'Amar and the best ears
Friday, August 29, 2008
WHEN the Messenger of Allah passed away, the outstanding Companion continued his march. At the meeting of Muslims with Persians, with Romans, and, before that, at their meeting with the army of apostates, 'Amar was always there in the first line, an honest, brave soldier who did not miss an opportunity.
He was a pious believer. No desire would take him away from Allah. When the Commander of the Faithful 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab chose governors for the Muslims meticulously and with reservation, his eyes usually fell on 'Amar Ibn Yasir in complete trust. That was how he hastened to him and made him the governor of Kufa, and made ibn Mas'ud in charge with him of its treasury (Bayt Al-Mal). He then wrote to the people of Kufa heralding the new governor and said, "'I send you 'Amar lbn Yasir as a governor, and lbn Mas'uud as a teacher and a minister. They are of the distinguished people of Muhammad's Companions, and of the people of Badr."
During his rule, 'Amar followed a way which was hard for worldly people to endure so that they turned against him, or were about to. His rule made him more modest, more pious, and more ascetic.
One of the public said to him when he was the governor of Kufa, "O you whose ear is cut off." He was scorning him because of his ear which had been cut off by the swords of the apostates during the Yamamah War.
The governor, in whose hands was the power of rule, merely said to his insulter, "You insulted the best part of my ear. It was injured in the cause of Allah."
It is true. It was injured in the cause of Allah on the Day of Yamamah, which was one of 'Amar's glorious days.
This giant set out in stormy courage to annihilate the soldiers in the army of Musailamah the Liar, offering death and destruction. When he perceived a lack of enthusiasm among the Muslims, he sent his quaking shouts which pushed them as shot arrows.
'Abdullah ibn 'Umar reported: I saw 'Amar Ibn Yasir on the Day of Yamamah on a rock shouting, "O you Muslim people, are you running away from Paradise? I am 'Amar lbn Yasir, come to me."
When I looked at him, I found his ear cut off and swinging while he was fighting fiercely. If there is anyone who has his doubts concerning Muhammad, the truthful Messenger and the perfect teacher, let him halt in front of these examples of his disciples and Companions and ask himself, "Is it possible for anyone to produce that refined style except a noble messenger and a great teacher?"
If they were involved in a fight for Allah's cause, they hastened as if they were looking for death, not only for victory.
If they were caliphs and rulers, the caliph went himself to milk the orphans' sheep and make their bread, as Abu Bakr and Umar did.
If they were governors, they carried their food on their backs, tied with a rope, as 'Amar did, or gave up their pay and set to making baskets and vessels out of plaited palm leaves, as Salman did. Should we not bow in salutation and respect to the faith that produced them and to the Messenger who raised them, and before all that to Almighty Allah?
Who chose them for that, guided them to it, and made them pioneers to the best nation of people on earth?
Men around the Messenger
He was a pious believer. No desire would take him away from Allah. When the Commander of the Faithful 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab chose governors for the Muslims meticulously and with reservation, his eyes usually fell on 'Amar Ibn Yasir in complete trust. That was how he hastened to him and made him the governor of Kufa, and made ibn Mas'ud in charge with him of its treasury (Bayt Al-Mal). He then wrote to the people of Kufa heralding the new governor and said, "'I send you 'Amar lbn Yasir as a governor, and lbn Mas'uud as a teacher and a minister. They are of the distinguished people of Muhammad's Companions, and of the people of Badr."
During his rule, 'Amar followed a way which was hard for worldly people to endure so that they turned against him, or were about to. His rule made him more modest, more pious, and more ascetic.
One of the public said to him when he was the governor of Kufa, "O you whose ear is cut off." He was scorning him because of his ear which had been cut off by the swords of the apostates during the Yamamah War.
The governor, in whose hands was the power of rule, merely said to his insulter, "You insulted the best part of my ear. It was injured in the cause of Allah."
It is true. It was injured in the cause of Allah on the Day of Yamamah, which was one of 'Amar's glorious days.
This giant set out in stormy courage to annihilate the soldiers in the army of Musailamah the Liar, offering death and destruction. When he perceived a lack of enthusiasm among the Muslims, he sent his quaking shouts which pushed them as shot arrows.
'Abdullah ibn 'Umar reported: I saw 'Amar Ibn Yasir on the Day of Yamamah on a rock shouting, "O you Muslim people, are you running away from Paradise? I am 'Amar lbn Yasir, come to me."
When I looked at him, I found his ear cut off and swinging while he was fighting fiercely. If there is anyone who has his doubts concerning Muhammad, the truthful Messenger and the perfect teacher, let him halt in front of these examples of his disciples and Companions and ask himself, "Is it possible for anyone to produce that refined style except a noble messenger and a great teacher?"
If they were involved in a fight for Allah's cause, they hastened as if they were looking for death, not only for victory.
If they were caliphs and rulers, the caliph went himself to milk the orphans' sheep and make their bread, as Abu Bakr and Umar did.
If they were governors, they carried their food on their backs, tied with a rope, as 'Amar did, or gave up their pay and set to making baskets and vessels out of plaited palm leaves, as Salman did. Should we not bow in salutation and respect to the faith that produced them and to the Messenger who raised them, and before all that to Almighty Allah?
Who chose them for that, guided them to it, and made them pioneers to the best nation of people on earth?
Men around the Messenger
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