Usamah ibn Zayd (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu)

“Whosoever loves Allaah and His Messenger, let him love Usamah too.” – Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

Introduction

Whosoever chooses Allaah and His Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), Allaah chooses him over others; that is, He blesses him and his progeny and gives them authority over others.

Before Islam prohibited adoption, Zayd ibn Harithah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) was adopted by the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), at which point he was called Zayd ibn Muhammad. But the day Allaah revealed, “Call them by (the name of) their (real) fathers.” [Surat Al-Ahzaab (33:5)], Zayd was thereafter called Zayd ibn Harithah.

Zayd was a man, whom Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) chose over his own father and his uncle. He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “O Zayd, you are my close friend, and you are from me, and you are the most beloved of people to me.” [Reported by Al-Haakim (3/217) and authenticated by Adh-Dhahabi]

Zayd (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) married Umm Ayman (Barakah al-Habashiya) (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha), who had served as the nurse of Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) after the death of his mother. The Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) loved her as much as he loved his mother.

One day, the people saw immense joy, happiness, and pleasure on the face of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). They immediately understood that Umm Ayman must have given birth to a child. And who was this child, whose arrival gave so much pleasure to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)?

The child was Usamah ibn Zayd (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) – the beloved of Allaah’s Messenger – and the son of the beloved whom Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) loved with all his heart (i.e. Zayd ibn Harithah).

Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) possessed many traits which brought him closer to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and made him a man of high standing in his eyes.

Zayd was the son of two noble Muslims from amongst the earliest Muslims. The majority of those who accepted Islam in its early stages were of those closest to Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

Zayd was amongst the first-born Muslims, and he was raised up with his pure instinct intact – without any contamination of Jahiliyah.

From his early youth, Zayd (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) was a firm believer and a strong Muslim who possessed all the signs of Eeman (faith) and Deen (religion) as well as a deep loyalty and a strong will.

He was extremely intelligent and very humble, and his dedication to Allaah and His Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) knew no bounds. [Rijaal Hawl Ar-Rasool (p. 654)]

The Prophet’s (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) Love for Usamah

The Prophet’s love (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) for Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) was so immense that a pen would never be able to describe or illustrate. We will suffice by mentioning a few beautiful incidents that took place between the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) and ponder upon the words of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) regarding Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu).

Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Usamah is the most beloved of people to me.” Reported by Al-Haakim in Al-Mustadrak (3/596). He said that this Hadeeth is authentic according to the conditions of Muslim, and Adh-Dhahabi agreed with him.

Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “The Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would hold me and Hasan (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) together and supplicate, ‘O Allaah, I love them both, and I pray that You love them too.‘” Reported by Al-Bukhaari (7/70). Virtues of the Prophet’s Companions. Ahmad (5/210)

Ummul-Mu’mineen ‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) narrated: ”The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) wanted to clean the nose of Usamah, to which ‘Aishah said: ‘Do I have to do that?’ The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) replied: ‘O ‘Aishah, love him because I love him.‘ Reported by At-Tirmidhi 3818 in Al-Manaqib and Al-Arnout said its Isnad is Hasan

‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) reported another incident that had happened: “Usamah stumbled at the doorsill and cut his face. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Remove the harm (i.e. the blood) from him,’ but I was repulsed by that. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) himself began wiping the blood off his face. Then he said: ‘If Usamah was a girl, I would adorn him and dress him until I would get him married.”‘ Reported by Ahmad (2/139, 222), Ibn Abi Shaybah (12352), and Al-Adawi said its Isnad is Saheeh  Lighairihi

Ibn ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) reported that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) appointed Usamah ibn Zayd (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) as the commander of some people, but those people criticized his leadership. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) remarked: “If you speak ill of his leadership, you have spoken ill of his father’s leadership. By Allaah, his father deserved to be a commander, and he was one of the most beloved people to me; and now this (i.e. Usamah) is one of the most beloved people to me after him.” Reported by Al-Bukhaari (4250), Muslim (2326), At-Tirmidhi (3816)

The people understood the status of Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) with the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to the extent that when they wanted someone to intercede in the case of a Makhzumiyah woman, they did not think of anyone except Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) to address the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

 ‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) narrated: “The Quraish were very worried about the case of a Makhzumiyah woman who had committed theft, and they wondered who should intercede for her with the Messenger of Allaah (for her to be pardoned). Some said Usamah ibn Zaid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) was his beloved, and the only one who dared to go to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) spoke to the Prophet about that matter, to which the Prophet remarked: “Do you intercede when one of the legal punishments ordained by Allaah has been violated?”

The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) then got up and addressed the people saying: “The people before you were ruined. When a noble person amongst them committed theft, they would leave him, but if a weak person amongst them committed theft, they would execute the legal punishment on him. By Allaah, were Fatimah, the daughter of Muhammad, to commit theft, I would have cut off her hand.” Reported by Al-Bukhaari (4250), Saheeh Muslim (2426) and At-Tirmidhi (3816)

Ash-Sha’bi said that ‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) said: “None of you should despise Usamah after what I have heard the Messenger of Allaah say: ‘Whosoever loves Allaah and His Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), let him love Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu).'” Reported by Ahmad, and Al-Haythami mentioned it in Al-Mujamma (9/286), and said its narrations are ‘Rijaal as-Saheeh’

In fact, the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) loved Usamah and Usamah’s mother and father immensely; rather, he even loved the progeny of Umm Ayman – those whom he had seen, and those whom he had not seen!

Harmala, the freed slave of Usamah ibn Zayd (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that while he was in the company of ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma), Al-Hajjaj Ibn Ayman came in and (while praying) he did not perform his bowing and prostrations properly. So, Ibn ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) told him to repeat his prayer. After he had left, Ibn ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) inquired: “Who is he?” I replied: “Al-Hajjaj Ibn Ayman Ibn Umm Ayman.” Upon hearing his name, Ibn ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) remarked: “Had Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) seen him, he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would have loved him.” Ibn ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) then mentioned the love of Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) for the children of Umm Ayman. Reported by Al-Bukhaari (3737)

‘Abdullaah ibn Deenar narrated: “Once in the mosque, Ibn ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) saw a man dragging his clothes while walking in one corner. He remarked: “Look, who’s that! I wish he was near to me.” Somebody remarked: “Don’t you know him, O Abu ‘Abdur-Rahmaan? He is Muhammad ibn Usamah.” Upon that, Ibn ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) bowed his head and dug the earth with his hands and said: “If Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) had seen him, he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would have loved him.” Saheeh Al-Bukhaari (3734)

The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was always eager to repel any harm and doubt from Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu).

‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) narrated: “A Qaa’if (physiognomist) One skilled in recognizing the lineage of a person through physiognomy and through examining the body parts of an infant. visited (our house) while Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was present, and Usamah ibn Zayd and Zayd ibn Harith were both lying asleep. He (the physiognomist) remarked: ‘These feet are related to one another.’ Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was pleased to hear this and he informed ‘Aishah about it. Reported by Al-Bukhaari (3731) and Muslim (1459). An-Nawawi (Rahimahullaah) said (3/641). Al-Qadhi said: Al-Mazri said: The people of Jahiliyah used to criticize the lineage of Usamah because he was very dark while Zayd was white – this is what is said by Abu Dawoud from Ahmad ibn Saleh, when this physiognomist made a connection between the two despite the difference in color, and the people of Jahiliyah used to trust the words of the physiognomist. Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was pleased that their doubts about Usamah’s lineage were shattered because of the physiognomist’s words. Al-Qadhi said: People apart from Ahmad ibn Saleh have said that Zayd was fair while Usamah’s mother – Umm Ayman – her name was Barakah, was a black Ethiopian. Al-Qadhi said: She was Barakah bint Muhsin ibn Sa’laba ibn Umro ibn Husayn ibn Maalik ibn Salamah ibn Umro ibn an-Nu’maan – and Allaah Knows Best.

Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) chose Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) as a husband for Fatimah bint Qays (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha)

Abu Bakr ibn ‘Abdullaah ibn Abi Jahm said: I visited Fatimah bint Qays after her divorce… (the Hadeeth) …after she completed her Iddah, the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) inquired: “Has anyone proposed to you?” She replied: “Mu’awiyah and Abul-Jahm.” The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Abul-Jahm is harsh in his character and Mu’awiyah is poor with no wealth. I will marry you to Usamah.” She exclaimed: “Usamah?!” showing dislike, but then she agreed to the orders of Allaah and His Messenger.

Fatimah remarked about her marriage to Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu): “Allaah blessed me with Abu Zayd, and He honored me, and He raised my rank through him.” Reported by Muslim (46) (1480)

Just like Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) loved Usamah in his childhood, he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) adored Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) in his youth. Once Hakeem ibn Hizaam, one of the chieftains of Quraish, offered an expensive garment that he bought in Yemen for fifty gold dinars to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) which one of their kings used to wear. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) declined to accept the gift because the chieftain was a disbeliever then, but he offered to buy it from him. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) wore the garment just once on a Jumu’ah, after which he took it off and gifted it to Usamah, who would go around wearing the garment amongst his peers from the Muhajireen and the Ansaar. Suwar min Hayat As-Sahabah (p. 227)

Even on his death bed, when Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) visited the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) supplicated for Usamah. Usamah ibn Zayd (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “When the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) became weak, I marched, and the people marched towards Al-Madinah. I entered upon the Messenger of Allaah, and he was unable to speak, so he said nothing. The Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) then began to raise his hands to the sky and pointed towards me, so I knew he was supplicating on my behalf.” Reported by Ahmad (5/201), At-Tirmidhi (3817). Al-Arnout said: It’s Isnad is Saheeh

Usamah’s Struggle in the Way of Allaah

Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) wished for martyrdom in the Way of Allaah from the bottom of his heart, and he would always seek it.

The Battle of Uhud: On the day of Uhud, Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) intended to fight and struggle in the Way of Allaah and he hoped for martyrdom. But due to Usamah’s young age, the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) refused him and a group of other young Muslims who were keen to go to battle for the love of Allaah and for the sake of supporting the Religion of Allaah. Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) returned sad and broken-hearted because of being deprived from struggling in the Way of Allaah.

The Battle of Al-Khandaq (the Trench): Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) returned once again at the time of the battle of Al-Khandaq hoping the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would accept him to struggle in the Way of Allaah. Seeing Usamah’s (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) eagerness, the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) allowed him to hold the sword and participate, although he was only fifteen years of age at that time.

The Battle of Mu’tah: In the battle of Mu’tah, Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) fought alongside his father under his leadership, and he hadn’t even reached the age of eighteen. In that battle, he witnessed his father’s martyrdom, but this did not cause him to be discouraged or weaken, nor did he slacken for a moment, from fulfilling his obligation and fighting under the leadership of Ja’far ibn Abi Taalib (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), until Ja’far attained martyrdom. He then fought under the leadership of ‘Abdullaah ibn Rawahah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) until he was martyred too. He then fought under the leadership of the Sword of Allaah, Khalid ibn al-Walid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu)– until by the Will of Allaah, Khalid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) plotted a brilliant plan and gained victory for the Muslims over the Romans, who were one hundred thousand while the Muslims fighting in the battle were just three thousand.

Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) returned to al-Madinah riding the horse of his father who was martyred on it, after he (Usamah) had buried his father in the land of Jihaad and honor.

Ibn Mas’oud (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: When Zayd ibn Harithah was killed, Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) slackened and lagged and then entered upon the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and stood in front of him with eyes full of tears. Thereupon, the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) wept, then he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Why did you slacken and then come to us and sadden us?

On the next day Usamah came and when the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) saw him approaching, he said: “I will receive from you what I received from you yesterday.” When Usamah came close, his eyes shed tears, whereupon the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) wept. [Reported by ‘Abdur-Razzaq in Al-Musannaf (6698)]

His firmness in the Battle of Hunain

Jabir (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: When we reached the valley of Hunain, we started descending into it in the darkness just before dawn. The army of the enemy had previously entered the valley by night. Their leader, Maalik ibn Awf gave orders to his army to hide inside the valley and wait for the Muslims on roads, entrances, and narrow hiding places. By Allaah! At the very moment that we descended the valley and they caught sight of us, they made a one-man attack against us. The enemy’s battalions started a fierce attack against us, which made people retreat in disorder and utter confusion. The Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) turned to the right and said: “Come on, people! I am the Messenger of Allaah. I am Muhammad, the son of ‘Abdullaah.” Those who stood fast by him were only a few emigrants and Ansaar and some of his kinsmen. From among those who stood firm with him from the emigrants were Abu Bakr and ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma). From among his kinsmen were ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib, Al-‘Abbaas ibn ‘Abdul-Mutaallib, Abu Sufyan ibn Al-Haarith and his son, Al-Fadl ibn Al-‘Abbaas, Rabi’ah ibn Al-Haarith, Usamah ibn Zayd and Ayman ibn ‘Ubaid (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhum), who was killed on that day. [Reported by Ahmad in his Musnad (3/376)]

The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) teaches Usamah a lesson that will benefit him throughout his life

One day Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) received a great lesson of his life from the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) – a lesson which Usamah benefited from since the time Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) passed away until Usamah himself left this world at the end of the Caliphate of Mu’awiyah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu).

Two years before the death of the Prophet, Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) assigned Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) as a leader over a group of Muslims going to meet some disbelievers who were hostile towards Islam and Muslims.

This was Usamah’s first authoritative position, and he achieved victory in his mission. When the news reached the Prophet, he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was immensely pleased Rijaal Hawl Ar-Rasool (p. 607) but Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) had killed a man from the disbelievers after he pronounced, ‘La ilaha illa Allaah.’ The Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) asked: “Why did you kill him?” He replied: “O Messenger of Allaah! He hurt the Muslims. He killed so-and-so, but when I gained power over him and he saw the sword, he said: ‘La ilaha illa Allaah.'” The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Did you kill him?” Usamah replied: “Yes.” The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) remarked: “What will you do with regard to (the utterance): ‘La ilaha illa Allaah,’ when it comes (before you) on the Day of Resurrection?” Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) pleaded: “O Messenger of Allaah! Ask forgiveness for me. ” [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari 7/398 and Muslim no. 96]

In another narration, Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) described how he killed a man while a man from the Ansaar was with him. Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “The Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) sent us to Huraqat, a tribe of Juhaina. We attacked that tribe early in the morning and defeated them. I and a man from the Ansaar caught hold of a person (of the defeated tribe). When we overcame him, he said: ‘La ilaha illa Allaah’ – at that moment, the Ansaari spared him, but I attacked him with my spear and killed him. The news had already reached the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), so when we came back, he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) asked me: ‘Usamah, did you kill him after he had made the profession, La ilaha illa Allaah’? I replied: ‘O Messenger of Allaah! He said it only as a shelter.’ The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) observed: ‘Did you kill him after he had professed La ilaha illa Allaah?‘ The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) kept repeating this to me till I wished I had not embraced Islam before that day.” Saheeh Al-Bukhaari (6872) and Saheeh Muslim (1/97/159) and the words are of Bukhaari

In another narration, he says: “The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) kept repeating this to me till I wished I had not embraced Islam before that day, and that I had accepted Islam on that day, and that I had not killed him. He says: I told the Prophet, ‘Give me respite, O Messenger of Allaah! I promise that I will never kill any man who says La ilaha illa Allaah. He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Say after me, O Usamah.’ I said: ‘I say after you.’” Reported by Al-Bukhaari, Muslim, At-Tirmidhi, and Ahmad in Fadhaail as-Sahabah and Ibn Saad in At-Tabaqaat

This great lesson benefited Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) enormously when the Fitnah (calamity) arose between ‘Ali (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) and Mu’awiyah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu); Usamah retreated and said: “I will not fight anyone who says: ‘La ilaha illa Allaah’.”

Usamah’s Birr (Dutifulness) to his Mother

Muhammad ibn Sireen narrated: “A palm tree reached the worth of one thousand dirhams during the time of ‘Uthmaan ibn ‘Affaan (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu). Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) went to it, and de-rooted it, and took its Jummar (palm pith) and fed it to his mother. He was asked the reason for doing so despite knowing its worth. Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) replied: ‘If my mother asks me for something and I am capable of it, then I will not refuse.'” [Sifatus-Safwah (1/219)]

Enforcement (Expedition) sent with Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu)

From an early age, Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) was a strong believer possessing all traits of Eeman (faith) and Deen (religion), and utmost loyalty and strong will – which made him close to the heart of Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and of high standing in his eyes.

In his early years – when he had not even reached twenty years – the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) made Usamah a leader of an army, which included Abu Bakr and ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma). Murmurs began to spread amongst Muslims who disagreed with the matter, and they began to talk that a young lad has been appointed a leader over an army which has honorable people from the Ansaar and the Muhajireen. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) commented: “If you speak ill of his leadership, you have spoken ill of his father’s leadership. By Allaah, his father deserved to be a commander, and he was one of the most beloved people to me; and now this (i.e. Usamah) is one of the most beloved people to me after him.” Saheeh Al-Bukhaari, Muslim and At-Tirmidhi, and Ahmad in Fadhaail as-Sahabah and Ibn Saad in At-Tabaqaat

The Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) sent Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) to where his father and other Sahabah had been martyred, and he ordered him to secretly change paths at Ubnay towards al-Balqa, and it was said, ‘toward Aabil az-Zayt’ in the same direction. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) gave Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) the brigade on the last day of Safar, 11 A.H. Then the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) fell sick and passed away, so dispatching the army was delayed until the beginning of Rabi al-Aakhir, 11 A.H.

Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) marched with an army of 3,000 men towards Marwa and the valley of Al-Qura in the direction of Ubnay and Aabil az-Zayt through Mu’tah. When they reached the middle of Qudaa’ah’s place, Usamah stopped for a while. He (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) sent his soldiers to encourage those who were firm on Islam among them, to help them against those who apostatized. The apostates ran to places as far away as Dawmatul-Jandal, where they gathered around Wad’iah Al-Kalbi. Going to Dawmatul-Jandal had not been in the plans of Usamah’s army, nor was it even on their way.

As soon as his soldiers returned, Usamah proceeded to Al-Hamqatain, the place of Banu Ad-Dabeeb from Jundam and Banu Khailil from Lukham. Usamah’s army attacked them and defeated all those who were there and as far away as Aabil. He took them as captives and burnt their houses and farms. Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) stayed there for one day to get the booty, and in the evening, he returned. He reached the valley of Al-Qura, and after nine nights, he went back to Al-Madinah victorious. After being absent for thirty-five days, Usamah’s army returned safely without any casualties. The Muslims said about them: “We have never seen a safer army than Usamah’s.'” [Rijaal Hawl Ar-Rasool]

When Heraclius, who was in Homs (a place in Syria), heard what Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) did to his Arab clients who were settling at the outskirts of his empire, he called his bishops and said to them: “Didn’t I warn you, and you refused to accept from me? The Arabs are coming from a distance of one month’s journey and attacking you, and they leave at the same time without being injured.” [At-Tareeq Ilaa Dimashq by Ahmad Aadil Kamal]

The army of Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) achieved great success and evacuated the apostates of Qadaa’ah from the pathway to Shaam – and Allaah was pleased with the young man, the beloved to the beloved!

Throughout his life, Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) held a place of honor amongst the Muslims, and he achieved their love because Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) had held him in high regard.

‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) loved Usamah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) and preferred him over his own son ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma). Zayd ibn Aslam reported that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) preferred the early emigrants and he would prefer their children over others, and that he even preferred Usamah ibn Zayd over ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma).

‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) narrated: “A man told me that Ameer al-Mu’mineen (i.e. ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab) prefers over you, someone who is not older than you in age, nor did he migrate before you, nor did he witness (take part in) incidents that you didn’t witness.” ‘Abdullaah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) said: “I spoke to (my father) and said: ‘You prefer over me, someone who is not older than me in age, nor did he migrate before me, nor did he witness incidents that I didn’t witness.’ My father asked: ‘Who is that?’ I replied: ‘Usamah ibn Zayd.’ He commented: ‘You have spoken the truth! I do that because Zayd ibn Harithah was more beloved to the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) than ‘Umar, and Usamah ibn Zayd was more beloved to the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) than ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar – hence I have done that.'” Reported by Ibn Saad in At-Tabaqaat (4/52) and Al-Mustafa al-Adawi said it is Saheeh Lighairihi

It’s Time to Leave

After a sweet life filled with love, hard work and sacrifice, the love of the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) lay on his death-bed yearning to meet his beloved (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) – and his soul departed towards His Lord.

Al-Muqbari narrated: “I witnessed the funeral of Usamah; Ibn ‘Umar was saying: ‘Rush (the funeral of) the beloved of Allaah’s Messenger before the sunrise.” Tahzeeb Ibn Asakir (6/406)

The Paradise of the Rahmaan has that which no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, and that which has never been imagined by any heart – the beloved and the brothers who gathered in this life for the love of Allaah, meet there.

We ask Allaah to gather us with the righteous from the Ummah of Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), rather may He unite us with the beloved Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and bless us with the opportunity to witness his noble face.

May Allaah be pleased with Usamah and his father and with all the Sahabah.

Source:

? As-haab Ar-Rasool, by Mahmoud Al-Masri

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