The Companions of the Holy Prophet (sa)

Friday Sermon Summary 23rd October 2020: ‘Men of Excellence – Hazrat Mu’adh bin Jabal (ra)’

After reciting Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) said he would highlight incidents from the life of the Companion Hazrat Mu’adh bin Jabal (ra).

His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad - Hazrat Mu'adh bin Jabal (ra)

Hazrat Mu’adh bin Jabal (ra)

His father’s name was Jabal bin ‘Amr and his mother’s Hind bint Sahl. Hazrat Mu‘adh (ra) was from the Udayy bin Sa‘d bin Ali branch of the Khazraj tribe.

Hazrat Mu‘adh (ra) took part in all battles alongside the Holy Prophet (sa). It is recorded that at the time of the Battle of Badr, the age of Hazrat Mu‘adh (ra) was 20 or 21.

Conveying the Message to His Friend’s Father

His Holiness (aba) said that a group of youngsters from the Banu Salma accepted Islam on the occassion of the Second Pledge at Aqabah. Among them were Hazrat Mu`adh bin Jabal (ra) and Hazrat Mu`adh bin `Amr (ra). Upon accepting Islam, Hazrat Mu`adh bin `Amr (ra) wished to convey the message of Islam to his father `Amr, and Hazrat Mu`adh bin Jabal (ra) along with the other youngsters helped him in this endeavor. Thus, these youngsters would take the idol which his father ‘Amr worshipped and throw it in a gutter. They did so for three consecutive nights. After the second time ‘Amr found his idol in the gutter, he left his sword beside the idol and said that it should protect itself. However, the next day he found the idol hanging from the collar of a dog. This caused ‘Amr to think, how an idol he had worshipped his entire life could not even protect itself. Thus ‘Amr was able to recognise the One true God.

Love and Devotion for the Holy Prophet (sa)

His Holiness (aba) related that upon returning to Madinah from the Battle of Uhud, the Holy Prophet (sa) heard women crying and lamenting over the martyred. The Holy Prophet (sa) asked ‘Is there no one to lament over the martyrdom of Hamzah?’ [uncle of the Holy Prophet (sa)]. Upon this, Hazrat Mu‘adh (ra) was among the companions who went and told the women that they should not lament over the martyrdom of anyone, until they had mourned the martyrdom of Hazrat Hamzah (ra). His Holiness (aba) said that though Islam does not allow wailing or expressing grief in an excessive manner, this was an expression of love and loyalty to the Holy Prophet (sa).

Role in Compilation of the Holy Qur’an

His Holiness (aba) said that Hazrat Mu‘adh (ra) was one of the four companions during the life of the Holy Prophet (sa) who had memorised and helped compile the Holy Qur’an. Furthermore, Hazrat Mu‘adh (ra) was of the four esteemed companions who were appointed by the Holy Prophet (sa) as teachers of the Holy Qur’an, as they had learned the entire Holy Qur’an directly from the Holy Prophet (sa).

His Holiness (aba) related that once the Holy Prophet (sa) said that Hazrat Mu‘adh (ra) had the greatest understanding of what is lawful and unlawful according to the teachings of Islam.

The Love of the Holy Prophet (sa) for Hazrat Mu‘adh (ra)

His Holiness (aba) related a narration from Hazrat Mu‘adh (ra) in which he said that once the Holy Prophet (sa) took hold of his hand and told him that he loved him. Then he advised him to say the following prayer after completing the Salat ‘My Lord I implore You to help me in Thy remembrance, for being grateful to You, and worshipping you in the best manner.’

Instructions of the Holy Prophet (sa) Regarding Length of the Salat

His Holiness (aba) presented narrations in which it is related that Hazrat Mu‘adh was leading the Salat during which he recited long portions of the Holy Qur’an. Due to the length of the prayer, one person left the congregation and offered his own prayer. When this news reached the Holy Prophet (sa), he instructed Hazrat Mu‘adh (ra) that he should not burden the congregants by leading very long prayers. He then gave Hazrat Mu‘adh (ra) examples of some chapters of the Holy Qur’an which he should recite which are of an adequate length for leading the Salat.

Advice to be Saved From the Fire and to Enter Heaven

His Holiness (aba) related a narration of Hazrat Mu‘adh (ra) who once asked the Holy Prophet (sa) to advise him of what deeds he should carry out in order to be saved from the fire and enter into heaven. The Holy Prophet (sa) responded that to offer prayer and not associate partners with God, to pay the Zakat, fast, and perform the pilgrimage could save a person from the fire. The Holy Prophet (sa) then said that he would inform him of actions which could open the doors of good and prosperity. The Holy Prophet (sa) said that fasting is a shield, and giving alms is like water which puts out a fire, and offering voluntary prayers in the middle of the night, and carrying out Jihad. The Holy Prophet (sa) said that the basis of all of these things was maintaining control over one’s tongue, for the injuries and various harms caused by the tongue are what land a person into the fire.

HIs Holiness (aba) related a narration in which the Holy Prophet (sa) called unto Hazrat Mu‘adh (ra), and said that anyone who sincerely declared their belief in the Unity of God and the fact that Muhammad (sa) was His messenger would be saved from the fire. However the Holy Prophet (sa) advised that Hazrat Mu‘adh (ra) should not spread this otherwise people would stop doing good deeds. His Holiness (aba) commented and explained that this was a matter which would not have been understood by everyone. It can be seen today that there are many to declare their belief, while their hearts are filled with shirk (associating partners with God) as they depend solely on worldly means. Furthermore, His Holiness (aba) commented that this narration makes it clear that the authority of decision and reward for belief lies solely with God Almighty, not with any human being.

HIs Holiness (aba) said that he would continue highlighting incidents from the life of Hazrat Mu‘adh (ra) in the future.

Mubarak Mosque - Masjid Mubarak - Hazrat Mu'adh

Funeral Prayers

HIs Holiness (aba) said that he would lead the funeral prayers (in absentia) of the following deceased members:

Maulvi Farzan Khan who was the Missionary in-charge in Odisha. He is survived by his wife and two children. He took excellent care of the missionaries under him. He served the Community with great zeal and had a passion for spreading the message of Islam, as a result of which he was able to help people join the fold of Islam. Once he went to a village to spread the message of Islam. The people there informed him that they had a cow which would not give milk. They said that if he truly had the true message of Islam, then he should pray and blow on some milk to be given to the cow. He did so, and then prayed to God to prove the truthfulness of the Promised Messiah (as). A short while later, the cow produced milk, which overjoyed the people of the village and they accepted Ahmadiyyat. His Holiness (aba) said that everyone who has written to him expressed that he was an exemplary missionary.

Abdullah Munsiku who was a local missionary in Malaysia. He passed away on 8 October. He is survived by his wife and eight children. He saw the Promised Messiah (as) and the Second and Third Caliphs in his dreams and was also able to attend the Annual Convention in Malaysia which led to his acceptance of Ahmadiyyat. He spread the message of Islam with great passion and helped many people join the fold of Islam Ahmadiyyat.

Abdul Wahid who passed away on 12 September. He was a local Mu‘allim in Qadian. He was previously a Christian, but later on his entire family accepted Ahmadiyyat. He was very obedient and was proficient in propagating the message of Islam. He was able to help several families join the fold of Ahmadiyyat. He is survived by his wife and his three children.

HIs Holiness (aba) prayed for the forgiveness of these deceased members and also prayed for their families. His Holiness (aba) prayed that their children may be able to keep their virtues alive and may always remain attached to Khilafat.

Summary prepared by The Review of Religions.