Those Promised Paradise.

(Stories of the Sahabah)

by Noura Durkee.

Had read this book sent to me by my dearest bro, Abang Arif who's in S'pore.. Thankiu! Well, at least i have somethin to do while hubby haz is busy at work.. Muacks! Okae, this book is adapted by Noura Durkee, an American.. I'd dare say that she's a learned western woman scholar in Islam.. She and her husband became Muslims in 1970 while in Jerusalem.. For the love of Islam, she studied Arabic and Islamic Culture at Um Al-Qura University in Makkah and attended the Kamel Ibrahim School of Islamic Calligraphy in Alexandria in Egypt.. A writer and a lecturer on subjects on muslim education, comparative education and social life in Islam.. She and her husband founded a mosque on 10 1/2 Charlottesville Street, US.. Would jus like to share on wad i've read, the stories of Rasulullah's Sahabah.. There's 21 Sababahs in her book (volume one).. But i'll jus pick a few to share.. Here goes..

Saidina Abu Bakr As-Siddiq

This most honoured of the sahabah was a well known and well liked merchant of Makkah.. For years, he had been seeking a better religion and way of life than he found among his relatives and tribe.. He was not satisfied with Judaism and Zoroastrianism and Christianity that sometimes he encountered among the other traders.. He refused to believe in idol worship.. He, and a few others kept looking for the original Way of Makkah, the Way of Ibrahim (A.S.)

When he learned that his good friend Muhammad ibn Abdullah has been selected by Allah as his Prophet, Abu Bakr believed him immediately and without question. He held fast that belief always, im everythin that Rasulullah said and did.. He brought people to Islam through his absolute conviction, and he gave his life, his fortune and his family to the service of Islam and Rasulullah..

Throughout his life, Abu Bakr was Rasulullah's best friend.. Whenever Rasulullah needed anything, he tried to supply it.. As Islam grew, others were eager to serve and to help, but Abu bakr remained Rasulullah's closest companion.. He was the chosen one to make the difficult escape from Makkah to Madinah with Rasulullah.. He was the one who undertook the leadership of the Muslims after Rasulullah's death.. He was known as "As-Siddiq" which means the great witness if the truth.. He was a truth teller and truth seeker..

In the early days of Islam, many people refused to believe Rasulullah.. They called him a madman, a poet, a liar.. Even his new Sahabah who had accepted the faith, did not always believe everything.. One night Rasulullah experienced Mi'raj, during which he saw and experienced many marvellous things, before returning to Makkah.. In the morning he told people about this.. Many of them could not believe it.. How could a man travel so far in one night? Impossible! They thought it must be a dream or an tale.. Some people went to Abu Bakr and told him what Rasulullah was saying about his journey and asked him what he thought.. He simply said "If he said it, it's true.. Why are you surprised? He tells me that news comes to him from Heaven to earth in one hour of the day or night and i know he is speaking the truth.."

Once while Rasulullah was praying in Makkah, one of the kuffar named Uqbah came and put his sheet around Rasulullah's neck and squeezed it tight.. Abu Bakr came quickly and pulled Uqbah away and said "Do you intend to kill a man just because he says, 'My Lord is Allah' and has brought clear signs from your Lord?"

Along with the other early Sahabah, Abu Bakr's life was so closely intertwined with that of Rasulullah that his story is one long history of the growth of Islam.. Ammar remembered, "I saw Allah's Messenger and there were none other with him but five slaves, two women and Abu Bakr." From that, he went to being the leader of hundred of thousands of Muslims..

Abu Bakr is remembered for being the gentleman, polite and generous.. He is also remembered for the unshakeable love for Rasulullah and even more of Allah.. Abu Bakr used to read the Quran in public, his reading was so heartfelt and sincere that it brought people to Islam.. As a result, the leaders of the Quraish forced him to confine his reading to his own garden beside his house.. However, people could hear his voice over the garden wall, greatly frustrating the Quraish..

If Rasulullah said something was true, that was all the proof needed for Abu Bakr.. If Rasulullah said something should be done, Abu Bakr would see it done, no matter what.. Rasulullah appreciated his friendship and service and rewarded him in many ways.. One of the greatest rewards was his gift of companionship and time.. He visited Abu Bakr's house nearly everyday.. When it came time to emigrate to Madinah, Abu Bakr asked permission to go.. Rasulullah suggested that he wait, as he might have a companion.. Abu Bakr knew what he meant and had two fast camels put on a good diet in preparation for the trip..

On the day the two men left, A'ishah, Abu Bakr's daughter, saw Rasulullah coming at an unusual hour.. She saw her father get ready and watched the two flee from Makkah.. They came upon a cave, within which they hid, staying there for three days.. At one point of time, their pursuers came as close as the entrance to the cave.. Seeing their feet, Abu Bakr was frightened and alarmed, because he feared for Rasulullah's life.. He assured him "What do you think of two persons, the third of whom is Allah?" Indeed Allah showed them the paradise on the backwall of the cave, as if it opened oout into the garden and all fear was gone.. The trackers went away as well.. The next day, they proceeded on the way to Madinah..

Once Rasulullah said, ''The person who had favoured me most of all, both with his companionship and wealth is Abu Bakr.. If i were to take a closest friend other than my Lord, i would take Abu Bakr, but what connects us is Islamic brotherhood and friendliness.. All the gates of the masjid should should be closed except the gate of Abu Bakr.. Likewise when a woman asked Rasulullah what she should do if she came backto him and found him gone (dead).. he replied, "If you should not find me, go to Abu Bakr"..

One day, Umar and Abu Bakr had a quarrel and Umar refused to accept Abu Bakr's apologies.. Abu Bakr went to Rasulullah to ask for forgiveness for his quarrel.. The sahabah was careful to resolve even the smallest of matters, because of their fear of Allah.. So, Rasulullah asked Allah to forgive him twice.. Then Umar appeared searching for Abu Bakr to forgive him.. Rasulullah looked angry eventhough Abu Bakr said the fault was more of his.. Rasulullah said, "Allah sent me to you people, but you said, 'You are telling a lie,' while Abu Bakr said 'He has said the truth' and consoled me with all his resources." Then Rasulullah said twice, "Wont you then give up harming my companion?!" After that, nobody ever dared harmed Abu Bakr..

Almost daily, Abu Bakr and his wife Umm Ruman welcomed Rasulullah into their home.. Their little daughter, A'ishah, knew him as the most respected and beloved friend of the family.. When Rasulullah's dear wife Khadijah died, he became very lonely.. Someone suggested that he marry A'ishah.. They were engaged when she was young and married later.. Abu Bakr was Rasulullah's father-in-law as well as his closest friend..

Once Amr ibn al-'As asked the prophet, "Who is the most beloved person to you?" Rasulullah replied "A'ishah." He then asked, "Among the men?" Rasulullah replied, "Her father.."

Rasulullah loved Abu Bakr very much.. Once he was describing how people would be called from the many different gates of the Garden if they did different things, such as fasting or praying.. Abu Bakr asked, "Will anyone be called from those gates, O Rasulullah?" "Yes" replied Rasulullah, "and ihope you will be among those, O Abu Bakr."

Much later, when Islam was growing and the Muslims of Madinah wanted to make the Hajj to Makkah, Abu Bakr proved himself again.. The Muslims had travelled peacefully as afar as Hudaibiyah, a valley near Makkah.. The Makkans said they would fight them if they proceeded further.. After days of waiting and negotiation, a truce was written and signed.. To many Muslims, the truce seemed to be a defeat to Rasulullah.. He seemed to have given in on a lot of points and because of this, the Muslims were very upset.. Umar was very upset and went to Abu Bakr to talked about it.. Abu Bakr calmly said.. "Hold to his stirrup, for by Allah, he is right!" Of course, the truce of Hudaibiyah turned out to be one of the greatest benefits to the Muslims.. It led to years of peace during which many people could travel Makkah safely.. It eventually led to the conquest of Makkah and the satisfaction of all the Muslims' demand.. Abu Bakr understood and rightly trusted Rasulullah..

Towards the end of Rasulullah's life, he became too ill to lead the prayer.. He told A'ishah to ask Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer, but she said, "O Rasulullah, Abu Bakr is a very sensitive man, not strong of voice and much given to weeping when he recites the Quran..'' Rasulullah repeated firmly, "Tell him to lead the prayer.." A'ishah then suggested that Umar should take his place.. "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the prayer.." A'ishah tried to get help from Hafsah, but Rasulullah silenced them both.. "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer.. Let the blamer find fault, and let the ambitious aspire.. Allah and the believers will not have it otherwise.. " Many believe that in his choiceof Imam, Rasulullah chose his successor..

Abu Bakr's even and compassionate manner often saved the peopple from extremes.. This was best demonstrated when Rasulullah passed away.. All of Madinah was in turmoil adn the people did not know what to do.. Abu Bakr was in the other end of the city when Rasulullah seemed to be better, died.. He came quickly on horseback and found Umar insisting to the people that Rasulullah was not dead.. He had misinterpreted a verse of the Quran and believed that Rasulullah could not die before them all.. Abu Bakr went ti his house,and drew back his cloak that had covered Rasulullah's face.. He gazed at him, kissed him and said, "Dearer than my father and my mother, you have tasted death which Allah ahs decreed for you.. No death after that shall ever happen to you.." He drew the cloak over his face again and went out to the people

"Gently Umar!" he said, "Hear me speak!" the people began to hear Abu Bakr praised Allah saying,

"O people who has worshipped Muhammad, indeed, Muhammad is dead.. And who has worshipped Allah, indeed, Allah is living and does not die.. Muhammad is but a messenger, adn messengers before him have passed away before him.. If he die or be slain, will you then turm upon your heels? Who turns on his heels will thereby do no hurt to Allah and Allah will reward the thankful.." (3:144)

The people heard this verse which had been revealed after the battle of Uhud and it was as if they never heard it before.. Umar said afterwards, "When i heard Abu Bakr recite that verse, i was so astounded that i fell to the Earth.. My legs could not carry me.. I then knew that Allah's Messenger had died.."

Soon after Rasulullah's death, the Ansar decide to hold a new chief from among themsleves.. Hearing of this Abu Bakr, Umar and Abu Ubaidah went to them.. They found the Ansar praising themselves as the fighting force of Islam and talking of choosing a leader from among themselves.. Abu Bakr spoke to the people.. He complimented the Ansar on their greatness in supporting and defending Rasulullah adn the immigrants.. However, he tried to explain to them that in the present situation, the Arabs would never accept anyone who is not Quraish to lead them, because the Quraish were regarded as the best and noble clan of the Arabs.. He said that the Ansar were the ministers and the advisors and one from the Quraish must be the leader..

The Ansar said, "No, by Allah, we wont accept this.. There must be a ruler from us and one ruler from you.." Abu Bakr replied, "No, we will be the Rulers, and you will be the ministers.. I offer you one of these two men, pledge your allegiance to whichever you will".. An argument began, but Umar quickly said, "O Ansar, dont you know that the Messenger of Allah ordered Abu Bakr to lead the prayer?" They replied "We know it!".. "Then which of you willingly take precedence over him?!" shouted Umar.. "Allah forbid that we should take precedence over him!" said the Ansar..

Umar grabbed the hand of Abu Bakr and gave his allegiance to him.. "Our chief and the best among us and the most beloved of all of us to Allah's prophet.." Abu Ubaidah, the other sahabah, and everyone in the room came one after another and gave their pledge to him as well except Sa'ad who had hoped to be the new leader..

After the funeral of Rasulullah, Abu Bakr made a formal acceptance of the Khilafat:

"O people! I have been chosen as your ruler, but i have no claim to be the best among you.. Obey me only when i do good, but if i go astray, put me on the right path.. Truth is honesty, and lying is dishonesty.. The weakest of you is the strongest to me, as long as i havent restored his rights from others.. In the same way, the strongest of you is the weakest to me so long as i havent taken away from the rights of others.. You should keep in mind that the nation which gives up the struggle in the path of Allah becomes wretched and disgraceful to Allah.. When the evil deeds are everywhere in a nation, then Allah puts it to grief.. You are to obey me only when i obeyed Allah and His Messenger.. If i disobey Allah and His Messenger.. Then it shall not be required for you to obey me.."

Therein, this kind and compassionate man, whose own daughter found him too soft hearted and soft spoken took over the leadership of the Muslims.. (as narrated by the book itself..)

Ps: I love you dear.. Hope your read this sweetheart.. Muacks..

Farz loves Haz on 120807...