Demise of the Head Chieftain of the Ansar and Reality of the Bounties of Paradise — Seal of the Prophets Vol. 2
Introduction
In this discourse from The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) details the historical events and scholarly insights surrounding Demise of the Head Chieftain of the Ansar and Reality of the Bounties of Paradise.
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: XI – Treachery of the Banu Quraizah and the End of the Jews in Madinah, Laws of Marriage and Divorce
Pages: Book pp. 507–509 (PDF pp. 531–533)
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: [Account of Banu Quraizah and Non-Muslim Historians] | Next: [Reality of the Bounties of Paradise] »
Historical Account
not improve, and it was during this particular time that the account of Banū Quraiẓah took place as well, due to which he was made to endure extreme hardship and fatigue, and his illness deteriorated even further. During these very days, one night, Sa‘dra supplicated with great emotion:
“O My Lord! You know well the intense desire in my heart to partake in Jihād to defend Your religion in the face of that nation who has rejected Your Messenger and exiled him from his homeland. O My Master! I perceive that war has now come to an end between the Quraish and ourselves. However, if in Your estimation there is still more conflict, then grant me enough respite that I may strive in Your cause through Jihād against them; but if our fighting them has come to an end, I no longer desire to live, let me die a martyr.”
It is narrated that the very same night, the wound of Sa‘dra tore open and there was so much blood loss that it began to flow out of the tent. When people rushed into the tent with concern, the condition of Sa‘dra had seriously deteriorated. Finally, in this very state, Sa‘dra breathed his last.
[Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābul-Maghāzī, Bābu Marja‘in-Nabiyyisa Minal-Aḥzābi….., Ḥadīth No. 4122]
The Holy Prophetsa was deeply saddened by the demise of Sa‘dra. Undoubtedly, in light of the circumstances of that era, the demise of Sa‘dra was a loss which could not be compensated. Sa‘dra almost possessed the same status among the Ansār which Abū Bakr Ṣiddīqra possessed among the Muhājirīn. In his sincerity, in his sacrifice, in his service of Islām, in his love for the Holy Prophetsa, this individual possessed such a lofty rank, which is attained on by a few. His every movement demonstrated that love for Islām and the Founder of Islām was the nurture of his soul. Since he was the chief of his tribe, his example had a very deep and practical influence on the Ansār. It was only natural for the Holy Prophetsa to feel saddened upon the demise of such a worthy spiritual son. However, the Holy Prophetsa exhibited the highest level of patience and bowed his head before Divine Will with obedience and submission.
When the funeral procession of Sa‘dra was being lead to the graveyard, due to her love, his elderly mother lamented over him in somewhat of a loud voice. In this mourning, according to the custom of that time, various qualities of Sa‘dra were mentioned. When the Holy Prophetsa heard the sounds of this lamentation, although he did not approve of the custom of lamentation in
principle, he said, “Women who lament often utter a great deal of falsehood, but at this time, whatever the mother of Sa‘d has said is true,” i.e., whatever qualities have been attributed to Sa‘dra are correct. After this, the Holy Prophetsa lead the funeral prayer and accompanied the procession himself for the burial. The Holy Prophetsa remained there until the burial was complete and finally returned after he had prayed over the grave.
[Sharḥul-‘Allāmatiz-Zarqānī ‘Alal-Mawāhibil-Ladunniyyah, By Allāmah Shihābuddīn Al-Qusṭalānī, Volume 3, p. 96, Ghazwatu Banī Quraiẓah, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996)]
[Sharḥul-‘Allāmatiz-Zarqānī ‘Alal-Mawāhibil-Ladunniyyah, By Allāmah Shihābuddīn Al-Qusṭalānī, Volume 3, p. 96, Ghazwatu Banī Quraiẓah, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996)]
It was perhaps during this time that on one occasion, the Holy Prophetsa said:
ٍاِھْتَزَّ عَرْشُ الرَّحْ مٰنِ لِمَوْتِ سَ عْد
“Upon the demise of Sa‘d, the throne of the Gracious God shook.”
[Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābu Manāqibil-Anṣār, Bābu Manāqibi Sa‘dibni Mu‘ādhin Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu, Ḥadīth No. 3803]
This means that the mercy of God happily welcomed the soul of Sa‘dra in the world of the hereafter. On one occasion, when the Holy Prophetsa received some pieces of silk cloth from somewhere as a gift, a few Companions spoke of their soft and gentle texture with great amazement, and considered them to be out of the ordinary. The Holy Prophetsa responded, “Do you marvel at the softness of these cloths? By God, the mantles of Sa‘d in paradise are far more soft and valuable than these.”
[Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābu Bad’il-Khalq, Bābu Mā Jā’a Fī Ṣifatil-Jannati Wa Annahā Makhlūqatun, Ḥadīth No. 3248]
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2)
Section: XI – Treachery of the Banu Quraizah and the End of the Jews in Madinah, Laws of Marriage and Divorce | Navigation: « Previous: [Account of Banu Quraizah and Non-Muslim Historians] | Next: [Reality of the Bounties of Paradise] »