdullah, and while he had the newborn in his lap, chewed a date, and then placed it in the mouth of the newborn Abdullah whilst praying for his prosperous future. In this way, Abdullah bin Zubair (ra) was the first child born into Islam. Abdullah bin Zubair (ra) would then go on to pledge allegiance to the Holy Prophet (sa) himself at the age of eight.
First Muslim to Draw His Sword
His Holiness (aba) said that Hazrat Zubair (sa) that Hazrat Zubair (ra) was the first in Islam to unsheath his sword. The incident was that once while still in Makkah, Hazrat Zubair (ra) was resting when he heard a voice say that the Holy Prophet (sa) had been martyred. He immediately got up, unsheathed his sword and set out. As he was walking, the Holy Prophet (sa) saw him and told him to stop, asking what had happened. Hazrat Zubair (ra) told him what he had heard and his ensuing worry. The Holy Prophet (sa) prayed for him on this account.
His Holiness (aba) said that Hazrat Zubair (ra) was alongside the Holy Prophet (sa) in all battles. On the day of Badr, the Holy Prophet (sa) only had two horses, and Hazrat Zubair (ra) was riding one of them. He was wearing a yellow turban on the day of Badr; upon seeing it, the Holy Prophet (sa) said that the Angels which had descended to help the Muslims were also wearing similar turbans. He remained steadfast and did not leave the side of the Holy Prophet (sa) during the Battle of Uhud. During the Conquest of Makkah, Hazrat Zubair (ra) was carrying one of three flags of the Muhajireen [migrants].
Participation in Electoral Body for Khilafat
His Holiness (aba) also mentioned narrations which related the incidents of the election of Khilafat after the demise of Hazrat Umar (ra). Hazrat Umar (ra) had appointed six companions as the electoral body for this purpose, among whom Hazrat Zubair (ra) was included. After the demise of Hazrat Umar (ra), Hazrat Uthman (ra) was elected to be the Khalifa.
His Holiness (aba) said that he would continue the mention of Hazrat Zubair (ra) in further Sermons.
Funeral Prayers
In the end, His Holiness (aba) led the funeral prayers in-absentia of the following:
Miraaj Ahmad Shaheed Sahib
Miraaj Ahmad Sahib Shaheed. On 12th August, the opponents of Ahmadiyyat shot him in front of his medical store. He was struck by four bullets which were the cause of his immediate death. His son had just left the store a little while before his father, and upon learning of the incident, by the time he arrived back, his father had already died. Miraj Ahmad sahib accepted Ahmadiyyat in 1990, after which he was made to face great trials and persecution. He would find difficulty in employing people, as no one would want to work with him because he was an Ahmadi. He was regular in offering his daily prayers, regular in reciting the Holy Qur’an and regularly listened to the Friday Sermon. He was very hospitable, kind-hearted and helped the poor. He would give the poor free medicine from his store. Though he had gone to live with his son in Australia, he eventually returned after a couple of years, saying that the love for his country and his sense of duty to serve its people did not allow him to live anywhere else. His Holiness (aba) commented that this was his zeal and passion to serve his country, yet the clerics of this country seem to have no purpose other than to torment Ahmadis and commit such atrocities. He left behind his wife, three sons and a daughter. His Holiness (aba) prayed that may Allah keep his children safe. His Holiness (aba) said that opposition against the Community is reaching new heights. Even the National Assembly forges lies against the Community in order to incite the masses. Such people who are not even Ahmadi and are found guilty of crimes and are posed as being Ahmadis. His Holiness (aba) said that in light of such things, the Community must increase in prayer; as the opposition increases, the Community must increase in prayer.
Adeeb Ahmad Nasir Sahib
Adeeb Ahmad Nasir Sahib who passed away on the 9th August after a short illness. He was a Missionary of the Community. He was 27 years of age, he was engaged to be married. However he was stricken with typhoid fever, and after a short illness, he passed away. His Holiness (aba) said that everyone who has written about him mentioned that he would always be smiling. He had a great passion for serving the Community. He would take money from his meager allowance and save it in order to build a prayer center. He would often play various clips of the Khulafa in order to help teach the members of the Community. He was very respectful, obedient, and humble. His Holiness (aba) prayed that may Allah Almighty grant patience and forbearance to his parents and sisters in order to bear with this loss. May Allah have mercy on the deceased’s soul.
Hameed Ahmad Sheikh Sahib
Hameed Ahmad Sheikh Sahib who passed away on the 12th August after suffering from a heart attack. He was the grandson of Hazrat Sheikh Noor Ahmad Sahib (ra), a companion of the Promised Messiah (as). His maternal grandfather Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Qadir Ludhianvi (ra) was also a companion and one of the 313 companions of the Promised Messiah (as). He left behind two sons and a daughter. Abdur Razzaq Sheikh sahib, his son, is the vice-chair of the IAAAE in the UK. Hameed Sahib always encouraged his children to write letters to the Khalifa. He was regular in his prayers and was regular in offering financial sacrifices. He also lived in Nigeria and played a role in building mosques there. His Holiness (aba) prayed that may Allah enable his children to carry on his virtues, and may Allah have mercy on the deceased’s soul.
Summary prepared by The Review of Religions
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