Abdullah ibn Rawahah

Obedience is a virtue, and people who possess this quality are indeed admirable.

As narration accounts, when once Abdullah bin Rawahah (May Allah be pleased with him) was about to enter the masjid he heard the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) say “sit down” while delivering the khutbah. He immediately sat down right there where he was outside the masjid. When the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) heard of this, he said “May Allah increase your desire upon the obedience of Allah and His Messenger.”

A man known for his commendable traits of listening and obedience, Abdullah bin Rawahah was a leader, a martyr, al-badri, and a laudable poet.

According to a report, when on the Day of the Battle of Badr, Utbah ibn Rabee’ah, his brother Shaibah and his son Al-Waleed challenged the Muslims for a duel, three youths from the Ansar emerged to accept the challenge, out of whom was our valiant warrior; Abdullah bin Rawahah. “Who are you?” the Quraish queried. “A company of the Ansar,” the youths answered. “We need our equals in nobility. Send men from our cousins to take up the challenge.” Then a man from the ranks of the Quraish announced to the Muslims: “O Muhammad, send to us our equals from our own people!” So the Messenger of Allah said “Rise, O Ubaidah ibn Al-Harith, rise O Hamzah, and rise O Ali” after which the Muslims achieved the victory.

Another incident of his admirable eagerness to obey, when the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) prepared his troops to go to Mu’tah, he said “Zayd (May Allah be pleased with him) shall be your commander, if he is killed, then Jafar (May Allah be pleased with him) and if he too is killed, then Ibn Rawahah (May Allah be pleased with him)”.

Indeed, Allah honoured Abdullah bin Rawahah (May Allah be pleased with him) when he was chosen by the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) as a commander.

The people prepared, and in no time were ready to march forth, numbering three thousand.

At the time of departure, the people bade farewell. When Abdullah Ibn Rawahah, was bidden farewell, he wept. When questioned, he said, “By Allah, I neither have an attachment to the world nor prefer remaining with you, rather, I heard Allah’s Messenger (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him), reciting a portion of the Book of Allah in which Hellfire was mentioned: ‘There is not one of you but will pass over it (Hell); this is with your Lord; a Decree which must be accomplished.’ (Al Maryam 19:71) and I do not know what my fate will be when I come across it.’ The Muslims supplicated, ‘May Allah accompany you, protect you and bring you back to us in righteousness.’

The Muslims advanced and encamped in Ash-Sham. They received information, that Heraclius had arrived with 100,000 roman soldiers and yet another 100,000 men joined them from various different tribes.

However, the Muslims braced themselves and proceeded towards the battlefield, them being 3000 while the opposite numbering to 200,000.

Finally they gathered at the battle field, with Zaid fighting gallantly with the banner of Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him), until he was killed by a swarm of spears. Then Jafar took over the banner, and fought a fierce battle until he was martyred. Later on he was found with 90 wounds on his body, and his arms had been separated from his body.

Now Abdullah bin Rawahah, took the banner and stepped forward. He upbraided his soul and encouraged himself saying,

‘O soul, I have sworn that you will fight in the battle willingly, Or you shall be coerced to fight, When the people assembled and shouted the war of cry, Why do you not advance with them? Or do you hate to enter paradise? No doubt, you have remained at ease for so long, Were you not a lowly drop of water in the womb?’

He also said:

‘O soul, if you are not killed, still you will die, And you will meet this bird of death, What you wished for has been bestowed on you, If you can do what your martyrs have done, You will be guided.’

Reciting these poems, he advanced and fought intrepidly until he achieved what he yearned for, martyrdom.

May Allah have mercy on him and be pleased with him. Indeed it is the believers who sacrifice their life and wealth for the Pleasure of Allah, and it is they who are the successful and rewarded with Jannah.

Bint Hasan, AAT writer