On the occasion of Uhud, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) deputed Husail bin Jaabir (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), who was also known as Yamaan and was the father of Huzaifah bin Yamaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), together with Thaabit bin Waqsh (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to remain with the women and children in the fort. This was on account of the advanced age of these two Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma).
At some point, one of them said to the other, “What is the matter with you? What are you waiting for? By Allah! Neither of us has much of his life remaining. We will either die today or tomorrow. Why do we not seize our swords and join Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)? Perhaps Allah Ta‘ala will bless us with martyrdom in the company of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).”
In this manner, they both left the fort and joined the army of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). However, the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) did not recognize them and were unaware that they had joined the army.
During the course of the battle, the disbelievers killed Thaabit bin Waqsh (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). As for Husail bin Jaabir (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), the Muslims mistook him to be one of the enemy and thus attacked him with their swords, killing him.
When Huzaifah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) saw this, he immediately shouted, “My father! My father!” Hearing this, the Muslims replied by stating the truth, “By Allah! We did not know that he was one of the Muslims!” Huzaifah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) responded saying, “May Allah Ta‘ala forgive you! He is the most merciful of those who show mercy.”
When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) learnt of the incident, he arranged for the blood money to be paid to Huzaifah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). However, Huzaifah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) immediately took the money and spent it on the Muslims. This action of his caused Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to have even more regard for him.
In the narration of Saheeh Bukhaari, ‘Urwah (rahimahullah) further mentioned, “By Allah! Huzaifah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) continued to enjoy goodness (barakah) until he met Allah Ta‘ala (due to forgiving those who had killed his father).”
(Reference: Saheeh Bukhaari #3824, Usdul Ghaabah vol. 2, pg. 19, Sharhu Saheehil Bukhaari libni Battaal vol. 8, pg. 518)
Lessons:
1. The main purpose behind our creation is for us to worship and obey Allah Ta‘ala. Sadly, many of us spend the prime portion of our lives in building a fortune and securing financial security. Even sadder than this is when a person has now reached the final stages of his life and still fails to attend to his primary purpose, and instead remains engrossed in amassing the dunya. If we cannot achieve the ideal, which is to spend our entire life for Deen, then we should at least strive to retire at some point so that we can dedicate the remaining portion of our lives to Deen and worshipping Allah Ta‘ala.
2. One can well imagine the extent of the grief experienced by Huzaifah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) over the death of his father – especially as his father did not pass away a natural death but was killed. Despite the emotion and grief that he felt, he was still prepared to forgive the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) who were responsible, as their killing his father was a mistake and was not intentional. In fact, his clean heartedness was such that he even made du‘aa for their forgiveness. On account of him forgiving them and spending the blood money on the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), instead of keeping it for himself, he not only gained the special love and attention of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) but also earned lifelong barakah. In comparison to Huzaifah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), who forgave those who killed his father, many of us sever relations with family and continue to fight over money and estate problems and other petty issues. Let us realize that by foregoing our right and forgiving those who hurt us, for the sake of Allah Ta‘ala and maintaining family ties, we will win not only the happiness of Allah Ta‘ala but also barakah – a prize which is priceless.
