Rabu, 29 April 2009

Salim Mawla Abi Hudhayfah

Salim Mawla Abi Hudhayfah was one of the noble companions of Prophet Mohamed (PBUH). He was among those who accepted Islam at a very early stage. Before he became a Muslim he was a slave. But through the blessings of Islam, Salim rose to a position of high esteem among the Muslims by the virtue of his noble conduct and his piety.

Salim was well known among the Muslims for giving advices to his companions. He became a competent authority in the Holy Quran, to the extent that Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) recommended that the Muslims should learn the Quran from him. The noble Prophet once said:

"Learn the Quran from four persons: Abdullah ibn Masud, Salim Mawla Abi Hudhayfah, Ubayy ibn Kab and Muadh ibn Jabal."

When Salim accepted Islam, Abu Hudhayfah ibn Utbah, who was formerly a leading nobleman of the Quraysh, adopted him as a son.

However, when adoption became forbidden in Islam, Salim simply became a brother and a companion of Abu Hudhayfah. And because he did not know the name of his real father he remained to be called Salim Mawla Abi Hudhayfah.

Salim and Abu Hudhayfah had a very strong relationship, although one was an aristocrat and the other was a former slave. They remained like that to the very end of their lives; they died together, one body beside the other one soul with the other. Such was the unique greatness of Islam. Ethnic background and social standing had no worth in the sight of Allah. Only faith and taqwa mattered.

"No Arab has an advantage over a non-Arab except in taqwa (piety),"taught the noble Prophet Mohamed (PBUH).

He also said: "The son of a white woman has no advantage over the son of a black woman except in taqwa."

In this new society, where there was no unjust class divisions and false social distinctions, Salim found himself, through his honesty, his faith and his willingness to sacrifice, in the front line of the believers.

Salim became the "imam" of the immigrants from Makkah to Madinah, leading them in their prayers in the mosque at Quba, which was built by the blessed hands of Prophet Mohamed (PBUH).

Salim was even further blessed and enjoyed a high estimation in the eyes of the Prophet, who said of him:

"Praise be to God Who has made among my Ummah such as you."

Salim was also very respected among his fellow Muslim brothers who used to call him "Salim min as-Salihin " "Salim one of the righteous."

Salim's personality was shaped by Islamic virtues. One of these was his outspokenness when he felt it was his duty to speak out especially when a wrong was committed.

An incident that illustrates this occurred after the liberation of Makkah. Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) ordered some of his companions to go to the villages and tribes around the city. He told them that they are sent as du'at to invite people to Islam and not as fighters.

Khalid ibn al-Walid was one of those sent out, but he did not stick to the orders of the noble Prophet and he killed some of those who refused to become Muslims.

Salim was among those who accompanied Khalid on this mission. As soon as Salim saw what Khalid had done he went up to him and reprimanded him listing the mistakes he had committed. Khalid, the great leader and military commander both during the days of Jahiliyyah and in Islam, was silent for once.

Salim did not do this out of mere opposition to Khalid but out of sincere advice and mutual self-criticism, which Islam has allowed. Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) himself repeatedly emphasized such mutual sincerity when he said:

"Religion is sincere advice. Religion is sincere advice. Religion is sincere advice."

On hearing what Khalid has done, Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) became very upset, and made long and fervent supplication to Allah.

"O Lord," he said, "I am innocent before you of what Khalid has done."

And he asked: "Did anyone reprimand him?"

The Prophet's anger subsided somewhat when he was told: "Yes, Salim reprimanded him and opposed him."

Salim lived in the company of Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) and the believers. He was never slow or reluctant in his worship nor did he miss any campaign.

When Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) died, Abu Bakr assumed responsibility for the affairs of Muslims and immediately had to face the conspiracies of the apostates, which resulted in the terrible battle of Yamamah.

Among the Muslim forces, which made their way to the central heartlands of Arabia, were Salim and his "brother", Abu Hudhayfah.

When the battle first started, the Muslim forces suffered major losses because they fought as individuals. But Khalid ibn al-Walid regrouped the Muslim forces and was able to achieve an amazing coordination.

Abu Hudhayfah and Salim embraced each other and made a vow to seek martyrdom in the path of the religion of Truth and thus attain felicity in the hereafter.

They both fought in the battle of Yamamah with all they had of power. And Salim kept encouraging the warriors by reciting verses from the glorious Quran like:

"How many a Prophet fought in God's way and with him (fought) large bands of godly men! But they never lost heart if they met with disaster in God's way, nor did they weaken (in will) nor give in. And God loves those who are firm and steadfast."

What an inspiring verse for such an occasion! And what a fitting epitaph for someone who had dedicated his life for the sake of Islam!

A wave of apostates then overwhelmed Salim and he fell. He remained alive till the battle ended with the death of Musaylamah.

When the Muslims started searching for their victims and their martyrs, they found Salim in the last throes of death. As his life-blood ebbed away he asked them: "What has happened to Abu Hudhayfah?" "He has been martyred," came the reply. "Then put me to lie next to him," said Salim.

"He is close to you, Salim. He was martyred in this same place." Salim smiled a last faint smile and spoke no more. Both men had realized what they had hoped for. Together they entered Islam. Together they lived. And together they were martyred.

Umar ibn al-Khattab said while he was on his deathbed: "If Salim were alive, I would have appointed him my successor."

Source: ummah.net
islamonline

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