Zayd RA - Leading Companions

ZAYD

The Rose that Bloomed in Captivity

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Tughra Books

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

ISBN: 978-1-59784-247-1

Translated by Omer A. Ergi

PREFACE

His parents were Harith Ibn Sharahil1 and Su’da Bint Salaba, but young Zayd was known by the title of Abu Usama. He was a free boy who belonged to a noble family until he was abducted one night in an ambush, placed in chains, and taken away to be sold as a slave. The seal of slavery was stamped on his forehead, and he was sold at Ukaz, near Mecca on the Arabian Peninsula. Although, he was not aware of it yet, destiny had planned a most blessed future for Zayd. However, the path to this blessed future consisted of many ordeals and burdens. Nevertheless, the road would eventually lead him to his true Qiblah (the direction of worship) and to a life where he would become a role model for the entire humanity. Destiny would transform him into an individual who would be remembered until the Day of Judgment.

Zayd was the second son of Harith. Like all fathers, when Harith’s wife, Su’da began to feel the pains of labor, he became extremely nervous, wondering about the sex of the child. When he received the news of a baby boy, he felt an additional joy. Without doubt, in those days the sex

1 Zahabi, Siyeru A’lami’n-Nubela, 1/220

Zayd: The Rose that Bloomed in Captivity vi

of the baby was quite significant for any father. Fathers of that era did not take any pleasure in hearing that they had a baby girl. Many considered it as an issue of dishonor; some fathers would become furious with the news. Having a girl transformed them into barbaric monsters who buried their children alive. Probably for this reason, Harith felt great joy upon hearing the news that he had a son.

Many years had gone by, and Zayd had become the source of elation in the house. Although, they were not a wealthy family, Zayd was always a joyful child. Most times, he would play in the house, but now and then he would run around the date gardens playing with his brother Jabala and his stepbrother Yazid. He had a happy childhood…

JOURNEY TO MOTHER’S VILLAGE

Zayd’s joyful life was about to take a drastic turn when his family began to discuss a possible trip which would change the flow of time. Zayd’s mother, Su’da had missed her village so much that she was burning with desire to visit her relatives. This was quite natural; moreover, his uncles were also longing to see Zayd and to share his enthusiasm for life. For this reason, Su’da asked for permission from her husband Harith to visit her family who lived in the old village.

Although Harith loved his son Zayd so much that he would never leave him from his sight, this was a rational request he could not turn down. Indeed, his uncles also had rights over Zayd, and he had to take this into consideration. The sorrow of separation was burning through his heart yet he had no other alternative, so he reluctantly nodded his head as a gesture to say he was giving permission.

It was time to prepare for the journey that would reunite Zayd with his uncles. However, they could not travel alone because this would be a dangerous journey through the desert. So they announced their trip to the locals and asked if there was a caravan travelling towards the region of Banu Ma’n. Before long, they had found a

Zayd: The Rose that Bloomed in Captivity

caravan and joined it on a journey towards the land of Banu Ma’n.

Eventually, they reached their destination and reunited with the relatives. Everything was going according to plan. This was an opportunity that Su’da could hardly find so she utilized her days and nights with maximum efficiency. She sat constantly with her aging mother and father, contemplating the wonderful days they had together in the past. Meanwhile, Zayd was riding on the shoulders of his uncles making the most of being the rare guest who visited this village.

INSUFFERABLE TORMENT THAT BEGAN WITH AN AMBUSH

All of a sudden, the night that would change their fate had come along. They woke up to a horrific sound coming from the streets. Merciless men on horsebacks were vigorously swinging their swords. There was blood all over the streets; women and children were screaming helplessly. His mother’s village was under attack by Banu Qayn, a rival clan. The men of Banu Qayn were swinging their swords at anyone who stood on their path. An indescribable genocide was taking place at the land of Banu Ma’n..!

The people of the village tried desperately to protect their own lives, and no one even had the time to take a glance at others who needed help. The villagers had not even had the time to prepare against an attack that came so abruptly. They had no means to protect themselves. Within minutes, the village had transformed into a slaughter house.

The attack continued for awhile, and when it finally stopped, one could hear nothing but the screams and cries of the wounded throughout the village. At this point, the houses were being looted and then burned down. Before long, the

Zayd: The Rose that Bloomed in Captivity

enemies found Zayd and his mother hiding in the house. At first they began with insults which were followed by harassment. Su’da was defenseless with a child at her side.

She begged for leniency as the men entered the house. Then she screamed out, begging them to take her life but not to touch her son… Unfortunately, it was obvious that her pleas would not stop these merchants of rancor. Ruthlessly, they pulled Zayd away from her arms. It was as if they were tearing her heart apart. This is exactly what mother Su’da was felt at that instant. There was nothing she could do as they took her beloved son away. She tried desperately to resist but what could a woman do against so many men. Before her very eyes, Zayd was taken away, perhaps never to return again.

They had spared her life, so she quickly ran to her brothers to ask for help. Sadly, with every step she took, she came face to face with a horrific image. All of her family members had been pruned like a tree.

Burning with hope, once again she decided to look for Zayd. How could a mother endure such a pain? She ran frantically towards the blood-thirsty men. There were dead bodies all over the ground. Her anxiety increased as she heard screams coming from all directions.

She wanted to catch up to the men who had taken her son away and beg for mercy. Unfortunately, it was too late. All they had left behind was the dust they raised as they rode away in the horizon. Unfortunately, her son had become a victim of a concept she never understood…

THOSE WERE THE LIVING STANDARDS OF THAT ERA

It is an unquestionable fact that as liberated human beings, it is impossible to understand the living conditions of the era of ignorance. It was an era in which the initial light of dawn had cracked and the eternal sun was about to rise. Those were incredible times. As the famous poet, Mehmet Akif Ersoy stated, one would be consumed by his brother if he was weak. Human beings were so vicious that they had surpassed the hyenas. Everything that represented honor and dignity was being stepped on, and the only thing that had value was power. It was an unfortunate time in which even human beings were seen as merchandise and were brought to local markets to be sold as slaves.

It was not only the slaves who were at risk. As it was in Zayd’s case, when the opportunity arose, even free human beings were abducted and turned into to slaves and servants. Chains that would never be removed again were placed on their feet. Once the mark of slavery was stamped on a person, he could never remove it even if he placed his life at risk.

Zayd Ibn Haritha was one of these unfortunate individuals. Not long before, he was inhaling the gift of freedom, living happily with his father. Then one night, he was abducted and enslaved. However, this incident would eventually lead him to God’s Messenger, and his unfortunate fate would be transformed into a blessed destiny. As the Almighty God clearly described, there were some incidents that human beings perceived as evil in the beginning, yet there would be blessings and good at the end.

However, it was impossible to know what the future had in store. Everyone lived in the fraction of time we call the present. Naturally, Zayd was also living in his present time hence he could not give any meaning to the ordeal he was going through. He was already missing his father whom he loved so much, and even the harsh teasing of his brothers had now transformed into sweet memories.

Although, he possessed the potential to carry mountains of burden in the future, God only knows the severity of the psychological effect this horrific experience had on his tiny heart. Perhaps it had left irreparable marks on his soul. From that day on, he was a slave who would lineup before the masters, tied up in chains.

What kind of a concept was this…what kind of justice would permit such an appalling act? The freedom of a person was taken away from him for no apparent reason, and no one had the sensitivity to do anything about it. Only the strong and the powerful benefitted from this ludicrous tradition. It is no surprise that the title given to this era was “the age of ignorance.”

Mother Su’da was in a stage of devastation! How she wished that she was also taken away along with her son. Being separated from the fruit of her heart caused a stern pain that no mother could tolerate. She continuously screamed her lungs out, yet there was nothing she could do. Her beloved son had been torn away from her. Perhaps she would never see him again. The village of Banu Ma’n was in mourning. Loud screams were rising from the homes of its residence. They did not even have the chance to defend themselves. Therefore, many of them were ruthlessly slaughtered as they became the targets of sharp swords that were pitilessly swung.

Su’da wished that it was all a bad dream, from which she would soon wake up, yet there was nothing dreamy about the ordeal that took place at the village. The screams heard all over the village testified to the fact that it was all real. For a mother, this was the beginning of the end. She had come there to be reunited with her family. It was the village she was raised in with joy and happiness. Now, it became the source of her sorrow.

The grief-stricken mother was now contemplating on how she would explain their unfortunate tribulation to her husband Harith. In addition to the unbearable suffering she had to endure, she carried the responsibility of explaining to her husband what had occurred. There was no other alternative but to leave the village along with the handful of survivors.

As she travelled back to her homeland, little Zayd, who constantly ran around throughout the journey and played

with joy, was no longer her side. She was having difficulty as she walked. Each step she took reminded her of their original trip. There was an eerie silence in the desert as Su’da quietly wept for her son.

SHARING THE ANGUISH WITH THE FATHER

Finally, Su’da made it home. Her hands were empty, and her eyes reflected nothing but pain. Harith realized that something had gone seriously wrong as soon as he came face to face with Su’da. Quickly, he looked around, but Zayd was nowhere to be seen. Harith’s heart rate began to rise as he asked in panic;

“Where

is my son Zayd!”

There was no answer…nothing but total silence. What could she say? Where would she begin? Silence was not a solution because Harith would soon find out from the others what took place at the village of Banu Ma’n. Finally, Su’da explained their ordeal to her husband. In a fraction of a second, blood had rushed to his head. He felt extremely dizzy, and before long he blacked out. Zayd’s father, Harith could not handle the news. There he was, lying unconscious on the ground.

Friends, neighbors, and relatives quickly rushed to his aid. They wished to console him. Alas, nothing could remove this sorrow from his heart. What did they want with an eight year old child? He was only a little boy,

Zayd: The Rose that Bloomed in Captivity 10

what benefit could they gain from him? Would they turn him into a thief or force him to become a beggar?

Certainly, they were not a wealthy family, but at least Zayd lived a happy life in a peaceful, warm atmosphere. Now, he was taken away, perhaps towards an unknown dark future.

As Harith regained his consciousness, he thought about Zayd and once again he fainted. He was having great difficulty trying to regain his composure. Eight years of wonderful memories stood right there at the corner of his house. The possibility of never hearing Zayd’s velvety voice calling out, “Father…Father,” again was tearing him apart. His beloved son was no longer with him. Harith had fixed his ears towards the silent desert in the hope that he could hear the echoes of Zayd’s voice calling out to him…Dad!”

Harith could not stay home and do nothing, so he decided to look for Zayd. Perhaps, there was a chance of tracking them down. He travelled all over the desert, asking everyone who came along if they had seen Zayd. His desperate search was fruitless. Eventually, all hopes of finding Zayd were lost. There was no magic cure for the tremendous sorrow he felt in his heart. Harith was a different man now, as he committed himself to poetry, looking for condolences between the deep, meaningful lines he recited.

His poetry was in the form of mourning, reflecting the grief he felt in regards to the unknown fate of his son,

Zayd. Harith was devastated by Zayd’s absence. How could he not be? Everything reminded him of Zayd. His silhouette was upon the face of the rising sun, and his voice echoed in the blowing winds. Each morning, he woke up in the hope that this was the day that Zayd returned. Yet, his hopes gradually faded away as the sun began to set. His dreams were the only source of condolence. Could a father feel a greater pain than this? Perhaps, he could have felt a little relieved if he had only known the whereabouts of his son. Alas, it was as if Zayd had evaporated in the desert heat and vanished into the realm of the unknown. He would have learned to live with it, even if the news of his death had reached him, but this uncertainty of not knowing if Zayd was alive and well was tearing him apart. He was constantly repeating the words;

I weep for Zayd as I do not know what he is doing now, Not knowing whether he is still alive or dead, I swear, I do not know as I ask you this, Was it Sahl that killed you or was it the mountains, If only I knew how to bring back the time, I have no expectations from this world, apart from your return.2

Indeed, Harith had no other expectations from this world, so he packed his bags and once again hit the road looking for his beloved son. He vowed to travel until he 2 Hakim, Mustadrak, 3/236

Zayd: The Rose that Bloomed in Captivity

found Zayd and in the process he would ask everyone he came across if they had seen his son. Harith was visiting every village and settlement, looking for clues as to where his son could have been taken. Neither the burning heat of the desert sun nor the frying intensity of the hot sands could hold Harith back…

AUCTION AT UKAZ

Meanwhile, Zayd’s captors were looking for buyers as they took him from one marketplace to another. Since Zayd did not cost them anything, they looked upon him as a worthless object like it was once done to the Prophet Joseph, who was taken out of the well and sold like an insignificant object. These men did not wish to waste their time with Zayd, so he would be sold to the first buyer who came along. Anything they got for Zayd would be considered a profit.

Eventually, they came to Ukaz, an infamous marketplace situated in Mecca. The notorious slave auctions of Ukaz were well known by the Arabs of the era of ignorance, and Zayd’s captors were quite certain that they would find a buyer here. Perhaps it was destiny that brought Hakim Ibn Hizam to Ukaz on that fateful day. He knew that his paternal aunt, Khadijah needed a few things from the market, so he decided to browse through the stalls that day. Khadijah was a renowned businesswoman who frequently sent caravans of merchandise to Damascus and Yemen. She had many people working for her. Hakim Ibn Hizam was also a merchant himself. His aim was to prepare a secure future for himself, thus he worked vigorously in the trade business.

Zayd: The Rose that Bloomed in Captivity

As he strolled through the marketplace, he came face to face with Zayd. It was obvious that this boy would develop into a powerful young man. Following a short period of bargaining, he purchased Zayd for 400 drachmas (silver coins) and quickly took him to Khadijah.3

From that day on, Zayd was one of the many servants of Khadijah, a wealthy and noble master. Here, Zayd felt a portion of the affection he previously experienced in his father’s home. He was valued as a human being, and he was never assigned to duties that he could not handle. Although there were many days when he secretly crawled into his corner and wept for the parents he missed so much, he was also happy to be under the protection of a motherly individual who treated him with care and compassion. He knew that whenever he was in trouble, there was someone there to support him…

MEETING THE SULTAN OF HEARTS

Zayd had been the popular servant of this house for quite some time now. He had developed into a young man, gifted with aptitude and vibrancy. Around this time, a merchant caravan was prepared for Damascus. This caravan owned by Khadijah was to travel to Damascus under the supervision of Muhammad, the trustworthy. This new development also marked the beginning of a new life for Zayd. Before long, Khadijah the pure married Muhammad, the trustworthy to establish the foundations of the most contented household in the world. It was quite obvious that destiny had wonderful things in store for Zayd. Without doubt, not everyone was fortunate enough to live under the same roof with a person who was dubbed as “the trustworthy one” by the people of Mecca. He was to share his life with the last Prophet of God. On the path that led to Muhammad, another young man named Zayd had lost his life, and a person called Salman al-Farisi had given up his liberty. Both had met their inevitable fates as they searched for the last Messenger of God. Zayd was so fortunate because he was able to live in the home of the most virtuous and blessed individual on earth. Being by his side and learning

Zayd: The Rose that Bloomed in Captivity 16

directly from him was a blessing bestowed by the Almighty Himself.

The trade caravan had returned from Damascus, and Maysara shared his views regarding Muhammad with Waraqa Ibn Nawfal, who was the uncle of Khadijah. The time for the crossing of the paths had come, and the wedding that would mark the establishment of the household of serenity was performed. From that point on, Zayd shared his home with the last Messenger of God, a noble Prophet whose appearance many people of wisdom had been anticipating for so long.

Zayd felt the warmness of his unique affection from the day he first met Muhammad the trustworthy. No doubt that Khadijah was a woman who possessed an extraordinary sense of compassion; however, there was something different about Muhammad, the most trusted of all human beings. The sense of security emitted by his glance, the sensitivity that inhabited his words, and his majestic appearance had touched a deep spot in young Zayd’s heart. The Prophet’s manners were so sincere that they were like an ointment applied on the sores that he endured so many years apart from his beloved father. Now, Zayd could look up to a person who was compassionate as a mother and a guide like a father.

In no time, they became friends, for the Prophet treated everyone as a human being. A person’s character was the most important thing for the Prophet, not his social status. In his world, there was no distinction between ser-

vants and free men, as long as they lived like true human beings.

This was an interesting world in which the liberties of human beings were restricted by chains. Although they were slaves in the physical sense, they possessed the essence of the universal ethics and morals.

As time passed Zayd developed into a very intelligent young man whose abilities were also noticed by the Prophet. He showed a great promise and possessed a potential for the future. He would frequently hang around with brave Ali, and together they would constitute the core of the ‘Golden Generation’ that would eventually be formed by the Prophet of God.

Khadijah was a woman of sagacity, who considerately fulfilled the requests of the noble Prophet. As she observed the noble Messenger’s close interaction and sincerity with Zayd, she decided to give Zayd as a gift to the Prophet of God.

Every day, there was a new development in the message of the noble Prophet. He wanted to teach people about the importance of liberty, so he quickly summoned Zayd and announced that he was emancipated. As always, the noble Prophet was most sincere as he told Zayd that he had been liberated. Considering the times they lived in, this was not a matter that could be taken lightly. Zayd was shocked by the decision as he remembered those who took his freedom away and mercilessly sold him at the slave market as if he was a worthless object. Yet, his new mas-

ter was guiding him to freedom without asking for anything in return.

The Prophet’s compassion and munificence was not limited to this unique act of benevolence. He also took Zayd under his protection and treated him like a son. He told him that he was free to do what he wished. Zayd was given the option of returning home to his parents, but if he wished he could continue stay with the Prophet. Years of slavery and being away from his mother and father had confused him so much that he did not know how to react to this generous offer. His delicate soul had been under so much pressure for so many years that he could not even come up with a rational reply.

He had never seen such an immense amount of munificence. The appalling incident he experienced at his mother’s village had altered his destiny and brought him onto the path of blessedness. This came as quite a surprise to him as he quickly thought about his situation. How could he walk away from such a virtuous path? Quickly, he regained his composure and replied without hesitation;

“I choose you, because you are like a father and a mother to me!”4

This was a cogent sign proving that no effort went to waste. Since the first day he met Zayd, the noble Prophet had wonderful plans for him. He took great care in preparing Zayd for the most significant mission that awaited 4 Abu’l-Faraj, Sifatu’s-Safwah, 1/380

them in the near future. This was the day that his efforts began to produce fruits. How accurate was the phrase ‘good begets good’, the Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him, became rather emotional by Zayd’s decision, as he shed tears of joy. These were the words that one would not expect to hear from a young man who was torn away from his family at such a tender age, but the Prophet had total confidence in Zayd.

Perhaps, Zayd had weighed his options and compared his life next to his father with the life that would be the focal point of humanity and righteousness, thus made his decision according to this evaluation. What could he have achieved if he had decided to return to his home town? He would have become a merchant just as his father, owning camels and sheep which would eventually be sold in order to make an insignificant amount of profit. This would be a trivial life that would be recognized by no one. Yet now, he had chosen a path that would be illustrious until the Day of Judgment.

Although his heart was burning with desire as it longed for his parents, Zayd lived under the protective shadow of the peaceful and serene sanctuary of the noble Prophet for 15 years, until the night that an unbreakable bond was established with the heavens in a cave situated on top of Mt. Hira. He had never experienced a scolding or an insult living next to the Prophet. He ate what the Prophet ate and wore what he wore. Had he decided to return home, he would have never been blessed with such pros-

Zayd: The Rose that Bloomed in Captivity

perity, and he would have been deprived of this unique munificence.

There was a day when he felt extremely emotional as he remembered the noble Messenger with a poem:

Neither have I seen anyone as virtuous as you, Nor did any women give birth to someone like you. You were created as purified of all indignity and deficiency…

It was as if you have been created exactly as you wished!

THE ARRIVAL OF VISITORS FROM HIS VILLAGE

One day, a group of people from Zayd’s village came to Mecca. During the era of the ignorance, visiting the Ka’ba was considered an act of worship, contrary to the fact that it was full of idols and there were people encircling it in the nude.

At one stage the visitors ran into a young man who looked quite familiar. In no time, they realized that this was the abducted son of Harith. They were shaken by the fact that Harith had been traveling through the mountains, deserts, and villages as he desperately searched for his son, only to return empty handed. Yet they had come to Mecca with no intention of finding Zayd, and there he was, standing right before their very eyes.

This also came as a surprise to Zayd as he never expected to see anyone from his village wandering in the streets of Mecca. The visitors wondered what this young man, who had been abducted many years ago, was doing in Mecca. However, it did not matter anymore since they had found him alive and well. Now, they could ask Zayd himself the details of his ordeal and take the good news

of his safety to Harith, who had suffered so much sorrow over the years.

They hugged and embraced Zayd as he explained his ordeal down to the smallest detail. They listened to Zayd’s story with sympathy then explained to Zayd what his father had gone through after his abduction. Finally, it was time to leave, and they said their farewells to Zayd. As they left Mecca, Zayd asked them to take his warmest regards to his beloved parents and handed them a potpourri of poems written as a gift to his mother and father during the many years he had been away from them. He insisted that his parents no longer worry about him and that he was safe and well. Then he said:

“Tell my father that I am next to the most munificent of all human beings.”5

He wished to assure his parents of his safety. Even if he could not go to them, he wanted them to be happy knowing that their son was alive and well.

5 Ibn Abdilbarr, Istiab, 2/544

GOOD NEWS FROM ZAYD!

Upon returning from their trip to Mecca, the villagers rushed to Harith’s house. They wasted no time in giving him the good news. It had been 20 long years, but Harith had never lost hope. He had traveled to many destinations, walking through the markets asking if anyone had seen his beloved son, yet on each occasion he returned empty handed. The only thing he brought back from his search was a great disappointment and an intolerable sorrow that he carried in his soul. The news was quite unexpected. Harith felt so blissful by the news that it was as if he had grown wings. He was ready to fly. In a flash, all the memories of the past had crossed his mind. Years of yearning was about to end.

Zayd’s poems describing the emotions of longing for home were recited to Harith. Nothing could have described the joy Harith felt at that instant. It was as if all the riches of the world were given to him. At the very least, he knew that Zayd was alive and well.

Could a compassionate father who had lost his son many years ago, hold back now? Quickly, he took Zayd’s uncle Ka’ab along and left for Mecca. It was time to emancipate Zayd from slavery and bring him home. They did not know what to expect, but even the fact that they

Zayd: The Rose that Bloomed in Captivity

would be reunited was enough to give them the encouragement they needed. God knows, how Zayd must have flourished into a strong young man, Harith thought to himself. With great enthusiasm and determination, they traveled over the hills and through the desert. Roads had never seemed so long for these two brothers, traveling shoulder to shoulder. As they walked vigorously towards Mecca, the distressed father thought about the years that had gone by without Zayd. For some reason, the road to Mecca seemed as long as the many years he had waited for the return of his son.

He tried to console himself as he argued in his mind, ‘at least I know where he is’. Soon, he would achieve his objective and that was to return home with Zayd. He was prepared for everything as he mumbled, ‘whatever it takes’. The two brothers were ready to take Zayd home and pay the price. The amount did not matter to them.

However, they had some concern regarding the people they may have to deal with. It was impossible to predict how they would react. The only thing they knew was the fact that Zayd was alive. They had no knowledge about the identity or the character of his master. How would he react? What would he ask for?

THE TRUSTWORTHY ONE OF MECCA

Upon reaching Mecca, they began to collect information about Zayd’s master. They asked people about Muhammad the trustworthy:

“Do you know Muhammad the son of Abdullah? Can you tell us where he lives?”

Everyone who heard the name Muhammad displayed a sense of respect and veneration on their faces. It was obvious that even his name gave people a sense of reliance. When asked about Muhammad, each person felt the need to mention his munificence before directing them to his house. Upon hearing his name, many of them reacted with the words:

“Are you looking for Muhammad the trustworthy?”

How could they have reacted any other way? Certainly, he was the most trustworthy of all human beings. Each time the words, honesty, trust, and veneration were mentioned, eyes searched for him and fingers were pointed at him.

Harith and Ka’ab were quite relieved by what they had heard. They asked where they could find Muham-

Zayd: The Rose that Bloomed in Captivity

mad, peace and blessings be upon him. The Ka’ba was the most obvious location, so they quickly headed towards the Ka’ba. They had finally found Zayd’s master. With a soft tone of voice, Harith said:

“Oh the son of Abdul-Muttalib! The master of his clan!”

Then he continued:

“You are the people of the Harem. You help those in need and support those in poverty. You free your prisoners. We are here for our son. Please be kind to us and release him into our custody. Here, take this…we will pay for him.”

Initially, the noble Messenger wished to find out what their intentions were, so he asked:

“Who are you referring to?”

“Zayd Ibn Haritha! They replied.”

Losing years of effort and hard work wielded to raising Zayd was not quite easy. Perhaps, the Messenger of God knew that Zayd’s destiny would encourage him to make his preference towards the Prophet. However, it was important that the noble Messenger solved the issue in the most appropriate manner. So he asked:

“Isn’t there any other way we can work this out?”

They had no idea what the Prophet was talking about. Before they could say anything, he summoned Zayd. It

was a father’s right to see his son and to live with him, therefore the Prophet had to comply with their wishes.

However, there was also the fact that the Prophet had spent a lot of time and effort in raising Zayd. Perhaps, Zayd would decide to remain in Mecca rather than going back to his village. The noble Messenger advised Zayd’s father and uncle on how they should behave towards him:

“Let him make his own decision! If our common objective is to give people their freedom, then let him decide as a free man.”

Then the noble Messenger added:

“If he chooses to go with you, then I do not want any ransom for him. But if he decides to stay, then I will not give him up for any amount of ransom, for he has chosen to be with me.”

What this meant was, ‘I could not force him to go with you if he decides to stay.’

However, they had no concerns about this issue because they believed that Zayd would most certainly choose to return home. Years of pain and suffering had suddenly disappeared from Harith’s soul although he had not even seen Zayd yet. At that moment, he felt as light as a feather. Moreover, the thought of taking Zayd home without even paying some kind of ransom had never crossed his mind. He could not conceal his bewilderment as he said:

“You are truly a man of conscience and you have been most kind to us.”

Harith was in shock, simply because he expected hard bargaining, and he was prepared to do anything that was required of him. In order to take Zayd home, Harith and Ka’ab would have given all their wealth without showing the slightest of hesitations.

THE MOMENT OF REUNION

Zayd arrived at the meeting place a short while later. However, he had no idea why the meeting was taking place at the Ka’ba. It was not easy being separated from your father for so many years. Zayd became quite emotional upon seeing his father and uncle standing next to the Prophet of God. Quickly, he hugged them one by one, squeezing tightly as tears began to flow from his eyes. This was a memorable moment of reunion at the Ka’ba, where they unremittingly hugged one another with affection. The emotional reunion continued for a few minutes. It was as if cold water was being poured into the hearts that had been burning with desire for so many years.

A few minutes later, the noble Messenger called Zayd and instructed him to sit down by his side. Then he asked:

“Do you recognize these people?”

Although, he had not seen them since he was eight, how could Zayd forget his beloved father and uncle? He replied:

“Yes I do…he is my father, and this is my uncle!”

Perhaps the noble Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him, had a significant purpose in asking this

Zayd: The Rose that Bloomed in Captivity 30

question. He was about to explain the reason of their arrival. It was time for Zayd to make an important decision about his future. The Prophet became quite poignant as he said:

“You know that I have been…”

He paused for a few seconds as he felt that a part of his heart was about to be torn away from him. Then he continued:

“You know that I have always been a good friend to you…”

Each word possessed an incredible amount of compassion and affection. They were aimed directly at Zayd’s heart as the Prophet struggled to speak. Then came out the sentence that he wished he could circumvent:

“You have to make a choice between them and me!”

Zayd had learned the essentials of being a human being from the Sultan of humanity, how could he walk away from such a man now? Without hesitation, he replied:

“I would choose no one over you, because you are like a father and an uncle to me!”

This was the answer that the noble Messenger expected all along; like a fountain, tears of joy began to flow down from his noble eyes. He was weeping because Zayd was like a biological son to him. He had raised him with his own hands and had developed an unbreakable bond

with him. Zayd’s reply was a confirmation of concrete loyalty and wisdom. Perhaps it was a proof that he had the potential of carrying the heavy load of his future mission. There was no doubt that Zayd possessed the aptitude to solve many difficult problems which would arise in the near future.

Both Harith and Ka’ab were in a state of shock. They did not know how to react to Zayd’s unanticipated reply. Harith gulped as he tried to suppress his emotions. He had not experienced such a shock since the day he found out about Zayd’s abduction many years ago. He could not hold himself back anymore, as he shouted:

“Shame on you Zayd! You prefer slavery to liberty and choose servanthood over your father!”

They were furious as they shouted curses at Zayd. Their stern reaction was quite understandable because they did not know the Prophet. If only they had known him… they too would remain in Mecca to lend their ears to his serene words that formed tranquility in the hearts of all those who listened. The only knowledge they had about the Prophet consisted of the information they learned from the people of Mecca.

Zayd had to come up with an explanation as Harith and Ka’ab was staring at him with bewildered eyes. So he said:

“Oh my dear father, I cannot choose anyone over this man after what he has done for me!”

What kind of a man was this that Zayd preferred over his parents? He was standing right there by their side, yet they knew nothing about him. It was their misfortune because the region of Hejaz had been shaken with the news of his arrival for so many years. For centuries, all Prophets that lived in the region had given the good tidings of Ahmad, peace and blessings be upon him.

THE DECLARATION AT THE KA’BA

The noble Messenger had one more move in reserve. He held Zayd by the hand and walked towards a large crowd from Quraysh that had gathered near the Ka’ba. As he approached them, he shouted so that they could all hear his voice:

“All of you bear witness that Zayd is my son! From this day on, he is an heir to me and I to him!”6

By now, Zayd’s father and uncle were in total shock. They did not know what to do anymore. They had no control over the surprising developments that were appearing one after another.

Slowly, they began to realize that Zayd was not a slave. In a sense, they were impressed by the compliments. Not only their boy was a free man now, but the most trustworthy man in Mecca was treating him as if he was his own son. Years of sorrow and concern had finally diminished since they now realized that Zayd had been living by the side of the Sultan of sultans. He was a contented young man because he lived a peaceful life. Perhaps, he too was on a path to becoming a sultan himself. They did

6 Abu’l-Faraj, Sifatu’s-Safwah, 1/381

Zayd: The Rose that Bloomed in Captivity

not need to be concerned about Zayd anymore. Moreover, they had no other alternative but to let him be. At least, they knew where he was now and that he was happy. Since it was a life he chose to live, they decide to leave him in Mecca and return to their village.

From that day on, Zayd would be dubbed as “Zayd Ibn Muhammad” which meant “Zayd the son of Muhammad.” This was customary amongst the Arabs of that era. Abdullah Ibn Umar sheds a light on this period of time, which he had personally witnessed;

“We called Zayd by the title ‘Zayd Ibn Muhammad’ until the Qur’anic verses, ‘Call them with their father’s name’ were revealed.”7

The father and son relationship between Muhammad and Zayd continued until the divine revelations came down. It was during this period Zayd’s master Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, began to go out of Mecca on regular basis. Sometimes he would not return for months. Perhaps, the world was expecting the birth of something new and wonderful. The eternal sun was about to rise from Mt. Hira. It would soon begin to engulf the entire planet with its sanctified rays.

Muhammad’s visits to Mt. Hira became more frequent as he reached the age of forty. On one of these occasions, Muhammad the trustworthy came back with news that would mark the beginning of a new era. As he climbed

7 Bukhari, at-Tarihu’l-Kabir, 3/379

down the mountain, all forms and species of living creatures were bowing before him in reverence. He was the Messenger of God now! Those who impatiently waited for his arrival were not disappointed as the blessed light began to rain upon their eyes.

A link had been established between the heavens and earth. Each day a new revelation came down. These were the early days when everything had a sense of originality. Zayd also had his share of honor by attaining the rank of becoming one of the first people to embrace Islam, following Khadijah, the Prophet’s wife.

One night he went to see his master. He could sense that there was something different about him. He had never seen Muhammad or Khadijah behave in such manner before. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was standing in front of Khadijah as they recited some words Zayd had never heard before. He watched them for a few minutes as they performed Ruqu and Sajdah (bowing and prostration performed during the prayer).8

As soon as they concluded their prayer, Zayd asked the noble Messenger what they were doing. The time for Zayd had arrived; the Messenger of God sat him down by his side and began to explain everything, just like a compassionate father would to his beloved son. Then he recit-

8

In the early days, prayers consisted of two Raqats (parts) and were performed twice a day, before sunrise and after sunset.

ed a few verses from the holy Qur’an and invited Zayd to Iman (embracing the faith).

Would Zayd ever turn down the request of his beloved master? He had pushed aside the desperate pleas of his parents just so he could live with him. He was overwhelmed by his good manners even before Muhammad was given the mission of Prophethood. Now, he was faced with an offer that would change his life forever and perhaps open the doors of eternal joy right before him. More importantly, the invitation came from the rose of his heart, Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. Quickly, he testified to the oneness of God and to Muhammad’s Prophethood. Straight after Khadijah and Ali, Zayd had also included himself into this sanctified caravan of faith.

From that day on, Zayd and Ali would become Muhammad’s greatest supporters on the sacred mission of inviting people to God. At the time Zayd was thirty-four.

During this time, there were verses revealed, stating that the concept of authentic fatherhood through adoption was not valid and that the titles of individuals had to be associated with their biological fathers. The verses confirmed that one would never be regarded as the real father of an adopted child. The companions of the Prophet never questioned a command that came from God. Therefore, Zayd’s titled was changed to Zayd Ibn Haritha, which meant Zayd the son of Harith. Although he was sometimes dubbed as Abu Usama - father of Usama - his title remained Zayd Ibn Haritha.

Zayd’s life had taken many drastic turns indeed. He was a free human being when a group of callous men abducted him and sold him as a slave. Now, he was once again liberated; his freedom had been given back to him. However, the last turn of events was the most significant for him. Never before, had he felt so free, because he had found the One and Only true God. He denounced all false gods and submitted to the Almighty.

Zayd, who held the highest position in regards to loyalty and spirituality, loved the Messenger of God so much that he did not hesitate to show his feelings openly at every opportunity he found. His love for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was so powerful and apparent that some gave him the title, “Hubbu Rasulallah,” which meant the love of God’s Messenger.

Race and rank had no value in Islam. What really mattered in Islam was the purity and sincerity of the heart. The time for change had arrived; therefore, the spurious values of this society had to be replaced. For this reason, impecunious individuals of the era, such as Ammar, Bilal, Habbab, Zayd, and Usama were valued like jewels in a crown. Through this behavior, Muslims practically displayed the fact that all human beings were equal before God. For Muslims, equality was not just a slogan but a reality of life.

Following the great migration to Medina, the noble Messenger of God, declared Zayd and his biological uncle

Hamza as brothers. Zayd was announced as a brother to the Prophet’s beloved uncle.

The noble Messenger of God was gradually abolishing the falsehood of the era of ignorance through physical practice. They lived in a time where once a person had been branded with the seal of slavery, it could not be removed. Moreover, nobles and wealthy individuals sharing the same environment with those who were poor or slaves was unspeakable.

ZAYD’S MISSION AT BADR

The battle of Badr was an important cornerstone for Islam. During this confrontation of the utmost significance, Zayd would prove himself by pleasing the noble Messenger of God. Many years of effort used up on Zayd had not gone to waste. This was the first time the Prophet and his companions would breathe in comfort. For many years, they had been subjected to harassments, insults, and tortures, yet permission to fight had not been granted by God. This was the day of reckoning. God had finally given them permission to defend themselves. It was time to strike a blow onto the ruthless arm of the nonbeliever. At last, faith had prevailed over tyranny, and the Prophet’s army attained victory over falsehood.

Immediately after the battle, the good news had to be conveyed to the people of Medina. The noble Messenger appointed Zayd Ibn Haritha and Abdullah Ibn Rawaha to this mission. These two names would be honored with the commandership of a future army which would be sent to the battle of Muta.

Quickly, they rode to Medina. As they announced the victory at Badr with excitement, they declared the deaths of prominent Quraysh leaders such as Utba, Shayba, and Abu Jahl.

The news was implausible; these notorious individuals who were defeated at Badr had always overpowered

Zayd: The Rose that Bloomed in Captivity 40

anyone that confronted them, and their wishes were people’s commands. The news had formed a chilling shock amongst those whose hearts had been darkened with enmity. If everything they heard was true, then the infamous tyrants of Quraysh would not be returning to Mecca anymore. Tyranny was about to be buried into history along with those who carried it like an adornment. In those days, news such as this was hard to swallow; Usama the son of Zayd became the people’s voice when he asked: “Oh my dear father…is it really true!”

Zayd stroked his son’s head with compassion and explained, commencing with an oath: “By God, I have spoken the truth my son!”

Neither the people of Medina nor Mecca could believe their ears. They were all in a state of shock as the famous poet, Ka’ab Ibn Ashraf quickly stood up and shouted: “Is this true? Did Muhammad really defeat those men you mention?”

He could not comprehend the fact that the Quraysh had lost so many significant men. He kept on repeating the words: “How could this be …how could this be?”

Then he continued:

“They are the nobles of the Arabs and leaders of their people. If Muhammad had indeed defeated them, then without doubt, a place under the ground is more blessed than on top.”10

He was displaying his disappointment as he became hysterical upon hearing the news.

10 Taberi, Tarihu’t-Taberi, 2/52

COMMANDER ZAYD

The unsurpassed loyalty displayed by Zayd prior to the advent of Islam continued throughout the period in which divine verses were revealed. Zayd never left the side of the Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him, during this holy period in which the revelations continued to rain upon them. He would relay all the new revelations conveyed by the noble Messenger to the rest of the believers and explained to them what they meant as described by the Prophet.

Following the loss conceded at Badr, the Quraysh had changed their route of trade. The unexpected loss had sent fear into their hearts. At the same time, their hearts were burning with vengeance. They were using every opportunity to secretly plan for another battle. Caravans were prepared to collect the necessary equipment they would need for the new battle. The Prophet was aware of the new developments. Frequently, he conducted small military expeditions to take control of the situations. Zayd was the commander of one of these expeditions. He took his men to the region of Najid to obstruct a caravan carrying goods to Mecca. The mission was a success; Zayd and his men took control over the caravan and its cargo, and the men protecting the caravan had fled. There was

significant amount of silver amongst the goods that Zayd had brought back to Medina.11

Zayd had a unique ability to solve the most difficult of problems; therefore the noble Messenger utilized this loyal Companion at special missions. At the battle of Badr, Zaynab’s husband Abu’l As was captured. Although he was also the Prophet’s son-in-law, he had never embraced Islam. He was released with the condition that the Meccans release the daughter of the Prophet. According to the agreement, upon his return to Mecca, Abu’l As would send Zaynab, whom he was married to at the time, back to her father. Thus a Muslim woman would no longer be living with a man who had not chosen Islam.

Once again, the duty of bringing back the Prophet’s daughter, Zaynab from Mecca was given to Zayd Ibn Haritha. The brother of Abu’l As remained loyal to the agreement. He had prepared a camel and placed Zaynab on it, and then he took her to a location outside of Mecca. However, things did not run as he had planned because the Quraysh had found out about the agreement and caught up with them. They believed that releasing the daughter of their archenemy, especially in daylight, would bring shame upon them.

Abu’l As had given his word to the Prophet. He also had his own brother’s oath that the terms of the agreement would be met. Meanwhile, Zayd Ibn Haritha and his friends were waiting at a location near Mecca to take Zaynab back

to Medina. However, the Quraysh had not forgotten their embarrassing defeat at Badr. They were not about to let go of Zaynab that easily. So they opposed her release sternly. Verbal arguments that broke amongst them had quickly turned into pushing and shoving. During the heated quarrel, Zaynab fell from her mount. At the time, she was pregnant, and the impact of the fall had caused an internal bleeding. Zaynab lost her baby sometime after the incident.

As the dispute continued, it began to get out of control. This was a serious situation because blood split here would trigger an ongoing conflict amongst the local tribes. Finally, the issue would be solved by a future Muslim, Abu Sufyan, who was the Chieftain of the Quraysh at the time. Mecca was in mourning, and releasing Muhammad’s daughter at a time like this was not a good idea. So Abu Sufyan suggested:

“Return to your homes now and wait for a few days until things calm down in Mecca. Then one night, you can leave Mecca and entrust Zaynab to whomever you wish!”

Everyone agreed to the solution. A few days later, they left Mecca at night and handed Zaynab over to Zayd Ibn Haritha and his men so that she may be taken to Medina.12

A man who was a slave not long ago, was now being assigned to the most critical duties and given significant missions by the noble Prophet himself.

12 Hakim, Mustadrak, 4/45 (6835)

Zayd: The Rose that Bloomed in Captivity

Zayd displayed so much loyalty and fidelity that according to the testimony of Salamah Ibn Akwan, the noble Messenger appointed him as the commander in all of his military expeditions. The other companions would be asked to follow the leadership of Zayd. Salamah once said:

“I have participated in seven military expeditions with the noble Messenger. I was also involved in another seven and on each occasion, the noble Messenger, peace and blessing be upon him, appointed Zayd as our commander.”13

Our mother Aisha had also pointed to this fact when she stated:

“Whenever there was a security threat, the noble Messenger of God prepared a military expedition and appointed Zayd as the commander. He would be given the mission to lead those who were wealthy and free.”14

Once again, according to Aisha’s testimony, if Zayd had been alive following the Prophet’s death, the noble Prophet would have preferred him to be the Caliph of the Muslims. He would have asked his companions to obey Zayd.15 Once the noble Messenger stated:

“Zayd is the most blessed leader of military expeditions because he distributes with justice and treats his men with integrity.”16

13 Hakim, Mustadrak, 3/241 (4961)

14 Zahabi, Siyeru A’lami’n-Nubela, 1/228

15 Zahabi, Siyeru A’lami’n-Nubela, 1/228

16 Hakim, Mustadrak, 3/238 (4955)

Zayd was a renowned archer and a brave soldier. At every gathering, the noble Messenger declared his love for Zayd. When the noble Prophet led the military expedition of Muraysi, he left Zayd behind at Medina as the Minister of State, representing the Prophet.17

At the same time, the noble Prophet was a good judge of the future. He continuously prepared people for the changes by providing information that would satisfy the minds of those who may have found it hard to accept the leadership of Zayd. In relation to Zayd, he had made the following statements;

“Zayd is the most blessed leader of military expeditions because he distributes with justice and treats his men with integrity.”18

“Do not criticize us for the love we have towards Zayd.”19

“Oh Zayd! You are my friend. You are of me and you are closer to me than my own self. You are the most beloved of my tribe.”20

17 Abu’l-Faraj, Sifatu’s-Safwah, 1/382

18

Hakim, Mustadrak, 3/238 (4955)

19 Hakim, Mustadrak, 3/238 (4954)

20 Bukhari, al-Tarih al-Kabir, 1/19

ZAYD AS A FAMILY MAN

The distance Zayd had covered since the time he first met the Prophet was incredible. When the master of all masters was explaining what he had witnessed during his Mi’raj, he mentioned seeing a beautiful maiden wandering in Paradise. He asked Angel Gabriel who she had belonged to, and the angel replied:

“She belongs to Zayd Ibn Haritha! This was the unique quality of Zayd that would draw the envy of others. The noble Prophet conveyed the good tidings of Paradise to Zayd, upon his return.”21

Zayd was so close to the Prophet of God, peace and blessings be upon him, that the noble messenger would frequently use Zayd as a role model to abolish certain superstitions that remained from the days of ignorance. It was a process during which concepts that had no foundations in Islam had to be removed one by one from the minds of the members of society. They had to be replaced with universal humanitarian values and ethics.

Although Zayd was emancipated from slavery, people in general assumed that liberated slaves could never attain

the social status of a free individual. The noble Messenger had destroyed this belief by taking Zayd next to him and declaring him as a brother to his uncle Hamza following the great migration. Society had to be purified of such baseless beliefs. Hence, the changes that came down with Divine Revelations were put to action by the noble Messenger himself. Through such action, the noble Messenger established acceptance of the new rules brought by religion.

Forming barriers between human beings and distinguishing people by social status was a common practice in the era of ignorance. Those who considered themselves nobles would not even sit down to converse with the poor. They used this tradition as an excuse to distance themselves even from the Prophet of God. They said they would sit down to talk with the Prophet only if he distanced himself from people like Ammar, Bilal, and Habbab.22 These taboos needed to be broken so that all human beings could to be treated and valued as human beings regardless of social status.

For this reason, the noble Messenger of God arranged the marriage of Zayd Ibn Haritha to Zaynab Bint Jahsh, who was the daughter of the Prophet’s aunt. In those days, such marriages were unacceptable. How could a noble Meccan woman marry an emancipated slave? His freedom had no significance because they would never be equals. Those who heard the news could not give any 22 Sahih Muslim, 4/1878(2413)

meaning to it. It was unacceptable to them, an opinion caused by ignorance. However, this way of thinking was just another false idol that had to be brought down, and once again Zayd would play a major role in the process.

The day had arrived, and the marriage was performed. With this marriage, the noble Messenger had struck another blow to the foundations of bigotry and ignorance.

This was the end of another falsehood that had its roots in the heart of society for a long time. Unfortunately, the marriage emitted signs of failure right from the beginning. Perhaps, coming from different cultures and backgrounds caused the ongoing disputes they were having between them. It was obvious that this marriage would not last. Perhaps, ending it was a good idea before things had gotten totally out of control.

In order to find a solution, there was only one place to go, so they both came to the Prophet and explained their problems and concerns. They both wanted a suitable solution. It was in their intention to obtain divorce through mutual understanding. They had visited the Prophet on a number of occasions, and each time they came to him, he asked them to be patient and advised them to approach each other with a little more understanding. However, they had made their decision and separation was inevitable, so one day, they came together and announced their divorce.

However, destiny had another surprise in store for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Following the

Zayd: The Rose that Bloomed in Captivity

cooling period designated by Islamic rulings in relation to marriages, God himself would order the Prophet to take Zaynab as a partner. Zaynab explained this reality to the other mothers of believers with the following statement;

“You were all wed by your families, but my marriage contract took place beyond the seven heavens.”23

Zaynab Bint Jahsh’s statement was supported with the following divine verses: …when Zayd had come to the end of his union with her, We united you with her in marriage …”24

Zayd had entered into a marriage contract which was performed in the name of abolishing an archaic tradition. Once again, by divorcing Zaynab, Zayd had brought down another idol of falsehood. This was an occasion where another wrong was being corrected through Zayd. His marriage to Zaynab Bint Jahsh had produced two important lessons.

Following Zaynab’s marriage to the noble Messenger, hypocrites quickly began a smear campaign against the Prophet claiming that he married the wife of his own son. The holy Qur’an answered their indecent accusation with a verse mentioning Zayd’s name. The Qur’an was declared that once couples had officially divorced, there was no wrong in marrying the ex-wife of your adopted son.

What kind of a virtue and honor was this? Amongst all the companions of the Prophet, Zayd was the only person whose name was mentioned in the Qur’an. In the Qur’anic verses that explained this incident, the Almighty emphasized the significant role this noble companion had played in abolishing certain concepts from the society. Perhaps, the Almighty wanted him to be remembered through the recitation of the holy Qur’an until the Day of Judgment.

Later on, the noble Messenger arranged the marriage of Zayd to Ummu Ayman, who had been in the family since the time of the Prophet’s birth.25

Before long, the marriage produced another future commander by the name of Usama. From that day on, Zayd would be celebrated by the title of Abu Usama, meaning Usama’s father.

However, Zayd’s test with Usama began soon after his birth. A few people claimed that the baby did not look like his father and alleged that Usama was not his son. Their words also carried an appalling insult aimed at such a virtuous woman as Ummu Ayman. The rumors had also reached the ears of the noble Prophet, who was extremely saddened by the whole affair. He intervened with the following statement:

25 Ummu Ayman looked after the Prophet since he was a baby. She was a slave who had been emancipated following the Prophet’s birth, but she refused to leave the Prophet’s family.

“Without doubt, the child belongs to his mother’s bed.”26

One day, Zayd and his son were sleeping under a piece of cloth they used for covering their bodies. The cloth was not big enough to cover their feet. At that point, a man called Mujazziz al-Mudlejee came along. He was an expert in the science of heredity. He looked at the feet which were sticking out of the cloth for awhile, then said:

“There is no doubt, these two feet belong to the lineage of the other two.”

He had not seen Zayd’s or Usama’s face. Yet, through detailed analyses of their feet, he concluded that the child was Zayd’s son. The noble Messenger became quite joyful by the news. This was a solid proof for those who intended to produce confusion through evil seditions. The noble Messenger came home and passed on the news to his family members. Aisha, the mother of Muslims greeted the Prophet. He was so happy that as he explained what had happened, his face shone like the moon.27

Following Usama’s birth, the noble Messenger frequently visited the home of Zayd Ibn Haritha. Ummu Ayman knew how much the Prophet loved Zayd. For this reason, she would frequently bring little Usama to the

26 Sahih Muslim, 2/1081 (1458)

27 Ibn Abdilbarr, Istiab, 4/1461

Prophet and asked him to make a prayer when he took him into his arms. Sometimes, Usama visited the Prophet with Hasan and Hussein. As the Prophet embraced his grandsons with affection, he would also embrace Usama with love. One by one, they sat on his lap whilst he stroked their hair.

THE LEGEND OF MUTA AND A ROAD THAT LED TO MARTYRDOM

As days went by one after the other, there were those whose eyes had been blinded by the sun that had risen from the region of Hejaz. It was a period in which the number of enemies grew along with the expansion of Islam. This time, there was a great threat from the north. In the early days of Islam, Muslims were insignificant to the powerful kingdom of Byzantium. However, the rapid spread of Islam began to create great concern as the Byzantines believed it would change the balance of powers in the region. They had to act swiftly in order to protect their interests in the region. Unless they found a quick solution, their authority in the region would decline because it would also mean losing a significant amount of gold and silver they collected as tax.

Finally, the decision was made. The Byzantine Empire had its eyes focused on Medina. Eight years after the great migration, the Kingdom of Byzantium prepared a great army and headed towards Medina. The noble Messenger was informed of the developments. Quickly, he began a campaign of his own in Medina. There was no other alternative but to send forces that would confront

this powerful Byzantine army. They had to show them that a Muslim equipped with faith would not be an easy prey.

It was a great blessing that Zayd was the initial commander of the army leaving for the region of Muta. The noble Messenger had appointed him to lead an army that consisted of people like Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali.

The noble Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him, knew that this particular battle carried the utmost significance. All concerns aside, there was a great imbalance in the numbers of the forces. The Byzantine army was marching towards them with 100,000 men whilst Muslims were no more than 3,000. There was also a significant difference in weaponry and equipment. The unevenness was so apparent that never before had history recorded such an apparent unevenness in battle. However, this was a battle between those who were on the path of the righteous and those who struggled in fallacy. How could there be equity? There had been an imbalance in all the previous battles that the believers had to encounter. History suggested that societies who possessed quality had always prevailed over societies that valued quantity. These loyal servants of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, had always shown that the Lord’s Grace came first.

The difference in numbers at Muta was quite obvious, yet those who had dedicated themselves to the path of the Almighty tried desperately to close the immense gap

The Legend of Muta and a Road that Led to Martyrdom 57

that existed between the two armies. The noble Messenger had created an army by choosing his commanders from companions who were pious worshippers during the nights and audacious leaders during the days. In doing so, he perfectly balanced the scales of this world and the world after. This is why he said:

“Today, you shall obey Zayd Ibn Haritha!”

The commander of this difficult battle was appointed. However, the noble Messenger had not completed his sentence yet:

“If he is to be martyred, then Ja’far Ibn Abu Talib shall take the banner!”

It was obvious that the situation was a serious one. Those who had wisdom realized that Zayd would not return from Muta. However, the noble Prophet continued:

“If Ja’far is also martyred, then Abdullah Ibn Rawaha shall take the banner!”

This meant that martyrdom was not limited to Zayd. Perhaps, it was normal to assume that some soldiers would be martyred during a battle, but the possibility of three commanders being martyred was unusual. This was a clear sign that Muta would be their greatest challenge.

The noble Messenger had appointed three significant commanders to this battle. All of them were people who had already sacrificed themselves for God. They would

serve God until their last breaths, and if martyrdom was written in their destiny, they would have embraced it with affection.

The interesting thing about the whole issue was the appointment of Zayd as the primary commander. Ja’far, who would carry the banner after Zayd, was the son of the Prophet’s uncle. The tradition in those days was that if there was a relative in the squad, he would be chosen as the leader. However, Islam was there to change these concepts and remove customs that had no foundation in the Qur’an. Islam was bringing a new understanding to this society. This was another incident in which custom was amended through the noble Zayd Ibn Haritha. As Zayd was preparing to set sail towards martyrdom, once again, he became the focus of attention in the process of bringing down another taboo.

At the same time, distribution of duty in such manner also meant foreseeing the future and taking certain precautions. Without doubt, a confusion rising regarding leadership during the battle would have been quite costly. It was imperative that the soldiers knew who to obey in a situation where their commander was martyred.

Finally, the army left Medina. They marched all the way to a location called Muta, situated at the border of modern Jordan. The Byzantine forces had also marched all the way down from the north. Before long the two armies met. One early morning, swords were drawn, and the time to write history for Muslims arrived.

Once the battle had commenced, the question of who had the greater power began to be answered. All of the appointed commanders fought on the frontlines. Undeniably, this was the most challenging battle that Muslims had to face. It was Zayd who carried the banner at the frontline. He was fighting vigorously and gallantly as he broke through the enemy lines. Those who witnessed Zayd’s bravery were also encouraged. By this time, Zayd was in his own world and did not even notice that he was surrounded by enemy soldiers. He kept on pushing his way through the enemy lines. With every step he took forward, a new door opened towards the paradise that passionately awaited him.

Muta was a tough battle indeed. Zayd received several significant injuries. His body was pierced by a number of spears. He could not hold on anymore. As the noble Messenger ordered, the time to pass on the banner to Ja’far had arrived. Before long, Zayd’s life that flourished by the side of the noble Prophet, came to an end. He had left behind an unforgettable display of gallantry at Muta. Zayd had become a martyr. 28

Zayd was blessed with martyrdom at the age of fiftyfive. He had been with the Prophet since he was nineteen, and now the time of separation had finally arrived. Thirty-six years of togetherness was coming to a temporary end because before long, he would be reunited with

Zayd: The Rose that Bloomed in Captivity

his beloved Prophet to begin an eternal life that was impossible to describe.29

The continuing battle was not easy; they were lacking in equipment and each Muslim soldier had to fight against 30-40 enemy soldiers. Muta was a place where history was made and legends were born.

From that point on, the noble Prophet’s cousin Ja’far took the centre of stage. Just as Zayd, he too charged forward into the enemy lines. He looked so intrepid that every enemy soldier Ja’far attacked tried to move out of his path. However, there was no balance in the numbers, so if the Muslims evaded one trap, they were caught in the next. At first, a blow came onto his arm that carried the banner. His arm had been amputated. Quickly he grabbed the banner with his other hand. As he struggled to hold the banner high, as blows were coming from all directions. Before long, Ja’far also grew his wings and flew after Zayd.

His extraordinary gallantry and self-sacrificing loyalty was noted by the noble Messenger of God with the following statement:

“God has granted him two wings, in replacement of the two arms he had lost. Now he is walking gracefully in paradise.”30

29 8 years of Zayd’s life passed with his family. The rest of his 47 years passed next to the Prophet. Zayd was introduced to Islam at the age of 34. The last 26 years of his life passed in the service of Islam. 30 Taberi, Tarihu’t-Taberi, 2/151

Following Ja’far’s martyrdom, Abdullah had taken the responsibility of carrying the banner. He began to recite poems in order to boost the morale of his soldiers as he robustly swung his sword towards the enemy. Abdullah envied the previous two commanders who had freed themselves from the burdens of worldly life to attain martyrdom. They had reached the highest of all ranks and set sail to eternity. Being wishful was one thing, but being granted martyrdom was another.

At one point during the battle, Rawaha’s cousin brought Abdullah a piece of meat. As he offered the food, he said:

“This will give you strength, you have faced many difficulties today…you seem exhausted.”

As Abdullah reached out for the food, fresh clashes had broken out on the frontlines. How could a close companion of the Prophet who had learned everything from the noble master think of himself during a battle in which lives were hanging by a thread? Quickly he turned towards the location of the combat without getting a chance to take a bite out of the food that was offered to him. There was great confusion on the frontlines. With an attitude that carried a sense of envy towards the previous commanders, he ran to the frontlines. Abdullah mumbled to himself as he disappeared into the crowd:

“You are still alive!”31

He ran towards the enemy as if he was running to his wedding. Before long, Abdullah was also martyred. 31 Taberi, Tarihu’t-Taberi, 2/151

THE TESTIMONY IN MEDINA

Meanwhile, back in Medina the noble Messenger was explaining everything that was occurring at Muta as if he were beholding it then and there. He said to those who were present:

“Zayd had the banner. He fought gallantly and became a martyr. Then Ja’far took the banner and also fought valiantly. Then he was also martyred.”

Now it was Abdullah Ibn Rawaha’s turn, but the noble Messenger had ceased talking. At one point, the Ansar, the people of Medina, became concerned. They were curious about the situation of Abdullah, who also belonged to Ansar. Had he done something that displeased the Prophet? A short while after, the noble Prophet made a statement that removed all doubt from their minds:

“And then, Abdullah Ibn Rawaha took the banner. He also fought courageously. Then he was also martyred.”

There were also good tidings for these brave souls who had given all they had, for the sake of God. The noble Messenger of God continued by saying:

“At this very moment, the veil has been removed from my eyes. I see them in Paradise sitting on golden thrones.”32

One by one, he mentioned their virtues. Then he raised his hands high above and began to pray:

“Oh Lord! Have mercy on Zayd! Have mercy on Zayd! Have mercy on Zayd! Have mercy on Ja’far! Have mercy on Abdullah Ibn Rawaha!”33

At this point, the noble Messenger noticed a man running towards them. It was Ya’la Ibn Umayya, who came back from Muta. He had brought news from the battle. As the noble Messenger became aware of his anxious and concerned approach, he said:

“You tell me if you wish, or let me tell you.”34 He was the noble Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him, hence Ya’la replied:

“You tell us Oh noble Messenger of God!”

Then the Prophet of God began to explain everything that had taken place at the battle of Muta. He had described it in such detail that Ya’la could not hold himself back anymore. He said:

“I swear by the One who has sent you amongst us, you have explained everything that had occurred

32 Haysame, Majmau’z-Zawaid, 6/160

33 Zahabi, Siyeru A’lâmi’n-Nubala, 1/229

34 Suyuti, al-Hasaisu’l-Kubra, 1/430-431

without leaving out the slightest detail. It happened exactly the way you have described it.”

Once again, the noble Messenger replied:

“God raised the veil from my eyes and brought the battle before me. I have witnessed everything that occurred there.”35

This was a miracle of God performed by the Prophet. He had shown those who were present that distances did not matter to him. If God willed, he would be informed. These incidents carried an admonition for those who possessed wisdom.

There was grief in Medina. It seemed that things were not going well. The three commanders that the noble Messenger had selected were martyred in the order that they had been appointed.

However, the darkest point of the night indicated the proximity of dawn. It was in God’s glory to create relief after hardship, and this would evidently present itself at Muta. Without doubt, the banner that was passed on from Zayd Ibn Haritha to Abdullah Ibn Rawaha would eventually be picked up by one of the swords of God. This sword belonged to Khaled Ibn Walid, who would have his signature of victory at the bottom of each battle he entered following Muta.

THE PROPHET’S GRIEF

Although they had reunited with the Eternal Friend, the noble Prophet felt great sorrow in his heart for those who had lost their lives at the battle of Muta. He had forty-three years of friendship with Zayd. Of course, this temporary separation did not mean that they would never see each other again. Since time and space could not come between those who were brothers in both worlds. No obstacle could prevent them from seeing each other. A life beyond death was certain, and the physical separation experienced in this life was only a temporary one. The sorrow felt by the Prophet was quite natural. Perhaps, he was thinking about those who were left behind and the scars they would possibly carry in their souls.

Before everyone, the noble Prophet had confirmed the martyrdom of Zayd and the other commanders. The martyrdom of those who had fallen on the path of God was very important for the Messenger and his Lord. Following the testimony of martyrdom, the noble Prophet stood up to perform the funeral prayer.

They all had a different place in the Prophet’s heart, but Zayd’s rank was a unique one. From the first day they met, Zayd had shown that he was a sincere friend and a loyal servant. Even before the Divine Revelations began to be

revealed, he had chosen the Prophet over his own parents. Soon after the Qur’anic revelations began to come down, he came to the Prophet and submitted to faith. He was like the right hand of the Prophet. He knew what the Prophet wanted even before words flowed out of his noble mouth. Through Zayd, the noble Messenger had placed fear into the hearts of his enemies, and it was Zayd who had constantly destroyed the plans of those who wished to assassinate the noble Prophet. Today, it was Zayd’s day. He had given his life for God’s sake and in return he walked graciously towards the promised Paradise.

Neither the intensity of the battle nor the ferocity of the Byzantine army bothered him anymore. He was walking proudly through the magnificent greens of the everlasting Paradise. This was an eternal reunion for Zayd. The Prophet of God emphasized this reality with his noble words:

“Ask God's forgiveness for him, for without doubt, he is currently walking in Paradise.”36

Following Zayd’s martyrdom, the noble Messenger of God visited his home. Upon seeing the Prophet, Zayd’s little girl quickly ran into his arms. She wept passionately. She knew that her father would not return home anymore, but she also knew that there was always someone there to care for them. Zayd’s little daughter found peace and tranquility each time she came near the Prophet. However, she

had mixed emotions on this occasion. It was as if she was crying and smiling at the same time. Her little heart needed sympathy. She stared at the Prophet’s noble face with an expression that was looking for a reaction.

This was a heart burning scene. It was difficult to explain to a tiny mind the significance of giving your life to attain martyrdom. How could he delineate the significance of Paradise and the honor of beholding God to her tender mind? However, this was a vision that also needed to be inserted into the minds of children.

The noble Messenger could no longer hold back his tears in such an emotional atmosphere. He began to weep so loudly that his cries could be heard from a distance. It was as if volcanoes were erupting in him. At that point, Sa’d Ibn Ubada, who was standing next to the Prophet, asked why he had shed so many tears. His question was valid because he had heard previously from the Prophet that it was not appropriate to weep so much for the dead since they had attained eternal peace. This was the right opportunity to find out what the Prophet meant by his previous statement. As the noble Messenger regained his composure, he replied:

“This is the longing of one lover for the other.”

Yes, Zayd was the only person known as the beloved companion of the Prophet. Each time the word beloved was mentioned. Zayd would come to mind. 37

Abu’l-Faraj, Sifatu’s-Safwah, 1/382

MEMORIES THAT LEFT THEIR MARK

Years had gone by but Zayd was not forgotten. Muhammad the Messenger of God, the most noble of all human beings, could not forget the wonderful days he had with Zayd. He would say to those who were jealous of his love for Zayd:

“Do not criticize us for the love we have for Zayd.”38

Zayd’s greatest gift to the Prophet was his son Usama. Just like his father, he grew up to become a dedicated young man who would serve the Prophet and his cause. Everything about him reminded the Prophet of his father. He was living a full life, and just like his father, he possessed a unique aptitude for solving problems.

Usama was following the footsteps of his father. The noble Prophet would utilize this talent in the most appropriate manner. Zayd’s son Usama would also become a gallant leader and a valiant commander. Unfortunately, the dispute that occurred during his father’s assignment

would repeat itself when Usama was entrusted with a similar duty.

When rumors began to spread regarding Usama’s new duty as the commander of the army, the noble Messenger reminded those who were displeased with the decision about the mistakes they had made in the past:

“Those of you who are displeased with his commandership had previously displayed the same attitude towards his father.”

The Prophet seemed eager and decisive as he spoke on the matter. It was obvious that he was about to teach all those present a lesson they would never forget. He continued, referring to Zayd:

“By God! He was a worthy commander. Amongst human beings, he was the most beloved one for me.”

With this statement, the noble Messenger had totally removed any possible misconceptions about Zayd. Now, it was time to take care of the present. He wanted to put a stop to unnecessary disputes once and for all. This time, referring to Usama, he said:

“After Zayd, he is the most beloved human being for me.”39

The noble Messenger wished to show the people that just as with Zayd, he also had total confidence in Usama 39 Zahabi, Siyeru A’lami’n-Nubala, 1/227

as a commander. This was a prophetic statement that would finally be embedded into the minds of those who had doubts. There was no question about it, the Prophet trusted Usama just as he trusted his father Zayd. For this reason, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, prepared to leave this transient world behind, he appointed Usama to lead his army. In doing so, he would remove even the slightest stains that may have been left over from the days of ignorance for good. Finally, the tiniest spots of darkness in the minds of some individuals were brightened by the Prophet’s remarks.

UMAR’S SENSITIVITY

Following the death of the noble Prophet, Usama preserved his rank in the community. All the successive Caliphs acknowledged and valued Usama.

After the death of Abu Bakr, Umar became the new Caliph. It is a known fact that each Caliph wished to attain the pleasure of God, and they all served for this cause only. However, Umar had a unique sensitivity towards the issue of justice. When he dealt with people, he always thought of the Messenger’s perspective and tried to conduct his business in a parallel manner.

According to Umar’s son Abdullah Ibn Umar, on one occasion when Umar Ibn Khattab distributed the gains of war, he gave 3,500 Dirhams to Usama and gave 3,000 Dirhams to his own son Abdullah. Abdullah wanted to know why he was given 500 Dirhams less than Usama and asked his father Umar the reason behind this:

“Why do you rank Usama higher than me by giving him a larger portion of the share? I have participated in all the battles that he has been in. There is no difference between us.”

It was obvious that even Ibn Umar, who had reached the peak of knowledge, had missed an important point

Zayd: The Rose that Bloomed in Captivity

here. This was a perspective that Umar Ibn Khattab never disregarded. He took his son aside and explained:

“My dear son, I know that the Messenger of God loved Zayd more than he loved me. Without doubt, he loved Usama more than he loved you. So in this case, I choose the love of the Prophet over my own.”40

IN CONCLUSION

Zayd was young, innocent boy who became a victim of the customs of ignorance when he was enslaved at such a tender age. The chains of slavery were placed on his neck, and he was forcefully dragged away from his parents and hometown.

However, there was a Divine reason for this. Something that appear to be evil on the surface can be a blessing in disguise. Divine wisdom allowed them to occur because they led to wonderful results that human beings could not perceive. Conceivably, if Zayd had not gone through this ordeal, he may have not found the chance to meet the master of all masters. Even if he had met him through other means, would he have been his beloved companion?

Perhaps, one has to become a victim of Divine wisdom in order to achieve greatness. What else could Zayd have done in a situation where he was trapped in the middle of a conflict between the clans of Banu Qayn and Banu Ma’n? Maybe, he could have used the limited wealth of his father to become a merchant and would have lived and died as one of them. Consequently, he would have been forgotten soon after his death. How about now?

Many centuries later, people still weep upon the mentioning of his name. His story continues to be told with envy. Such a noble life was a result of a bitter fruit that destiny had offered him early in life. Could he have attained such a rank any other way if he had stayed with his parents?

The bitter fruit that was offered to Zayd had transformed him into a role model for the people of ignorance. He became an Imam who removed many taboos from this society and replaced them with the beautiful practices of Islam.

This means that those who wish to obtain a place by the side of God and His Messenger should be looking for the same kind of fruit that was offered to Zayd Ibn Haritha so that they can achieve their goals. Otherwise, the achievement of those who prefer their hometown to the path that leads to Mecca can only be as large as their hometown.

As the noble Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him, suggested, we should not remain on the losing path through focusing our eyes on the wealth of this world when the migration to God and His beloved Messenger stands before us.

REFERENCES

1. Zahabi, Siyeru A’lami’n-Nubala, 1/220

2. The Holy Qur’an explains the seriousness of the issue so that humanity can learn a lesson from it. (Surah: Nahl, 16/58, 59)

3. Hakim, Mustadrak, 3/236

4. Abu’l-Faraj, Sifatu’s-Safwah, 1/378

5. Abu’l-Faraj, Sifatu’s-Safwah, 1/380

6. Ibn Abdilbarr, Istiab, 2/544

7. Abu’l-Faraj, Sifatu’s-Safwah, 1/381

8. Bukhari, at-Tarihu’l-Kabir, 3/379

9. In the early days, prayers consisted of two units and were performed twice a day, before sunrise and after sunset.

10. Haysame, Majmau’z-Zawaid, 8/171

11. Tabari, Tarihu’t-Tabari, 2/52

12. Ibn Hibban, es-Sikat, 1/219

13. Ibn Hisham, es-Siratu’n-Nabawiyya, 4/56

14. Hakim, Mustadrak, 4/45 (6835)

15. Hakim, Mustadrak, 3/241 (4961)

16. Zahabi, Siyeru A’lami’n-Nubela, 1/228

17. Zahabi, Siyeru A’lami’n-Nubela, 1/228

18. Hakim, Mustadrak, 3/238 (4955)

19. Abu’l-Faraj, Sifatu’s-Safwah, 1/382

20. Hakim, Mustadrak, 3/238 (4955)

21. Hakim, Mustadrak, 3/238 (4954)

22. Bukhari, at-Tarihu’l-Kabir, 1/19

23. Zahabi, Siyerü A’lami’n-Nubela, 1/230

24. Sahih Muslim, 4/1878(2413)

Zayd: The Rose that Bloomed in Captivity

25. Sahih Bukhari, 6/2699 (6984)

26. Qur’an, Ahzab, 33/37

27. Ummu Ayman looked after the Prophet since he was a baby. She was a slave who had been emancipated following the Prophet’s birth, but she refused to leave the Prophet’s family.

28. Sahih Muslim, 2/1081 (1458)

29. Ibn Abdilbarr, Istiab, 4/1461

30. Sahihu Ibn Hibban, 15/522 (7048)

31. 8 years of Zayd’s life passed with his family. The rest of his 47 years passed next to the Prophet. Zayd was introduced to Islam at the age of 34. The last 26 years of his life passed in the service of Islam.

32. Tabari, Tarihu’t-Tabari, 2/151

33. Tabari, Tarihu’t-Tabari, 2/151

34. Haysame, Majmau’z-Zawaid, 6/160

35. Zahabi, Siyeru A’lâmi’n-Nubela, 1/229

36. Suyuti, al-Hasaisu’l-Kubra, 1/430-431

37. Suyuti, al-Hasaisu’l-Kubra, 1/431

38. Zahabi, Siyeru A’lami’n-Nubela, 1/229

39. Abu’l-Faraj, Sifatu’s-Safwah, 1/382

40. Hakim, Mustadrak, 3/238 (4954)

41. Zahabi, Siyeru A’lami’n-Nubela, 1/227

42. Sunanu’t-Tirmizi, 5/675 (3813)