Friday Sermon
24 February 2023
Men of Excellence
After reciting the tashahud, ta‘awuz, and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated:
Today I shall relate some further details in relation to the Badri companions, after which the series on the Badri companions which I wanted to present will be completed.
In relation to Hazrat Amirra bin Rabi‘ah it is recorded that his father’s name was Rabi‘ah bin Ka’b bin Malik bin Rabi‘ah. There are also several narrations which he related.
Abdullah bin Amir bin Rabi‘ah relates on the authority of his mother Hazrat Umm Abdillah Laila bint Abi Hathmah, who states, “We were departing towards Abyssinia and whilst Amir bin Rabi‘ah had gone to carry out a certain task, Hazrat Umarra – who at the time was still a polytheist – appeared and stood before me. We were subjected to grave difficulties and cruelties by him. Hazrat Umarra told me, ‘O Umm Abdillah, are you leaving?’ I replied, ‘Yes, by God we are setting out in the land of Allah until He grants us ease. You people have caused us so much pain and subjected us to so much persecution.’ Upon this Hazrat Umarra said, ‘May Allah be your Protector.’” She says, “On that day I heard a tenderness in Hazrat Umar’sra voice that I had never heard before. Thereafter, Hazrat Umarra left and he was saddened by our departure.” She then says, “Meanwhile, Hazrat Amir returned from his business, so I said to him, ‘O Abu Abdillah, did you just see Umar, and his tenderness and grief? (she must have informed him). Hazrat Amirra replied, ‘Are you hopeful that he will become a Muslim?’ I answered in the affirmative. Thereafter Hazrat Amirra said, ‘The donkey of Umar ibn al-Khattab can become a Muslim but the man you just saw (i.e. Hazrat Umar) will not accept Islam.’” Hazrat Laila says, “Hazrat Amir said this out of despair which was developed from the persecution and cruelty that Hazrat Umarra put him through due to his acceptance of Islam.” (Ali Ibn al-Athir, Usd al-Ghabah fi Ma’rifat al-Sahabah, Vol. 3, Amirra bin Rabi‘ah [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2003], p. 11) (Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, Fada’il al-Sahabah, Vol. 1 [Jami’ah al-Qura’, 1983], p. 279) (Ibn Hisham, Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah, Vol. 1 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kitab al-‘Arabi, 1990], p. 370)
Hazrat Abdullah bin Amirra bin Rabi‘ah relates from his father, “The Holy Prophetsa dispatched us for the Expedition of Nakhlah, also known as the Expedition of Abdullah bin Jahsh, which took place prior to the Battle of Badr. With us was Hazrat Amrra bin Suraqahra who was slim and tall. En route he felt severe starvation, as a result, he arched up, was unable to continue with us and fell over (this was his state of starvation). We then firmly tied a rock to his stomach and back, and he was able to carry on with us. We reached an Arab tribe which accommodated us. Thereafter, he went forth and said, ‘I used to think that a person’s legs support the stomach, but in reality, a person’s stomach supports the legs.’” (Allamah Abu Na’im, Ma’rifat al-Sahabah, Vol. 1, Amr bin Suraqah [Dar al-Watan li al-Nashr], pp. 2004-2005) (Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, p. 330)
When a person is in a state of hunger, starvation and weakness, then they are unable to walk.
Hazrat Abu Umamahra relates that on one occasion the Holy Prophetsa dispatched Hazrat Amirra bin Rabi‘ah and Hazrat Sahlra bin Hunaif on an espionage mission. (Kanz al-‘Ummal, Vol. 4, p. 470, Gahzwat Dhat al-Salasil, Hadith 11399 [Beirut, Lebanon: Mu’assisat al-Risalah, 1985])
In 8 AH, Hazrat Amirra bin Rabi‘ah took part in the Battle of Dhat al-Salasil, in which his hand was struck by an arrow, which caused a wound. (Imam al-Dhahabi, Siyar A’lam al-Nubala, Sirat al-Nabi. Vol. 2 Ghazwat Dhat al-Salasil [Al-Risalah al-Alamiyyah, 1985], p. 149)
Abdullah bin Amir relates on the authority of his father Hazrat Amirra bin Rabi‘ah that once, the Holy Prophetsa passed by a grave and asked who it belonged to. The people answered that it was the grave of such and such. He then said, “Why did you not inform me?” The people replied, “You were asleep so we did not deem it right to wake you up.” Upon this, the Holy Prophetsa stated, “Do not do this, you should call me for the funerals.” The Holy Prophetsa then assembled rows there and performed her funeral prayer at the grave. (Ahmad bin Hanbal, Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 24, Hadith 15673 [Beirut, Lebanon: Mu’assisat al-Risalah], p. 443)
Abdullah bin Amir relates that his father Hazrat Amirra bin Rabi’ah said, “Whenever the Holy Prophetsa used to dispatch us for any expedition, we would only have a sack of dates by way of provisions. The leader of the army would distribute a handful of dates between us until bit by bit it got to the point of handing out a single date at a time. Then they would slowly but surely start to finish whereby every individual would only receive one date.” Hazrat Abdullah states, “I said, O father, how could a single date suffice you or fill your stomachs?” He replied, “Son, do not say such a thing, for we only learnt its importance when we did not even possess that.” (Abu Na’im al-Isfahani, Hulyat al-Auliya’ wa Tabaqat al-Asfiya’, Vol. 1 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Fikr, 1996], p. 179)
Ask those who are starving what the importance of a single date is.
When Hazrat Umarra turned out the Jews from Khaibar and distributed the land in the Valley of Qura, Hazrat Amirra bin Rabi‘ah was amongst those who received a portion of the land. (Abu Zaid Umar bin Shabbah, Kitab Akhbar al-Madinah al-Nabawiyyah, Vol. 1, Amr Khaibar [Dar al-Ulyan], p. 181)
Hazrat Amir accompanied Hazrat Umarra when he went to Jabiah – a settlement on the outskirts of Damascus. According to one narration, Hazrat Amirra was holding Hazrat Umar’sra flag. Furthermore, when Hazrat Uthmanra set out for Hajj (pilgrimage), he appointed Hazrat Amirra as his representative – or leader in his stead – in Medina. (Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani, Al-Isabah fi Tamyiz al-Sahabah, Vol. 3, Amir bin Rabi‘ah [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1995], p. 469); (Yaqut Ibn ‘Abd Allah al-Hamawi, Mu’jam al-Buldan, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Sadir], p. 91, Zair Lafz al-Jabiyah.); (Imam al-Dhahabi, Siyar A’lam al-Nubala, Vol. 2, Amir bin Rabi’ah [Beirut, Lebanon: Al-Risalah al-‘Alamiyyah, 1985], p. 334)
There are disputes regarding the demise of Hazrat Amirra bin Rabi‘ah. According to some, he passed away during the caliphate of Hazrat Uthmanra, while others say he passed away in the year 32 or 33 AH. Some even say that he passed away in the year 36 AH, while others state that it was in the year 37 AH. According to Allamah Ibn Asakir, narrations about his demise in the year 32 AH seem to be the most accurate. (Ibn Asakir, Tarikh Dimashq al-Kabir, Vol. 27, Amir bin Rabi‘ah [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar Ihya’ al-Turath al-‘Arabi, 2001], p. 229)
In the narration pertaining to his demise, it is reported that after the martyrdom of Hazrat Uthmanra, Hazrat Amirra remained within his home most of the time. The people had not heard from him until the day his funeral procession left his home. (Ibn Sa’d, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3, Amir bin Rabi‘ah [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1990], p. 296)
Abdullah bin Amir narrates from his father, Hazrat Amirra bin Rabi‘ah, “During the time of the Holy Prophetsa, a man from the tribe of Banu Fazarah married a woman with a dowry of two shoes. The Holy Prophetsa declared this marriage to be lawful.” (Ahmad bin Hanbal, Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 24, Hadith 15676 [Beirut, Lebanon: Mu’assisat al-Risalah], p. 445)
In other words, even a meagre dowry such as this was declared lawful.
Abdullah bin Amir narrates from his father, Hazrat Amirra bin Rabi‘ah that once during a journey, he saw the Holy Prophetsa offer two voluntary prayers on the back of his she-camel in the night. The Holy Prophetsa continued to face toward the path of the she-camel. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Taqsir al-Salah, Bab man Tatawwa’a fi al-Safar…, Hadith 1104)
It is permissible to offer prayers whilst facing the direction of travel.
Hazrat Amirra bin Rabi‘ah narrates, “I accompanied the Holy Prophetsa on a journey during a dark night. We stopped at a place where a person collected some stones and prepared a place for prayer, and we prayed at that place. In the morning we realised that our direction [for prayer] was opposite to the Qibla. We said to the Holy Prophetsa, ‘O Prophetsa of Allah, last night we prayed in a direction which was different to the Qibla.’” It is said that upon this, Allah the Almighty revealed the following verse:
وَلِلّٰہِ الۡمَشۡرِقُ وَالۡمَغۡرِبُ ٭ فَاَيۡنَمَا تُوَلُّوۡا فَثَمَّ وَجۡہُ اللّٰہِ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيۡمٌ
That is, “To Allah belong the East and the West; so withersoever you turn, there will be the face of Allah.” [2:116] (Abu Na’im al-Isfahani, Hulyat al-Auliya’ wa Tabaqat al-Asfiya’, Vol. 1 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Fikr, 1996], pp. 179-180)
In other words, if you commit this on account of a misunderstanding, then there is no harm. It is quite possible that the Holy Prophetsa recited this verse at that time. It does not necessarily mean that it was revealed at that particular moment. Nevertheless, this is a narration taken from Hilyat al-Auliya.
Hazrat Amirra bin Rabi‘ah narrates that the Holy Prophetsa said, “Whoever recites durood [invoke salutations] upon me once, Allah sends salutations of peace upon them 10 times. Thus, it is at your discretion to offer salutations of peace upon me less frequently or more.”
In another narration, Hazrat Amirra bin Rabi‘ah narrates that the Holy Prophetsa said, “During the time that a person is offering salutations of peace upon me, angels offer salutations of peace upon them. Thus, it is in the hands of the individual whether to offer more salutations of peace or less.” (Abu Na’im al-Isfahani, Hulyat al-Auliya’ wa Tabaqat al-Asfiya’, Vol. 1 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Fikr, 1996], p. 180)
Next, I will speak about Hazrat Haram bin Milhanra. It is reported that Hazrat Haram bin Milhanra did not have any progeny. (Ibn Sa’d, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3, Haram bin Milhan [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1990], p. 266)
Hazrat Abdullah bin Abi Talhahra narrates, “Hazrat Anasra told me that the Holy Prophetsa commissioned his uncle, Hazrat Haram bin Milhanra – brother of Umm Sulaim – along with 70 mounted men to go towards Banu Amir. The chief of the polytheists there was Amir bin Tufail, who asked the Holy Prophetsa to accept one of his three conditions. He said that city dwellers could follow the Holy Prophetsa, but the villagers would come under his leadership. He also desired to be a successor to the Holy Prophetsa after his demise, otherwise he would attack the Holy Prophetsa with an army of 2,000 men from Ghatafan. As a result, Amir fell ill with the plague at a woman’s house. Amir said, ‘I am afflicted with ordinary boils, the same that afflicted a young camel belonging to a woman from the progeny of Salul. Bring me my horse.’” He mounted his horse and died whilst mounted on his horse His end has been mentioned right at the beginning [of the narration]. Furthermore, the narration mentions his tribe and states that Hazrat Haram bin Milhanra, who was the brother of Hazrat Umm Sulaimra, went to Banu Amir accompanied by a lame man and another man who was from a particular tribe. Haramra addressed both men and said, “Stay close to me. I will approach the people [of Banu Amir] first. If they welcome me with peace, follow behind me, but if they kill me, go back to your companions and inform them.” Hazrat Haramra went to Amir and asked, “Do you welcome me with peace so that I can convey the message of the Holy Prophetsa?” After saying this, they began to have a conversation. The people of the tribe signalled someone who approached from behind him and ambushed him by piercing his body with a spear. Hazrat Haramra took the blood from his wounds and wiped it over his face, saying:
اللّٰہُ أَکْبَرُ فُزْتُ وَرَبِّ الْكَعْبَةِ
“Allah is the Greatest. By the Lord of the Ka’bah, I have achieved my purpose.” The people then pursued the others and killed them and attacked the Qaris (those who had memorised the Quran), killing all of them except the lame man who had climbed the peak of the mountain. Allah revealed the details of this incident [to the Holy Prophetsa]. Thereafter, the mention of these people concluded. In other words, the following words were conveyed [to the Holy Prophetsa] “Tell our people that we have met our Lord. He is pleased with us and has granted us contentment.” During that time, the Holy Prophetsa prayed against those people for 30 days every morning, namely the tribes of Ri’l, Dhakwan, Banu Lihyan, and Usayyah – those who betrayed Allah and the Holy Prophetsa. This is a narration from Bukhari. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Maghazi, Bab Ghazwat al-Raji’ wa Ri’l wa Dhakwan, Hadith 4091)
According to another narration of Bukhari from Hazrat Anasra, he [Hazrat Haramra] was attacked with a lance as opposed to a spear. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Jihad, Bab man Yunkabu fi Sabil Allah, Hadith 2801)
In light of another narration, the Holy Prophetsa prayed against the two tribes of Banu Sulaim, Ri’l and Dhakwan, for one month during the morning prayers. Hazrat Anasra reports that this was the start of the Qunut prayer [a prayer offered whilst standing upright in Salat]. Before this, they would not perform the Qunut prayer. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Maghazi, Bab Ghazwat al-Raji’ wa Ri’l wa Dhakwan, Hadith 4088)
Whilst mentioning the incident of the martyrdom of those who committed the Quran to memory and the spirit of their sacrifice, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra states:
“Upon studying history, we learn that the companions would go into war as though their martyrdom would bring them peace and contentment. If they were inflicted any pain during war, they perceived it to be a means of comfort and not pain. Thus, throughout historical accounts, we find countless examples wherein it shows that the companions deemed being killed in the way of Allah to be a source of contentment for them. For example, the Huffaz [those who have memorised the Holy Quran] who were sent to a tribe towards Central Arabia for the purpose of propagating Islam, among them was Haram bin Milhanra; when he went to meet Amir bin Tufail, the leader of the Amir tribe, the rest of the delegation remained behind. Initially, Amir bin Tufail and his tribesman openly welcomed him out of hypocrisy. However, as soon as he sat down and became comfortable, and began preaching about Islam, a wretched individual indicated to his comrade, and an individual attacked Haram bin Milhanra from the back with a spear causing him to fall down. As he fell, the following words were on his lips:
اللّٰہُ أَکْبَرُ فُزْتُ وَرَبِّ الْكَعْبَةِ
“I.e. ‘By the Lord of the Ka’bah! I have attained salvation.’ Then these evil individuals surrounded the remaining companions and attacked them. Amirra bin Fuhairah, the freed slave of Abu Bakrra who was with the Holy Prophetsa during the migration was also among this group of companions. In fact, his killer, who later accepted Islam, stated that the reason he accepted Islam was that at the time he killed Amirra bin Fuhairah, Amir spontaneously said:
فُزْتُ واللّٰہِ
“I.e., ‘By God! I have attained my objective.’ These incidents prove that instead of being a source of sorrow for the companions, death was a source of happiness.” (Eik Ayat ki pur Ma’arif Tafsir, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 18, pp. 612-613)
Then, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra says that some people from Najd came to meet the Holy Prophetsa – However, I will leave this narration and present the extract of Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahibra. This is a rather detailed incident. Mentioning details about this incident, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahibra states:
“Bara’ Amiri, who was a chieftain of the tribe situated in central Arabia known as the Banu Amir, presented himself before the Holy Prophetsa in order to meet him. The Holy Prophetsa very gently and kindly conveyed the message of Islam to him and at the outset he also listened to the address of the Holy Prophetsa with interest and attention, but did not accept Islam. Albeit, he submitted to the Holy Prophetsa, ‘Send a few Companions along with me to Najd, who can travel there and preach the message of Islam to the people of Najd. I am confident that the people of Najd will not reject your message.’ The Holy Prophetsa said, ‘I do not trust the people of Najd.’ Abu Bara’ responded, ‘Do not worry, I guarantee their security.’ Since Abu Bara’ was the chief of a tribe and was an influential man, the Holy Prophetsa took his word and dispatched a party of Companions towards Najd. This is the narration as it is related by history. It is narrated in Bukhari that a few people from the tribes of Ri’l and Dhakwan, etc. (which were branches of the renowned tribe known as the Banu Sulaim) presented themselves before the Holy Prophetsa and claimed to accept Islam. Then they requested that a few men should be dispatched along with them to assist them against those people of their nation who were enemies of Islam (there is no elaboration as to the nature of the assistance they requested – missionary or military. In any case they requested for a few people to be sent with them for assistance). […] One prospect for the reconciliation of both these narrations is that perhaps Abu Bara’ Amiri, chieftain of the Amir tribe, also came along with the people of Ri’l and Dhakwan, and he spoke to the Holy Prophetsa on their behalf. As such, according to the historical account, the Holy Prophetsa said, ‘I do not trust the people of Najd,’ to which he responded, ‘Do not worry, I give you the assurance that your Companions shall not be harmed.’ This indicates that the people of Ri’l and Dhakwan had also come with Abu Bara’ and the Holy Prophetsa was concerned on their account – And Allah knows best.
“In any case, the Holy Prophetsa dispatched a party of Companions under the leadership of Mundhir bin Amr Ansarira in Safar 4 AH. These people were mostly from the Ansar and totalled seventy in number, and almost all of them were Qaris, i.e., they were well-versed in the Holy Quran. They would collect wood from the jungle by day to make ends meet and would spend a better part of the night in worship. When these people reached a place known as Bi’r-e-Ma’unah, which was named as such due to a water well, an individual named Haram bin Milhanra, who was the maternal uncle of Anas bin Malikra, went forward with the message of Islam to Amir bin Tufail, who was chief of the Amir tribe and paternal nephew of Abu Bara’ Amiri. The rest of the Companions remained behind. When Haram bin Milhanra arrived to meet Amir bin Tufail and his followers as an emissary of the Holy Prophetsa, at first, they warmly welcomed him in their hypocrisy; but after he had been fully seated and made to feel at ease, and began to preach the message of Islam, a few evil ones from among them made a signal to someone, who struck this innocent emissary with a spear from behind and put him to death there and then. At the time, the following words were on the tongue of Haram bin Milhanra:
اللّٰہُ أَکْبَرُ فُزْتُ وَرَبِّ الْكَعْبَةِ
“‘Allah is the Greatest. By the Lord of the Ka’bah, I have attained my objective.’ Amir bin Tufail did not suffice upon the murder of this emissary of the Holy Prophetsa alone. As a matter of fact, after this, he incited the people of his tribe, the Banu Amir, to attack the remaining party of Muslims as well, but they refused and said that they would not attack the Muslims due to the guarantee of Abu Bara’. Upon this, Amir collected the Banu Ri’l, Dhakwan and ‘Usayyah, etc. from the tribe of Sulaim (i.e., the same tribes who had come to the Holy Prophetsa as a delegation according to the narration of Bukhari) and attacked this small and helpless community of Muslims. When the Muslims saw these bloodthirsty beasts racing towards them, they said, ‘We have no quarrel with you. We have only come with an assignment from the Holy Prophetsa; we have not come to fight,’ but they did not listen to a word and murdered them all. Among the Companions who were present at the time, only one individual was spared, who had a limp, and had managed to climb to the top of a mountain. The name of this Companion was Ka’b bin Zaidra. From various narrations, it is ascertained that the disbelievers attacked him as well, due to which he was wounded. The disbelievers left him for dead, but in actuality, there was still life in him and he survived.
“Two individuals from among this community of Companions had separated from the group at the time in order to graze their camels, etc., and their names were Amr bin Umayyah Damrira and Mundhir bin Muhammadra. When they looked towards their camp, lo and behold, they sighted flocks of birds flying about overhead. They understood these desert signs well and immediately deduced that a battle had taken place. When they returned, this atrocity of carnage and massacre perpetrated by the ruthless disbelievers lay before their eyes. Upon sighting this scene from afar, they consulted one another as to what should be done. One suggested that they should escape immediately and reach Medina in order to inform the Holy Prophetsa. The other one, however, did not accept this proposal and said, “I shall not flee from where our Amir, Mundhir bin Amrra has been martyred.” Hence, he proceeded forward and was martyred in battle. The other, whose name was Amr bin Umayyah Damrira was taken captive by the disbelievers. They would have perhaps murdered him as well, but when they found out that he was from the Mudar tribe, according to the custom of Arabia, Amir bin Tufail cut off his forelocks and set him free, saying, ‘My mother has vowed to release a slave from the Mudar tribe, and therefore, I set you free.’ In other words, from among these seventy Companions, only two survived. One was this very Amr bin Umayyah Damrira and the second was Ka’b bin Zaidra, who the disbelievers had left in the belief that he was already dead.
“Amirra bin Fuhairah, the freed slave of Hazrat Abu Bakrra, and a pioneer devotee of Islam, was also among the Companions who were martyred in the incident of Bi’r-e-Ma’unah. He was slain by a person named Jabbar bin Salamah. Afterwards, Jabbar became a Muslim and states that the reason for his having accepted Islam was that when he martyred Amirra bin Fuhairah, he uncontrollably called out:
فُزْتُ واللّٰہِ
“I.e., ‘By God, I have attained my objective.’
“Jabbar states:
“‘Upon hearing these words, I was astonished that I have just murdered this person and he says that he has attained his objective. What a peculiar thing indeed. As such, when I later inquired as to the reason for this, I was informed that the Muslim people considered the sacrifice of their lives in the way of God as being the greatest success a person can attain. This left such a lasting impression upon my disposition that ultimately, this very influence pulled me towards Islam.’
“The Holy Prophetsa and his Companions received news of the incidents of Raji’ and Bi’r-e-Ma’unah at more or less the same time. The Holy Prophetsa was deeply grieved by these incidents, to the extent that narrations relate that the Holy Prophetsa was never so deeply grieved by anything before or after these events. Undoubtedly, for approximately eighty Companions to be suddenly murdered by deception, especially such Companions who were Huffaz of the Holy Quran, and were from a poor and selfless class of people, was no small event, even by standards of the barbaric customs and practices of Arabia. For the Holy Prophetsa personally, this news was no different than the loss of eighty sons, rather, even more so. The reason is that for a spiritual man, spiritual bonds are far dearer to him than the worldly relations of a worldly man. Hence, the Holy Prophetsa was deeply grieved by these tragic events, but in any case, Islam teaches patience. Upon hearing this news, the Holy Prophetsa said:
اِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّاۤ اِلَيۡہِ رٰجِعُوۡنَ
“After this, the Holy Prophetsa said the following words:
هَذَا عَمَلُ أَبِيْ بَرَاءَ وَقَدْ كُنْتُ لِهَذَا كَارِهًا مُتَخَوِّفًا
“‘This is a result of the action of Abi Bara’, for I had disliked sending off these people and was apprehensive of the people of Najd.’ (Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, pp. 517-521)
Then there is mention of Hazrat Sa’dra bin Khaulah. He belonged to the tribe of Banu Malik bin Hasl bin Amir bin Lu’ayy, whereas some [historians] have stated that he was the confederate of Banu Amir. He was of Persian origin and was from those tribes that later settled in Yemen [from Persia]. (‘Ali Ibn al-Athir, Usd al-Ghabah fi Ma’rifat al-Sahabah, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2003], p. 427)
Amir bin Sa’d narrates on the authority of his father, Sa‘d bin Waqqas, “The Holy Prophetsa came to visit me when I was unwell on my deathbed during Hajjat al-Wada’. I said to the Holy Prophetsa, ‘O Messengersa of Allah! My illness has become severe as you are aware. I am wealthy but my only heir is my daughter. Should I give two-thirds of my wealth away in charity?’ The Holy Prophetsa replied, ‘No’. I then asked, ‘should I give half?’ The Holy Prophetsa replied, ‘No, you may give one-third away, and even this is a substantial amount.’ The Holy Prophetsa then said, ‘It is better for you to leave your heirs prosperous, as opposed to leaving them in a difficult situation whereby they would have to beg from others. And whatever you spend out of your wealth for the sake of attaining Allah’s pleasure, you will certainly receive a reward for it, to the extent that even if you put a morsel of food in your wife’s mouth, you will receive a reward for it.’” The narrator then said, “O Messengersa of Allah! Will I be left behind my comrades?” (i.e. will he die there?) to this the Holy Prophetsa replied, “You will not be left behind. Rather, whatever good deeds you do in order to attain the pleasure of Allah, you will attain a greater rank by means of it. It is possible you will remain (i.e. live for a long time) whereby some people will derive benefit from you and others will be harmed because of you.” The Holy Prophetsa further stated, “O Allah! Fulfil the purpose of migration for my companions, and do not let them turn back owing to it.” The narrator then states, “The Holy Prophetsa consoled him because, after the migration, he passed away whilst he was in Mecca [visiting].”
In one narration it is mentioned that the Holy Prophetsa used to express his regret over the fact that Sa’dra bin Khaulah passed away in Mecca. This was because the Holy Prophetsa did not like for anyone who had migrated from Mecca to remain in Mecca beyond the time they spend performing Hajj or Umrah. (Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Wasiyyah, Bab al-Wasiyyah di al-Thuluth, Hadith 2409) (Ibn Sa’d, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3, Sa’d bin Khaulah [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1990], p. 312)
Ismael bin Muhammad bin Sa’d narrates that the Holy Prophetsa ordered Sa’ib bin Umair Al-Qari that if Sa’dra bin Khaluah passes away in Mecca, not to bury him in Mecca. (Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani, Al-Isabah fi Tamyiz al-Sahabah, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1995], p. 21)
And according to another narration, the Holy Prophetsa said regarding Hazrat Sa’d bin Abi Waqqasra that if he passes away in Mecca, do not bury him in Mecca. (Mustafa ‘Abd al-Wahid, Subul al-Huda wa al-Rashad fi Sirat Khair al-‘Ibad, Vol. 8 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1993], p. 485)
On the occasion of Hajjat al-Wada’, when Hazrat Sa’dra bin Khaulah passed away, at the time of his demise his wife was pregnant. It was not long after his demise that she gave birth. The child was born soon after his demise and according to narrations, it is stated that it was 25 nights after his demise or even sooner. When the nifas [40 days after childbirth] period finished she purified herself after childbirth and adorned herself in anticipation of receiving a marriage proposal from potential suitors. A man from the Bani Abd Al-Dar named Abu Sanabil bin Bukakik came and asked her, “What is the matter, I see that you are dressed up, perhaps you intend to marry? By Allah! You cannot marry until four months and ten days have passed by.” Subayyah states, “When he said this to me, I changed into my evening attire and went to the Holy Prophetsa and enquired about this matter. The Holy Prophetsa gave the edict that it became lawful for me to marry after the birth of the child and if I wished I could get married.” (Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Talaq, Bab Inqida’ Iddat al-Mutawaffa ‘anha […], Hadith 3722) (Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr, Al-Isti‘ab fi Ma’rifat al-Ashab, Vol. 4 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Jil, 1992], p. 1859)
Certain [jurisprudential] matters can be understood from these incidents.
The next companion is Abu Al-Haitham bin al-Tayyihanra. His brother’s name was either Hazrat Ubaid bin Ubaid or Hazrat Atik bin al-Tayyihan, and he was martyred during the battle of Uhud. (Ibn Sa’d, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1990], pp. 341-343)
In one narration it is mentioned that Hazrat Abu al-Haitham asked, “I am among the first to pledge allegiance, how should we pledge allegiance?” The Holy Prophetsa replied, “Pledge allegiance to me in the way the Bani Israel pledged allegiance to Mosesas.” (Allamah Abu Na’im, Ma’rifat al-Sahabah, Vol. 4 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah], p. 196)
The Holy Prophetsa appointed Hazrat Abu Al-Haithamra and Hazrat Usaid bin Hudairra as guardians for the Bani Abd al-Ashhal tribe. (Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani, Al-Isabah fi Tamyiz al-Sahabah, Vol. 7 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1995], p. 365)
In battle he would have two swords, hence he was known as Dhu al-Saifain [The one with two swords]. (Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr, Al-Isti‘ab fi Ma’rifat al-Ashab, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Jil, 1992], p. 477)
Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahibra has written that he was martyred in the Battle of Siffin, whilst fighting on the side of Hazrat Alira. (Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, p. 230)
The next companion is Hazrat Asim bin Thabitra. One of Hazrat Asim’sra sons was Muhammad, who was born to him from Hind bint Malik. (Ibn Sa’d, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3, Asim bin Thabit [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1990], p. 342)
With regards to those people who were close to the Holy Prophetsa during the Battle of Uhud, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh expounded upon a verse in which he said that Imam Razirh has mentioned the names of 14 people, about whom it can be said with absolute certainty that they were around the Holy Prophetsa [in the battle] and did not leave him under any circumstances. From those that are mentioned, the names of the Muhajirin are: Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Hazrat Alira – the Shias allege that it was only Hazrat Alira – nonetheless, it was Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Hazrat Alira, Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Aufra, Hazrat Sa’d bin Abi Waqqasra, Hazrat Talhah bin Ubaidillahra, Hazrat Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrahra and Hazrat Zubair bin Al-Awwamra. From the Ansar, it was: Hazrat Khabbab bin Mundhirra, Hazrat Abu Dujanahra, Hazrat Asim bin Thabitra, Hazrat Harith bin Asimmahra, perhaps it was Hazrat Sahl bin Hunaifra, Usaid bin Hudairra and Hazrat Sa’d bin Mu’adhra. It is also mentioned that there were eight who swore to fight until death, three of whom were among the Muhajirin and five were from the Ansar. It is interesting to note that since the Holy Prophetsa was in need of his companions, not a single one of these eight individuals was martyred. This is proof of how Allah the Almighty safeguarded them through extraordinary means. (Dars al-Quran, 20 February 1994, Zair Ayat Innama Istazallahum al-Shaitan)
The next mention is of Hazrat Sahl bin Hunaif Ansarira. Hazrat Ibn Abbasra narrates that on the occasion of the Battle of Badr, there were a 100 camels and two horses with the Holy Prophetsa. Hazrat Miqdad bin Aswadra was mounted on one [of the horses] and Hazrat Musab bin Umairra and Hazrat Sahl bin Hunaifra were mounted on the other. The companions of the Holy Prophetsa would take turns to mount on the camels. The Holy Prophetsa, Hazrat Alira, Hazrat Marthad bin Abi Marthad Ghanawira, who was a confederate of Hazrat Hamzah bin Abdil Muttalibra, would all take turns to ride on one of the camels. (Tabarani, Mu’jam al-Awsat, Vol. 5 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Haramain, 1995], p. 324, Hadith 5438)
Hazrat Sahl bin Hunaifra is also mentioned amongst those companions who remained close to the Holy Prophetsa during the Battle of Uhud.
Yusair bin Amr narrates that he once went to Hazrat Sahl bin Hunaifra and requested him to narrate a hadith that he had heard from the Holy Prophetsa regarding the Hururiyyah group i.e. the Khawarij. Hazrat Sahl bin Hunaifra stated, “I will narrate to you only that which I heard and nothing else. I heard the Holy Prophetsa mention a group of people who will emerge from here (and he pointed towards the direction of Iraq). Though they will recite the Quran, it will not go beyond their throats. They will leave Islam just like an arrow pierces through the prey.” The narrator states that he asked whether the Holy Prophetsa mentioned any sign to recognise them and he replied, “This is all I heard and I cannot tell you anything more than that. I have narrated to you all that I had heard and you can figure it out yourself.” (Ahmad bin Hanbal, Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 25, Sahl bin Hunaif, Hadith 15977 [Beirut, Lebanon: Mu’assisat al-Risalah], p. 351)
Umair bin Sa’eed narrates that Hazrat Alira lead the funeral prayer of Hazrat Sahl bin Hunaifra and recited out aloud the takbir five times. Upon this, people asked as to why the takbir was recited in this manner. Hazrat Alira stated, “This is Sahl bin Hunaif, who was among those who took part in the Battle of Badr and the people of Badr have a distinction over the others. Hence, to make this distinction clear to the people I recited the extra Takbir.” (Ibn Sa’d, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1990], p. 360)
Next is the mention of Hazrat Jabbar bin Sakhrra. The Expedition of Hazrat Alira to Banu Tayy took place in Rabi’ al-Akhir 9 AH. In relation to this it is written that the Holy Prophetsa sent Hazrat Alira, along with a 150 people, to Banu Tayy in order to destroy their idol, Fuls. The area of Banu Tayy was situated in the northwest of Medina. For this expedition, the Holy Prophetsa gave Hazrat Alira a large black banner and a small white flag. Hazrat Alira attacked the people of Hatim in the morning and destroyed their idol, Fuls. Hazrat Alira returned to Medina with a great deal of wealth taken from the Banu Tayy as spoils of war and also many prisoners. (Ibn Sa’d, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 2, Siryat Ali bin Abi Talib ila al-Falas… [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1990], p. 124) (Mausu’at Kashaf Istilahat al-Funun wa al-‘Ulum, Vol. 1 [Beirut, Lebanon: Maktabat al-Shamilah], p. 19)
During this expedition, the flag was carried by Hazrat Jabbar bin Sakhrra. In this expedition, when Hazrat Alira sought advice from his fellow companions, Hazrat Jabbar bin Sakhrra said that they should travel on their mounts through the night and attack them first thing in the morning. Hazrat Alira approved this suggestion of his. (Ibn ‘Asakir, Tarikh Dimashq al-Kabir, Vol. 73, Safanah bint Hatim al-Ta’iyah [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar Ihya’ al-Turath al-‘Arabi, 2001], p. 146) (Shifa Muhammad Hasan Hitu, Imta’ al-Asma’ fi Sharh Abi Shuja’, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1999], pp. 45-46)
It is narrated by Hazrat Jabir bin Abdillahra that he was standing to the left of the Holy Prophetsa [during prayer] and the Holy Prophetsa placed him on his right side. Then, when Hazrat Jabbar bin Sakhrra came, the Holy Prophetsa placed both of them behind him. (Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr, Al-Isti‘ab fi Ma’rifat al-Ashab, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al- Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2010], p. 302)
In one narration it is mentioned that Hazrat Umair bin Abi Waqqasra was martyred by Amr bin Abd Wudd. (Ibn Sa’d, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1990], pp. 110-111)
Whilst according to another narration, Hazrat Umair bin Abi Waqqasra was martyred by Asim bin Sa’eed. (Ibn Kathir, Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, Vol. 5 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Hijr, 1997] p. 252)
The mention of Hazrat Jabbar bin Sakhrra has come to an end and now details regarding Hazrat Umair bin Abi Waqqasra will be mentioned. A narration which had not been mentioned previously in relation to him was that he was martyred by Amr bin Abd Wudd, and according to another narration, he was martyred by Asim bin Sa’eed.
Then there is mention of Hazrat Qutbahra. It is mentioned that the Holy Prophetsa sent Hazrat Qutbahra, along with 20 other people in 9 AH, towards a branch of the Khatham tribe, who lived near Tabalah. The Holy Prophetsa commanded them to launch a sudden attack. These companions left on 10 camels and they would take turns to ride upon them. On the way, they took hold of a man and started to interrogate him and he began to act as if he was not able to speak, then all of a sudden as soon as he found the opportunity, he began to scream in order to alert the people of his tribe. Upon this, they killed this individual. Hazrat Qutbahra and his companions then waited and when the people of that tribe fell asleep, they launched a sudden attack against them. A fierce battle ensued and men from both sides sustained wounds. Hazrat Qutbahra killed many of their people and then returned to Medina with their cattle and women. After taking out a portion of Khumus, each person was given four camels, and in that time, each camel was worth 10 goats. (Ibn Sa’d, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1990], 122-123)
Imam Baghvi states that Hazrat Qutbah bin Amirra did not narrate any Hadith. (Imam Baghwi, Mu’jam al-Sahabah, Vol. 5 [Kuwait: Maktabat Dar al-Bayan], p. 66)
In any case, the series on the companions I wished to mention has come to an end.
Also, I would like to remind everyone to pray for the Ahmadis in Pakistan. Pray that may Allah the Almighty create ease for them as they are currently facing very difficult conditions. May Allah the Almighty grant wisdom to those who are responsible for upholding justice, law and order and also those who are perpetrating cruelties in the name of Allah and His Messengersa, or for them to be seized by His wrath.
Also, pray for the members in Burkina Faso as they are still passing through difficult times as the terrorists there are still perpetrating cruelties in the name of Allah and His Messengersa.
Also, pray for the members in Algeria as certain government officials and the judiciary are carrying out injustices against Ahmadis. May Allah the Almighty keep everyone in His protection. Particularly, focus on prayers and giving alms. May Allah the Almighty protect everyone from the evil ploys of the enemies.
After the Friday prayers, I shall lead some funeral prayers in absentia. I shall mention their details.
The first mention is of the respected Muhammad Rashid Sahib Shaheed. He was the son of Chaudhry Basharat Ahmad Sahib from Goteriala, in the district of Gujrat, [Pakistan]. On 19 February, two opponents of Ahmadiyyat came into his house and fired shots at him and martyred him.
اِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّاۤ اِلَيۡہِ رٰجِعُوۡنَ
[Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]
At the time of his demise, the deceased martyr was over 70. According to the reports, respected Muhammad Rashid Sahib was on his own in his house in Goteriala, Gujarat. He had a free homoeopathic dispensary in his house for the benefit of the local people in his village and nearby area. Two young men from the local village entered his dispensary with the excuse of seeking medicine and then fired shots at him. It is said that the one who fired the shots was a Hafiz-e-Quran and the bullet from his gunshot hit respected Muhammad Rashid Sahib in the forehead and he passed away immediately. After the incident, the assailants fled from the scene. An assistant of the deceased arrived a few minutes later and reported the incident to the local police station. It is also reported that one of the assailants, who was the Hafiz-e-Quran, his body was found in a nearby field and the police are also investigating his death as well. The other assailant has been arrested by the police. At least in this case, the police have arrested the assailant.
Ahmadiyyat entered the deceased martyr’s family through Hazrat Munshi Sultan Alim Sahibra, who was a companion of the Promised Messiahas and also lived in Goteriala, Gujarat and was a teacher at a local school. He had the honour of travelling to Qadian from Goteriala and pledged allegiance at the hand of the Promised Messiahas in 1906.
After completing his matriculation exams, the deceased martyr joined the army. However, he left the army after a few years and moved to Norway in 1984/1985 with his family for some time. Despite acquiring Norwegian citizenship, he returned to his ancestral village in 2008 and would often travel back and forth.
Along with the landowner, he started a free homeopathic dispensary in his ancestral village to serve the local people, which continued until the end [of his life]. By the grace of Allah, the deceased martyr was a Musi. At the time of his martyrdom, he was serving as the Secretary Islah-o-Irshad in Goteriala. He was very sociable and loving. He treated everyone as his own and had a friendly relationship with them. His passion for serving others was a salient quality of his. Irrespective of faith, he would render financial and moral aid to those in need. He loved Khilafat. Hospitality was a distinct quality of his; he was especially at the forefront of serving any guests from the headquarters. He was regular in offering prayers. From time to time, he would arrange a free medical camp in the area.
His nephew, Rafi Ahmad who is a missionary in Ivory Coast says, “The deceased martyr was loved by everyone. Along with brimming with the passion to serve others, he was also an excellent caller unto Allah and would greatly look after the poor. Allah the Almighty had granted his efforts the ability to heal. He regularly listened to the Friday Sermons with great attention. Recently, the deceased martyr’s wife, Parveen Akhtar Sahiba who is in Norway, saw a dream that the deceased martyr was being attacked and someone was trying to take his life. Hence, she asked him to remain vigilant. The deceased martyr is survived by his wife Parveen Akhtar Sahiba, who is living in Norway, two sons, and five daughters, one of whom lives in Pakistan while the others live in various countries.
The Missionary-in-charge of Norway, Shahid Mahmood Kahlon Sahib writes, “He was an extremely kind and simple person. He would help people in Norway by providing homoeopathic medicines. He had been living in his village in Pakistan for approximately 12 to 13 years since his retirement and serving people there. During this period, he would visit Norway from time to time as well. Allah the Almighty had blessed his efforts with the ability to heal. He was always ready to help the sick and would even deliver medicine to their homes. His wife was from among his relatives. She had not initially accepted Ahmadiyyat, however, she did not oppose her husband. In fact, all of their children were married into Ahmadi households. The last time he visited Norway in October 2018, he helped his wife do the bai’at [pledge of allegiance]. He would say that the very purpose of his visit was so that his wife could do the bai’at. He would say, ‘there is a great deal of opposition in Pakistan and I even receive threats, however, there is a great deal of poverty there and so people cannot purchase medicine. Poor people can receive free treatment because of me and I am able to help them. I do not fear death, for it is meant to come one day’” Ahmadis still render service to humanity there and do so fearlessly. May Allah the Almighty grant forgiveness and mercy to the respected Muhammad Rashid Sahib and grant the deceased martyr’s family patience and forbearance.
The next mention is of two people, respected Amani Bassam Ajlawi and Salah Abd al-Mu‘een Qutaish, from Iskenderun, Turkey. Sadiq Sahib, who is the missionary and president, writes, “As a result of the two large earthquakes in Turkey on 6 February 2023, two Ahmadis, a mother and son, also lost their lives.
اِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّاۤ اِلَيۡہِ رٰجِعُوۡنَ
[Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]
Aside from them, the remainder of Ahmadis generally remained safe from the earthquake, aside from minor injuries. Of [the two] who passed away, one was a 23-year-old Syrian woman named Amani Bassam Ajlawi who was from the Iskenderun Jamaat. She was the wife of Abd al-Mu’een Qutaish and the daughter-in-law of respected Salah Qutaish Abu Khalid, President of the Iskenderun Jamaat. Amani Sahiba accepted Ahmadiyyat about two months ago along with her husband. Her father-in-law respected Salah Qutaish Sahib said that just a day before the earthquake, he asked Amani whether she had informed her family that she had accepted Ahmadiyyat, to which Amani Sahiba said that she had indeed informed her parents about her acceptance of Ahmadiyyat. Salah Sahib said that Amani Sahiba was very pleased at the fact that her parents had not shown a harsh reaction upon learning of her acceptance of Ahmadiyyat. Her three-year-old son Salah also died.
اِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّاۤ اِلَيۡہِ رٰجِعُوۡنَ
[Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]
They were both caught beneath the rubble and were taken out two days later, by which time they had passed away. Amani Sahiba is survived by her husband respected Abd al-Mu’een Qutaish Sahib and a six-year-old daughter, Abirah.
Shamsuddin Malabari Sahib, the Missionary in Kababir says, “Amani Sahiba and her husband Abd al-Qutaish’s family migrated to Turkey from Syria. Amani Sahiba was a very sincere woman who was given to service and remained content. Upon learning about the importance of doing the bai’at, she did not hesitate in taking the oath of allegiance, in fact, she also encouraged her husband and brothers.” He continues, “My wife tells me that she specifically noticed that the deceased remained attached to her in-laws and treated them with great love and affection. She was extremely happy on the day she did the bai‘at and she bid us farewell with great sincerity.” May Allah the Almighty treat them with forgiveness and mercy.
The third mention and whose funeral prayer I will offer is Maqsood Ahmad Munib Sahib, a missionary who passed away on 15 February due to a heart attack at the age of 53 years.
اِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّاۤ اِلَيۡہِ رٰجِعُوۡنَ
[Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]
By the grace of Allah the Almighty, he was a Musi. His father, respected Chaudhary Jaan Muhammad Sahib accepted Ahmadiyyat in 1974. He graduated from Jamia Ahmadiyya Rabwah in 1991 with a Mubashir degree. He then served in various cities of Pakistan under Nazarat Islah-o-Irshad Markaziyyah. From 1998 to 2006, he had the opportunity of serving in the East African country of Kenya. He then returned to Pakistan and had been serving these days as the missionary in the district of Quetta. He is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters. The Nazir Islah-o-Irshad has written that he was sincere and devoted to his work and that he was a very hard-working missionary.
Abdul Wakil Sahib, a missionary in Quetta writes, “He had a great deal of respect for life devotees. If the deceased did not know something he would not hesitate to ask me even though I was much younger than him in age. The deceased spent some time in Kenya, and he would always make some mention of Kenya in his conversations. The people of Kenya had found a place in his heart. The deceased would often say that the people of Kenya were at the forefront of showing sincerity and showed a great deal of love.”
Farid Mubarak Sahib, who is the Qaid Majlis writes, “He was extremely pure, pious, devoted, ever ready to sacrifice himself for the sake of the Jamaat and possessed profound love for Khilafat.” He continues, “When I learned that a very senior missionary was being posted in Quetta, I became very happy because this is what the Jamaat in Quetta needed.” He says, “He won me over in our very first meeting. The day he delivered his first sermon at the mosque in the district of Quetta, he was complimented by every person who heard it. He was very hospitable; he would invite everyone to visit his home and would fully serve them. The passion which he had for the Jamaat was apparent in his eyes. Whenever he delivered a speech, it would be so full of passion that tears would flow from the eyes of those listening. He would take part in events and tours and would strive to instil concern for the Jamaat in the hearts of everyone he met. He possessed a vast treasure of Jamaat knowledge. He was extremely humble, the likes of which I have never seen in my life.” He then says, “During the previous Friday prayer (the day before he passed away), there was a unique glow emanating from his face. When I looked at him, I said to the missionary in the presence of the Nazim Umumi that he was looking exceptionally handsome that day. We had no idea that this would be his last Friday.”
It was after this that he passed away. I will lead the funeral prayers in absentia of all of these [deceased members].
(Official Urdu transcript published in Al Fazl International, 17 March 2023, pp. 5-11. Translated by The Review of Religions.)
