After reciting Tashahhud, Ta’awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) stated that Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an:
‘As to those who answered the call of Allah and the Messenger after they had received an injury — such of them as do good and act righteously shall have a great reward’
(Holy Qur’an, 3:173)
His Holiness (aba) said that he would continue with mention of Hazrat Zubair bin Awwam (ra). With regards to the above mentioned verse, Hazrat Aishah (ra) narrated that it also applied to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and Hazrat Zubair (ra). In the Battle of Uhud, after the Holy Prophet (sa) was attacked and the enemy fled, the Holy Prophet (sa) asked who would follow them, a group of companions presented themselves for this task, among whom were Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and Hazrat Zubair (ra), despite being injured.
A Neighbour in Heaven
His Holiness (aba) presented another in which Hazrat Ali (ra) said that he heard the Holy Prophet (sa) say – Hazrat Zubair (ra) would be amongst his neighbours in heaven.
Scribe of the Holy Qur’an
With regards to the scribes of the Holy Qur’an, His Holiness (aba) referenced the Second Caliph (ra) who listed fifteen known scribes of the Holy Qur’an, whom the Holy Prophet (sa) would instruct to write down a revelation of the Holy Qur’an as soon as he received it. Hazrat Zubair (ra) was also among those scribes.
A Gift of Land
His Holiness (aba) also cited the Second Caliph (ra) in narrating the fact that the Holy Prophet (sa) gifted some land to Hazrat Zubair (ra). It was said that this land was so vast, that Hazrat Zubair’s (ra) horse could run freely and would reach its end upon becoming tired. His Holiness (aba) commented that Arabian horses were known to be significantly strong, thus it can be estimated that this land was around 20,000 acres.
An Unbiased Decision
His Holines (aba) narrated that once, Hazrat Zubair (ra) had a disagreement with an Ansari companion regarding the stream from which they both watered their crops. This disagreement occurred in the presence of the Holy Prophet (sa), and so in order to mediate, the Holy Prophet (sa) advised Hazrat Zubair (ra) to take some water for his crops, and then leave the stream for his counterpart. Upon this, the Ansari companion said to the Holy Prophet (sa) that he had made this decision because Hazrat Zubair (ra) was his nephew. Upon this, the Holy Prophet (sa) told Hazrat Zubair (ra) to utilise the entire stream and water his crops, thus showing that he had initially made an unbiased decision for both parties. It was thus that the following verse of the Holy Qur’an was revealed to the Holy Prophet (sa):
‘But no, by thy Lord, they are not believers until they make thee judge in all that is in dispute between them and then find not in their hearts any demur concerning that which thou decidest and submit with full submission.’
(Holy Qur’an, 4:66)
Very Charitable
His Holiness (aba) said that it is narrated about Hazrat Zubair (ra) that he had a thousand workers, who would bring him the produce of his crops at the end of the day. However, he would not keep the wealth for himself but would give the entire sum in charity. Thus, when he was martyred, he had no wealth to his name except a few properties.
Seek God’s Help in Repaying Debts
His Holiness (aba) related a narration of Hazrat Zubair’s (ra) son, that Hazrat Zubair (ra) told him, if he ever found trouble in repaying his debts, he should seek help only from Allah. His son said that if ever he did find some trouble in repaying a certain debt, he would pray to God and He would provide the means for repayment. In some instances, God would create the means for the properties of Hazrat Zubair (ra) to be sold at an amount enough to repay the debts.The manner in which Hazrat Zubair (ra) became indebted was that when people would come to him to leave some wealth with him as a trust, he would tell them that he wouldn’t keep it as a trust but instead would keep it as a loan, so that there would be no fear of the wealth being spent or being wasted.
Battle of the Camel
His Holiness (aba) then cited the Second Caliph (ra) in narrating the incidents surrounding the martyrdom of Hazrat Uthman (ra) and the subsequent election of Hazrat Ali (ra) and the next Khalifa. His Holiness (aba) narrated the conditions under which Hazrat Zubair (ra) pledged allegiance to Hazrat Ali (ra). Hazrat Zubair (ra) also sought swift retribution against the murderers of Hazrat Uthman (ra). However, Hazrat Zubair (ra) felt that Hazrat Ali (ra) was not taking swift enough action in this regard. Thus, he, along with other companions approached Hazrat Aishah (ra) in this regard to which she pledged to seek retribution. It was as a result of this difference of opinion that the Battle of the Camel took place between the armies of Hazrat Aishah (ra) and Hazrat Ali (ra). His Holiness (aba) said that this incident was related in the accounts of Hazrat Talhah (ra) which clearly showed that this battle was the result of incitement from the mischievous and hypocrites, and some companions became involved due to misunderstanding.
His Holiness (aba) related that Hazrat Zubair (ra) retreated from the battlefield, because he remembered that the Holy Prophet (sa) had once said to him that he would fight against Hazrat Ali (ra) and he would be the reason for this misunderstanding.
His Holiness (aba) said that Hazrat Zubair (ra) was martyred upon returning from the grounds of the Battle of the Camel. When Hazrat Zubair’s (ra) sword was brought to Hazrat Ali (ra), he said that this sword protected and would bring comfort to the Holy Prophet (sa), yet now it has come from the grounds of disorder. Hazrat Ali (ra) cursed the person who had martyred Hazrat Zubair (ra).
Funeral Prayers
His Holiness (aba) announced the funeral prayers in absentia of the following deceased members of the Community.
Al-Hajji Ibrahim Uwahay Sahib
Al-Hajji Ibrahim Uwahay Sahib who passed away on 10th August. He was serving as the Vice-President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in The Gambia. He was regular in offering Salat and voluntary prayers. He was also regular in giving alms and had deep love for the Holy Qur’an. He obtained his Masters degree from the United States and then returned to serve the people of his country. He was an educator, who was well regarded in intellectual circles. He left behind two wives, seven sons and two daughters. His Holiness (aba) prayed for the forgiveness of the deceased and that his children may become the object of the fulfilment of their father’s prayers.
Naeem Ahmad Khan Sahib
Naeem Ahmad Khan Sahib who passed away in April. He served as the Vice-President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Karachi. He served in various capacities under Khuddamul Ahmadiyya (youth auxiliary) aside from which he served in many other capacities. He served as the auditor in the first governing body of the IAAAE. He also served as one of the engineers who helped plan in the building of roti plants. His children write that he always taught them to remain attached to the faith, Khilafat and to regularly offer their prayers. He was always regular in his Salat and his voluntary prayers. Even during his final days, he would ask the nurse to help him sit up so that he may offer prayers. His Holiness (aba) prayed for the forgiveness of the deceased and that his children may be able to keep his virtues alive.
Bushra Begum Sahiba
Bushra Begum Sahiba who passed away on 19 July. Her grandfather was a companion of the Promised Messiah (as). She was regular in offering Salat and voluntary prayers. She was very hospitable and regularly offered alms. Due to weak eye-sight, she was unable to read the Holy Qur’an as a child. However later on in life, her children would help her and she was able to memorize a few parts of the Holy Qur’an. His Holiness (aba) mentioned that one of her sons is serving as a missionary of the Community and is the Missionary in-Charge of New Zealand. His Holiness (aba) prayed for the forgiveness of the deceased and prayed that Allah Almighty may grant her children patience and enable them to keep her virtues alive.
Summary prepared by The Review of Religions
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