THE DEVOTION OF THE SAHAABAH-E-KIRAAM (RADIYALLAAHU ANHUM)

The Sahaabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu Anhum) were the first followers of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam). They were the first to whom the commandments of the Qur'an-e-Kareem were applied, and their behaviour was characterised by total and sincere devotion to Allah Ta'ala. As soon as a command from Allah Ta'ala was received, they would compete with one another in fulfilling it, for their sole purpose was to please Allah Ta'ala, which they considered to be the noblest of aims. Many of them even sacrificed their lives in order to achieve this goal.

Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiyallahu Anhu) was helping a poor Sahaabi (Radiyallahu Anhu) named Mistah (Radiyallahu Anhu). When the Munaafiqeen falsely accused Hadhrat 'Aisha (Radiyallahu Anha), the daughter of Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiyallahu Anhu), of adultery, Mistah (Radiyallahu Anhu) was deceived by them and became part of their campaign of lies. Upon hearing this, Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiyallahu Anhu) was deeply angered and stopped all aid to Mistah (Radiyallahu Anhu).

It was then that Allah Ta'ala revealed the following verse:

"The high ranking and wealthy ones among you should not take an oath not to spend on their relatives, the poor and on those who migrate in Allah's path. They should forgive and pardon. Do you not like Allah to forgive you? Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful." (24:22)

Upon hearing the revelation of this verse, Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiyallahu Anhu) began to cry and said,

"O Allah! I certainly wish that You would forgive me."

He then resumed his assistance to Mistah (Radiyallahu Anhu). When verse 92 of Surah 3 was revealed, where Allah Ta'ala says:

"You shall never reach righteousness until you spend of that which you love." (3:92)

The Sahaabah (Radiyallahu Anhum) began to search for what they loved most among their possessions so that they could spend it in the Path of Allah. Hadhrat Abu Talha (Radiyallahu Anhu), who was the wealthiest among the Ansar, owned a very fertile garden whose harvests were always excellent. In this garden, there was a well where Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) often went to quench His thirst. Of all his possessions, Abu Talha (Radiyallahu Anhu) loved this garden the most. Following the revelation of the aforementioned verse, Abu Talha (Radiyallahu Anhu) went to Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) and announced his intention to give the garden as Sadaqah. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) then advised him to give it to his relatives and cousins, and this is exactly what Abu Talha (Radiyallahu Anhu) did.

Hadhrat Zayd bin Haarith (Radiyallahu Anhu) offered as Sadaqah a horse that he loved the most, while Hadhrat 'Umar (Radiyallahu Anhu) and Hadhrat 'Abdullah bin 'Umar (Radiyallahu Anhu) each freed a slave woman who was very dear to them.

This gives us an insight into the immense devotion of the Sahaabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu Anhum). As soon as they learned of the command of Allah Ta'ala, they immediately acted upon it. May Allah Ta'ala grant us the Taufiq to obey Him with similar promptness. (Ameen)

[English version of "La dévotion des Sahaabah‎-é-Kiraam (Radiyallahou anhoum‎)" – Al Haadi – Vol. 1 No. 10]