Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha 

Then we have the companion of the Holy Prophet (sa), Abdullah bin Rawaha (ra) who was a renowned poet of Arabia and was also known by his title of “Poet of the Messenger (sa)”.

*(Sirat Al-Sahab, Vol. 3, p. 409, Darul-Isha‘at, Karachi 2004)*

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Poet of the Messenger (sa)

The name of Hazrat Abdullah bin Rawaha’s (ra) father was Rawaha bin Tha‘labah. His mother’s name was Kabshah bint Waqid bin ‘Amr, who belonged to the Banu Harith clan of the Khazraj tribe of the Ansar. Hazrat Abdullah bin Rawaha (ra) participated in the Bai‘at at al-‘Aqabah and was the leader of Bani Harith bin Khazraj. His title was Abu Muhammad. Some have also reported his title as Abu Rawaha and Abu ‘Amr.

*(Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 3, p. 235, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2008)*

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Introduction

There is one account in which Urwah bin Zubair narrates that the Holy Prophet (sa) appointed Zaid (ra) bin Haritha as the army commander in the Battle of Mautah and stated that if Hazrat Zaid (ra) was martyred then Hazrat Ja’far (ra) bin Abi Talib would be the commander. If he too was martyred, then Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha would assume leadership. If Abdullah (ra) too was martyred, then Muslims were to appoint whoever they desired as commander. When the time came to see off the army, Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha began weeping. People asked Abdullah “Why are you weeping?” He said: 

“By God I have absolutely no love nor any desire for the world. However, I heard the Holy Prophet (sa) say, with regards to the Qur’anic verse:

وَ اِنْ مِّنْكُمْ اِلَّا وَارِدُهَا كَانَ عَليٰ رَبِّكَ حَتْمًا مَّقْضِيًّا

‘And there is not one of you but will come to it. This is a fixed decree with thy Lord,’ (Surah Maryam, CH.19: V.72)

That everyone must face the fire once. Hence, I do not know what my state will be once I have crossed the bridge of Siraat [on the day of reckoning].”

*(Usdul Ghabah, Vol. 3, p. 237, Bab Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha, Darul Kutub al-‘Ilmiyah, Beirut 1996)*

However, it is narrated that the Holy Prophet (sa) has given such God-fearing people the glad tidings of the best possible end. During the Battle of Mu’tah the Holy Prophet (sa) said regarding the army commanders, “I have seen them in Paradise seated on thrones of gold.” 

Thus, these were the people who fulfilled their noble objectives. Their desire for martyrdom is evident in the following poetic couplet, the translation of which is as follows: “May I be struck with such arrows and spears that pass through my intestines to my liver and my martyrdom be accepted before God, so that those who pass by my grave may say, ‘O God, be good to him, what a great warrior he was!’” 

Some details of the Battle of Mu’tah, in which he was martyred are that when they reached Mu’tah, they became aware that the Ghassani tribe had requested help against the Muslims from Heraclius, Caesar of Rome and that he had sent an army of 200,000 to combat the Muslims. 

At the time, the leaders of the Muslim army consulted each other and it was decided to send a message to the Holy Prophet (sa) with a request for reinforcements due to this increase in number of the enemy or to take any other action that the Holy Prophet (sa) advised. At this juncture, Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha boosted the morale of the Muslims and his war poetry also came to good use. The Muslim army consisting of 3,000 men advanced towards the opposing army of 200,000.

*(Usdul Ghabah, Vol. 3, p. 237, Bab Abdullahra bin Rawaha, Darul Kutub Al-‘Ilmiyah, Beirut 1996)*

The Battle of Mu'tah

It is narrated by an individual from the Ansar that the Messenger (sa) of Allah established a bond of brotherhood between Hazrat Abdullah bin Rawaha (ra) and Hazrat Miqdad (ra). According to Ibn Sa’d, he was one of the scribes of the Holy Prophet (sa).

*(Al-Isaba Fi Tamyeez Al-Sahaba, Vol. 4, p. 73, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, 2005)*

Bond of Brotherhood

How did the Holy Prophet (sa) certify such gatherings and their discussions? Hazrat Anas (ra) narrates:

“It was Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha’s practice that when he would meet his fellow companions, he would urge them:

تَعَالَ نُؤْمِنْ بِرَبِّنَا سَاعَةً

‘Come, let’s believe in our Lord for a while.’

One day, he said the same thing to a man but the man got angry at this. He went to the Holy Prophet (sa) and complained: ‘O Messenger (sa) of Allah! Look at Abdullah bin Rawaha. He is turning people away from believing in you and is inviting them to believe for a short while.’ the Holy Prophet (sa) said:

يَرْحَمُ اللّٰهُ ابْنَ رَوَاحَة

‘May Allah have mercy on Abdullah bin Rawaha. He is fond of such gatherings which the angels also take pride in.’”

*(Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, vol. 4, p. 676, hadith 13832, Musnad Anas bin Malik (ra), Alam al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyah, Beirut 1998)*

May Allah have Mercy on Abdullah ibn Rawaha

Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha was able to read and write in the era of ignorance, a time when the practice of writing was not common amongst the Arabs. After the Battle of Badr, the Holy Prophet (sa) sent Hazrat Zaid (ra) bin Haritha from Badr to Medina and Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha to Awaali to announce news of the victory. Awaali is the name of the area situated 4-8 miles north of Medina in which the village of Quba and some tribes are located.




Standard of Literacy

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) has explained the account of the Battle of Mu‘tah in the following manner – this has already been mentioned once before in reference to Hazrat Zaid (ra), however I shall mention it briefly again. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) states:

“The Holy Prophet (sa) had appointed Zaid (ra) as the commander of the army. However, the Holy Prophet (sa) also stated, ‘I am appointing Zaid (ra) as the commander of the army, but if Zaid (ra) is martyred during the battle, then Jafar (ra) will take command of the army. If he is also martyred, then Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha will take command. However, if he is also martyred then whoever the Muslims collectively agree upon should take the command of the army’. When the Holy Prophet (sa) stated this, a Jew was also sat in the company of the Holy Prophet (sa) and submitted, ‘Although I do not believe you to be a prophet, but if you are truthful, then none of these three individuals would return alive because anything uttered by a prophet is certainly fulfilled.’ The Jew then went to the Hazrat Zaid (ra) and stated, ‘If your prophet is true, then you shall not come back alive.’ Hazrat Zaid (ra) replied, ‘Regardless of whether I return from this battle alive or not, for Allah knows best, but it is an undeniable truth that our Messenger (sa) is truthful.’”

Despite not professing belief in the Holy Prophet (sa), the Jew knew that the words of the Holy Prophet (sa) were indeed going to be fulfilled, but this is the stubborn attitude of those who will not accept the truth whatever be the case. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) further writes:

“Allah’s wisdom so ordained that this incident was fulfilled exactly as foretold. Hazrat Zaid (ra) was martyred. Then, Hazart Jafar (ra) took up the command and he too was martyred. Then, Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha took up the command of the army and was also martyred. It was possible that in this moment, the Muslim army could have dispersed but Hazrat Khalid (ra) bin Waleed took the flag in his hand at the behest of the Muslims. Allah gave victory to the Muslims through him and he returned the army safely.”

*(Fariza-e-Tabligh Aur Ahmadi Khawatin, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 18, pp. 405-406)*

Battle of Mu'tah (Hazrat Musleh Maud's (ra) Narration)

Hazrat Urwah (ra) bin Zubair relates that the Holy Prophet (sa) appointed Hazrat Zaid (ra) bin Harithah as the commander of the army on the occasion of the Battle of Mu‘tah and stated that if Hazrat Zaid (ra) was martyred then Hazrat Jafar bin Abi Talib (ra) would be the commander. If he too was martyred, then Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha would take control. If Abdullah (ra) too was martyred, then the Muslims should appoint whoever they desired as their commander. When the army was ready and about to depart, the people were seeing off the appointed commanders of the Holy Prophet (sa) and praying for their safety. When they saw off the commanders of the Holy Prophet (sa), Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha began to weep.

The people enquired as to why he was weeping, to which he replied, “By God, I have absolutely no love nor any desire for the world. However, I heard the Holy Prophet (sa) speaking with regard to the Quranic verse:

وَ اِنۡ مِّنۡکُمۡ اِلَّا وَارِدُہَا ۚ کَانَ عَلٰی رَبِّکَ حَتۡمًا مَّقۡضِیًّا 

‘And there is not one of you but will come to it [referring to Hell]. This is a fixed decree with thy Lord.’ (Surah Maryam, Ch.19: V.72)

Hence, after having treaded this delicate path [i.e. the Day of Reckoning,] I do not know what my condition will be.”

In the preceding verses, God Almighty has mentioned Hell-Fire, which caused him concern, whereas in other verses, it is clearly stated that this is not the case of a believer and one who takes up Jihad in the way of Allah. Nevertheless, the people told him that God Almighty was with them and He would bring them back safely. It is written in a footnote of Tafsir-e-Saghir, and also in Tafsir-e-Kabir, that this would not be the fate of a believer but only for the disbelievers.

The Promised Messiah (as) has explained this further in light of some ahadith. The summary of the footnote from Tafsir-e-Saghir is as follows:

“The Holy Quran mentions two types of Hell – one is in this very life and the other is in the Hereafter. Where it is stated, ‘All shall enter Hell,’ it does not mean to say that the believers shall also enter therein, rather it means that believers shall experience some aspect of Hell in this very life, i.e. the disbelievers inflict them with all sorts of suffering. Otherwise, from the Holy Quran, it is evident that the believers shall never enter the Hellfire, because according to the Holy Quran, regarding the believers it states:

لَا يَسْمَعُونَ حَسِيسَهَا  

i.e. the believers shall remain so far from Hell that they will not hear the slightest sound thereof. Hence, the meaning behind believers entering the fire is that they shall suffer afflictions in this life. The Holy Prophet (sa) has even declared fever as a type of fire, where he states:

الْحُمّٰى حَظُّ كُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ مِنَ النَّار

‘Fever is a portion of the Hellfire for every believer.’” (Tafsir-e-Saghir, Ch.19: V.72)

Nevertheless, this was a brief explanation. The believers saw off the army and prayed for them to be safeguarded from every evil of the enemy. Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha recited the following poetic verses:

لَكِنَّنِيْ اَسْأَلُ الرَّحْمَانَ مَغْفِرَةً

وَ ضَرْبَةً ذَاتَ فَرْغٍ يَقْذِفُ الزَّبَدَا

اَوْ طَعْنَةً بِيَدَيْ حَرَّانَ مُجْهِزَةً

بِحَرْبَةٍ تُنْفِذُ الْاَحْشَاءَ وَالْكَبِدَا

حَتّٰى يَقُوْلُوْا اِذَا مَرُّوْا عَلٰى جَدَثِيْ

يَا اَرْشَدَ اللّٰهُ مِنْ غَازٍ وَ قَدْ رَشَدَا

“I seek forgiveness from the Merciful God, and I seek the ability to be able to produce such a strike from my sword, which would inflict a great wound and thereby draw out fresh blood that spumes out. And the ability to launch an attack of the spear which is carried out by one who makes full preparation and is thirsty for blood; whose spear pierces through the liver and intestines. [May I continue to valiantly fight] until my death and when people pass by my grave, they will say, ‘O thou who took part in the battle, may Allah grant you good’ and indeed Allah will have done so.’”

Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha then presented himself before the Holy Prophet (sa) and the Holy Prophet (sa) then bade farewell to the army. The army continued to travel and stopped at a place called Ma‘aan, which is a town situated in Syria towards Hijaz, in the suburbs of Balqaa. It was there that they learnt that Heraclius, along with 100,000 Roman soldiers and 100,000 Arab soldiers, was at Ma‘aab. Ma‘aab is also a town situated in the suburbs of Balqaa, Syria. The Muslims remained in Ma‘aan for two days and discussions amongst themselves ensued that they should send someone to the Holy Prophet (sa) to inform him of the size of the enemy, i.e. that the enemy were in extremely large numbers.

They thought that either the Holy Prophet (sa) would send reinforcements or he would issue another commandment. However, Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha gave courage to the Muslims and reinvigorated their passion. Subsequently, the Muslims, despite being only 3,000 in number, marched ahead and met the roman army in Balqaa near a place called Mushaarif. There are quite a few areas that went by the name of Mushaarif; one was located near Horan, one was near Damascus and the other was near Balqaa. From this location, the Muslim army moved towards Mu‘tah.

*(Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifat Al-Sahaba, Vol. 3, p. 237, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2008) (Tafsir-e-Saghir, 19:72, p. 390) (Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 5, p. 247, Al-Mizan, Urdu Bazar, Lahore), (Mujam-ul-Buldan, Vol. 5, pp. 179, 37, 153-154)*

Hazrat Anas (ra) relates that the Holy Prophet (sa) announced to the people the news of the martyrdom of Hazrat Zaid (ra), Hazrat Ja‘far (ra) and Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha and this was prior to any news directly reaching them about this incident. In other words, the Holy Prophet (sa) informed the people before any news had reached them. The Holy Prophet (sa) stated, “Zaid (ra) was holding the flag and was martyred, then Jafar (ra) took the flag and he was also martyred and then Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha took hold of the flag and he too was martyred.”

As the Holy Prophet (sa) was stating this, tears were flowing from his eyes. The Holy Prophet (sa) then stated, “The flag was then taken by one of the swords of Allah, and eventually Allah the Almighty granted them victory through him.”

*(Sahih Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Maghazi, Hadith no. 4262)*

When the Holy Prophet (sa) learnt of the martyrdom of Hazrat Zaid (ra) bin Haritha, Hazrat Jafar (ra) and Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha, he stood up to pay tribute. The Holy Prophet (sa) started with Hazrat Zaid (ra) and stated:

اَللّٰھُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِزَيْدٍ، اَللّٰھُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِزَيْدٍ، اَللّٰھُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِزَيْدٍ، اَللّٰھُمَّ اغْفِرْ  لِجَعْفَرٍ وَ لِعَبْدِ اللّٰہِ ابْنِ رَوَاحَةَ

“O Allah, grant forgiveness to Zaid (ra)! O Allah, grant forgiveness to Zaid (ra)! O Allah, grant forgiveness to Zaid (ra)! O Allah, grant forgiveness to Jafar (ra) and Abdullah bin Rawaha (ra).”

*(Al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra, Vol. 3, p. 34, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990)*

Hazrat Aisha (ra) narrates that when Hazrat Zaid (ra) bin Haritha, Hazrat Jafar (ra) and Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha were martyred, the Holy Prophet (sa) went and sat in the mosque. Emotions of grief and sorrow were visible from the Holy Prophet’s (sa) blessed countenance.

*(Sunan Abi Daud, Kitab-ul-Janaiz, Hadith no. 3122)*


Battle of Mu'tah & Martyrdom

Hazrat Saeed (ra) bin Jubair relates that the Holy Prophet (sa) entered Masjid al Haram on his camel and out of reverence for the Hajr-e-Aswad [black stone], he touched it with his staff. Alongside him was also Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha, who was holding the reins of the Holy Prophet’s (sa) camel whilst reciting the following couplets:

خَلُّوْا  بَنِي الْكُفَّارِ عَن سَبِيْلِهْ

نَحْنُ ضَرَبْنَاكُمْ عَلٰى تَأْوِيْلِهْ

ضَرْبًا يُّزِيْلُ الْهَامَ عَنْ مَقِيْلِهْ

meaning, “O disbelievers, make way for the Holy Prophet (sa), for after accepting him, we have dealt you such a blow that removes the head from its resting place.”

Hazrat Qais (ra) bin Abi Hazim relates that the Holy Prophet (sa) told Hazrat Abdullah bin Rawaha (ra) to dismount and have our camels moving, i.e. recite such poetry that shall cause our camels to move swiftly just as was the tradition of the camel riders. He replied, “O Messenger (sa) of Allah, I have abandoned such poetry. Hazrat Umar (ra) then said, “Hear and obey”.

Consequently, Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha dismounted his camel and recited the following couplets:

يَا رَبِّ لَوْلَا أَنْتَ مَا اهْتَدَيْنَا

وَلَا تَصَدَّقْنَا وَلَا صَلَّيْنَا

فَأَنْزِلَنْ سَكِيْنَةً عَلَيْنَا

وَثَبِّتِ الْأَقْدَامَ إِنْ لَاقَيْنَا

إِنَّ الْكُفَّارَ قَدْ بَغَوْا عَلَيْنَا

That is, “O Lord, if it were not for You, we would not have attained guidance, given alms or offered prayers. Send down peace and tranquillity upon us and grant us steadfastness when we meet the enemy, for the disbelievers have attacked us.”

Waqee‘ has also narrated this, with the addition of:

وَإِنْ أَرَادُوْا فِتْنَةً أَبَيْنَا

“And if they desire to create disorder, we oppose it” i.e. they would put an end to this disorder and not allow it to spread. The narrator then states that the Holy Prophet (sa) said, “O Allah, have mercy on them”, to which Hazrat Umar (ra) answered, “It has been ordained”.

In other words, through the prayers of the Holy Prophet (sa), mercy had been decreed.

Poetry at Umratul Qadha

There are incidents where Hazrat Abdullah bin Rawaha (ra) expressed his devotion, love and sense of honour for the Holy Prophet (sa), one of which is as follows:

Urwah related that Usama bin Zaid informed him that the Holy Prophet (sa) was mounted on a donkey which had a saddle, beneath which was a cloth from the region of Fadak. He had Usama sitting behind him. He had travelled to the tribe of Banu Harith bin Khazraj to enquire of the health of Hazrat Sa’d bin ‘Abadah (ra). This incident took place before the battle of Badr. The Holy Prophet (sa) passed by a group of people, which comprised of Muslims, idolaters and Jews who all sat together. Among them was ‘Abdullah bin Ubayy and also in this assembly was ‘Abdullah bin Rawaha (ra). When the Holy Prophet (sa) drew closer to the group, his mount caused a little dust to swirl up in the air. ‘Abdullah bin Ubayy (ra) covered his nose with his cloth and said, “Don’t spread dust on us.” The Holy Prophet (sa) said to them “Peace be upon you.” Then he stopped and dismounted. He began calling them to Allah the Exalted and reciting the Holy Qur’an to them. ‘Abdullah bin Ubayy said to the Holy Prophet (sa) “O you, this is not good. Even if what you say is true, do not come to our gathering and trouble us. So return to where you came from and relate only to those who come to you.” Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Rawaha (ra), who was also seated there said, “O Messenger of Allah! You may come to our gatherings we very much like this.”

*(Sahih Muslim, Kitab Al-Jihad Wa Al-Siyar, Bab Fi Du’a Al-Nabisa Wa Sabarihi, Hadith 4659)*

He did not give heed as to what his leader was saying. This was the sense of honour and love which ‘Abdullah bin Rawaha (ra) overwhelmingly expressed for the Holy Prophet (sa) and did not care one bit for the chiefs and worldly people.

Devotion, Love & Sense of Honour for the Holy Prophet (sa)

After the battle of Badr had ended, he was the one who delivered the message of victory to the people of Medina.

*(Al-Tabqat Al-Kubra Li-ibni Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 398, Bab Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha, Darul Kutub Al-‘Ilmiyah, Beirut 1990)*

Messenger of the Victory of Badr

Hazrat Ubadah (ra) bin Samit relates that the Holy Prophet (sa) went to visit Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha whilst he was sick and was unable to get up from his bed. The Holy Prophet (sa) asked, “Do you know who the martyrs of my ummah [people] are?”

The people answered, “The martyrs are those Muslims who are slain.” The Holy Prophet (sa) said, “In that case, there would be very few martyrs in my ummah” and then said, “The Muslim who is slain is a martyr, the one who dies due to an ailment of the stomach is a martyr, the one who drowns is a martyr and the woman who dies during childbirth is a martyr – all these are various types of martyrdom.” 

*(Al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra, Vol. 3, pp. 398-400, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, 1990) (Mujam-ul-Buldan, Vol. 4, p. 187) (Al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra, Vol. 2, p. 13, Dar-ul-Kutub al Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990)*

Definition of Martyrs

Following the conquest of Khaybar, the Holy Prophet (sa) sent Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha in order to make an estimate of the fruit yield and land etc. Once, Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha fell so severely ill that he became unconscious. The Holy Prophet (sa) came to visit him and said, “O Allah! If his appointed time is nigh, then make it easy for him.”

In other words, if the time of his demise is near, then make it easy for him and if his appointed time has not yet approached, then grant him health. Following this prayer, Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha’s fever subsided. Sensing this improvement [in his health], he said, “O Prophet (sa) of Allah! During my illness, my mother would say regarding me, ‘O my rock and my support!’ I saw [in a vision] that an angel was standing before me holding an iron club and asked, ‘Are you truly like this?’ Upon this, I replied that I am. Subsequently, he hit me with the iron club.”

There is another similar narration, and it seems to be more accurate. He says that an angel was holding an iron club and asking him that is he truly as his mother describes him; i.e. as a mountain and her support? (The angels enquired because this was a form of Shirk [associating partners with God].)

Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha replied, “If I was to say that I indeed was like this, he would certainly have struck me with the iron club.” 

*(Al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra, Vol. 2, p. 417, Dar-ul-Fikr, 2012)*

Aversion to Shirk

Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbas (ra) relates that the Holy Prophet (sa) sent forth some companions on an expedition, among whom was Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Rawaha (ra). It was a Friday and the other companions in this expedition had already left in the morning. He said “I shall offer my Jumu’ah Prayer with the Holy Prophet (sa) and then join them.” When the Holy Prophet (sa) saw him present in the mosque, after completing the Friday Prayers, he asked, “What is it that hindered you from leaving with your companions?” He answered “O Messenger of Allah! It was my earnest desire and wish to be present during the Friday Prayers with the Holy Prophet (sa) and listen to your sermon. Thereafter I will take another route and meet up with the group.” The Holy Prophet (sa) stated, “Even if you spent all that was in the earth, you would still not attain the reward of those who, in accordance with the instructions, departed in the morning for the expedition.”

*(Sunan Al-Tirmidhi, Abwab Al-Jumu’ah, Bab Ma Ja-a Fi Safar Yaum Al-Jumu’ah, Hadith 527)*

So here, the emphasis is on obedience being obligatory.  It has been narrated that after this, whenever he went on an expedition or participated in a battle, Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Rawaha (ra) was always the first to join the group and the last to return to Medina.

*(Usdul Ghabah, Vol. 3, p. 236, Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha, Darul Kutub Al-‘Ilmiyah, Beirut 1996)*

A Valuable Lesson on Obedience

Hazrat Abdullah bin Rawaha (ra) participated in all the battles alongside the Holy Prophet (sa), including the battles of Badr, Uhud, Khandaq, Treaty of Hudaibiyyah, Khaybar and Umra al-Qada’. He was martyred during the battle of Mu’ta and was one of the commanders during this battle.

Participation in Battles alongside the Holy Prophet (sa)

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)*

Martyrdom

His widow related one of his great attributes. She got married after his martyrdom and her husband enquired, “Tell me something about Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawahah’s pure character.” The lady gave a most beautiful testament in this regard. She replied:

“Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha would never leave the house without offering two rak’at [units] of supererogatory prayers. Similarly, the very first thing he would do after entering the house was, after performing ablution he would offer two rak’at of supererogatory prayers.”

*(Al-Asabah fi Tamiz Al-Sahaba, vol. 4, p. 74, Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha, Darul Kutub al-‘Ilmiyah)*

These were the people who would remember Allah the Almighty in every condition and at every moment. 

Noble Characteristics

Zaid (ra) bin Arqam narrates Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha’s desire for martyrdom. He states: 

“Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha took me with him for the battle of Mautah, riding together on his camel.” Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha had raised Hazrat Zaid (ra) bin Arqam as an orphan child and had trained him. He says, “One night I heard Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha reciting a poetic couplet in reminiscence of his family, saying that he would never return home again. He was humming this couplet joyously in which he would address his wife and say ‘Thursday night, when you packed my saddle for this journey in Jihad, you were close to me one last time, how wonderful and blessed was your state. There are no imperfections and flaws in you. However, I am here now in the battlefield and I shall never return to you.’”

This was his way of bidding farewell to his family in their absence. When the young Zaid (ra) heard this, he became sad and began weeping. Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha admonished him and said:

“O naïve child, what do you have to lose if Allah the exalted grants me martyrdom? If that happens, you will in fact sit on my ride comfortably, all by yourself, and return home.”

*(Usdul Ghabah, Vol. 3, pp. 236-237, Bab Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha, Darul Kutub al-‘Ilmiyah)*

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.”

Earnest Desire for Martyrdom

Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib (ra) writes:

“Upon arriving in Medina, the first task was the construction of Masjid-e-Nabawi. The place where the camel of the Holy Prophet (sa) chose to rest, was the property of two children from Medina named Sahl and Suhail, who lived in the guardianship of Hazrat As‘ad bin Zurarah (ra). This was a vacant land, on which a few date palms had been planted in one area. In another area, there were ruins, etc. The Holy Prophet (sa) selected this plot to construct the Masjid-e-Nabawi, and his own livings quarters. This plot of land was purchased for 10 Dinar, or approximately 90 Rupees. The surface was levelled and cleared of trees, after which the construction of Masjid-e-Nabawi began. The Holy Prophet (sa) supplicated to Allah and laid the foundation stone himself. Just as in the construction of the mosque at Quba, the Companions worked as builders and labourers. The Holy Prophet (sa) would also participate at times. Occasionally, while lifting bricks, the Companions would recite the following couplet of Abdullah bin Rawaha Ansari (ra):

ھٰذَا الْحِمَالُ لَا حِمَالَ خَيْبَرَ

ھٰذَا اَبَرُّ رَبَّنَا وَاَطْھَرٗ

‘This burden is not the burden of Khaybar’s commercial goods, which arrive loaded on the backs of animals; Rather, O our Lord! This is the burden of virtue and purity, which we bear for Your pleasure.’ At times, the Companions would recite the following couplet of Abdullah bin Rawaha (ra):

اَللّٰھُمَّ اِنَّ الْاَجْرَ اَجْرُ الْاٰخِرَۃ

فَارْحَمِ الْاَنْصَارَ وَالْمُھَاجِرَۃ

‘O Our Allah! True reward is merely that of the hereafter. By Your Grace, send down Mercy upon the Ansar and Muhajirin.’ When the Companions would recite this couplet, at times, the Holy Prophet (sa) would also join in. In this manner, after a long period of hard work, the mosque was completed.”

*(Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra), pp. 269-270)*

![The Prophet's Mosque, Medina](https://sahabaapp-storage-dpqdg2r4eoj1c102909-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/public/Image/Pictures/masjid-nabi-4525144.jpg)

Poetry During the Construction of the Prophet's (sa) Mosque

There is a narration about his standard of obedience. Hazrat Abu Laila (ra) narrates:

“Once the Holy Prophet (sa) was delivering a sermon during which he said, ‘O people be seated.’ Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha was outside the mosque on his way to listen to the sermon but he sat right then and there. The Holy Prophet (sa) addressed him and stated:

زَادَكَ اللہُ حِرْصًا عَلَي طَوَاعِيَةِ اللہِ وَ طَوَاعِيَةِ رَسُوْلِهِ

‘(O Abdullah bin Rawaha.) May Allah the exalted increase your passion of obeying Allah and His messenger.’”

Standard of Obedience

It is mentioned in Kitab al-Zuhd, a book by Hazrat Imam Ahmad (rh) that when Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha used to meet one of his companions, he used to say, “Come, let us sit down and rejuvenate our faith in our Lord.”

It is mentioned in the same book that the Holy Prophet (sa) said, “May Allah have mercy on Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha. He loves such gatherings, of which even the angels are pleased with.”

Hazrat Abu Huraira (ra) relates that the Holy Prophet (sa) said:

نِعْمَ الرَّجُلُ عَبْدُ اللّٰہِ بْنُ رَوَاحَةَ

Meaning, “What an excellent man Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha is!”

An Excellent Man

What were the standards of these people concerning organizing religious gatherings, engaging in purposeful conversations, fulfilling the due rights of each other? In this regard Hazrat Abu Darda’ (ra) narrates:

“I seek refuge from Allah the Exalted that I may face a day when I do not remember Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha. I think of him every single day and this is due to one of his good qualities. Whenever we met, if he would arrive from behind me he would put his hand on my shoulders; if he would arrive from the front he would place his hand on my chest and say, ‘O Abu Darda’! Let’s go and let’s sit down together to reinvigorate our faith. Let’s talk about faith.’ We would sit together for as long as possible and remember Allah the almighty. Then he would say: ‘O Abu Darda’! These are spiritual gatherings.’”

*(Usdul Ghabah, Vol. 3, p. 236, Bab Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha, Darul Kutub al-‘Ilmiyah, Beirut 1996)*

Hence, those who organized such spiritual gatherings also established models for us to follow and emulate. 

A Model to Follow and Emulate

He was an illustrious poet. Amongst the Companions of the Holy Prophet (sa), aside from Hazrat Ka‘b bin Malik and Hazrat Hassan bin Thabit, he was among the three illustrious poets. His poetry was in the Razmiya [epic tales] style.

The author of Mu‘jam Al-Shu‘ara wrote:

“Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha was also a renowned poet in the Jahiliyya [pre-Islam era] period, and even after the dawn of Islam he held a prominent status. Hazrat Abdullah (ra) composed such a couplet in praise of the Holy Prophet (sa) that can be termed as his best couplet. This couplet beautifully captures the state of his heart in which Hazrat Abdullah addresses the Holy Prophet (sa):

لَوْ لَمْ تَكُنْ فِيْهِ آيَاتٌ مُّبَيِّنَةٌ

كَانَتْ بَدِيْهَتُهُ تُنْبِيْكَ بِالْخَبَرِ

‘O Muhammad! Even if you were without the countless luminous signs that radiate your truthfulness and veracity, your countenance alone was enough to declare your truthfulness.’”

*(Al-Asabah fi Tamiz Al-Sahaba, vol. 4 p. 75, Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha, Darul Kutub al-‘ilmiyah, Beirut 2005)*

These people were true ardent devotees of the Holy Prophet (sa), who recognised the truth by merely seeing the countenance of the Holy Prophet (sa). 

Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha was also a poet and among those who would respond to the insults of the opponents in defence of the Holy Prophet (sa).

Some of these verses are as follows:

إِنِّيْ تَفَرَّسْتُ فِيْكَ الْخَيْرَ اَعْرِفُهُ

وَ اللّٰہُ يَعْلَمُ أَنْ مَا خَانَنِيْ الْبَصَرُ

أَنْتَ النَّبِيُّ وَ مَنْ يُحْرَمْ شَفَاعَتَهُ

يَوْمَ الْحِسَابِ فَقَدْ أَزْرَى بِهِ الْقَدَرُ

فَثَبَّتَ اللّٰهُ مَا آتَاكَ مِنْ حَسَنٍ

تَثْبِيْتَ مُوْسٰى وَنَصْرًا كَالَّذِيْ نُصِرُوْا

That is, “I recognised the goodness in your blessed being (that is the Holy Prophet (sa)) and Allah knows that my eyes were not deceived. You indeed are the Prophet. Whoever will be deprived of your intercession on the Day of Judgement has certainly been decreed to be worthless. Thus, may Allah grant him [i.e. the Holy Prophet (sa)] steadfastness in the qualities He has endowed him with, just as He granted Moses (as) steadfastness, and may God help him just as the prophets of the past were helped.”

Hearing these verses, the Holy Prophet (sa) said, “O son of Rawaha! May Allah grant you steadfastness.”

Hisham bin Urwah said that as a result of this prayer, Allah granted him great steadfastness, so much so that when he was martyred and the doors of heaven were opened for him, he entered therein. Ibn Saad relates that when the following verse was revealed:

وَ الشُّعَرَآءُ یَتَّبِعُہُمُ الۡغَاوٗنَ

“And as for the poets – it is the erring ones who follow them” (Surah al-Shu‘ara, Ch.26: V.225)

Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha said that Allah the Exalted is well aware if he is from among them. Upon this, the following verse was revealed:

اِلَّا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَ عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ

“Save those who believe and do good works.” 

*(Surah al-Shu‘ara, Ch.26: V.228)*

Quiz

Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Rawaha