Incomparable courage of the Holy Prophet’s Companions

Jazeb Hafeez, Student Jamia Ahmadiyya UK

Throughout history, there have been innumerable figures who have epitomised and shown incredible bravery and courage in the face of hardship and suffering. The Companions of the Prophet Muhammad^sa were exemplars of bravery; their unwavering levels of courage and loyalty left a permanent mark on the pages of history.

These extraordinary individuals stood alongside the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa in times of unimaginable pain and torture in the early days of Islam. These men and women sacrificed their lives, wealth, time, and honour for the sake of Islam.

From the stories of the early converts to the titan warriors who later entered the fold of Islam, the companions fearlessly followed the path of righteousness, leaving behind such examples of morality and compassion that have inspired generations and continue to do so.

This article aims to delve into the remarkable acts of bravery and courage displayed by the companions of the Holy Prophet^sa, exploring the great impact of their bravery and the lessons we can take from their examples.

Character of the Holy Prophet’s^sa Companions

I would like to briefly mention one incident that summarises the levels of bravery and loyalty of these Companions. The Holy Quran states regarding the Jewish companions of Hazrat Musa^as:

قَالُوۡا يٰمُوۡسٰۤي اِنَّا لَنۡ نَّدۡخُلَہَاۤ اَبَدًا مَّا دَامُوۡا فِيۡہَا فَاذۡہَبۡ اَنۡتَ وَرَبُّکَ فَقَاتِلَاۤ اِنَّا ہٰہُنَا قٰعِدُوۡنَ

Meaning, “They said, ‘O Moses, we will never enter it, so long as they are in it. So go thou and thy Lord and fight, [and] here we sit.’” (Surah al-Ma’idah, Ch.5: V.25) Similarly, regarding the Companions of Prophet Jesus^as, in the Bible it states, “But Jesus asked him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?’” (Luke 22:.47-49)

However, despite facing many hardships and trials, the Companions of the Holy Prophet^sa had a completely different and distinct mindset in comparison to the companions of Moses^as and Jesus^as. This can be seen in the incident of Hazrat Miqdad bin Aswad^ra in the build-up to the Battle of Badr. The Muslims were outnumbered three to one, and fear and panic had slowly begun rippling through the ranks of the Muslims. At this moment, Hazrat Miqdad bin Aswad^ra stood up and passionately said to the Holy Prophet^sa:

 فَقَالَ لاَ نَقُولُ كَمَا قَالَ قَوْمُ مُوسَى ‏{‏اذْهَبْ أَنْتَ وَرَبُّكَ فَقَاتِلاَ‏}‏ وَلَكِنَّا نُقَاتِلُ عَنْ يَمِينِكَ وَعَنْ شِمَالِكَ وَبَيْنَ يَدَيْكَ وَخَلْفَكَ‏.‏ فَرَأَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى اللّٰه عليه وسلم أَشْرَقَ وَجْهُهُ وَسَرَّهُ‏.‏ يَعْنِي قَوْلَهُ‏.‏

“We will not say, as the People of Moses^as said: ‘Go you and your Lord and fight you two’. But we shall fight on your right and on your left, in front of you and behind you.” The narrator then adds that the Holy Prophet^sa was delighted by this, and his face filled up with happiness. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 288)

Despite understanding the severity of the situation and the risk to life that there was, the Companions were ready to lay down their lives for Islam and embrace death happily. This incident highlights the bravery and courage of these men and their love for their beloved master.

The reason why these companions had the highest levels of moral conduct and bravery was because the greatest human to ever exist walked among them, and they learned every small detail from him. Hence, this means that if the Companions were brave, the bravest out of all of them had to be Muhammad^sa. In the books of hadith we find regarding the Holy Prophet^sa:

إِذَا احْمَرَّ الْبَأْسُ نَتَّقِي بِهِ وَإِنَّ الشُّجَاعَ مِنَّا لَلَّذِي يُحَاذِي بِهِ ‏.‏ يَعْنِي النَّبِيَّ صلى اللّٰه عليه وسلم ‏.‏

“When the battle grew fierce, we, by God, would seek protection by his side. And the bravest among us was he who confronted the onslaught, and it was the Prophet^sa.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1776b)

If we look at recent conflicts in the last 100 years or so, we see that most war generals and commanders-in-chief rarely fight on the front lines. In the First and Second World Wars, the British and German generals would be hundreds of miles away from the frontlines and would often indulge in luxurious foods completely safe from all the danger, while their men would be dying from hunger and starvation. However, the Holy Prophet^sa fought his battles with the Companions on the ground. And instead of hiding away or being the most protected, from this hadith, we can see that he would fight in the most severe parts of the battle. And, despite all his enemies targeting him, he would place his full trust in Allah and go forth fighting without any fear. This was his noble example.

Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique^ra

عَبْدِ اللّٰهِ بْنِ سَلَمَةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَلِيّا، يَقُولُ خَيْرُ النَّاسِ بَعْدَ رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ ـ صلى اللّٰه عليه وسلم ـ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَخَيْرُ النَّاسِ بَعْدَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ عُمَرُ

“It was narrated that ‘Abdullah bin Salimah said: “I heard ‘Ali say: ‘The best of people after Allah’s Messenger^sa is Abu Bakr^ra, and the best of people after Abu Bakr^ra is ‘Umar^ra’” (Sunan ibn Majah, Hadith 106)

Hazrat Abu Bakr^ra stood by the Holy Prophet^sa in every situation. He was the closest friend of the Holy Prophet^sa and was one of the first people to accept Islam at his hands. During the Battle of Badr, when the Companions had decided to guard the tent of the Holy Prophet^sa, Hazrat Abu Bakr^ra took the first step forward and offered his protection. He was also given the largest flag in the Battle of Tabuk and upheld this responsibility with great care and loyalty. Even when he became the first Khalifa of Islam, Hazrat Abu Bakr^ra bravely fought and defeated great uprisings that began to unfold in Islam. Some people once asked the Companions who the bravest companion was during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet^sa. They responded by saying:

“The bravest among them was considered to be the one who stood by the Holy Prophet^sa the most, especially during battle. This was the most dangerous place to be in terms of the threat of an enemy attack. Hence, only the bravest person, and often, it was Hazrat Abu Bakr^ra standing next to the Holy Prophet^sa, and so the Companions said that they saw him to be the bravest. Similarly, just as Gabriel accompanied the Holy Prophet^sa on the Night Journey, so too did Hazrat Abu Bakr^ra accompany the Holy Prophet^sa during his migration.” (www.alhakam.org/friday-sermon-men-of-excellence-hazrat-abu-bakr-25-november-2022/)

An incident of Hazrat Ali^ra ibn Abi Talib

The Companions not only displayed bravery during wars and battles but also showed no fear in any sort of situation they were faced with. Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib^ra was a brave and skilled warrior and participated in most battles alongside the Holy Prophet^sa. Often in wars, before the actual war would begin, three warriors from each side would step up in a one-to-one combat. The Holy Prophet^sa would often choose Hazrat Ali^ra demonstrating his skill and bravery, but this also shows the level of trust the Holy Prophet^sa had in Hazrat Ali^ra.

When the evil leaders of the Quraish decided that the only method left to end Islam and to stop it from spreading was to assassinate the Holy Prophet^sa, they lay siege to his house and waited like vultures to kill him. However, despite the danger and fear at the time, the Holy Prophet^sa asked Hazrat Ali^ra to act as a decoy and sleep in his bed for the night. Hazrat Ali^ra without hesitating said yes and wrapped himself in a cloak similar to that of the Holy Prophet^sa and posed as him whilst the Holy Prophet^sa quietly slipped away from beneath the noses of the enemies at nightfall. Hazrat Ali^ra was so loyal to the Holy Prophet^sa and loved him immensely, so much so that it is narrated by Hazrat Hubshi bin Junadah^ra that the Holy Prophet^sa stated:

‏ عَلِيٌّ مِنِّي وَأَنَا مِنْ عَلِيٍّ وَلاَ يُؤَدِّي عَنِّي إِلاَّ أَنَا أَوْ عَلِيٌّ ‏‏

Meaning that “Ali^ra is from me, and I am from Ali^ra. And none should represent me except myself or Ali^ra.” The following morning, the Quraish leaders were left fuming when they found Hazrat Ali^ra in bed instead of the Holy Prophet^sa. And again, a beautiful example of Hazrat Ali’s^ra bravery can be seen.

Hazrat Talha^ra bin Ubaidullah

Hazrat Talha^ra was among the ten companions who were given glad tidings of paradise during the lifetime of the Prophet^sa. He is especially remembered for his bravery shown during the battle of Uhud, in which he raised his hand to defend the blessed countenance of the Prophet^sa).

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra, regarding this incident, writes:

“A few companions rushed to the Holy Prophet^sa and formed a ring around him. They could not have been more than thirty in total. The Meccan army attacked this ring fiercely, where the Holy Prophet^sa was stood. One by one, the Muslims in the ring fell under the blows of Meccan swordsmen. Aside from the Meccans, who were with swords, from the hill, the archers sent volleys of arrows towards the Holy Prophet^sa. (Upon witnessing that the enemy was relentlessly firing arrows), at that time, Talha, one of the Quraysh and the Muhajirin (Meccan Muslims who had taken refuge in Medina), saw that the enemy arrows were all directed to the face of the Prophet^sa. He stretched out his hand and held it up against the Prophet’s^sa face. Arrow after arrow struck Talha’s^ra hand, yet this brave and valiant warrior did not allow his hand to move. With each shot, Talha’s hand was pierced through. Ultimately, it was completely mutilated, and Talha^ra lost his hand.

“Many years later, during the time of the Fourth Khalifa of Islam, when internal dissensions had raised their head, Talha^ra was tauntingly described by an enemy as the handless Talha. One companion replied, ‘Handless, yes, but do you know where he lost his hand? At the Battle of Uhud, in which he raised his hand to shield the Prophet’s^sa face from the enemy’s arrows.’ Long after the Battle of Uhud someone asked Talha^ra, ‘Did not your hand hurt under the arrow shots and the pain make you cry in anguish?’ Talha^ra replied, ‘Indeed it hurt me, and it almost made me cry in anguish, but I resisted both because I knew that if my hand shook even slightly, it would expose the Prophet’s^sa face to the volley of enemy arrows.’” (Deebacha Tafsir-ul-Quran, Anwarul Ulum, Vol. 20, p. 250)

This incident shows how much love and concern the companions had for the protection of the Holy Prophet^sa that despite having to lose their limbs, these men smiled in the face of the enemy and took every ounce of pain to protect their Beloved This example of sacrifice and bravery is truly inspirational.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Rawahah^ra

In one of his Friday sermons, regarding the blessed examples of the companions, Beloved Huzoor^aa mentioned of the bravery of Hazrat Abdullah bin Rawahah^ra. Huzoor^aa stated:

“Hazrat Abdullah^ra bin Rawaha demonstrated great mettle in the battlefield. Hazrat Nu‘man bin Bashir would later on narrate, “When Hazrat Ja‘far^ra was martyred, Hazrat Abdullah^ra bin Rawaha’s name was called, who, at the time, was to the side of the army. He came forward while addressing himself in the following couplet from his war poetry” the translation of which is: “O my soul! Will you not battle in such a manner that you give up your life? You have already entered the pool of death, and the time for the fulfilment of your desire to attain martyrdom is nigh. If you were to offer your life as a tribute right now, then perhaps you will obtain a good ending.”

“Mus‘ab^ra bin Shiba narrates:

“‘After the martyrdom of Hazrat Zaid^ra and Hazrat Ja‘far^ra, Hazrat Abdullah^ra bin Rawaha came to the front lines. A spear struck him, and a stream of blood gushed forth. He raised his hands, caught this blood and rubbed it on his face, after which he fell down in the middle of the army lines of the enemy and the Muslims. However, he continued to encourage the Muslims as their army general until his last breath. While motivating the Muslims in a most effective and passionate manner, he sought their help and said, ‘Look, O Muslims! Your brother’s body is lying in front of the enemy. Come forward and push the enemy away from this path and drive them out.’” hence, at that moment, the Muslims fiercely and successively attacked the enemies so much so that Hazrat ‘Abdullah also attained martyrdom.’ (Usdul Ghabah, vol. 3, pp. 237-238, Bab Abdullah^ra bin Rawaha, Darul Kutub al-‘ilmiyah, Beirut 1996; www.alislam.org/friday-sermon/2018-03-16.html)”

The high level of bravery and zeal shown by the companions of the Holy Prophet^sa was not only limited to just the male companions; rather, many of the female companions also exhibited parallel levels of bravery and courage.

Hazrat Umm Umarah^ra

Hazrat Umm Umarah bint Haritha, may Allah be pleased with her,was a well-known companion of the Holy Prophet^sa. She proved to people that women could be as brave as men when needed. Hazrat Umm Umarah^ra tirelessly participated in many battles alongside the Holy Prophet^sa demonstrating bravery and courage on many occasions. She was renowned for her skill in nursing and treating the wounded, as well as providing support on the battlefield. She could also fight when needed. Hence, her very character and service serve as an inspiration to other Muslim women. The following incident shows exactly this quality of hers.

“On this delicate occasion, many brave men wavered, but this brave woman stood steadfast against the attacks of the enemy. When one non-believer attacked her suddenly with a sword, she defended the blow with her shield, and the non-believer ran away. When he attacked her again, she stopped him with her shield again and swung her sword with such force at the feet of his horse, that both the horse and the rider fell to the ground. The Holy Prophet^sa witnessed this entire incident. He asked her son Abdullah^ra to go help his mother. Abdullah^ra immediately ran to aid Hazrat Umm Umarah^ra and killed that non-believer. At the same time, another non-believer attacked Abdullah^ra and wounded his left arm. Hazrat Umm Umarah^ra immediately put a bandage around her son’s wound and said,  “Son! Go fight till your last breath!” When the Holy Prophet^sa saw her sacrifice, he said:

من يطيق ما يطيقين يا ام عمارة

“O Umm Umarah^ra! No one has the strength you possess!”

That very instant, the non-believer returned and attacked  them again. The Holy Prophet^sa warned her, “Beware, Umm Umarah^ra! He is the same person who wounded Abdullah^ra earlier!” Hazrat Umm Umarah^ra launched her sword at the  attacker with such vengeance, she cut him into two pieces. Hazrat Umm Umarah^ra narrates, “The Holy Prophet^sa laughed at this so much that his teeth were visible, and he said, ‘O Umm Umarah^ra! You took revenge from him after all!’” At that moment, an insolent man threw a stone at the Holy Prophet^sa and broke two of his teeth. A non-believer named Ibn-e-Qami’ah then threw some more stones at the Holy Prophet^sa which caused some pieces of his armour to pierce into his cheek. The Muslim soldiers immediately transferred their attention to the wounded Prophet^sa.

Ibn-e-Qami’ah launched on his horse again and swung his sword at the Holy Prophet^sa. Hazrat Umm Umarah^ra was standing nearby, so she took this attack on her shield and attacked Ibn-e-Qami’ah back. Since he was wearing double armour, her sword couldn’t wound him, and it fell to the ground. Ibn-e-Qami’ah attacked her back and deeply wounded her shoulder. However, he could not dare return for another attack and ran off.” (Umm Umarah^ra, Nafisa Bashir, pp. 9-11)

In conclusion, the above-mentioned incidents are just a few of the examples showing the bravery of the companions of the Holy Prophet^sa. They showed the highest levels of bravery, courage, commitment and loyalty to Islam and the Prophet^sa. Their astonishing contributions on and off the battlefield serve as a reminder of what can be achieved by humanity when following the path of righteousness and faith and trust in Allah. May Allah enable us all to learn from and instil these examples into ourselves also. Amin.