Men of Excellence
After reciting the Tashahhud, Ta’awwuz, and Surah Al-Fatihah, stated:
The series of narrating the accounts of the lives of the Badri companions, that I have started, will continue today. As Ansarullah Ijtema is starting today, I will like to bring this to their attention that when those people accepted Islam, they brought about pious changes in themselves and set wondrous examples of sacrifices, righteousness, sincerity and loyalty. Hence, you should reflect and contemplate about how much effort you are making to attain the high standards set in these examples.
After these brief words, I will now begin with the actual subject matter.
The first account that will be given is of Hazrat Nu’man (ra) bin ‘Amr. Hazrat Nu’man participated in all of the battles alongside the Holy Prophet (sa) including the battles of Badr, Uhud and Khandaq. According to a narration, the Messenger (sa) of Allah said, “Do not say anything about Nu’man except something good for he loves Allah and His Messenger (sa).” Hazrat Nu’man (ra) passed away in 60 AH during the rule of Hazrat Ameer Mu’awiyah. Hazrat Nu’man had a good sense of humour and would create light-hearted moments of amusement by his jokes. The gatherings of the Holy Prophet (sa) were respectful and caring gatherings filled with extraordinary love, affection and light-heartedness; not just dry impersonal meetings.
The next Companion I shall mention is Hazrat Khubaib bin Asaaf (ra). Hazrat Khubaib (ra) belonged to the Banu Jusham branch of the Khazraj tribe of the Ansar. Even though Hazrat Khubaib (ra) had not yet accepted Islam at the time of the migration, he had the honour of hosting and accommodating the Muhajireen in Medina as the migration took place. Hazrat Khubaib (ra) took part in all the battles alongside the Holy Prophet (sa) including the battles of Badr, Uhud and Khandaq. Hazrat Khubaib (ra) had not accepted Islam when the Holy Prophet (sa) set off for the battle of Badr, but he joined the Holy Prophet (sa) along the way. His offer of participation in the battle was declined by the Holy Prophet (sa) twice as he had not accepted Islam. However, he declared his belief in Allah and His Prophet and was allowed to take part in the battle of Badr. He fought valiantly and killed arch enemies of Islam, who used to torture innocent Muslims in Makkah. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) gave the details of these incidences and explained that he is relating these to raise awareness about the history of early Islam. Hazrat Khubaib (ra), sustained an injury during the Battle of Badr and broke one of his ribs. The Holy Prophet (sa) placed his blessed saliva on the injured area and placed the bone in its proper place as a result of which Hazrat Khubaib (ra) was able to walk again. Hazrat Khubaib (ra) passed away during the Khilafat of Hazrat Umar (ra) or according to another narration during the Khilafat of Hazrat Uthman (ra). However, in any case, may God Almighty elevate the station of the Companions (ra).
Now, I shall mention some details regarding three individuals who have passed away and will also lead their funeral prayer.
The first is respected Rashida Beghum Sahiba, wife of respected Muhammad Sarwar Sahib of Rabwah. She passed away on 24th August at the age of 74 – Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return. Her grandfather, respected Fateh Muhammad Sahib, who travelled to Qadian and had the good fortune to perform the Bai’at through a companion of the Promised Messiah (as), Hazrat Qazi Muhammad Akbar Sahib. Upon witnessing the solar and lunar eclipse in 1894, Qazi Sahib informed his family and people in his area that this sign signified the advent of the Imam Mahdi (as). Respected Rashida Beghum Sahiba was extremely regular in giving her Chandas [monetary sacrifices]. She invested time and effort in bringing up her children, advised them not to pick up bad habits by wandering in the streets and ensured that her children went to the Mosque for Fajr prayer. She had a very loving and loyal bond with the institution of Khilafat. She would listen to the sermons very attentively and would note down various points which she would then discuss with her children. By the grace of Allah, she was a Moosia who paid 1/8 towards Wasiyyat. Her five sons have the opportunity to serve their faith as life devotees [Waqf-e-Zindagi]. May God Almighty enable her children to continue her good deeds and elevate the station of their mother.
The second funeral is of respected Muhammad Shamshir Khan Sahib, who was the president of Nadi Jama’at in Fiji. He passed away on 5th September – Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return. He was born in 1952 and in 1962, along with his father, he did the Bai’at and joined the [Ahmadiyya] Jama’at from the Lahori Jama’at. The deceased was among the pioneering members of the Jama’at in Fiji and by the grace of God Almighty, he had the opportunity to extensively render his services to the Jama’at. He played a very important role in establishing mosques in Maro, Suva, Nadi and Lautoka. He had a very respectable position in the society but he always gave precedence to his Jama’at work. He was extremely sincere and devoted to the institution of Khilafat and displayed utmost obedience. May God Almighty grant him His forgiveness and mercy and enable his progeny to continue his good deeds.
The third funeral is of respected Fatima Muhammad Mustafa Sahib who was originally from Kurdistan and was currently living in Norway. Although she passed away on 13 June, however her details were sent late, therefore the funeral prayer [in absentia] is being offered now. She passed away at the age of 88 – Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return. She had the opportunity to do the Bai’at in 2014 and leaves behind three daughters and five sons, out of whom only her daughter is Ahmadi and is currently living in Norway. He was a fair, committed and honest person. In 2016 when I went there, she also had the opportunity to meet me and she was extremely happy that she was able to meet the Khalifa of the time and would tell everyone about this. She had a bond of great loyalty with Khilafat. May God Almighty grant her His forgiveness and mercy and elevate her status. May God Almighty also grant strength to her daughter’s faith and her children. May He also enable her other children, who are not Ahmadi, to open their hearts [for Ahmadiyyat] and become the recipient of her prayers.v