Hayatus Sahabah - The Lives of the Sahabah - Part 1 of 3

THE LIVES OF THE SAHABAH @,g@@> (Vol-I) 48 9
two Rakaahs salaah. He then asked, "Do you people know anything about your
rider?" "No," replied the Sahabah '~,LZi%i, "We know nothing of him."
The Iqaamah was then called out and as Rasulullaah @&% led the salaah, he kept
glancing towards the ravine. When Rasulullaah @@ completed the salaah and
had made the Salaam, he said, "Listen to the glad tidings that your rider has
arrived." When the Sahabah @,G*j looked between the trees of the ravine, they
saw him come. He stopped before Rasulullaah @@, greeted with Salaam and
said, "I went up to the highest point of the ravine as Rasulullaah @ ? had
instructed me. In the morning I studied both walls of the ravine but saw no one."
Rasulullaah @@ asked, "Did you dismount during the night?" "No," replied
Hadhrat Anas bin Abi Marthad ~.Bm, "except for salaah and to relieve myself."
Rasulullaah &$$ commented, "You have made it (Jannah) compulsory for
yourself. (Your rewards are so great that) It matters not if you do no (Nafl) deeds
after this."
Another Sahabi BSGw Stands Guard
Hadhrat Abu Atiyya %I;"W reports that Rasulullaah @@ was once sitting when
he was informed that a man had passed away. Rasulullaah @@ asked, "Has any
of you seen him do any good deed?" "Yes," replied another Sahabi %WWj, "I once
stood guard with him in the path of Allaah." Rasulullaah and those with him
stood up and Rasulullaah @@ led the Janaazah salaah (funeral prayer) for the
deceased. When the Sahabi S4GW was placed in the grave, Rasulullaah @@
threw some sand with his hands and then said, "Although your companions think
that you are amongst the inmates of Jahannam, I testify that you are from
amongst the inhabitants of Jannah." Addressing Hadhrat Umar bin Khattaab
%%%%, Rasulullaah @@ then said, "Do not ask about the (evil) actions of
people, but rather enquire about their (good deeds which are acts of)
~slaarn."(~)
Hadhrat Abu Atiyya 3G& narrates that when a person passed away during the
time of Rasulullaah w, some of the Sahabah @,C+3j said, "0 Rasulullaah
m! Do not lead the Janaazah salaah for him." Rasulullaah k$% then asked,
"Has anyone seen him (do any good deed)." The Hadith continues further. (3)
Another narration from Hadhrat Abu Aa'idh 51Ew states that Rasulullaah
once left for the Janaazah of a Sahabi B,Bw. When the deceased was placed
(before Rasulullaah m), Hadhrat Umar bin Khattaab %$ZW said, "Do not lead
the Janaazah salaah for him, 0 Rasulullaah w, because he was a sinful man."
Rasulullaah @@ then turned to the other Sahabah @Gw and asked, "Has
anyone seen him (do any good deed)." The Hadith continues further like the one
quoted above. (4)
(1) Abu Dawood and Bayhaqi 0101.9 Pg.149). Abu Nu'aym has also reported the narration, as quoted in
Muntakhab (Vo1.5 Pg.143).
(2) Tabraani. Haythami (Vo1.5 Pg.288) has commented on the chain of narrators.
(3) Ibn Asaakir, as quoted in KanzuI Ummaal(Vol.2 Pg.291).
(4) Bayhaqi in Shu'abulfmaan, as quoted in Mishkaat Pg. 328.