(Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Zul-Bijaadain [radhiyallahu ‘anhu] – Part Two)
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Zul-Bijaadain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had a naturally loud voice. Hence, he would recite the Quraan Majeed as well as tasbeeh and takbeer aloud. On one occasion, Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) asked Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), “Is he showing off?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) responded saying, “Leave him, for indeed he is from among those who turn to Allah Ta‘ala in abundance. Indeed, he had left (his home and possessions) migrating to Allah Ta‘ala and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).”
When the Muslims had left on the expedition of Tabook, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) approached Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and requested him to make du‘aa that he attains martyrdom. In response, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked for the bast (fibers found in the inner portion of the bark) of the acacia tree (which would generally be tied to a sacrificial animal which was headed to the Haram, so that no one would interfere with it). When it was brought to him, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) tied it to his upper arm and implored Allah Ta‘ala saying, “O Allah, I am making his blood forbidden upon the disbelievers.”
Upon hearing this, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) remarked, “O Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! This is not what I intended.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then explained to him, “When you leave (your home) in order to fight in the path of Allah and thereafter you are afflicted with a fever which causes you to die, then you are (still regarded to be) a martyr. Or if your animal throws you off (its back) breaking your neck (by means of which you pass away), then (too) you are a martyr. You should not worry in whichever way it (i.e. your death) occurs (in the path of Allah Ta‘ala).”
Eventually, a few days after arriving at Tabook, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Zul-Bijaadain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) passed away. Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) would vividly recall the night in which he witnessed his burial. He would explain that he noticed a small fire in one corner of the army and decided to follow it only to find Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in the grave of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Zul-Bijaadain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) were accompanying Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and he instructed them saying, “Lower your brother towards me.” As they lowered him, he (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) positioned him in the grave and thereafter allowed them to continue with the burial. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) also mentioned at the time when they were carrying his body, “Handle him (i.e. his body) with care, may Allah treat you well. Indeed, he loved Allah and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).”
When they had completed his burial, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) turned towards the qiblah, raised his blessed hands and implored Allah Ta‘ala thus, “O Allah, I am pleased with him, so You (also) be pleased with him.” After narrating this incident, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) says, “By Allah! I wished that I was in his place, although I had accepted Islam fifteen years before him.”
It is reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) only descended in the graves of five people during his lifetime, one of whom was Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Zul-Bijaadain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).
(Tabaaat Ibni Sa‘d vol. 5, pg. 139 [Khaanji], Usdul Ghaabah vol. 2, pg. 588, Al-Isaabah vol. 4, pg. 139 and Sifatus Safwah vol. 1, pg. 263)
Lessons:
1. When a person sacrifices his comforts for Allah Ta‘ala and is diligent in carrying out good actions with sincerity, he reaches very high and lofty ranks in a short period of time. Hence, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Zul-Bijaadain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) escalated to such great ranks that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) bore testimony to the love which he possessed for Allah Ta‘ala and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Furthermore, he was privileged with such a blessed burial that an illustrious Sahaabi like Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) envied him.
2. Spending time in the path of Allah Ta‘ala is a means of a person constantly receiving rewards. One of the great rewards which have been promised for the person on whose feet dust settled while out in the path of Allah Ta‘ala is that the fire of Jahannum becomes forbidden upon him. (Saheeh Bukhaari #907) Likewise, passing away in the path of Allah Ta‘ala, no matter what the cause of the death may be, secures for one the great rank of a martyr, as is understood from this incident.
