Post by Islamic Revival on Oct 14, 2004 1:20:35 GMT -5
Abdur-Rahman was one of the first eight to embrace Islam and was one of the 10 that were promised to enter paradise (al-asharatu-l mubash-shirin). Like many of the early Muslims he faced persecution from Quraysh and was one of the early emigrants to Abyssinia. When Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and the Muslims emigrated to Medina the Ansar made them very welcome with the Muhajiroun paired with Ansar who generously offered to share their wealth. Abdur-Rahman was linked with Sa’d ibn ar-Rabi’ah who greeted Abdur-Rahman with the words:
“My brother! Among the people of Madinah I have the most wealth. I have two orchards and I have two wives. See which of the two orchards you like and I shall vacate it for you and which of my two wives is pleasing to you and I will divorce her for you”.
Abdur-Rahman responded: “May Allah bless you in your
family and your wealth. But just show me where the suq (market) is”.
Little did Sa’d know, but very soon Abdur-Rahman would be in a position comparable to him in his wealth.
An astute and honest trader it seemed that everything that Abdur-Rahman did was successful in trade. It was said that if he lifted a stone he expected to find gold or silver under it! Not only was he successful in trade but he distinguished himself in jihad, supporting it with his body and his wealth. In the battle of Uhud he suffered 20 wounds. Whenever the call to support expeditions came, Abdur-Rahman was always prominent and would think nothing of giving half or more of his wealth. At the time of the preparation for the battle of Tabuk, Abdur-Rahman put forward 200 awqiyyah of gold whereupon Omar ibn al-Khattab remarked to Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam): “I have now seen Abdur-Rahman committing a wrong. He has not left anything for his family”<br>
Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) asked: “Have you left anything for your family, Abdur-Rahman?”<br>
“Yes… I have left for them more than what I give and better”<br>
“How much”<br>
“What Allah and His Messenger have promised of sustenance, goodness and reward” replied Abdur-Rahman.
One of the other great responsibilities that Abdur-Rahman took on was to look after the needs of Rasullullah’s (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) family after the prophet died. This he did diligently and with no regard to what it cost him in terms of his wealth. on one occasion Abdur-Rahman sold a piece of land for 40,000 dinars and distributed the entire proceeds to the relatives of the Prophet’s mother Aminah, the poor among the Muslims and the Prophets’s wives. When Aisha received some of this money and learnt its source she said: “Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said – no one will feel compassion towards you after I die except the sabirin (those who are patient and resolute)”<br>
Abdur-Rahman embodied the true understanding of rizq (lifes provision) totally. Taking it as a trust and never feeling concerned that by spending on the Muslims, Jihad or the upkeep to the Prophet’s family that he would in any way diminish what Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) has decreed for him.
Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) in one hadith said:
“The holy spirit inspired in my soul that nobody will pass away until he accomplishes his livelihood (rizq ), term of life (ajal), and destiny”
The seeking of one’s provision can in so many cases distract the Muslims from their Islamic responsibilities. In a day and age when we need to expend so much for the sake of the Dawah to return the Islamic State (our prime responsibility), we need to take heed of the warnings. Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) says in a hadith Qudsi:
“Oh son of Adam! I created this existence for your sake and I created you for my sake so do not busy yourself with what is yours and be distracted from what you owe.”
Or in Surah Hud where we are warned of those that seek the provision as their life goal:
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“Those who desire the life of the present and its glitter, to them We shall pay (the price of) their deeds therein, without diminution. They are those for whom there is nothing in the hereafter but the Fire: What they did in it (life) will come to nothing. What they were doing will prove worthless!” [T.M.Q. 11:15-16]
One could never imagine Abdur-Rahman or the companions showing concern for their livelihood before the responsibility of speaking out against munkar or striving in Allah’s cause.
Rasullullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said:
“Let not the fear of people stop anyone of you from saying what is true, or doing something important, because what you say or do will not keep you from your rizq, or keep you from your ajal (life span).”<br>