Residence at the Home of Abu Ayyub — 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 Residence at the Home of Abu Ayyub.
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: I – Early Establishment of Madinah and Foundation of the Islamic Government
Pages: Book pp. 11–12 (PDF pp. 35–36)
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: [Arrival at Madinah and the First Friday Prayer] | Next: [Construction of Masjid-e-Nabawi] »
Historical Account
Abu Ayyūb Anṣārīra immediately prepared his home and returned. The Holy Prophetsa proceeded inside along with him. This was a two-storey home. Abū Ayyūbra desired that the Holy Prophetsa stay on the top floor. However, taking into consideration the ease of those people who would come to visit, the Holy Prophetsa preferred the ground-floor and resided there. At nightfall, Abū Ayyūbra and his wife could not sleep all night in the thought that the Holy Prophetsa was beneath them, and they were above him. In addition to this, it so happened that during the night a pail of water broke on the roof. In his fear, Abū Ayyūbra quickly placed his quilt over the water to dry it, in order to prevent even a single droplet of water from seeping through to the ground floor. In the morning, he presented himself before the Holy Prophetsa, and implored the Holy Prophetsa to stay on the top floor. At first, the Holy Prophetsa hesitated, but upon witnessing the insistence of Abū Ayyūbra, he agreed. The Holy Prophetsa stayed in this home for seven months, or according to Ibni Isḥāq, he remained here until the month of Ṣafar 2 A.H. In other words, the Holy Prophetsa remained here until the construction of Masjid-e-Nabawī, and the adjacent living-quarters of the Holy Prophetsa. Abū Ayyūbra would present food to the Holy Prophetsa, and then, whatever would remain of it, he would eat himself. Due to his love and sincerity, he would eat from where the Holy Prophetsa had taken his food. Other Companions would also present food to the Holy Prophetsa. As such, among these people the name of Sa‘d bin ‘Ubādahra, chieftain of the Khazraj tribe, has been mentioned particularly in history. Anas bin Mālikra was a ten year old orphan of Madīnah. His mother, Ummi Salamah, who was very sincere, brought him to the Holy Prophetsa, and said, “O Messenger of Allāh! I present Anas in your service. Kindly pray for him
[The second month of the Islamic Calendar [Publishers]]
[Ṣaḥīḥu Muslim, Kitābul-Ashribah, Bābu Ibāḥati Aklith-Thaum….., Ḥadīth No. 5358 * As-Sīratun-Nabawiyyah, By Abū Muḥammad ‘Abdul-Mālik bin Hishām, p. 352, Hijratur-Rasūlisa Manziluhū Min Baiti Abī Ayyūb, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001)]
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and accept him so that he may serve you.” The Holy Prophetsa supplicated for his prosperity, and accepted him in his service. After this, Anas bin Mālikra began to live in service of the Holy Prophetsa, and did not depart from this service until the demise of the Holy Prophetsa. This is the same Anasra on whose authority many narrations have been related in the books of Aḥādīth. He was from among the distinct Companions of the Holy Prophetsa. Anasra was blessed with a long life and passed away in 91 A.H., or 93 A.H., at Baṣrah, when there was perhaps only one or two other Companions alive at the time. In his last days, he would often say that, “Due to the prayer of the Holy Prophetsa, my wealth and progeny were blessed more than I could imagine. Now I am only waiting for his prayer regarding paradise to be fulfilled in my favour.”
Shortly after reaching Madīnah, the Holy Prophetsa sent Zaid bin Ḥārithahra to Makkah with some money. In a few days, he returned safely to Madīnah with the family of the Holy Prophetsa, and his own. Along with him, ‘Abdullāh bin Abī Bakr also brought the family of Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakrra to Madīnah as well.
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2)
Section: I – Early Establishment of Madinah and Foundation of the Islamic Government | Navigation: « Previous: [Arrival at Madinah and the First Friday Prayer] | Next: [Construction of Masjid-e-Nabawi] »