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The Holy Prophet’s (sa) Love for Hazrat Mus’ab bin Umair (ra)
Another ardent devotee of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) was Hazrat Mus’ab bin ‘Umair (ra). He belonged to a very wealthy family. When he accepted Islam, he left luxuries and adopted a life of austerity. One day, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) saw Mus’ab bin ‘Umair (ra) in such an impoverished state that his torn clothes had patches of leather on them. The companions saw him and lowered their gazes as they were unable to help him. Mus’ab (ra) greeted the Holy Prophet (sa). The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) affectionately responded to his greetings and, remembering the life of this once-rich man, his eyes brimmed with tears. Then the Holy Prophet (sa) encouragingly advised him, ‘All praise belongs to Allah, good luck to the worldly people for their worldly possessions. I have seen Mus’ab (ra) when there was no one wealthier than him in Makkah. Now the love of God and His Messenger has transformed him to this state.’
The first preacher of Islam, Mus’ab (ra), after migration to Madinah, came back to Makkah to meet the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa). A unique incident of his love for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) happened at that time. When he arrived in Makkah, instead of going to his mother’s house (his mother by that time had stopped opposing Islam), he went straight to see the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa). He informed the Holy Prophet (sa) of the events in Madinah and gave him a detailed report of the rapid spread of Islam. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) was very happy to hear about his efforts in this field.
When Mus’ab’s (ra) mother came to know that he was in Makkah and instead of visiting her, had gone to meet the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa), she sent a message to Mus’ab (ra), ‘O disloyal one, you have come to my city and did not come to see me first.’ The beautiful reply sent by Mus’ab (ra) shows his love for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa), he replied, ‘O my mother, I cannot bear to see anyone before meeting the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa).’
In the Battle of Uhud, by offering his life in sacrifice, he set a seal on his love for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa). Mus’ab (ra) was martyred in protecting the Islamic flag. When the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) reached his dead body, he had fallen on his face as if even at the last moment of his life, he was content in God’s will and was prostrating. The Holy Prophet (sa) recited this verse while standing near his dead body:
‘There are some of them who have fulfilled their vow (lost their lives in fighting), and some who still wait, and they have not changed their condition in the least.’
After this, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa), addressing the corpse of his true lover, said, ‘O Mus’ab, the Messenger of Allah is a witness over you. You have fulfilled the true essence of this verse and are among those faithful champions who have accomplished their promises. You will be appointed witness over others on the Day of Judgment.’
Then the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) granted another honour to Mus’ab (ra), the guardian of the Islamic flag. While bidding his last farewell, he addressed the companions and said, ‘O my companions, come and pay respect to him and send salam to him. I take oath in the Being in Whose hand is my life, until the Day of Judgment, whosoever sends salam to him, will receive a reply from him.’
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Muhammad (sa) – The Perfect Man (Qadian, India: Nazarat Isha’at, 2015) 298-301.
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