Men of Excellence
After reciting the Tashahhud, Ta’awwuz, and Surah Al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V(aba) stated:
In continuation of the accounts of the Badri companions of the Holy Prophet(sa), I will continue from my last sermon in Germany.
When the Muslim army set for Uhud, at the suggestion of the younger Muslims, Abdullah bin Ubay Salool (the chief of hypocrites in Medina) and his companions also went along. Abdullah bin Ubay Salool was the father of Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abdullah. When in the battle ground, Abdullah bin Ubay Salool rebelled and returned to Medina with 300 of his followers, ridiculing the war efforts and saying that this was merely tantamount to killing ourselves. Only 700 remaining Muslims fought valiantly and gained the upper hand in the battle and they were close to gaining victory. However, towards the end, due to not fully acting upon the commandment of the Holy Prophet(sa) and leaving guards at the valley, the Muslims suffered a heavy loss.
Now, I will present some details of the demeanour of Abdullah bin Ubay Salool after this battle and how he began to utter hurtful and contemptuous remarks about the Holy Prophet(sa) and other Muslims. He jested about Muslims and only increased in his brazenness, when the Holy Prophet(sa) overlook these actions. He tried to stir tribal rivalries between Ansars (the helpers) and Muhajireen (the immigrants) by inciting ignorant and impressionable people. A full-blown altercation was avoided only by the mediation of elders; this annoyed Abdullah bin Ubay Salool even more and this wretched man went so far as to say: (this is mentioned in Surah Al-Munafiqun of the Holy Quran) meaning: “Just wait and see, now when we arrive to Madinah, the most honoured man or people shall exile the most disgraceful person or people from the city.” A sincere young man Zaid bin Arqam(ra) heard this and was most upset by this and conveyed the message to the Holy Prophet(sa) through his paternal uncle. This angered sincere Muslims. They explained to the Holy Prophet(sa) that before his arrival, Abdullah bin Ubay Salool was nominated to be the King of Madinah and with the arrival of the Holy Prophet(sa), this did not go ahead. This made Abdullah bin Ubay Salool jealous.
After some time, the son of Abdullah bin Ubay Salool, whose name was Ḥabbab, but the Holy Prophet(sa) changed it to ‘Abdullah, (i.e. the companion who is being mentioned). He was a very faithful Companion and presented himself before the Holy Prophet(sa) in a state of concern about his father’s unpleasant words. He said that if for this act of treason, death penalty is issued, he will carry out the duty himself. He explained that if his father was executed by someone else, a tinge of ignorance may flare up in him and he may end up hurting his father’s executioner and fall into hell despite longing for the pleasure of Allah. (Meaning that although he desired nothing but the pleasure of Allah, yet he did not wish to enter hell owing to the killing of a Muslim). The Holy Prophet(sa) calmed him and said, “We have no such intention, rather, in any case, we shall demonstrate compassion and benevolence towards your father.”
However, ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abdullah bin Ubayy was so incensed against his father that when the Muslim army set out for Madinah, ‘Abdullah(ra) stood before his father and blocked his passage, saying, “By God! I shall not permit you to return, until you confess with your own tongue that the Holy Prophet(sa) is most honoured and you are the most disgraced.” ‘Abdullah pressed his father to such an extent that finally he was compelled to say these words, upon which ‘Abdullah left him free to proceed.
Then, the Great Calumny, which was raised by the hypocrites was in relation to the incident of Ifk [the lie], the main instigator of which was ‘Abdullah bin Ubay Salool. Abdullah bin Ubay Salool spread the rumours attacking the pious character of Hazrat Ayesha(ra), the holy wife of the Holy Prophet(sa). The ignorant fell for this and the rumour-mill was rife and the integrity of the character of Hazrat Ayesha(ra) was questioned. She was a pious and Godly woman. She did not offer any explanation for these atrocious allegations for the fear of not being believed. She called Allah the Exalted to her help by saying the Quranic prayers of Prophet Joseph(as). “That is to say, patience is better for me, and it is Allah alone Whose help I seek against what these people assert.”
She was so virtuous and had so much faith in God, that she was sure that God Almighty will publicly vindicate her of such awful allegations. The Holy Prophet(sa) received a Divine revelation, “Verily, those who brought forth the lie are a party from among you.” This exonerated the pious character of Hazrat Ayesha(ra). The Holy Prophet(sa) smiled and said to Hazrat Ayesha(ra) that God has affirmed your innocence. At this, her mother said, “Get up! Thank the Messenger of Allah.” Hazrat Ayesha(ra) said, “Why should I thank the Holy Prophet(sa), I am thankful to my Lord Who stood witness to my innocence?”
Despite all these acts of national treachery and personal hurt, when Abdullah bin Ubay Salool passed away, his son Hazrat Abdullah(ra) requested the Holy Prophet(sa) to lead his funeral prayer. He also requested the Holy Prophet(sa) for his shirt so that it could be used as a burial garment for his father so that his punishment may be reduced in this way. Upon this, the Holy Prophet(sa) gave him his shirt and led his funeral prayers. The account of the Badri companion Hazrat Abdullah(ra) ends here and I will continue with the accounts of the rest of the companions in the coming sermons.
I shall now mention some details regarding some deceased members.
The first mention is of Respected Amatul Hafeez Sahiba, wife of Respected Maulana Muhammad Umar Sahib of Kerala, India. She passed away on 20th October at the age of 72, Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return. She was a pious and dedicated woman, who supported her husband in an excellent manner for his duties to the community. She would recite the Holy Quran daily after offering the Fajr prayers and would then also read the Ahadith. This was daily practise of hers. Even the day she passed away, she had the opportunity to observe this practise of hers. She had a passion to study the books of the Promised Messiah(as) and also had an interest in improving her general knowledge. May God Almighty shower His forgiveness and mercy on her; may He elevate her status and enable her progeny to become the recipients of her prayers.
The second funeral is of Respected Chaudhry Muhammad Ibrahim Sahib, who was the former manager and publisher of the monthly magazine Ansarullah, Pakistan. He passed away on 16th October at the age of 83 years old, To Allah we belong and to Him shall we return. His services to the community started in 1957 and he served for many years. In total 26 cases were brought against him and he served as Aseer Rah-e-Maulah [a prisoner in the way of God] for one month.
The third funeral is of Respected Raja Masood Ahmad Sahib, who was the son of the late Respected Raja Muhammad Nawaz Sahib of Pind Dadan Khan. He passed away on 19th October after a lengthy illness, at the age of 69, To Allah we belong and to Him shall we return. He had a long list of services to the community in Pakistan and UK.
The fourth funeral is of Respected Saliha Anwar Abro Sahiba, who was the wife of the late Anwar Ali Abro Sahib of Sindh. She also passed away on 1st October, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return. She was a brave and courageous person who fulfilled the rights due to God Almighty and the rights of His creation.
After the Friday prayers, I will lead the funeral prayers in absentia of the deceased.