ism

1965
Biographies of Companions
Al-Baraa ibn Malik al-Ansari
…..If the tales of Baraa's heroism were to be told in detail pages and pages could be written. But let one example suffice .
Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, the successor to the Prophet, stood firm against this blind and destructive movement. From the
Muhajireen and Ansar, he mobilized eleven armies each under a separate commander and dispatched them to various parts
of the Arabian peninsula. Their purpose was to make the apostates return to the path of guidance and truth and to confront
the leaders of the rebellion……
The strongest group of apostates and the greatest in number were the Banu Hanifah among whom Musaylamah the Imposter
arose, claiming that he was a prophet…..
As the battle grew fiercer and fiercer, Khalid turned to al-Baraa and said, "Charge, young man of the Ansar." Al-Baraa turned
to his men and said, "O Ansar, let not anyone of you think of returning to Madinah. There is no Madinah for you after this day.
There is only Allah, then Paradise."
The valiant Baraa went forward and addressed his company, "Put me on a shield. Raise the shield on spears and hurl me
into the garden near the gate. Either I shall die a martyr or I shall open the gate for you."…..
The thin and wiry al-Baraa was soon sitting on a shield. A number of spears raised the shield and he was thrown into the
Garden of Death amongst the multitude of Musaylamah's men. He descended on them like a thunderbolt and continued to
fight them in front of the gate. Many fell to his sword and he himself sustained numerous wounds before he could open the
gate.
The Muslims charged into the Garden of Death through the gates and over the walls. Fighting was bitter and at close quarters
and hundreds were killed. Finally the Muslims came upon Musaylamah and he was killed.
Biographies of Companions
Talhah ibn Ubaydullah
Talhah again volunteered but the Prophet ordered him to maintain his position. Another person immediately came forward,
fought and was killed. This happened until all who stood by the Prophet were martyred except Talhah.
"Now, yes," signalled the Prophet and Talhah went into battle. By this time, the Prophet's teeth had been broken, his
forehead had been slashed, his lips had been wounded and blood was streaming down his face. He was drained of energy.
Talhah plunged into the enemy and pushed them away from the Prophet. He turned back to the Prophet and helped him a
little further up the mountain and put him to lie on the ground. He then renewed his attack and successfully repulsed the
enemy. About this occasion Abu Bakr said:
"At that moment, Abu Ubayd ibn al-Jarrah and I were far from the Prophet. When we came close to him to render assistance
to him, the Prophet said: 'Leave me and go to your companion (meaning Talhah)."
There was Talhah, bleeding profusely. He had numerous wounds, from sword, spear and arrow. His foot had been cut and
he had fallen into a hollow where he lay unconscious.
Thereafter, the Prophet, peace be on him, said: "Whoever is pleased to see a man still walking on earth who had completed
his span (of life), let him look at Talhah ibn Ubaydallah."
And, whenever Uhud was recalled, As-Siddiq, may God be pleased with him, would say: "That day, that entire day, belonged
to Talhah."
That was the story of how Talhah became to be called the "living martyr". There were unnumerabIe incidents which led to
him being called "Talhah the Good" and "Talhah the Generous".
Talhah was an astute and successful merchant who travelled widely to the north and south of the Arabian peninsula. It is said
that after one of his trips to Hadramawt, he had profits amounting to some seven hundred thousand dirhams. His nights
would be anxious and worried on account of this vast wealth. On one such night, his wife, Umm Kulthum the daughter of Abu
Bakr, said to him:………………….
The name Talhah is also connected with the first fitnah or civil war among Muslims after the death of the prophet, peace be
on him.
Zayd ibn Thabit
The Prophet, peace be on him, listened to Zayd reciting some surahs he had memorized. His recitation was clear and
beautiful and his stops and pauses indicated clearly that he understood well what he recited. The Prophet was pleased.
Indeed he found that Zayd's ability exceeded the commendation he had been given by his relatives. The Prophet then set him
a task which required intelligence, skill and persistence.
"Zayd, learn the writing of the Jews for me," instructed the Prophet. "At your command, Messenger of Allah," replied Zayd
who set about learning Hebrew with enthusiasm. He became quite proficient in the language and wrote it for the Prophet
when he wanted to communicate with the Jews. Zayd also read and translated from Hebrew when the Jews wrote to the
Prophet. The Prophet instructed him to learn Syriac also and this he did. Zayd thus came to perform the important function of
an interpreter for the Prophet in his dealings with non-Arabic speaking peoples.
Zayd's enthusiasm and skill were obvious. When the Prophet felt confident of his faithfulness in the discharge of duties and
the care, precision and understanding with which he carried out tasks, he entrusted Zayd with the weighty responsibility of
recording the Divine revelation.
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1965