Sayyiduna Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was a Sahaabi who either hailed from the land of Persia or belonged to a bedouin tribe. (Al-Istee‘aab vol. 2, pg. 243)

He was initially a slave belonging to Sayyidah Ummu Salamah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), the honourable wife of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). When she decided to set him free, she said to him, “I am setting you free with the condition that you serve Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) for the rest of your life.” Sayyiduna Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) remarked, “Even if you had not made this condition for me, I would have not left Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) for my entire life.” (Sunan Abi Dawood #3932)

On one occasion, when the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) were on a journey with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), their belongings became burdensome for them (to carry), since they were traveling on foot. Hence, whenever one of them would become exhausted, he would hand over his sword, shield, spear, extra clothing, etc. to Sayyiduna Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). In this manner, Sayyiduna Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had accumulated a great number of items for him to carry. When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had witnessed this, he remarked, “Carry (these items), for you are indeed a ‘safeenah’ (ship)!” He himself recounts that when these words emanated from the blessed lips of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), carrying these items became so easy for him that he would have even managed to carry the heavy load of a camel. From then onwards, he became known by this name. In fact, his actual name cannot be said with certainty since there are various opinions regarding it.

Furthermore, he too would not like to be called by any other name. Once, Sa‘eed bin Jumhaan (rahimahullah), a Muhaddith, visited and stayed in the company of Sayyiduna Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) for a period of eight nights in order to learn the ahaadeeth of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) from him. During that period, he once enquired from him, “What is your (actual) name?” He responded, “I will not tell you, (since) Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has named me ‘Safeenah’. And I do not desire (any other name) besides this.” (Usdul Ghaabah vol. 2, pg. 343, Al-Isaabah vol. 3, pg. 111, Al-Istee‘aab vol. 2, pg. 243 and Majma‘uz Zawaa-id #15944)

Another remarkable incident that occurred in his life is that once they were at sea when their ship broke apart. He thus held onto one of the planks and eventually reached a jungle. Upon arriving there, a lion began approaching him. He called out, “O Abul Haarith (a title used for lions), I am Safeenah, the freed slave of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).” The lion lowered its head and began nudging him with its side. It then walked in front of him and lead him onto the road. Thereafter, it growled from which Sayyiduna Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) understood that it was bidding him farewell. (Majma‘uz Zawaa-id #15946 and Usdul Ghaabah vol. 2, pg. 343)

Lessons:

1. A very important characteristic of a believer is his desire and fervour to serve others. This quality was found to a very high degree in the blessed life of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), his honourable Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) and our pious predecessors. Moreover, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) highlighted its importance in many ahaadeeth. Sayyiduna Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) not only served Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), but also assisted and served others to such an extent that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) named him accordingly.

2. When a person loves someone dearly, then the desires and wishes of the beloved become dearer to him than his own likes and preferences. Hence, Sayyiduna Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) loved the name which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) gave him more than his own name and did not want to even inform others of his actual name. If we also gain true love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), it will not only become very easy, rather it will be extremely enjoyable to adopt and emulate his noble ways and beautiful lifestyle. We will then be prepared to dedicate our lives to his mission, just as Sayyiduna Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) did not want to leave Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) for his entire life.

3. When a person becomes totally submissive to the commands of Allah Ta‘ala and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Allah Ta‘ala makes the entire creation subservient to him. Occasionally it may play out in a very dramatic manner as in the case of Sayyiduna Safeenah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) with the lion. However, in most instances it happens by the divine system of Allah Ta‘ala working in his favour. Hence, in whichever difficulty he finds himself, Allah Ta‘ala always makes a way out for him and he lives a content and peaceful life.

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