The exemplary young Companions: Selflessness in honorary service to one’s nation

Rahmatullah Khan Shakir (1901-2000), Former Assistant Editor and Manager of Al Fazl

During the time of Hazrat Umar^ra, a large number of revenue collectors were needed to help perform the duties of the state. There arose great difficulty in their selection because they deemed it contrary to their piety and righteousness to accept a stipend and prefered to serve the nation without it.

Refusing payment for service to Islam

Once, Hazrat Abdullah^ra bin Saadi visited Hazrat Umar^ra. Hazrat Umar^ra said, “I know that you perform certain national duties, but when you are offered payment for your service, you refuse to accept it.” Hazrat Abdullah^ra replied that he owned horses and financially, he was sound, therefore he wanted to serve the Muslims for the sake of God, i.e. without taking any salary. (Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 1, p. 17, Musnad Umar^ra bin Al-Khattab, Hadith 100)

In the time of the Holy Prophet^sa, Hazrat Abdullah^ra bin Arqam was tasked with the writing of letters. He also continued this service in the time of Hazrat Abu Bakr^ra and Hazrat Umar^ra. He was appointed as the secretary of finance as well by Hazrat Umar^ra. 

At his retirement, in the time of Hazrat Uthman^ra, Abdullah^ra was offered 30,000 dirhams, or according to some reports, 200,000 dirhams. But he refused to accept it and replied that he had done that service for the pleasure of God and He alone would reward him for that service. (Usdul-Ghabah, Vol. 3, p. 69)

Serving the Prophet^sa with no desire for recompense

There is no denying the fact that the service of the Holy Prophet^sa for the cause of faith was the greatest of all, as the foundation of Islam was laid due to his person only. Therefore, the Companions would also serve the Holy Prophet^sa with great pleasure and would accept no recompense for it. 

It is reported about Hazrat Rabi‘ah^ra bin Salma that day in, day out, he would attend to the Holy Prophet^sa. After the Holy Prophet^sa would return home after the Isha prayer, Hazrat Rabi‘ah^ra would sit down at his door in order to perform any errand the Holy Prophet^sa needed. 

Once, the Holy Prophet^sa offered him some amount in lieu of his services, but he refused to accept it and said that he only wanted the Prophet^sa to intercede for him before God Almighty so as to be delivered from the Fire.

Once, the Holy Prophet^sa suggested that he should marry. But he replied that this botheration would hinder his service of the Holy Prophet^sa, which is why he did not wish to marry. (Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 4, p. 58, Musnad Rabi‘ah bin Ka‘b Aslami)

In addition to him, there were many other Companions^ra who had devoted their lives for the service of the Holy Prophet^sa. They would carry out even the most menial of tasks with utmost care. Cold water was a favourite of the Holy Prophet^sa and a companion had tasked himself with this service, in that he would bring cold water for him. (Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Zuhad war-Raqa‘iq, Bab Hadith Jabir wa Qissatu Abil-Yusar)

Companions^ra did not accept Islam for wealth, but for noble companionship of the Prophet^sa

A common problem in this age is that when someone is tasked with something, first they evaluate their financial benefit in it. But the Companions^ra were superior to such ignoble thoughts.

Once, the Holy Prophet^sa wanted to send Hazrat Amr^ra bin al-Aas for an expedition and said to him that he would be given a large share out of booty if God Almighty granted any. He replied that he did not accept Islam for the sake of money; he accepted it only to be benefited by the company of the Holy Prophet^sa. (Adabul-Mufrad, Bab Al-Malus-Salih lil-Mar‘us-Salih)

Hazrat Rabi‘ah^ra bin Kaab Aslami was a servant of the Holy Prophet^sa. Once, the Holy Prophet^sa desired to recompense him for his services and asked him to demand something. In reply he said, “O Prophet^sa of God! I want nothing else but your companionship in Paradise.” 

The Holy Prophet^sa asked him, “Anything else?” He replied, “Only this much do I want.” 

The Holy Prophet^sa said, “Offer Salat profusely and as a result, you will be rewarded with riches. (Sunan Abi Dawud, Kitab al-Salat, Bab Waqt Qiyamun-Nabi min-al-Lail)

An incident with regard to Hazrat Khalid^ra bin Waleed’s selfless service for Islam is the most distinguished of all. 

For certain reasons, Hazrat Umar^ra, in the beginning of his Khilafat, deposed Hazrat Khalid^ra bin Waleed from the post of commander-in-chief of the Muslim forces and assigned him to the leadership of Hazrat Abu Ubaidah^ra. 

The history of Islam is adorned with the military services, valour, courage, prudence and statesmanship of Hazrat Khalid^ra bin Waleed. It was due to his struggle and spirit of sacrifice that the resolve of Roman imperialism was shattered in the Battle of Yarmuk and the court of Caesar trembled with the fear of the Muslims. 

Despite this, Hazrat Umar^ra considered his deposition necessary and ordered for it. 

With magnanimity, Hazrat Khalid^ra complied with the command of the Khalifa of the time and let no scruples harbour in his thoughts. 

Being a subordinate to Hazrat Abu Ubaidah^ra, he exhibited the same valour and selflessness on the battlefield as he had exhibited when he was the commander-in-chief. (Futuh-ul-Buldan, Vol. 1, p. 118, Bab Amrul-Urdan)

This, in fact, is the spirit through which service on a national level can bring significant results. But the people who, for insignificant and nominal posts, hamper national activities and instead of being of some help, engage themselves in subversive activities, are a stigma for the nation. 

To serve one’s nation on a national level requires sincerity, selflessness and a distance from fame and glory. Anyone who is tasked with something on the national level should perform it being exalted of egoism. And this is the spirit which guarantees a nation’s success. 

(Translated by Shahid Mahmood Ahmad, Missionary in Ghana, from the original Urdu, Muslim Nau-jawanon kay Sunehri Karnamey)