Ameerul Mu’mineen Sayyiduna Umar ibn Al-Khattab رضي الله عنه And أمر بالمعروف (Enjoining good)
Whilst leading Fajr Salaah, Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه was stabbed in Ruku’ by the accursed Majūsi (fire worshipper) Abu Lu’lu. Just before he became unconscious, he beckoned Hazrat Abdur Rahmān bin Auf رضي الله عنه to complete the Salaah.
Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه was rushed home with blood gushing profusely from his wound. When he was laid down, a pillow was brought but he refused and instructed that his head be laid on the sand on the bare ground.
During this critical stage of his life whilst experiencing excruciating pain and discomfort, he repeatedly enquired whether he had completed his Fajr Salaah. Amazingly, this noble giant of the Ummah did not enquire about his family nor about any worldly issue; his primary concern was the fulfilment of the obligation of Salaah. In that condition, his Fajr Salaah was performed before sunrise. This brought satisfaction and peace to him.
After Salaah, he instructed a few children of the Mu’mineen be brought to him; a group of children was ushered in his presence. Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه kissed each child with affection on the forehead and gently stroked their heads with his blessed hands.
Thereafter, a group of young men entered to pay their respects. When Hazrat Umar’s رضي الله عنه gaze fell on one young man, he noticed that his trousers were below his ankles. Spontaneously he said; “O son of my brother! Raise your trousers.”
سبحان الملك القدوس!
Can we well imagine the sheer presence of mind of Ameerul Mu’mineen Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattāb رضي الله عنه; he was in the throes of death with blood flowing profusely and becoming weaker by the moment; he still discharged the obligation of commanding righteousness and prohibiting evil. In his last moments he instructed the young man to raise his trousers above his ankles! Admonishing the young man; Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه advised; “Raise your trousers, for verily in it is greater Taqwa for the sake of your Rabb, and it is cleaner for your garment.”
Reflections
There are numerous principles we can learn from this incident; notwithstanding the intensity of the situation, Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه was consumed by the obligation of Salaah. Furthermore, he still had the presence of mind to discharge the obligation of exhorting towards virtue and prohibiting from evil. Another vital point that we need to reflect on is the manner of admonishment; Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه was not condescending in his approach but rather affectionate; this serves as a lesson for the Ummah – ADVISE WITH CARE AND COMPASSION!
We can derive massive lessons; the temperament shared in the last moments of the life of Ameerul Mu’mineen Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattāb رضي الله عنه was:
- Observance of Salaah
- Ensuring that subordinates have also completed their Salaah.
- Compassion towards the young; stroking the hair and kissing children on their foreheads is part of Deen!
- Admonish with kindness
- Probably the greatest trademark of Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه was his expression of humility.
This is the effect of the blessed companionship with our Noble Master Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم. May Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله elevate the status of Ameerul Mu’mineen Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه and grant us the tawfeeq to imbibe and implement the great example he has shown. Ameen.
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Passing a Desolate Land
In Hilyatul Awliyaa, Hazrat Mujaahid رحمه الله has related that he was travelling with Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنه when they happened to pass by a desolate area. Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنه said to Hazrat Mujaahid رحمه الله asking him to address the desolate land as to what had happened to those who had resided in it
Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنه said that they might have passed on but their actions still remain.
Numerous incidents in the lives of the Sahaba رضي الله عنه give testimony to the fact that their discussions revolved around the Aakhirah. They did not waste their valuable time in futile discussions but rather refreshed their Iman with the blessed advices of Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم. This was how they met and how they parted. It is thus necessary for us to instill into our lives the enthusiasm to share the same concern.
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Always Refer to an Expert
Hakeemul Ummah Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Sahib رحمه الله used to get fever during the monsoon season. On one occasion, he asked his special Hakeem Sahib for a prescription and benefitted quite a bit from the medicine. Hazrat Thanwi رحمه الله kept the prescription safely with this in mind that if he falls ill the next time it rains, he will be able to use it (the medication). When the next monsoon season arrived (and Hazrat رحمه الله fell ill again), he used the old prescription but found no relief. When he related this to Hakeem Sahib, the latter said; “Hazrat, at present, your fever is accompanied by a lot of bile.” When a new prescription was written, Hazrat Thanwi رحمه الله was cured through the mercy of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله .
Similarly, a person cannot resort to his own rectification and reformation by merely studying books. Progress will only be achieved when one initiates the effort to move forward with the proper companion. It is essential to befriend a personality who will guide him towards the right path.
A blind person needs the assistance of a person who has vision to guide him; but one requirement is that he uses his legs to move whilst at the same time holding on to the hand of his companion. It is essential that one makes a firm intention with the corresponding resolve to hold fast onto the hand of a pious servant of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله . By virtue of this, one will reach the true destination; i.e. Jannah.
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There will Always be Challenges and Distress
Hakeemul Ummah Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Sahib رحمه الله has said that according to a Hadith, a Muslim is always in an amazing state; he shows gratitude unto Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله when he is granted blessings and he exercises patience when confronted by difficulties. Both conditions, gratitude and patience, are advantageous. In this way, the believer will not be despondent because he realises that all conditions are a means of kindness from Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله .
A vital perspective for a believer is that he should never compromise his commitment to Deen when in distress. The duty of a believer is that he should make dua unto Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله to alleviate his problems whilst at the same time continuing in efforts to overcome the obstacles. One should rely on the power of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله and seek forgiveness of one’s sins. Furthermore, try to assist fellow Muslims in solving their issues; the supplication of the distressed is never rejected.
Another point to reflect on is that all conditions are from Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله ; they are sent to enhance our ta’alluq with Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله .
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The Concern of Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه
It has been mentioned that during the final illness of Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه, he would constantly ponder over the Aakhirah and weep. When someone asked him why he was weeping, he replied; “I do not weep because of the luxuries of this world but I weep because the journey ahead (to the Aakhirah) is a long one and my provisions are very little. I now stand between Jannah and Jahannum and do not know which road I will be ordered to take.”
There is a unique incident with regards the temperament he imparted to his daughter. On one occasion, Hazrat Abu Hurairah’s رضي الله عنه daughter came to him and said; “O father! All the girls make fun of me because you do not allow me to wear jewellery.” Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه replied; “O my daughter! Tell them that your father fears that you will be punished in the fire of Jahannum (because of it).”
The personality of Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه was amazing; notwithstanding the fact that he had spent so many years in the khidmah of Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم he would seek Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله protection against fornication, committing theft, resorting to kufr and indulging in major sins in the Sajdah of his Salaah. Some people asked him; “Do you fear that you will commit such acts?” He replied; “Who can give me guarantee that I cannot be tempted towards these acts when Iblees is still alive and inclining people towards this (sins). He is able to whisper to whomsoever he pleases.”
(Hundred Stories of Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه by Moulana Muhammad Uwais Saror Sahib)
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Appearance of Corruption
Hakeemul Ummah Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Sahib رحمه الله has said that an effect of wrongdoing is that it causes corruption to spread over the earth, polluting the air and water and reducing the yield of harvests. Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله states in the Kalaamullah:
‘Corruption has appeared in the land and sea because of the actions of man….’
(Surah Ar-Rūm: 40)
Imam Ahmad رحمه الله mentions in the course of discussion of a certain Hadith that he had seen, in a storehouse, a grain of wheat the size of a date cluster. The wheat was stored in bags on which there were labels that read: The Produce Of Just Times.
Upon the second coming of Sayyiduna Isa عليه السلام, when wrongdoing will disappear from the earth and people will begin to spend their time in acts of devotion, the earth will once again be blessed and yield its fruits in such a plentiful manner that it is reported in a Sahih Hadith in Tirmidhi Shareef that one pomegranate will suffice to feed a troop of men, or to shade them from the sun (#2240). A single bunch of grapes will be so large that it will suffice to feed a troop of men (#4077).
Hazrat Thanwi رحمه الله has said that the lack of divine favours that we witness today can clearly be considered to be the result of our rebelliousness and wrongdoing.
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Punctuality in Salah
There are many who complain that they cannot establish constancy in Salah. Negligence and heedlessness have consumed the Ummah; this has resulted in the institution of Salah being greatly compromised. Presenting excuses will not solve the problem; a plan of action needs to be adopted in overcoming our laziness. Furthermore, just as a patient goes to the physician to be treated, so too should the spiritually ill seek advice from the experts to overcome the obstacles in the performance of Salah.
Hakeemul Ummah Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Sahib رحمه الله has said that there are two ways to tackle the issue of complacency towards Salah. The first way is that a person should impose a fine upon himself (neither too much nor should it be too little) for every Salah that is missed. Man by nature is attached to wealth. When his wealth is impacted upon negatively, it will soon take him out of his laziness and he will soon incline towards Salah. Another point is that initially, there will certainly be some difficulty in performing Salah but as time goes by, the habit will become ingrained and thereafter, one will not be able to carry on with life without Salah.
The second prescription is that the companionship of a pious companion be adopted for a few days. With the mercy of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله , there will be an urgency created within to perform Salah and it will soon become a regular feature in one’s life.
There is a third way which our Mashaa’ikh have advised; create a group of friends who are regular in Salah. Proceed for Salah together; in this way the concept of answerability towards one another will be created. One will initially be ashamed if he misses his Salah but as time goes by, one will soon become committed to Salah.
May Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله grant each and every one of us the tawfeeq to be punctual on Salah.
آمين يارب العالمين