The Companions of the Holy Prophet (sa)

Friday Sermon Summary 28th January 2022: ‘Rightly Guided Caliphs – Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)’

After reciting Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) said that he would continue highlighting incidents from the life of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra).

His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)

His Holiness (aba) said that after the Battle of Uhud, the Holy Prophet (sa) learned about the Quraish contemplating another attack on the Muslims in order to strike a final blow to them. The Holy Prophet (sa) consulted with Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and Hazrat Umar (ra), both of whom suggested that the Muslims should go towards the enemy so that they did not come and attack their families. The Holy Prophet (sa) asked Hazrat Bilal (ra) to announce amongst the Muslims that they should accompany the Holy Prophet (sa) to battle, and those should go along with him who had taken part in the Battle of Uhud. When the Muslims reached a place called Hamraa’ al-Asad, the disbelievers grew worried, and thus abandoned their intention of attacking Madinah.

Treachery of Banu Nadhir Against the Holy Prophet (sa) 

His Holiness (aba) said that the Holy Prophet (sa) went to the Banu Nadhir tribe in Madinah along with some companions. When he arrived, the people of Banu Nadhir offered him to take a seat and eat before they spoke about any further matter. Thus, the Holy Prophet (sa) took a seat against a wall. The Jewish people of Banu Nadhir saw this as an opportunity and one person climbed upon the wall with a rock to drop down upon the Holy Prophet (sa). However, God informed the Holy Prophet (sa) of this plot, upon which he immediately got up and left. The Holy Prophet (sa) then sent a message to the Banu Nadhir saying that they had acted treacherously, and could no longer remain in Madinah, and gave them a period of ten days to leave. However, they refused, and so the Muslims prepared for battle. The Muslims laid siege to the fortress of Banu Nadhir, and in the evening, the Holy Prophet (sa) returned to his home. At that time, according to some narrations, the Holy Prophet (sa) conferred the command of the army to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra). Eventually, the Banu Nadhir surrendered and were allowed to leave along with their wealth, aside from their weapons.

The Expedition of Badr al-Mau‘id

His Holiness (aba) said that after the Battle of Uhud, Abu Sufyan challenged that they would battle the Muslims after a year at Badr al-Safra and the Holy Prophet (sa) agreed. As the time grew near, Abu Sufyan grew worried as he hoped to have a larger army, and so he began spreading false reports in an attempt to strike fear in the Muslims and deter them from battle. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and Hazrat Umar (ra) both suggested to the Holy Prophet (sa) that in any case, the Muslims should fulfil their promise of meeting the Quraish. Thus, the Muslims set out as planned and reached the appointed destination, however Abu Sufyan made excuses and returned to Makkah with his army. The Muslims remained in Badr for eight days, during which time they did business at an annual festival held there. This expedition is known as Badr al-Mau‘id.

Calumny Against Hazrat A’ishah (ra)

His Holiness (aba) said that when the Holy Prophet (sa) learned that the Banu Mustaliq were planning an attack on the Muslims, the Holy Prophet (sa) set out towards them accompanied by 700 companions. According to some narrations, the banner of the Muhajireen (migrants to Madinah) was given to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra).  

His Holiness (aba) said while returning from Banu Mustaliq, a great calumny was levelled against Hazrat A’ishah (ra). When the Muslims were returning to Madinah, one night, the Holy Prophet (sa) instructed them to continue forth on the journey from where they had stopped to rest. Just before this, Hazrat A’ishah (ra) realised that she had lost her necklace and went looking for it. When she returned, the Muslims had already left. They had placed her carriage upon the camel, without realising that she was not sitting in it. While waiting for the Muslims to realise and return, she fell asleep, and the next morning, Hazrat Safwan (ra) who had been travelling behind the army, found her. She rode on his camel while he led it, until they rejoined the Muslim army. From this incident, a great calumny came about which was initiated by the Chief of the Hypocrites, Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Sulool. 

Allah Almighty Reveals the Innocence of Hazrat A’ishah (ra)

His Holiness (aba) said that when Hazrat A’ishah (ra) learned about this calumny, she sought permission from the Holy Prophet (sa) to visit her parents, so that she could confirm that this rumour had spread. The Holy Prophet (sa) consulted with some companions regarding the matter, and also asked Barirah, who served Hazrat A’ishah (ra), and she attested to her pristine character. During this time, Hazrat A’ishah (ra) was in a state of sleepless distress for two nights and a day. Her parents sat with her and attempted to console her. The Holy Prophet (sa) visited her and said that if she was innocent, God would surely speak in her favour. Hazrat A’ishah (ra) expressed that at that time, she had no choice but to remain patient, as she knew she was innocent. At that moment, as the Holy Prophet (sa) was sitting there, God revealed the following verses, proving the innocence of Hazrat A’ishah (ra):

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ جَآءُو بِٱلۡإِفۡكِ عُصۡبَةٞ مِّنكُمۡ ۚ 

‘Verily, those who brought forth the lie are a party from among you. ’ (The Holy Qur’an, 24:12)

His Holiness (aba) said that upon this, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), father of Hazrat A’ishah (ra) vowed that he would never again provide financial support to Mistah, who had been one of the people to spread this false rumor. Then, God revealed to the Holy Prophet (sa):

وَلَا يَأۡتَلِ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡفَضۡلِ مِنكُمۡ وَٱلسَّعَةِ أَن يُؤۡتُوٓاْ أُوْلِي ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡمَسَٰكِينَ وَٱلۡمُهَٰجِرِينَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَلۡيَعۡفُواْ وَلۡيَصۡفَحُوٓاْ ۗ أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَن يَغۡفِرَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٌ 

‘And let not those who possess wealth and plenty among you swear not to give aught to the kindred and to the needy and to those who have left their homes in the cause of Allah. Let them forgive and pass over the offence. Do you not desire that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful.’ (The Holy Qur’an, 24:23)

His Holiness (aba) said that upon this, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) said surely he wished to be forgiven by God, and thus began supporting Mistah again. 

The Battle of the Confederates

His Holiness (aba) said that the third great battle between the Mulsims and the disbelievers was the Battle of the Ditch, or the Battle of Ahzab. After the expulsion of Banu Nadhir, some of their leaders went to the Quraish and incited them to fight against the Muslims. They also gathered other tribes, to the extent that their total number became 10,000. Upon learning of this army, the Holy Prophet (sa) consulted with companions, and Hazrat Salman (ra) the Persian suggested that a trench be dug. The Holy Prophet (sa) agreed, and thus, along with 3,000 Muslims, he too helped in digging this trench. When the enemy surrounded Madinah, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was commanding a part of the Muslim army. During this time, a mosque was established in that area, known as the Sadiq Mosque.

His Holiness (aba) said that he would continue narrating these incidents in future sermons.

Mubarak Mosque Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)

Funeral Prayers

His Holiness (aba) said that he would announce the funerals of some deceased members.

Mubaraka Begum

Mubaraka Begum wife of Mukhtar Ahmad Gondal. She passed away on 11 January. She was the daughter-in-law of a companion of the Promised Messiah (as). She possessed many virtuous qualities. She is survived by five sons and three daughters. One of her sons, along with others from her progeny are life-devotees. His Holiness (aba) prayed that may Allah treat her with forgiveness and mercy and fulfil her prayers for her progeny.

Mir Abdul Waheed

Mir Abdul Waheed who passed away in the night between 12-13 January. In 2020, a false charge was filed against him and his family, and his house was surrounded by clerics and others. The police were able to help them leave, however later, one of his sons was taken by the police and falsely imprisoned under the blasphemy laws. His son is still in jail and could not take part in his father’s funeral. His Holiness (aba) prayed that may Allah the Almighty treat the deceased with forgiveness and mercy and grant his family patience. May Allah also create the means for his son’s release.

Syed Waqar Ahmad

Syed Waqar Ahmad of USA who passed away on 17 January due to a heart attack. His wife is the great maternal granddaughter of Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) and the great paternal granddaughter of Mirza Sharif Ahmad (ra). He was an exemplary husband and father. He led a selfless and simple life. He would say that when he went to the mosque, he would repeat his oath, and nothing was more important to him than this. His Holiness (aba) said that he himself observed, that even when faced with a great trial, he maintained his oath of giving precedence to the faith over worldly matters. He was always obedient to Khilafat, even if he did not understand something. His son Syed Adil Ahmed is a missionary, and also echoes that his father lived a simple life, and gave precedence to his family’s needs over his own. He possessed many virtuous qualities. His Holiness (aba) prayed that may Allah the Almighty treat him with forgiveness and mercy and enable his children to carry on these virtues.

Summary prepared by The Review of Religions