Sa’id bin Zaid (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu)

Source:

• Companions of the Prophet by Abdul Wahid Hamid and
• The Precious Pearls compiled by Darussalam

Zaid the son of ‘Amr stood away from the Quraish crowd as they celebrated one of their festivals. Men were dressed in rich brocade turbans and expensive Yemeni burdas. Women and children also were exquisitely dressed in their finest clothes and glittering jewelry. Zaid watched as sacrificial animals, gaily decorated, were led out to slaughter before the Quraish idols. It was difficult for him to remain silent. Leaning against a wall of the Ka’bah, he shouted: ”O people of Quraish! It is Allaah Who has created the sheep. He it is Who has sent down rain from the skies of which they drink and He has caused fodder to grow from the earth with which they are fed. Then, even so, you slaughter them in names other than His. Indeed, I see that you are an ignorant folk.”

Zaid’s uncle al-Khattab, the father of ‘Umar bin al-Khattab, seethed with anger. He strode up to Zaid, slapped him on the face and shouted: ”Damn you! We still hear from you such stupidity. We have borne it until our patience is exhausted.” Al-Khattab then incited a number of violent people to harass and persecute Zaid and make life extremely uncomfortable for him.

Narrated Asma bint Abu Bakr (Radia Allaahu ‘anhuma): “I saw Zaid bin ‘Amr bin Nufail standing with his back against the Ka’bah and saying, ‘O people of Quraish! By Allaah, none amongst you is on the religion of Ibrahim except me.’ He used to preserve the lives of little girls; if somebody wanted to kill his daughter he would say to him, ‘Do not kill her for I will feed her on your behalf.’ So he would take her, and when she grew up nicely, he would say to her father, ‘Now if you want her, I will give her to you, and if you wish, I will feed her on your behalf.’” [Al-Bukhari and al-Hakim]

These incidents which took place before Prophet Muhammad’s (salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) call to Prophethood gave a foretaste of the bitter conflict that was to take place between the upholders of truth and the stubborn adherents of idolatrous practices. Zaid was one of the few men, known as Hanifs, who saw these idolatrous practices for what they were. Not only did he refuse to take part in them himself but he refused to eat anything that was sacrificed to idols. He proclaimed that he worshipped the God of Ibrahim and, as the above incident showed, he was not afraid to challenge his people in public.

On the other hand, his uncle al-Khattab was a staunch follower of the old pagan ways of the Quraish and he was shocked by Zaid’s public disregard for the gods and goddesses they worshipped. So he had him hounded and persecuted to the point that he was forced to leave the valley of Makkah and seek refuge in the surrounding mountains. He even appointed a band of young men whom he instructed not to allow Zaid to approach Makkah and enter the Sanctuary.

Zaid did however manage to enter Makkah in secret and there, unknown to the Quraish, he met with people like Waraqah bin Nawfal, ‘Abdullah bin Jahsh, ‘Uthman bin al-Huwairith and Umaymah bint ‘Abdul Muttalib, the paternal aunt of Prophet Muhammad (salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). They discussed how deeply immersed the Arabs were in their misguided ways. To his friends, Zaid spoke thus, ”Certainly, by Allaah, you know that your people have no valid grounds for their beliefs and that they have distorted and transgressed from the religion of Ibrahim (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu). Adopt a religion which you can follow and which can bring you salvation.”

 Zaid and his companions then traveled to Syria where they came to know some Jewish rabbis and Christian scholars; thus, they became familiar with their practices. Of the four persons mentioned, Waraqah bin Nawfal became a Christian. ‘Abdullah bin Jahsh and ‘Uthman bin al-Harith did not arrive at any definite conclusion.

Zaid bin ‘Amr however, realized their (the Jews and Christians) hypocrisy and their deviation from righteousness; some of their customs were not much better than the pagans and idol worshippers. Zaid said: “O Allaah, I follow the religion of Ibrahim.”

Finding it impossible to stay in Makkah, he left the Hijaz and went as far as Mosel in the north of Iraq and from there southwest into Syria. Throughout his journeys, he always questioned monks and rabbis about the religion of Ibrahim. He found no satisfaction until he came upon a monk in Syria who told him that the religion he was seeking no longer existed but the time was now near when Allaah would send forth, from his (Zaid’s) own people whom he had left, a Prophet who would revive the religion of Ibrahim. The monk advised him that should he see this Prophet he should have no hesitation in recognizing and following him.

Zaid retraced his steps and headed for Makkah intending to meet the expected Prophet. As he was passing through the territory of Lakhm on the southern border of Syria he was attacked by a group of nomad Arabs who killed him before he could set eyes on the Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam).

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (Radia Allaahu ‘anhuma): The Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) met Zaid bin ‘Amr bin Nufail in the bottom of (the valley of) Baldah before any Divine Inspiration came to the Prophet, (i.e. before he was given Prophethood). A meal was presented to the Prophet but he refused to eat from it. (Then it was presented to Zaid) who said, “I do not eat anything which you slaughter in the name of your stone idols. I eat none but those things on which Allaah’s Name has been mentioned at the time of slaughtering.” Zaid bin ‘Amr used to criticize the way Quraish used to slaughter their animals, and used to say, “Allaah has created the sheep and He has sent the water for it from the sky, and He has grown the grass for it from the earth; yet you slaughter it in other than the Name of Allaah.” He used to say so, for he rejected that practice and considered it as something abominable. [Bukhari]

There is another Hadith in al-Bukhari narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (Radia Allaahu ‘anhuma): Zaid bin ‘Amr bin Nufail went to Sham, inquiring about a true religion to follow. He met a Jewish religious scholar and asked him about their religion. He said, “I intend to embrace your religion, so tell me something about it.” The Jew said, “You will not embrace our religion unless you receive your share of Allaah’s Anger.“ Zaid said, “I do not run except from Allaah’s Anger, and I will never bear a bit of it if I have the power to avoid it. Can you tell me of some other religion?“ He said, “I do not know any other religion except the Hanif.“ Zaid enquired, “What is Hanif?“ He said, “Hanif is the religion of Ibrahim (Abraham) (‘Alayhis-sallam) who was neither a Jew nor a Christian, and he used to worship None but Allaah (Alone).“ Then Zaid went out and met a Christian religious scholar and told him the same as before. The Christian said, “You will not embrace our religion unless you get a share of Allaah’s Curse.“ Zaid replied, “I do not run except from Allaah’s Curse, and I will never bear any of Allaah’s Curse and His Anger if I have the power to avoid them. Will you tell me of some other religion?“ He replied, “I do not know any other religion except Hanif.“ Zaid enquired, “What is Hanif?“ He replied, “Hanif is the religion of Ibrahim (Abraham) (‘Alayhis-sallam) who was neither a Jew nor a Christian and he used to worship None but Allaah (Alone).“ When Zaid heard their statement about (the religion of) Ibrahim, he left that place, and when he came out, he raised both his hands and said, “O Allaah! I make You my Witness that I am on the religion of Ibrahim.“

It was the decree of Allaah that  Zaid died five years before Allaah’s Messenger was sent and Allaah’s Messenger asked for forgiveness for him.

Sa’id bin Zaid asked Allaah’s Messenger (salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) about his father Zaid bin ‘Amr, saying, “O Messenger of Allaah, my father Zaid bin ‘Amr bin Nufail was as you have come to understand. Had he been living when you were sent, he would have believed and followed you more than willingly. So please ask Allaah (subhanaahu wa Ta’aala) to forgive him.” Allaah’s Messenger (salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “Yes”, and he asked Allaah to forgive him. Allaah’s Messenger (salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) further said, “He will come on the Day of Judgment as one nation.” [Reported by Ahmed]

When Waraqah heard of Zaid’s death, he is said to have written an elegy (mournful poem) in praise of him.

However, before Zaid breathed his last, he raised his eyes to the heavens and said: ”O Lord, if You have prevented me from attaining this good, do not prevent my son from doing so.”

Sa‘id’s father died pitifully while searching for the true religion but for this he was deemed a Muslim with a pure soul.

 Allaah, may He be glorified, heard the prayer of Zaid. When Muhammad the Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) rose up inviting people to Islam, Zaid’s son Sa’id (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) was in the forefront of those who believed in the oneness of Allaah and who affirmed their faith in the Prophethood of Muhammad (salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). This is not strange, for Sa’id (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) grew up in a household which repudiated (disowned) the idolatrous ways of the Quraish and he had been instructed by a father who spent his life searching for the Truth and who died in its pursuit.

Sa’id (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) was not yet twenty when he embraced Islam. His young and steadfast wife Fatimah, the daughter of al-Khattab and sister of ‘Umar, also accepted Islam early. Evidently both Sa’id and Fatimah managed to conceal their acceptance of Islam from the Quraish and especially from Fatimah’s family for some time. She had cause to fear not only her father but her brother ‘Umar, who was brought up to venerate the Ka’bah and to cherish the unity of the Quraish and their religion. The conversion of ‘Umar (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) to Islam added substantially to the power and prestige of the emerging and faith.

His Jihad in the Cause of Allaah:

Sa’id ibn Zaid (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) was totally devoted to the Prophet and the service of Islam. He witnessed all the major campaigns and encounters in which the Prophet (salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) engaged, with the exception of Badr. Before Badr, he and Talhah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) were sent by the Prophet (salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) as scouts to Hawra on the Red Sea coast due west of Madinah, to bring him news of a Quraish caravan returning from Syria. When Talhah and Sa’id (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) returned to Madinah the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) had already set out for Badr with the first Muslim army of just over three hundred men.

His Role in the Battle of Yarmuk:

 After the passing away of the Prophet(salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), Sa’id (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu)continued to play a major role in the Muslim community. He was one of those whom Abu Bakr(Radia Allaahu ‘anhu)consulted on his succession and his name is often linked with such Companions as ‘Uthman, Abu Ubaydah and Sad bin Abi Waqqas in the campaigns that were waged. He was known for his courage and heroism, a glimpse of which we can get from his account of the Battle of Yarmuk. He said: ”For the Battle of Yarmuk, we were twenty four thousand or thereabout. Against us, the Byzantines mobilized one hundred and twenty thousand men. They advanced towards us with a heavy and thunderous movement as if mountains were being moved. Bishops and priests strode before them bearing crosses and chanting litanies which were repeated by the soldiers behind them.

When the Muslims saw them mobilized thus, they became worried by their vast numbers and something of anxiety and fear entered their hearts. Thereupon, Abu Ubaydah (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu)  stood before the Muslims and urged them to fight. ”Worshippers of Allaah” he said, ”help Allaah and Allaah will help you and make your feet firm.” ”Worshippers of Allaah, be patient and steadfast for indeed patience (Sabr) and steadfastness (Thabaat) is a salvation from unbelief, a means of attaining the pleasure of Allaah and a defense against ignominy and disgrace.” ”Draw out your spears and protect yourselves with your shields. Don’t utter anything amongst yourselves but the remembrance of Allaah Almighty until I give you the command, if Allaah wills.” Thereupon a man emerged from the ranks of the Muslims and said, ”I have resolved to die this very hour. Have you a message to send to the Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam)?” ”Yes” replied Abu Ubaydah, ”convey salaam to him from me and from the Muslims and say to him, O Messenger of Allaah, we have found true what our Lord has promised us.” “As soon as I heard the man speak and saw him unsheathe his sword and go out to meet the enemy, I threw myself on the ground and crept on all fours, and with my spear I felled the first enemy horseman racing towards us. Then I fell upon the enemy and Allaah removed from my heart all traces of fear. The Muslims engaged the advancing Byzantines and continued fighting until they were blessed with victory.”

His Merit:

Sa’id (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) was ranked by the Prophet (salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) as one of the outstanding members of his generation. He was among ten of the Companions whom the Prophet (salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) visited one day and promised Paradise. These were Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthman, ‘Ali, ‘Abdur-Rahman bin Awf, Abu Ubaydah, Talhah, az-Zubayr, Sa’d of Zuhrah, and Sa’id the son of Zaid the Hanif (Radia Allaahu ‘anhum). The books of the Prophet’s sayings have recorded his great praises of the Promised Ten (al-‘Asharatu-l Mubashshirun) and indeed of others whom on other occasions he also gave good tidings of Paradise.

Narrated Sa’id bin Zaid (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Stay still, O Hira’! on top of you are only a Prophet, a truthful and a martyr.” The people were the Prophet, Abu Bakr, Umar, ‘Uthman, Ali, Talhah, az-Zabair, Abdur-Rahman, Sa’ad and Sa’id(Radia Allaahu ‘anhum).” [Ahmed]

Allaah Responds to His Invocation:

‘Urwah bin az-Zubair (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: Arwa bint Uwais claimed that her land was taken by Sa’id bin Zaid (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu), so she made a claim before Marwan bin al-Hakam. Sa’id said: “How would I take her land after what I heard the Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam)?” Marwan asked him: “What did you hear from the Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam)?” He said: “I heard the Messenger of Allaah (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam saying: ‘Whoever takes one span of someone’s land unjustly, will be caught by his neck to the seven earths.’ Marwan said to Sa’id (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu): “I will never ask you any further evidence after this.” He said: “O Allaah, if she is a liar, take away her sight and kill her in her own land.” She lost her sight and while she was walking in her land, fell in a hole and died.” [Muslim]

His Death:

After long history full of sacrifice and Jihad in the cause of Allaah, Sa’id bin Zaid(Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) passed away in al-Aqiq, and was took to al-Madinah and he was burried there. Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) was the one who washed him and buried him with Ibn Umar (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) and that was in the year fifty or fifty one after Hijra. He was above seventy years old. May Allaah be pleased with him and with all the Companions.