Men of Excellence
After reciting the Tashahhud, Ta’awwuz, and Surah Al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) stated:
Hazrat Yazid bin Thabit (ra) was a Badri Companion of the Holy Prophet (sa). He belonged to a family of Banu Malik bin Najar from the Khazraj tribe of the Ansar. Hazrat Yazid’s (ra) father was Thabit bin Zahak. He married Dubaiya bint Thabit. Hazrat Yazid bin Thabit (ra) participated in both the battles of Badr and Uhud. He was martyred in 12 AH in the battle of Yamama, during the caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra).
Hazrat Yazid bin Thabit (ra) narrates that he was sitting along with a group of Companions (ra) in the company of the Holy Prophet (sa) when a funeral passed by. When the Holy Prophet (sa) saw this, he stood up swiftly, and remained standing until the funeral had passed by them. Hazrat Yazid bin Thabit states: “Once, the Holy Prophet (sa) came outside and saw a new grave, the Holy Prophet (sa) asked: “What is this?”. The companions explained that this is the grave of the slave girl, who passed away earlier in the afternoon when he was resting. At this, the Holy Prophet (sa) walked to the grave and offered the funeral prayer. He then stated: “As long as I am in your midst, you must inform me when any one of you passes away, because my prayer serves as a mercy for the deceased.’”
The name of the next companion to be mentioned is Hazrat Mu’awwiz bin Amr bin Jamuh (ra). Hazrat Mu’awwiz (ra) belonged to the Banu Jusham of the Khazraj tribe of the Ansar. Hazrat Mu’awwiz’s (ra) fathers name was Amr bin Jamuh and the name of his mother was Hind bint Amr. Hazrat Mu’awwiz bin Amr bin Jamuh (ra) participated in the battles of Badr and Uhud.
The name of the next companion is Hazrat Bishr bin Bara bin Ma’rur (ra). Hazrat Bishr (ra) belonged to the Banu ‘Ubaid bin ‘Adi of the Khazraj tribe of the Ansar. Hazrat Bishr (ra) participated in the second Bai’at at Aqabah along with his father. Furthermore, from among the companions, Hazrat Bishr bin Bara (ra) was an expert archer. The Holy Prophet (sa) established a bond of brotherhood between Hazrat Bishr and Hazrat Waqid bin Abdullah, who had come from Mecca to Medina. Hazrat Bishr (ra) participated alongside the Holy Prophet (sa) in the battles of Badr, Uhud, Khandaq, the treaty of Hudaybiyyah and the battle of Khaybar. During the battle of Uhud, he experienced a miraculous condition of peace and security, when Muslims were under enemy attack. During the battle of Khaybar, Hazrat Bishr (ra) also ate the poisoned goat meat alongside the Holy Prophet (sa), which was given to them as a gift by a Jewish woman. When Hazrat Bishr swallowed a piece of the meat, and became very ill, he suffered severe pain. The pain was so severe that for an entire year, he was unable to turn over in bed without assistance and eventually he passed away in this painful state. Explaining this incident in detail, Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) explained that after feeling so ill, the Holy Prophet (sa) sent for the woman and asked her if she had poisoned the meat. The woman admitted and said: \” I decided to poison you, believing that if you were an impostor you would die and we should be safe, but if you were a Prophet, God would save you.\” Hearing this explanation, the Holy Prophet (sa) forgave the woman. Otherwise she would surely have been given the death penalty. This incident shows that the Holy Prophet (sa) was ever ready to forgive those who attacked him and his followers, and punished only when punishment was necessary, when it was feared the guilty one would continue to cause mischief and strife.”
Next, I will speak about two deceased members and God Willing – after the prayers, I will also lead their funeral prayers in absentia. The first funeral is of Respected Naseer Ahmad Sahib, son of Respected Ali Muhammad Sahib of Rajanpur. He passed away on 21st November 2019 at the age of 63, – Verily to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.
The second funeral is of Respected Ataul Kareem Mubashar Sahib, son of Mian Allah Ditta Sahib, who was originally from Kirtu, district of Sheikhupura, but was currently residing in Canada. He passed away on 13th November at the age of 75 – Verily to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.
May God Almighty shower His mercy and forgiveness on the deceased and elevate his status. May He enable his children and future progeny to continue his virtuous endeavours.