During the year 4 A.H., a few members of the ‘Adhal and Qaarah clans approached Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and mentioned that their clans had accepted Islam. They then requested Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to send a few Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) with them to their clans for the purpose of teaching them the Quraan Majeed and the injunctions of Deen.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) thus deputed a group of ten Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) with them, appointing Sayyiduna ‘Aasim bin Thaabit (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) as their ameer (leader). However, the reality was that these people had not actually accepted Islam, but had pretended to do so in order to deceive the Muslims and betray them.
Accordingly, when they arrived at a place named Rajee’, they summoned the Banu Lihyaan clan who arrived with an army of two hundred men to attack the Sahaabah. Realizing that they had been betrayed, Sayyiduna ‘Aasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and his companions fled from there and finally climbed up a hill for protection.
The Banu Lihyaan clan gave chase to these ten Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) and surrounded them. They then asked them to surrender, and promised that they would enjoy amnesty and would not be harmed if they did so. However, Sayyiduna ‘Aasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) declared that he would never accept the amnesty of a disbeliever, and then made du‘aa saying, “O Allah! Inform Your Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) of our condition!” Allah Ta‘ala accepted his du‘aa, and through wahi (revelation), Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was informed of their plight.
During his life, Sayyiduna ‘Aasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had taken an oath that he would never touch a disbeliever, nor allow a disbeliever to touch him. He therefore made this du‘aa as well, “O Allah! I am protecting Your Deen, so You protect my body (after I am martyred)!”
Thereafter, Sayyiduna ‘Aasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was martyred with six of his companions, while the remaining three Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) surrendered.
Previously, during the Battle of Uhud, Sayyiduna ‘Aasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had killed the two sons of Sallaafah bintu Sa‘eed. To avenge their deaths, she had taken an oath that she would drink wine from the skull of Sayyiduna ‘Aasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and had thus promised the reward of one hundred camels for the person who brought her the skull of Sayyiduna ‘Aasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).
In order to acquire this reward, a few members of the Huzail clan set out to collect the head of Sayyiduna ‘Aasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). However, on account of the du‘aa that he had made, Allah Ta‘ala sent a swarm of wasps which surrounded his body, preventing anyone from drawing near. Seeing the wasps, they decided that they would wait until the night to acquire the head, as the wasps would disperse and leave when night sets in. Allah Ta‘ala had however sent a flood of water that swept the body of Sayyiduna ‘Aasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) away, protecting it from the disbelievers, and in this way, his body remained safeguarded.
Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) would remark regarding Sayyiduna ‘Aasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), “(Sometimes,) Allah Ta‘ala protects a true believer after his death as well, just as He would protect him during his lifetime.”
(Saheeh Bukhaari #4086, Fat-hul Baari and Sharhuz Zurqaani vol. 2, pg. 477)
Lessons:
1. Sayyiduna ‘Aasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had deep love for Allah Ta‘ala and Islam. It was due to this deep love for Islam, and deep hatred for the enemies of Islam, that he did not even want his skin to touch that of a disbeliever. Sadly, there are many Muslims today who idolize the disbelievers, emulate their dressing and fashions, follow their traditions and customs and identify with their lifestyle and way of thinking. As Muslims, we must only have love for Islam and the blessed way of life of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
2. When a Muslim remains loyal and faithful to Allah Ta‘ala throughout his life, then Allah Ta‘ala will most certainly reward his loyalty and faithfulness – during his lifetime and after his death as well. When Sayyiduna ‘Aasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) took his oath, he remained faithful to Allah Ta‘ala and protected his body from disbelievers throughout his life. Therefore, Allah Ta‘ala accepted his du‘aa and allowed his body to remain protected from them after his death as well.
3. The Quraan Majeed has commanded justice and even kindness towards every living being. If one feeds a hungry person or clothes someone who is in need, he will be greatly rewarded even if the recipient was a disbeliever. However, there should NEVER be any compromise in our Deen and way of life when dealing with disbelievers.
