If you'd stand in front of the Prophet (saw) just one minute...

The story of Baraa

This story is of a little girl named Bar`ah who is 10 years old, her parents were doctors who moved to Saudi Arabia in search of better life. In this age Bar`ah memorized the whole quran with the tajweed, she was very intelligent, her teacher use to tell her she should be in middle school not primary one....Her family is small and committed to Islam and its teaching.... suddenly one day the mother started feeling sever abdominal pain, after tests and checkups she found out that she have cancer, but in its late stages.The mother thought who she can tell her daughter, specially if she wake up one day and didn't find her mother beside her... so she told her (( Bar`ah I will go to pradise a head of you, but I want you to read the Quran you memorized every day since it will protect you in this life))... The little girl didn't reallyunderstand what her mother is trying to tell her...but she started feeling the change in her mother status specially when she was transferred to stay in hospital on permanent bases. The little girl use to come to the hospital after her school and recited Quran for her mother till evening when her father use to take her home.One day the hospital called the husband and informed him that the his wife condition is very bad and he need to come as fast as he can, so the father picked Bar`ah from her school and headed to the hospital, when they arrived he asked her to stay in the car ... just she wont get shocked if her mother has passed a way.The father get out of his car, with tears fills his eyes and while he crossing the road to enter the hospital, he was hit by a speeding and died in front of hi daughter who came crying to her father....!The tragedy of Bar`ah is not over yet... the news of father death was hidden from the mother,but after 5 days the mother passe a way ! leaving Bar`ah alone in this life. She become alone without her parents, and parents friends decided to find her relatives in Egypt so they can take her to them.. Suddenlly, Bar`ah start having sever pain like her mother, after few tests and check up it was confirmed with the cancer... at the surprise of every one she said (( Alhamdu Lillah now I will meet my parents ))All family friends were shocked and suprised, this little girl facing calamity after clamity and she is patient and satisfied with what Allah ordained for her.People start hearing about Bar`ah and her story, and a Saudi guy decided to take care of her .. he send her to UK for treatment of this disease.One of the Islamic channel (Al hafiz - The protector ) got in contact with this little girl and asked her to recited Quran .. and this is her beautiful voice with recitation.

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu3RwdwYlZQ&feature=related

Amazing victory

This incident took place during the Uthmani caliphate when the Muslim army fought against some trouble making Persians. The Persians at the time were under Muslims rule.

Since administrative changes took place rather quickly the Persians took it as a sign of providence and so they indulged in hatching conspiracies against the administration. They began to prepare for a fresh encounter with the Muslims. The centers of these uprisings and preparations were Istakhar and Jur. Ubaidullah bin Ma'mar, the governor of Persia invaded Istakhar in 27 AH, and was martyred in the encounter with the result the detachment under his command scattered and escaped. Hearing this , Abdullah bin Amir, the governor of Basrah marched forward with his army with Uthman bin Abdul-As at the vanguard. Abdullah bin Amir turned toward Istakhar while Harim bin Haiyan laid siege around Jur. The Persians put up strong resistance but they ran away after a bloody battle and Istakhar fell to Muslims.

Harim bin haiyan's siege of Jur was protracted. During this period Harim fasted in the day and fought with the enemy too. He would broke his fast in the evening followed by prayers. Once he did not get bread after breaking the fast. He observed fast the next day in the same state. However, he did not get a meal that day either. The whole week passed in successive fasts without food. When he grew too weak he said to his servant, "What happened to you my son. You fail to give me bread and I am keeping fast with water alone for a week." He replied , "My master; I bake bread for you daily without fail, it is quite amazing that you didn't get it." The next day the servant baked bread and lay in wait to see who was taking it away. He was shocked to notice that a dog came and took the bread and made off with it. He followed the dog and saw that it went towards the fortification of the city and it entered the city through sewer. The servant came back and related the whole event to Harim bin Haiyan. He too was amazed. Harim and a few adventurous persons went into the sewer, which led them inside the fortifications and they opened the gates after killing the watchmen. In this way the Muslim army made an easy entry into the city and conquered it. The uprisings both in Istakhatr and Jur were heavily put down and the insurgent met their doom.

The story was extracted from the book "History of Islam" (volume 1 / page 393) by Akbar Shah Najeebabadi.

Excellence of weeping out of fear from Allah

Allah, the Exalted, says:

"And they fall down on their faces weeping and it increases their humility.'' (17:109)

"Do you then wonder at this recitation (the Qur'an)? And you laugh at it and weep not". (53:59-60)

- Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said to me: "Recite the Qur'an to me". I said, "O Messenger of Allah! Shall I recite the Qur'an to you, when it has been revealed to you?'' He (PBUH) replied, "I love to hear it recited by others". So I recited to him a portion from Surat An-Nisa'. When I reached the Ayah:
"How (will it be) then, when We bring from each nation a witness and We bring you (O Muhammad (PBUH)) as a witness against these people?". (4:41)
He (PBUH) said, "Enough for now". When I looked at him I saw his eyes were shedding tears.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

- Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) delivered a Khutbah to us the like of which I had never heard from him before. In the course of the Khutbah, he said: "If you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much". Thereupon those present covered their faces and began to sob.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

- Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "One who weeps out of fear of Allah, will not enter the Hell till milk returns back in the udder; and the dust raised on account of fighting in the path of Allah and the smoke of Hell will never exist together".
[At-Tirmidhi].

- Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Seven people Allah will give them His Shade on the Day when there would be no shade but the Shade of His Throne (i.e., on the Day of Resurrection): And they are: a just ruler; a youth who grew up with the worship of Allah; a person whose heart is attached to the mosques, two men who love and meet each other and depart from each other for the sake of Allah; a man whom an extremely beautiful woman seduces (for illicit relation), but he (rejects this offer and) says: `I fear Allah'; a man who gives in charity and conceals it (to such an extent) that the left hand does not know what the right has given; and a man who remembers Allah in solitude and his eyes become tearful".
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

- `Abdullah bin Ash-Shikhkhir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I came to Messenger of Allah (PBUH) when he was performing prayers. He was sobbing and his chest sounded like a boiling kettle.
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

- Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to Ubayy bin Ka`b (May Allah be pleased with him), "Allah (SWT) has ordered me to recite to you Surat-Al-Baiyyinah (98): `Those who disbelieve ..."

- Ubayy (May Allah be pleased with him) asked, "Did He name me?'' Messenger of Allah (PBUH) replied in the affirmative. Whereupon Ubayy (May Allah be pleased with him) began to weep.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

- Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: After the death of Messenger of Allah (PBUH), Abu Bakr said to `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them): "Let us visit Umm Aiman (May Allah be pleased with him) as Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to visit her.'' As we came to her, she wept. They (Abu Bakr and `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said to her, "What makes you weep? Do you not know that what Allah has in store for His Messenger (PBUH) is better than (this worldly life)?'' She said, "I weep not because I am ignorant of the fact that what is in store for Messenger of Allah (PBUH) (in the Hereafter) is better than this world, but I weep because the Revelation has ceased to come.'' This reply moved both of them to tears and they began to weep along with her.
[Muslim].

- Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: When the illness of Messenger of Allah (PBUH) became serious, he was asked about the leading of Salat and he said, "Ask Abu Bakr to lead Salat.'' Whereupon, `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said; "Abu Bakr is very tender hearted. He is bound to be overcome by weeping when he recites the Qur'an.'' Messenger of Allah (PBUH) repeated, "Ask him (Abu Bakr) to lead Salat".
In another narration: `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: "When Abu Bakr stands in your place, he will not be able to recite the Noble Qur'an to the people on account of weeping.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

- Ibrahim bin `Abdur-Rahman bin `Auf reported: Food was brought to `Abdur-Rahman bin `Auf (May Allah be pleased with him) when he was observing Saum (fast) and he said: "Mus`ab bin `Umair (May Allah be pleased with him) was martyred and he was better than me, but only one sheet was available to shroud him. It was so small that when his head was covered; his feet remained uncovered and if his feet were covered, his head remained uncovered. Then the bounties of this world have been bestowed upon us generously. I am afraid that the reward of our good deeds have been awarded to us in this world.'' On this he began to sob and left the food untouched.
[Al-Bukhari].

- Abu Umamah Sudaiy bin `Ajlan Al-Bahili (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said: "Nothing is dearer to Allah than two drops and two marks: A drop of tears shed out of fear of Allah and a drop of blood shed in Allah's way. Regarding the two marks, they are: Marks left in the Cause of Allah and a mark left in observing one of the obligatory act of worship of Allah, the Exalted".
[At-Tirmidhi].

- Al-`Irbad bin Sariyah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: One day Messenger of Allah (PBUH) delivered us a very eloquent Khutbah on account of which eyes shed tears and hearts became softened.
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

Source: Riyad us Saliheen / The book of micellany/ chapter 54

A poor, an orphan and a captive

Some scholars of Tafseer tell us, about the cause of revelation of the following verses:

And they give food, in spite of their love for it [or for the love of Him], to the Miskeen [the poor], the orphan, and the captive [saying], 'We feed you seeking Allah's Countenance only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you. (Quran 76:8-9)

They said: " 'Ali and Faitimah were observing fast one day and that they had prepared, for breaking their fast, a kind of food that contained some butter. When the sun set and they sat down for breaking the fast, they heard a knock on their door. 'Ali stood up and asked, 'Who is that?' A voice answered, 'A hungry poor man.'Ali went back inside brought the food together into a bag and gave to that poor man who thanked him and supplicated for him. So he and Fatimah broke their fast on only bread and water. On the following day, and at the same time, when 'Ali and his
wife Fatimah were about to take the morsel of their food, there was a knock on the door. 'Ali stood up and asked, 'Who is that?' A voice came from outside, 'An orphan who is displaced and starving.' 'Ali did as he did the day before. He carried the food in a bag to that orphan. And he and his wife broke their fast on bread and water, without feeling any inconvenience or displeasure. The incidence repeated itself on the third day and the knocking man answered that he was a captive. So 'Ali gave him the food he and his wife wanted to break their fast with. And as they did in the two previous days, they broke their fast on only bread and water.

Do you think that the person who knocked the door on those three days was the same person, or different persons: a poor man, an orphan and a captive? Narrations of the scholars of Tafseer indicate that the knocker was Angel Gabriel who came to test the faith and patience of' Ali and Fatimah. For, after that, Jibreel came to the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) and informed him of the incident. He gave him good tiding that 'Ali and Fatimah would have a carriage of silver in Paradise as a suitable reward."

Source: Women around the messenger / page:328/329

Relative increase in humility

From the morals and manners of the Salaf was that every time one of them increased in closeness to Allah he would increase in humility and humbleness. From the signs of the true alliance with Allah and closeness to Him is that every time Allah increased His beloved or ally in glory, he would increase in humbleness.

Allah, The Most High says in Quran : That is the home of the hearafter We bestow for those who did not seek any highness in this world nor any corruption. The good end is for the pious(Quran 88;83).

The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said, "The one who has an atom's weight of arrogance in his heart will not enter paradise".(Reported by Muslim (2/89) in al-Imaan, Abu Dawood (4073) in al-Libaas and at-Tirmidhi (8/164,165) in al-Birr.)

Abu Muslim al-Khawlaani(Rahimahullah) said,"Only the vile are arrogant, and only the base boast, and no one is zealous to falsehood except those of low origin".

While Abu Hurairaa(Radiyallah anhu) was the ameer of Madeena during the time of khaleefaa Marwaan he used to carry bundle of wood on his head from the market and (while passing through) would say ," Make you way for you ameer to pass".

Abu Ayyob as-Sakhtiyaani(Rahimahullah) used to say , "The scholar should put earth in his head out of humility to Allah."

Al Hasan (Rahimahullah) mentioned this verse "Those who walk upon the earth with humility" and said "The believers are the people described here. By Allah their eyes, ears and body become humbled until the ignorant person regard the as ill, but i swear by Allah they are not ill,but rather they are possessors of real hearts. Fear had entered in their hearts like it had not entered anyone else. Their knowledge of the hearafter has prevented them from the world. They would say, "All praise be to Allah who have removed sadness from us."I swear by Allah that they would not be saddened by what saddened most people. Fear from the fire made them weep."

Source: From the characteristics of the Salaf /Chapter 106.

She is My Sister

Her cheeks were worn and sunken, and her skin hugged her bones. That didn't stop her because you could never catch her not reciting Qur'an. She was always vigil in her personal prayer room that our father had set up for her. Bowing, prostrating, raising her hands in prayer, was the way she was from dawn to sunset and back again; boredom was for other people.
As for me, I craved nothing more than fashion magazines and novels. I treated myself to videos until the trips to the rental place became my trademark. It’s a saying that when something becomes habit, people tend to distinguish you by it. I was negligent in my responsibilities and my salah was characterized by laziness.
One night, after a long three hours of watching, I turned the video off. The adhan rose softly in the quiet night. I slipped peacefully into my blanket.
Her voice called me from her prayer room. "Yes? Would you like anything Noorah?" I asked.
With a sharp needle she popped my plans. "Don't sleep before you pray Fajr!"
Agghh! “There's still an hour before Fajr. That was only the first adhan,” I said.
With those loving pinches of hers, she called me closer. She was like that even before the fierce sickness shook her spirit and shut her in bed. "Hanan, can you come sit beside me."
I could never refuse any of her requests; you could touch the purity and sincerity in her. "Yes, Noorah?"
"Please sit here."
"Alright, I’m sitting. What's on your mind?"
With the sweetest mono voice she began reciting:
Every soul shall taste death and you will merely be repaid your earnings on the Day of Resurrection.
She stopped thoughtfully. Then she asked, "Do you believe in death?"
"Of course I do,” I replied.
"Do you believe that you shall be responsible for whatever you do, regardless of how small or large?"
"I do, but Allah is Forgiving and Merciful, and I’ve got a long life waiting for me."
"Stop it Hanan! Are you not afraid of death and its abruptness? Take a look at Hind. She was younger than you but she died in a car accident. Death is age-blind and your age could never be a measure of when you shall die."
The darkness of the room filled my skin with fear. "I'm scared of the dark and now you made me scared of death. How am I supposed to go to sleep now? Noorah, I thought you promised you'd go with us on vacation during the summer break."
Her voice broke and her heart quivered. "I might be going on a long trip this year Hanan, but somewhere else. All of our lives are in Allah’s hands and we all belong to Him."
My eyes welled and the tears slipped down both cheeks. I pondered my sisters grizzly sickness. The doctors had informed my father in private that there was not much hope Noorah was going to outlive the disease. She wasn't told, so I wondered who hinted to her. Or was it that she could sense the truth?
"What are you thinking about Hanan?" Her voice was sharp. "Do you think I am just saying this because I am sick? I hope not. In fact, I may live longer than people who are not sick. How long are you going to live Hanan? Perhaps twenty years? Maybe forty? Then what?" Through the dark she reached for my hand and squeezed gently. "There's no difference between us; we're all going to leave this world to live in Paradise or agonize in Hell. Listen to the words of Allah:
Anyone who is pushed away from the Fire and shown into Jannah will have triumphed.
I left my sister's room dazed, her words ringing in my ears: “May Allah guide you Hanan - don't forget your prayer.”

The companions concern over prophet (Peace be upon him) death.

The great (loss) news was soon known by everybody in Madinah. Dark grief spread on all areas and horizons of Madinah. Anas said:“I have never witnessed a day better or brighter than that day on which the Messenger of Allâh(Peace be upon him) came to us; and I have never witnessed a more awful or darker day than that one on which the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) died on.” When he died, Fatimah said: “O Father, whom his Lord responded to his supplication! O Father, whose abode is Paradise. O Father, whom I announce his death to Gabriel.”

Umar's (RA) attitude

‘Umar, who was so stunned that he almost lost consciousness and stood before people addressing them: “Some of the hypocrites claim that the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) died. The Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) did not die, but went to his Lord in the same way as Moses bin‘Imran did. He stayed away for forty nights, but finally came back though they said he had been dead. By Allâh, the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) will come back and he will cut off the hands and legs of those who claim his death.”

Abubakr's (RA) attitude

Abu Bakr left his house at As-Sunh and came forth to the Mosque on a mare-back. At the Mosque, he dismounted and entered. He talked to nobody but went on till he entered ‘Aishah’s abode, and went directly to where the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) was. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) was covered with a Yemeni mantle. He uncovered his face and tended down, kissed him and cried. Then he said: “I sacrifice my father and mother for your sake. Allâh, verily, will not cause you to die
twice. You have just experienced the death that Allâh had ordained.” Then he went out and found ‘Umar talking to people. He said: “‘Umar, be seated.” ‘Umar refused to do
so. People parted ‘Umar and came towards Abu Bakr, who started a speech saying:
“And now, he who worships Muhammad (Peace be upon him). Muhammad is dead now. But he
who worships Allâh, He is Ever Living and He never dies. Allâh says: ‘Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is no more than a Messenger, and indeed (many) Messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed, will you then turn back on your heels (as
disbelievers)? And he who turns back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allâh, and Allâh will give reward to those who are grateful.’” [3:1]

Ibn ‘Abbas said: “By Allâh, it sounded as if people had never heard such a Qur’ânic verse till Abu Bakr recited it as a reminder. So people started reciting it till there was no man who did not recite it.”

Ibn Al-Musaiyab said that ‘Umar had said: “By Allâh, as soon as I heard Abu Bakr say it, I fell down to the ground. I felt as if my legs had been unable to carry me so I collapsed when I heard him say it. Only then did I realize that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) had really died.”

Source:Ar Raheeq Al Makhtum

Ikrimah

ibn Abi jahl

'Ikrimah was twenty-eight years old when Rasulullah (Pbuh) made his mission public. 'Ikrimah's lineage was one of the most noble of the Quraish, and he belonged to one of the wealthiest families. His father, the notorious Abu jahl, was a very strong influence on 'Ikrimah. Allah, the most High tested the faith of the believers through the torments of 'Ikrimah's father, and the believers remained firm in spite of him. Abu jahl tormented, chased, insulted and killed the Muslims at every opportunity and without conscience.
'Ikrimah, under his father's influence, developed the toughest opposition to the Prophet (Pbuh). Like his father, he tortured the Muslims as much as he could, carrying out his father's wishes, which he made his own.
Abu jahl led the armies of the Quraish to the Battle of Badr. He prepared for the battle by slaughtering camels, drinking wine and listening to the music of singing girls. On the day of Badr itself, Abu jahl was the leader and 'Ikrimah was his right hand man.
When he was leaving for Badr, Abu Jahl had sworn by the goddesses Lat and 'Uzza that he would not return alive to Makkah unless he defeated the army of Rasulullah (Pbuh). But Lat and 'Uzza were only idols with no real power, and so his prayer to them was useless. Abu jahl was killed in that battle and his son witnesed him being killed. 'Ikrimah had to return to Makkah, leaving his father's corpse behind. The defeat prevented him from taking it for burial in Makkah. Because he fled with the other Makkans, the body was left with the Muslims who threw it into al-Qalib, the mass grave where all the kuffar killed at Badr were buried. There lay the corpse of Abu jahl, under the sand, and no one among the Muslims was sad to know it was there.
From that day, 'Ikrimah adopted a new attitude toward Islam. At first he had fought Islam for the sake of his father, and now he did so for the sake of revenge. 'Ikrimah and others whose relatives were killed at Badr kept feeding the flame of hatred in their hearts. They encouraged the desire for revenge which led eventually to the Battle of 'Uhud.

The need for revenge

'Ikrimah ibn Abi jahl went to 'Uhud, and he took with him his wife Umm Hakim to be with the other Quraishi women whose relatives were slain at Badr. They stood behind the lines beating drums and urging the warriors to fight, so that no one would think of running away.
Khalid ibn al-Walid led the right flank of the Quraishi army, and 'Ikrimah led the left flank. These two warriors led the Quraish to victory that day over the Muslims. Abu Sufyan ibn Harb, the Quraish chief, said, "This is for the day of Badr!" They felt they had gotten their revenge against the Muslims.
At the Battle of al-Khandaq (the Trench), the Quraish besieged Madinah. They were stopped by the trench which no one could cross. It was a long siege and 'Ikrimah grew impatient. He looked for some place in the ditch that was narrow enough to leap and raced his horse towards it. He managed to cross and was followed by a few others. One of them was killed and 'Ikrimah had to turn and jump back across to save himself.
On the day of the conquest of Makkah, the Quraish knew they could not stand up to the Muslims any longer. They decided to let Rasulullah (Pbuh) enter unopposed. This decision was made easy for them since they knew that Rasulullah (Pbuh) had given instructions to his commanders to fight only if someone of Quraish attacked them first.
However, 'Ikrimah and some others went against the consensus of Quraish. They attempted to block the progress of the Muslim forces. Khalid ibn al-Walid who had become a Muslim and had gone over to the army of the Prophet (Pbuh), defeated them in a small battle. Some were killed and the others fled. Among those who escaped was 'Ikrimah.

Some quotes of Hasan Al-Basri regarding life of this world

Abu `Ubaidah An-Naji said: "We visited AI-Hasan AlBasri on the day he died. He said: "You are welcome, may Allah's Peace be upon you, and accommodate us all in the Home of settlement.This is a good sign if you are true and patient. Your share of this religion should not be to heard with your ears and say what you hear from your mouths. May Allah's Mercy be upon him who eats cheap bread, wears rags, sits on the ground, works
hard in worship, weeps for his sins, avoids Allah's punishment, and asks His Mercy till death comes to him in this state."

Al-Hasan said: "How good is life in this world for a believer because he uses it to prepare his provisions for Paradise. And how evil it is for a disbeliever who uses it to prepare his provisions for Hell."

Al-Hasan said: "In the life of this world the believer is like a captive, doing his best to free himself, and not feeling any security until he meets the All-Mighty Allah."

Describing the pious people, Al-Hasan said: "May Allah have Mercy on those who considered the life of this world as a trust, gave it back to the one who deposited it with them then left so light."

Al-Hasan said: "The one whose wealth increases, his sins increase likewise, and who talks much, lies much, and the ill tempered man torments himself."

Al-Hasan Al-Basri said: "I am astonished about those people who are ordered to prepare their provisions, then the start of the journey is announced, however they remain unmindful in their vain discussions and fruitless deeds."

Al-Hasan said: "I swear by Him in whose Hands my life is, I know some people for whom the life of this world is lower than the dust they walk on."

Al-Hasan said: "How astonishing is the one who laughs whereas he is sure about Hell, and the one who feels happy whereas he is sure about death."

Al-Hasan said: "The people who will have the easiest reckoning on the Day of Resurrection are those who have done the reckoning of themselves in the life of this world, who have considered well their deeds and intentions, completed what is for Allah's sake and abstained from what is not. And the reckoning will be heavy for those who jeopardise their religious duties in the life of this world and make no reckoning of themselves, because they will discover that the All-Mighty Allah
has recorded even the weight of an atom of their deeds, the All-Mighty Allah says: (...They will say: "Woe to us! What sort of Book is this that leaves neither a small thing nor a big thing, but has recorded it with numbers!" And they will find all that they did, placed before them, and your Rabb treats no one with injustice.) (Qur' an 18:49)

About the one who seeks the pleasures of the life of this world, Al-Hasan said: "I swear by Allah they will not last for him nor will he last in this life. He will not be safe from its evils, burden and reckoning, then he will be taken out of it in a shroud."

Al-Hasan Al-Basri said: "The jurisprudent is the one who renounces worldly pleasures, seeks the Hereafter, knows well his religion, worships his Rabb regularly, protects the Muslim's honour, saves their wealth and advises them."

Al-Hasan Al-Basra was asked: "Who is going to cry more than the others on the Day of Resurrection?" He answered: "A man on whom Allah has bestowed His Grace and who uses that for Allah's disobedience."

Al-Hasan (radiyallahu anhu) said: "I know some people who do neither feel happy for obtaining any of the worldly pleasures, nor feel sorry for missing any of them."

Al-Hasan said: "Beware of the diversions of this world, which are many. If a man opens a door for diversions, then that door may open ten others."

Source: From the book "The Life of This World Is a Transient Shade" by Abdul Malik Al-Qasim

The people of understanding

Ibn Marduwyah recorded that `Ata' said, "I, Ibn `Umar and `Ubayd bin `Umayr went to `A'ishah and entered her room, and there was a screen between us and her. She said, `O `Ubayd! What prevents you from visiting us' He said, `What the poet said, `Visit every once in a while, and you will be loved more.' Ibn `Umar said, `Tell us about the most unusual thing you witnessed from the Messenger of Allah .' She cried and said, `All his matters were amazing. On night, he came close to me until his skin touched my skin and said, `Let me worship my Lord.' I said, `By Allah I love your being close to me. I also love that you worship your Lord.' He used the water-skin and performed ablution, but did not use too much water. He then stood up in prayer and cried until his beard became wet. He prostrated and cried until he made the ground wet. He then laid down on his side and cried. When Bilal came to alert the Prophet for the Dawn prayer, he said, `O Messenger of Allah! What makes you cry, while Allah has forgiven you your previous and latter sins' He said,
"O Bilal! What prevents me from crying, when this night, this Ayah was revealed to me,"
إِنَّ فِى خَلْقِ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ وَاخْتِلَـفِ الَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ لاّيَـتٍ لاٌّوْلِى الاٌّلْبَـبِ

(Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding.- Quran 3/190-)
"Woe to he who recites it but does not contemplate it".

Source:http://www.tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=3&tid=10145

Prophet Uzair

Ezra Sleeps For 100 Years

Ishaaq Ibn Bishr reported, on the authority of Ibn' Abbas and others, that Ezra was a saint and a
wise man. He went out one day to his own farm, as was his custom. About noon he came to a
deserted, ruined place and felt the heat. He entered the ruined town and dismounted his donkey,
taking figs and grapes in his basket. He went under the shade of the khaiba tree and ate his food.
Then he got up to look at what remained of the ruins. The people had long been lost, and he saw
bones.
"Oh! How will Allah ever bring it to life after its death?" (Ch 2:259 Quran)
He said this not out of doubt but out of curiosity. Allah sent the Angel of Death to take his life.
He remained dead for one hundred years.
After one hundred years had passed and there had been changes in Israelite affairs, Allah sent an
angel upon Ezra to revive his heart and his eyes in order for him to feel and see how Allah revives
the dead. The angel said: "For how long did you sleep?" He said: "A day or part of a day." He
said this because he knew he had slept early in the afternoon and woke up late in the afternoon.
The angel said: "You remained asleep for one hundred years." He ate and drank the food which
he had prepared before he was overtaken by that long sleep. Then the angel revived his donkey.
Almighty Allah said:
"And look at your donkey! Thus We have made of you a sign for the people. Look at the bones,
how We bring them together and clothe them with flesh." When this was clearly shown to him he
said: "I know now that Allah is able to do all things." (Ch 2:259)

Some sayings of Raabi’ah al-‘Adawiyyah

She once said “I seek forgiveness from Allaah for the lack of my sincerity when I say, I seek the forgiveness of Allaah.”

A man once went to Raabi'ah bint Isma'il al-'Adawiyyah, who was known by the titles, 'Mother of Goodness,' and, 'The Famous Worshipper.' He said, 'Indeed, I have perpetrated a great number of sins. If I repent, do you think that Allah will accept my repentence?"
She said, "Woe unto you! Do you not see that He invites those who turn away from Him; then why wouldn't He accept the repentance of those who turn towards Him?"

Raabi’ah al-‘Adawiyyah once said to Sufyaan al-Thawri: “You are only a few days, and when one day passes a part of you has gone. Soon, when a part of you have gone all of you will have gone. You know about this, so act upon it.”

‘Abdah bint Abi Shawwaal, who was one of the best female slaves of Allaah and who used to serve Raabi’ah, said: “Raabi’ah used to pray all night long, and just before dawn, she would take a short nap until dawn came. When she awoke with a start, I would hear her say in a terrified manner, ‘O my soul, how long will you sleep? How long will you nap? Soon you will sleep a sleep from which you will not wake until the Day of Resurrection.’”
She [‘Abdah] said: this was her habit all her life, until she died.

Source: http://islamqa.com/en/ref/5994,
From the book "Stories of repentance"

Some sayings of Al-Hasan Al-Basree

Abu Hilal said, "When al-Hasan finished his hadith, he would say, 'O Allah, you see our hearts full of idolatry, pride, hypocrisy, showing-off, reputation, doubt and uncertainty in your deen. 0 Turner of hearts, make our hearts firm in Your deen and make our deen Straight Islam!"'

'Umara ibn Mihran said that al-Hasan was asked, "Why do you not visit the rulers and command them to the correct and forbid them the incorrect?" He replied, "'Thee believer should not waste himself. Their swords precede our tongues when we speak. They speak thus with their swords." And he made a striking gesture with his hand.

'Umara said, "I did not see anyone whose words are in harmony with his actions except al-Hasan."

It is related that al-Hasan said, "When a young man is devout, we do not recognise him by his speech. We recognise him by his actions. That is beneficial knowledge."

'Umara said that al-Hasan told him that he disliked voices trilling when reciting the Qur'an.

Al-Hasan said, "Guard against having a bad opinion of people."

Ar-Rabi' ibn Subayh said, "Al-Hasan disliked being praised to his face. If invocation was made for him, that delighted him."

Ghalib al-Qattan said, "I brought al-Hasan a letter from 'Abdu'l-Malik ibn Abi Bashir and he said, 'Read it.' So I read it and there was a supplication in it. Al-Hasan said, 'Many a true brother of yours was not actually born of your mother."'

It is related that 'Imran ibn Khalid al-Khuza'i said that a man told him, "Matar asked al-Hasan about a question and said, 'The fuqaha' oppose you.' He said, 'May your mother be bereaved, Matar! Do you see a faqih at all? Do you know what a faqih is? The scrupulous ascetic faqih is the one who does not care about who is above him nor mock the one below him, and who does not accept ephemeral rubbish in exchange for the knowledge which Allah has taught him."'

It is related that when al-Hasan saw a funeral, he would say, "Praise belongs to Allah who has not made me part of that which is snatched away." He said, "He would not relate anything that day."

Muhammad ibn 'Umar said, "Al-Hasan died in 110." Isma'il ibn 'Ulayya said that it was in Rajab. There were a hundred days between the deaths of Muhammad ibn Sirin and him, al-Hasan dying first.

Hammad ibn Zayd said that al-Hasan died on Friday night. He said that Ayyub and Humayd at-Tawil washed him. He was brought out when the people left. He said, "My father took me with him," and Mu'adh ibn Mu'adh said, "Al-Hasan was ten years older than Muhammad."

Source:http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=242

Ibn Umar

(radiyallhu anhu)

The Most Disciplined Youth

Some narrations collected in adh-Dhahabi’s ‘Siyar A’lam an-Nubala‘‘ (4/346-373) and Ibn al-Jawzi’s ‘Sifat as-Safwah’ (1/214-222) give a taste of Ibn ‘Umar’s character:

1 – His Discipline as a Youth:

Ibn Mas’ud said: “From the most disciplined youth of Quraysh in the face of the dunya was ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar.”

Jabir bin ‘Abdillah said: “None of us experienced the dunya but that it affected him, except Ibn ‘Umar.”

Nafi’ said that Ibn ‘Umar presented himself to fight in Uhud when he was fourteen years old, and the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) refused to allow him. He then presented himself during the Battle of the Trench when he was fifteen, and he was allowed to fight.

2 – His Discipline as an Adult:

Ibn Shihab said that Ibn ‘Umar was about to curse one of his servants, and said: “O Allah, cu-” without completing the word, and he said: “I don’t like to say this word.”

3 – His Love of Imitating the Prophet in Everything:

Zayd bin Aslam said: “Ibn ‘Umar would dye his beard with saffron until his clothes were colored with it. He was asked about this, and said: “I saw the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) dye his hair with it.”"

Hisham bin ‘Urwah said: “I saw Ibn ‘Umar’s hair reaching down to his earlobes,” and Anas reported that the Prophet’s hair also hung down to his earlobes.

‘A’ishah said: “I never saw anyone holding tighter to the original affair than Ibn ‘Umar.”

Malik said that someone informed him: “Ibn ‘Umar would imitate the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) and follow his traces and lifestyle and be very keen in this, to the point that we feared for his sanity because of his keenness in this.”

Nafi’ said: “Ibn ‘Umar used to follow the traces of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) in every place he prayed. This was to the point that there was a tree that the Prophet would sit under, and Ibn ‘Umar would frequent this tree and water its trunk so that it wouldn’t weaken.”

Nafi’ said that Ibn ‘Umar told him that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) told him: “If only we could leave this door (of the mosque) for the women.” So, Ibn ‘Umar never used that door until the day he died.

Muhammad al-’Umari said: “I never heard Ibn ‘Umar mention the Prophet without weeping.”

Nafi’ said that Ibn ‘Umar was once on his way to Makkah, and stopped the animal he was riding and said to it: “Maybe my footsteps will fall where his footsteps did,” meaning the footsteps of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم).

Tawus said: “I never saw anyone praying like Ibn ‘Umar who was stricter than him in facing the Qiblah with his face, hands, and feet.”

4 – His Friendliness With People:

Ibn ‘Umar said: “Sometimes, I go out for no reason or need except to greet people and have them greet me.”

Abi ‘Amr an-Nadabi said: “I went out with Ibn ‘Umar once, and he didn’t leave a single young or old person except that he greeted them.”

5 – His Care to Look and Smell Good:

‘Abdullah bin Waqid said: “I saw Ibn ‘Umar praying. If you saw him, you’d see him shivering about, and I saw him putting some musk in cream and rubbing it on himself.”

6 – His Humility:

Nafi’ said: “Ibn ‘Umar and Ibn ‘Abbas would sit with the people when the pilgrims arrived, and I would sit with one of them one day, and the other the next. Ibn ‘Abbas would answer every question he was asked, and Ibn ‘Umar would refuse to answer most of the questions he was asked.”

50 Signs of the Day of Judgment

From the Words of Allah and His Messenger (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam)

The Signs are listed in roughly chronological order, although the order is not necessarily precise, especially for those in the future.

This is a brief summary of the signs; there are many books, articles, cassettes etc. which discuss these in greater detail. May Allah enable us to recognise and heed the Signs, and strengthen us in the times of tribulation.

"Are they waiting for anything except the Hour, to come to them suddenly? But its Signs have already come!" (Al-Qur’an, Surah Muhammad)

Past

1. Splitting of the Moon.

2. Death of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.

3. A form of death which will kill thousands of Muslims. (Understood to refer to the plague of Amwas during the
caliphate of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab.)

4. A major fighting in Madinah (understood to refer to the battle of al-Harrah during the caliphate of Yazid, 63 AH).

5. The Muslim conquest of Jerusalem.

6. The Muslim conquest of Constantinople.

7. Two large groups of Muslims will fight in war.

8. A war between the Muslims and a reddish people with small eyes, wearing sandals made of hair (understood to refer to
the Mongol Tatar invasion of the Islamic lands.)

9. A peace agreement between the Muslims and non-Muslims from the yellow race (Chinese, Mongols, etc.)

10. Thirty impostors (dajjal) will appear, each thinking he is a prophet.

Description of the companions

by Ali Ibn Abi Talib.

Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah honor him, was once overwhelmed with sadness after completing the dawn prayer; He said, " Never did i see anything like the companions of the Messenger of Allah. Their hair was disheveled. Their faces were pale, they were covered in dust, and the space between their eyes looked like the knees of goats. They had spent their night in prayer and in recitation of the Quran either on their feet or in prostration. When the dawn came they would spend it in remembrance of Allah,swaying like a tree on a stormy day, with tears flowing from their eyes till their clothes soaked. By Allah it seem to me the people around me now have passed the night in fast asleep." Then he got up and was never seen laughing untile he was stabbed to death by Ibn Muljim.

Source: Purification of the soul/ P133.

The Advice of al-Hasan

Al-Hasan once wrote the following short letter to Umar bin Abdul Azeez:

"Fear what Allah told you to fear. Take what is in your hands, and use it for what is to come. At the moment of death, sure news will come to you and peace."


Umar wrote back, asking al-Hasan to advise him some more. Al-Hasan wrote back:

"Indeed the terror of the Day of Resurrection is greater than you might think. Indeed, frightful matters are near at hand. You will have to face all of that, either by facing it all and being saved, or by facing it all and being destroyed. Know that he who takes account of his own deeds will succeed, and that he who is negligent in this regard will fail. Whoever looks at the outcomes of his actions will be saved, while he who obeys his desires will be misguided. Whoever is patient and forbearing will gain profits. Whoever remains awake and vigilant regarding his deeds will be safe, whoever is safe reflects, whoever reflects sees, whoever sees understands, and whoever understands knows. Then if you slip, return and repent. And when you are remorseful, then refrain [from sins]. When you are ignorant, ask. And when you are angry, restrain your anger."

Source: from the book "Stories of repentance"

Ibn Baz

, Ibn Uthaymeen, and Al-Albany at Hajj (May Allah have Mercy on them)

Sheikh Uthaymeen

giving dawah at airport

It has been narrated:

‘A member of the Da’wah and Guidance Centre in Jeddah narrates that during the Hajj of 1416, he was in the company of Shaykh Uthaymeen at King ‘Abdul ‘Azeez Airport, surrounded by the pilgrims who were arriving for Hajj.

Here the Shaykh undertook that which was obligatory upon him by giving da’wah to the arriving pilgrims. A large group of Russian pilgrims arrived and the Shaykh wanted to offer some words (of guidance) to them. So he asked if there was a translator amongst them. Then, the (Russian) guide for the group came forward; not knowing this was Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen.

After completing the translation, the guide asked who the Shaykh was. He was told that it was Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen. At this, he turned to embrace the Shaykh, kissing him (on his forehead) whilst crying. He then grabbed hold of the microphone and addressed all the members of his group, informing them that this was Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen. At this, tears began falling from the eyes of each and every member of the group, whilst the guide was repeatedly loudly calling out on the microphone, ” Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen! Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen!”

The members then came (forward) and conveyed their greetings to the Shaykh, and kissed him (on his forehead).

The guide for the group then turned to the Shaykh and said:

“These are your students. They used to read your books in shelters under the ground during the Communist rule”.

Source: Al-Jaami’ li-Hayaat al-’Allaamah Muhammad ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen- page 38

Remove Him From This Land

By: Mohamed Alshareef

In the book, 'Muslim Judges of Andalus', by Abû al-Hasan ibn Abdullâh al-Mâliqî, he recounts a story about the great scholar of our Ummah: Muhammad ibn At-Tayyib Abû Bakr al-Bâqillânî (d. 1013). Let’s spend a moment in his sandals, perhaps we may feel the power that Islâm had in the hearts of those Muslims.

This event took place when the Khalifah of the Muslims sent him to the Roman King.

Quote:
Ibn Hayyân says: The transgressor - the King of the Romans - invited Abû Bakr al-Bâqillânî to a Christian banquet and on the appointed day, Abu Bakr Al-Bâqillânî arrived. The hall was lush with Christian noblemen, the walls and tables dazzled in the decorations.

At that moment, the King beckoned AlBâqillânî near, sitting him a step down from his throne and complimenting him with flattering questions. All around the King sat noblemen and those most nearest to his counsel.

Then the Batrik (the High priest) entered the banquet hall with his entire splendor, the final guest, the chief of their religion. Swarming him was an assembly of lower priests, each reciting the Injîl (Bible) and carrying lanterns of incense, all of them dressed in their most finely hemmed garments.

When the Batrik found himself in the center of the hall, the King stood glorifying the Batrik. He bowed his head and rubbed both hands on the Batrik’s shoulders. Then to his immediate right, the King sat the Batrik down on a throne marvelous in it’s own right.

After the moment had passed and the crowd had focused on the stage in that castle banquet hall, the King turned to AlBâqillânî and said with a sniff, “O Faqîh! The Batrik is the chief of our religion, and the guardian of the flock.”

AlBâqillânî turned to the Batrik with the warmest smile and the gentlest of words. He asked the sweetest and most loving questions, then AlBâqillânî said:

“So Batrik‚ How are the kids and wife!?!"

(Remember, the popes would practice celibacy).

The hall fell silent. Blasphemy! The King was shocked. The Batrik was outraged. Brows cringed, decorations dimmed, disgusted faces shaped on all.

Then Abû Bakr AlBâqillânî said,

“O people, listen to me. You dislike that this mere mortal could have a wife and children ascribed to him. And you deny any allegation to the contrary. Yet when it comes to your Lord, Glorious and most High, you do not feel the same disgust. And you attribute to Allah both the wife and child that you would never allow your Batrik to be associated with.”

“Suddatan lihâdha ar-Ra - Perished be your claim! How clearly wrong it is! “

It fell in the Christians hands and they had no answer. Fear and nervousness shook their hearts.

Quickly the King turned to the Batrik and whispered in his ear, “What shall we do?"

He replied,

“Treat this man honorably, complete the dinner, then expel this Iraqi trouble maker from your land; today if you can. Otherwise, you shall not be safe from his mischief."

The King did as he was advised. AlBâqillânî was returned to Iraq - back to the Khalîfah - with gifts and many Muslim prisoners finally released.

This is a true story that happened in the year 1002 CE. May Allah reward handsomely those that preserved it for us.

Source: http://www.islaam.net/main/display.php?id=1075&category=13

The Quran recitation

which the angels came to listen

Narrated Usaid bin Hudair:

That while he was reciting Surat Al-Baqara (The Cow) at night, and his horse was tied beside him, the horse was suddenly startled and troubled. When he stopped reciting, the horse became quiet, and when he started again, the horse was startled again. Then he stopped reciting and the horse became quiet too. He started reciting again and the horse was startled and troubled once again. Then he stopped reciting and his son, Yahya was beside the horse. He was afraid that the horse might trample on him. When he took the boy away and looked towards the sky, he could not see it. The next morning he informed the Prophet who said, "Recite, O Ibn Hudair! Recite, O Ibn Hudair!" Ibn Hudair replied, "O Allah's Apostle! My son, Yahya was near the horse and I was afraid that it might trample on him, so I looked towards the sky, and went to him. When I looked at the sky, I saw something like a cloud containing what looked like lamps, so I went out in order not to see it." The Prophet said, "Do you know what that was?" Ibn Hudair replied, "No." The Prophet said, "Those were Angels who came near to you for your voice and if you had kept on reciting till dawn, it would have remained there till morning when people would have seen it as it would not have disappear

Source: Bukhari :Book 6 : Volume 61 :Hadith 536

Ali bin Bakkar

He was detached from the worldly pleasures. He became a fighter and guarder of the Muslim lands; a truthful worshipper.

He lived in al-Masisah (in Sham) as a fighter, and he was a scholar of Fiqh.

Musa bin Turayf said:

“‘Ali bin Bakkar’s slave-girl used to spread his bed for him, so he would touch it with his hand and say: “By Allah, you feel good; by Allah, you feel cool; by Allah, I will not lay on you tonight,” and he would pray until the next morning with the same wudu’.”

Abul-Hasan bin Abi al-Ward said:

“A man said to us: “We came to ‘Ali bin Bakkar and said to him: “Hudhayfah bin al-Mar’ashi sends you his greetings.” So, he said to us: “May peace be upon you and him. I know of him that he has only eaten that which is lawful for over thirty years, and I would love to meet Satan more than I would love to meet him.” I asked him why this was, and he said: “I am afraid that I would try to beautify myself for him out my respect for him, and then be guilty of beautifying myself for other than Allah, and as a result, have my status lowered in the Eyes of Allah – the Mighty and Majestic.”"

Yusuf bin Muslim said:

“‘Ali bin Bakkar wept until he became blind, and his tears would leave marks on his cheeks.”

Fayd bin Ishaq said:

“I came to ‘Ali bin Bakkar, seeking to go out in the Path of Allah, so asked him to advise me. He said: “Fear Allah and stay in your dwelling, guard your tongue, and avoid unnecessarily mixing with the people, and wisdom will be poured on you from above you.”

Yahya bin Zakariyyah said:

“We were with ‘Ali bin Bakkar, so some clouds passed by overhead. I asked him about something, so he said to me: “Be quiet! Do you not fear that these clouds will be followed by rocks that will be poured down on us?”

It has been narrated to us that ‘Ali bin Bakkar was stricken with an injury during a battle that he fought in, as a result of which his intestines spilled out of his stomach. He then gathered his intestines and pushed them back into his stomach, then tied the wound up with his turban. He then jumped back into the battle and was killed after he himself had killed thirteen disbelievers.

‘Ali bin Bakkar narrated hadith from Hisham bin Hassan, Abu Ishaq al-Fizari, Abu Khaldah, etc. He was a close companion of Ibrahim bin Adham.

He was killed in al-Masisah in the year 199 H.

['Sifat as-Safwah’; 2/410-411]

Source: http://iskandrani.wordpress.com/category/scholarly-selections/the-lives-of-the-salaf/page/3/

Owais

bin `Amir

A clear miracle of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH)

Usair bin `Amr (Ibn Jabir) reported: When delegations from Yemen came to the help of (the Muslim army at the time of Jihad) `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) would ask them, "Is there Owais bin `Amir amongst you?'' (He continued searching him) until he met Owais (May Allah be pleased with him). He said, "Are you Owais bin `Amir?'' He said, "Yes". `Umar asked, "Are you from the Qaran branch of the tribe of Murad?'' He said, "Yes". He `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) again said, "Did you suffer from leucoderma and then you were cured from it but for the space of a dirham?'' He said, "Yes". He `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said, "Is your mother still alive?'' He said, "Yes". He `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said, "I heard Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, `There would come to you Owais bin `Amir with the reinforcement from the people of Yemen. He would be from Qaran (the branch) of Murad. He had been suffering from leucoderma from which he was cured but for a spot of a dirham. He has a mother to whom he is very dutiful. If he were to take an oath in the Name of Allah, Allah would fulfill his oath. And if it is possible for you, ask him to ask forgiveness for you.' So, ask forgiveness for me". He Owais (May Allah be pleased with him) did so. `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) then said, "Where do you intend to go?'' He said, "To Kufah.'' He `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said, "Let me write a letter for you to its governor,'' whereupon he Owais (May Allah be pleased with him) said, "I love to live amongst the poor people". The following year, a person from among the elite (of Kufah) performed Hajj and he met `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him). `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) asked him about Owais (May Allah be pleased with him). He said, "I left him in a state with meagre means of sustenance in a decayed house.'' (Thereupon) `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said, "I heard Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, `There would come to you Owais bin `Amir of Qaran, a branch (of the tribe) of Murad, along with the reinforcement of the people of Yemen. He had been suffering from leucoderma which would have been cured but for the space of a dirham. He has a mother to whom he is very dutiful. Were he to swear, trusting Allah, for something, Allah would fulfill his oath. If you can ask him to pray for forgiveness for you, do so". This man went to Owais (May Allah be pleased with him) and asked him to pray for forgiveness for him. Owais (May Allah be pleased with him) said to him, "You have just returned from a blessed journey, it is you who should pray for forgiveness for me; and did you meet `Umar?'' The man said, "Yes". `Owais (May Allah be pleased with him) then prayed for forgiveness for him. People became aware of the high status of Owais (May Allah be pleased with him) and he set out following his course.

[Muslim]
Source:Riyad us Saliheen/book of miscellany/Chapter 45/Number 372

Fayrooz Ad-Daylamee

After returning from his farewell pilgrimage, the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, fell gravely ill. News about his illness reached the corners of the Arabian Peninsula. It was a propitious moment for the false prophets to spread their falsehood, and it was indeed a great trial for the newly reverted Muslims. Many of them followed their regional leaders who claimed to be prophets. The most famous were the three liars: Musaylimah in Yamamah, Tulayhah al-Usdee in Bani Asad, and al-Aswad al-Ansee in Yemen.

Al-Aswad was an evil man, of huge stature. He possessed a great eloquence and a convincing speech. Those he could not win through trickery, he would try to buy with money. He always appeared to people wearing a mask, surrounding himself with mystery and enigma.

At that time the "Sons", a group of men whose fathers were Persians, and whose mothers were Arabs, were the ruling families of Yemen. Their elder, Baathan, was the appointed king by the Persian Emperor. Bathan embraced Islam, after an event that showed to him the clear proofs of Muhammad's Message. He disavowed his allegiance to the Persian emperor, and the Prophet sallallahu alayhe wa sallam proclaimed him ruler over his people.

The first people to believe al-Aswad were his tribe Banu Math-hij. He led them in the raid of Sanaa, killed its governor Shahr, son of Bathan, and married his widow Athad. His army raided the regions around San'aa, and his reign spread over all Yemen up to Taif and down to Hadramut.

No sooner had the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, heard of al-Awsad's apostasy than he sent ten of the companions to a few trusted Muslims in Yemen, whom he head great hope they would not renegade. They encouraged them to oppose the liar al-Aswad, and rally all the truthful Muslims to fight him. The first to answer the Prophet's call was Fayrooz ad-Daylamee, along with the "Sons". Fayrooz related the story of the struggle against al-Aswad himself: