Assalam-u-Aliekum Wa-rahmtullahi Wa-barakatuh...
Indeed I love this Sahaba (May Allah grant him a place near to Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) in Jannah)...
'Abdullah bin Rawahah (radiy-Allahu 'anhu) had the honour of taking part in the Battle of Badr and led the Muslim army in the Battle of Motah. When the prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) fought in the Battle of Saweeq he was the vicegerent of the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) and performed the duties of a Caliph. He led thirty Muhajdeen and killed the famous Jew of Khaibar, Aseer bin Razam. he used his best capabilities to fulfill the responsibility entrusted to him of whcih was the appraisal of the lands and resources of Khaibar. He displayed his excellent talents both during times of war and in the days of peace. He was uncle of Nu'man bin Basheer (Radhiallahu anhu) and the brother of Abu Darda (Radhiallahu anhu). Whenever the army went into the battlefield he was in the front ranks and when it returned he was at the very rear end. Ans (Radhiallahu anhu) says:
"When he met any Companion he would tell him that they should make use of the opportunity to revive and renew their True Faith."
On one such occasion, a companion got annoyed and complained about him to the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam), saying:
"O Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) may my parents be sacrificed for you! But this 'Abdullah bin Rawahah, is a very strange character! He asks us to have faith in you for a little while. But we have accepted you for all time. How is it possible to that we have belief in you for just a short time?"
He smiled and answered:
"Don't be so sensitive. The intentions of 'Abdullah bin Rawahah are pure. May Allah (Subhana wa T'ala) Bless him with prosperity. It is just that he wants to gather people in a group in an environment and a milieu which even the angels may envy and take pride in."
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The heart to 'Abdullah bin Rawahah (Radhiallahu Anhu) was filled to the brim with love, faith, and trustful obedience to the commands of the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) 'Abdur-Rahamn bin Abu Laila (Radhiallahu Anhu) narrates what took place on one occasion when 'Abdullah bin Rawahah was going to the Prophet's (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) Masjid at Al-Madinah. The Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) was delivering a sermon and 'Abdullah bin Rawahah had just reached the door of the Masjid, when the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) said:
"Sit down." The moment the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) said this, 'Abdullah bin Rawahah stopped and immediately sat down among the shoes left at the door of the Masjid. The Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) was delighted at the way his Companion at once obeyed his command. He was so happy that he offered a supplication to Allah (Subhana Wa T'ala).
"May Allah (Subhana wa T'ala) make the desire of obedience and submission to His Commands and those of his Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) thrive your heart."
This perfect degree of love and trustful obedience, is capable of rousing the envy of even the angels.
Once the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) was riding on his camel to nurse and tend to Sa'd bin 'Ibadah (radhiallahu anhu) who was ill. On the way 'Abdullah bin Ubbi, an archenemy of Islam and a traitor was sitting with a group of his companions who were hypocrites and chatting with them. As the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) was ridign by he passed a rude comment just to hurt the feelings of the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) . He said:
"Why is this dust being raised?"
'Abdullah bin Rawahah (Radhiallahu anhu) was also present there and he could not bear it that anyone should comment thus on his beloved Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) . He immediately welcomed the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) affectionately and reverentially, saying:
May our parents be sacrificed for you O Messenger of Allah. We are blessed by your coming here. Just a look at your radiant face is like being blessed with and immeasurable treasure. And your words of wisdom inspired and purified by the sacred waters of Zamzam and the Kauther of Paradise are great blessing for us. The sweet fragrance of your presence perfumes the whole atmosphere of Al-Madinah. Your word is our command."
Actually this was a fitting retort directed y "Abdullah bin Rawahah in reply to the devilish ill-feelings expressed by 'abdullah bin abi. It was meant to wound and agitate this enemy of Islam by making him realize the depth and intensity of the love and admiration that people nurtured in their hearts for the Messenger of Allah (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam). The Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) cared very deeply for 'Abdullah bin Rawahah (Radhiallahu anhu) in return for the regard and love that he always felt and expressed for him.
Once 'Abdullah bin Rawahah was taken ill; his condition was so serious that he went into a coma. When the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) came to know of this he immediately went to see him. When he saw him unconscious he offered the following supplication to Allah Almighty:
"O Allah (Subhana Wa T'ala) ! If it is ordained that he should die, please make it easy for him. If it is ordained that he should live please heal him and cure him."
The moment his supplication was completed 'Abdullah bin Rawahah opened his eyes and when they fell on his beloved Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam), who was seated near him, his illness seemed to be disappear.
'Abdullah bin Rawahah (Radhiallahu Anhu) always tried to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) as fas as possible in all matters, however difficult or arduous he may have found it. His brother, Abu Darda (Radhiallahu Anhu), narrates that whenever they traveled with the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam), even in the most terrible of summers, the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) and with him 'Abdullah bin Rawahah (radhiallahu anhu) would be the only ones fasting among those who were in the caravan.
His zeal and ardor in worship and prayed was worth seeing. Whenever he went out of the house and whenever he entered it, he would offer two units of supererogatory prayer. This is an excellent practice to gains nearness to Allah (Subhan Wa Tala). And people who devote their whole lives to gaining the pleasure of Allah Almighty have always tried to offer as many supererogatory prayers as possible to be near Allah as often as possible. It is in the act of prostration and prayer that one is closest to Him. A person's humility and supplications and praises of the Almighty in this posture of lowliness takes him to the highest position in the Heavens. The angels talk about him and they look at his piety with envy It seems as if the Whole of creation prays for this person and the Help and Assistance of Allah Almighty is always with him and he is blessed with Victory by Him
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Besides being an exceptional calligrapher, 'Abdullah bin Rawahaha (Radhiallahu anhu) was an excellent poet who was very well-known throughout the Arab world. 'Urwah bin Zubaire (Radhiallah anhu) narrates the reaction of some of the poets when the following verse o the Noble Qur'an was revealed:
"As of the Poets, the erring ones follow them." (26:224)
'Abdullah bin Rawahah, Hassan bin Thabit, Ka'b Bin Malik (Radhiallahu anhu) started weeping. Their tears were flowing and they were saying:
"Alas! We are destroyed. We are among those who are censured in the Noble Qur'an. What will happen to us now? We wish that we had not had even the remotest connection with poetry."
Taking pity on their mourning and weeping, Allah (Subhana W T'ala) revealed the following Verse:
Except for those who have believe in Allah and do good deeds.
In other words the true Muslims and poets who do good deeds are exempt from this criticism and censure. After listening to this Verse the three poets were relieved and felt a sense of tranquility and peace. A shining radiant happiness replaced the sadness in their eyes, and their sorrowing hearts began to sing paeans of joy. Then they directed their creative energies to writing beautiful inspiring verses for the defense of Islam. During the construction of the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) Masjid, while carrying cement and bricks, they sang the following well-known and popular couplet written by 'Abdullah bin Rawahah again and again.
O Allah! The real life is the life of Hereafter
Please forgive the Ansar and the Muhajir
The atmosphere was joyful with companions humming this couplet as they busied themselves, construction the Prophet's Majsid. The Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) was reciting this verse loudly and delighting in offering this supplication to Allah. This in itself was proof of the excellence and worth of poetry, which inspired people to perform good deeds. The work of good and great poets is always recited and enjoyed by righteous people.
Anas bin Malik (Radhiallahu anhu) narrates that when the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) went to Makkah to perform his 'Umrahtul-Qaza, Abdullah bin Rawahah, was holding the reins and reciting the following verses:
O children of the disbelievers give way to our Prophet
On his arrival today we will hit you in a way
Which will separate your heads from your bodies
And the dearest of friends will forget each other.
When 'Umar Khattab (Radhiallahu Anhu) heard this verses he told to 'Abdullah bin Rawahah:
""Son of Rawahah, it is not appropriated to recite such verses in a sacred place in the presence of the Messenger of Alllah (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam)
When the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) heard him he said:
"O 'Umar! Let him be and do his job. I swear by Allah Who has control over my life that these words of 'Abdullah are inflicting wounds in the hearts of the Kuffar, deeper than those inflicted by spears. His verses are piercing their bodies like arrows and drilling holes in them. These are not words but arrows raining down from the bow of an archer."
What greater accolade or acclaim could the inspiring verses of 'Abdullah bin Rawahah (Radhiallahu Anhu), receive? Qais bin Hazam (radhiallahu Anhu) says that the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) once said:
"Abdullah bin rawahah, warm up the hearts of your comrades with fresh verses and create a revolution in their minds."
He answered that he had given up writing poetry.
'Umar Khattab (Radhiallah anhu) was standing next to him and told him angrily:
"Listen! Obey the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam)
As soon as he heard this 'Abdullah bin Rawahah, started reciting the following verses:
By Allah! If He was not with us, we could not be on the right path
We would not have given charity or prayed. Allah! Please bestow
Peace on us
O Allah! Please keep us steadfast when we battle with the enemy
The enemy has been cruel but we do not cow down to his mischief-
making.
One day his wife was grumbling to her slave girl about his sexual impure. He told her that cannot read the Words of Allah. Then he comes out spontaneously with this line:
"I bear witness that the Promise of the Almighty is ture
Jahannum is the ultimate home of disbelievers.
After that he recited another verse with the same metrical and rhyme:
Certainly the Throne of Allah (Subhana Wa T'ala) is floating on water
And He is seated on his Throne in all His Majesty
The angels bear the Throne of Allah (Subhan wa T'ala)
And these angels of Allah (Subhan Wa T'ala) are honoured and near to Him.
When 'Abdullah bin Rawahah narrated to the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) what his wife had said and what he had recited, he smiled and appreciated it.
The Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) organized the Muslim army, which left for Syria, border town of Motah, and appointed three Commanders-in Chief and said:
"The first Commander-in-Chief is Zaid bin Harithah (Radhiallahu Anhu), in case he is martyred, then Ja'far bin Abu Talib (Radhiallahu Anhu) should take his place, in the event, he also being martyred, 'Abdullah bin Rawahah (Radhiallahu Anhu) should take Command."
After they received their orders from the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam), the Mujahideen set out carrying with them the good wishes and prayers of the people of Al - Madinah. On this occasion 'Abdullah bin Rawahah began to weep, and when asked why he was weeping, he swore that it was not love for this world nor under a motive of infatuation with the glamour of life but rather the Words of Allâh speaking of Fire that he heard the Prophet peace be upon him reciting:
"There is not one of you but will pass over it (Hell); this is with your Lord, a Decree which must be accomplished." [19:71].
Also he recited the following verses:
I beg Allah for Divine Forgiveness
And I pray for a sharp sword
Which will spurt foam from blood
And I pray for a sharp spear
Which can pierce through the enemy's hearts.
I desire that people should say
When they pass by my grave
Allah showed him the path of a true conqueror.
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The Mujahideen camped at Motah and was that the Emperor Herqal of Rome had come to do battle with a hundred with a hundred thousand troops. Some of them, realizing the danger suggested:
"We should inform that Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) that the battle is going to be a very tough one and that the Roman Emperor has arrived with a huge army of one hundred thousand men, whereas there are only three thousand of us. We would then act according to the instruction we receive from the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam).
'Abdullah bin Rawahah gauging the situation said:
"My friends, why are you panicking? Paradise awaits you. This is a golden chance to gain the noble and lofty position of a martyr. When we step into the battlefield of Jihad we should not look at the inadequacy or excess of numbers. We have come here with an aspiration for martyrdom and for the exaltation of our religion. Islam has given us honour and eminence. We should leap into the fray without worry about the consequences. Whatever the result it will be in our favour. If we die we shall achieve martyrdom. If we survive we will be Ghazi or conquerors of the infidels."
His electrifying speech inspired the Mujahideen who entered the battlefield ready to risk their lives nd untroubled by the fear of death. Fierce fighting ensued and the Commander-in-Chief, Zaid bin Harithah (Radhiallahu anhu) was martyred fighting valiantly. The flag of Islam now went into the hand of Ja'far bin Abi Talib (Radhiallahu anhu). He also went of life-eternal fighting courageously. 'Abdullah bin Rawahah (Radhiallahu Anhu) moved forward and picked up the flag. As he took over command of the army, he was reciting the following verses:
I swear O Soul! You have to enter the battlefield
Either willingly or reluctantly
What if some people gather and shout
What is this I see that you are averse to entering Paradise?
No doubt you have lived for long in peace and tranquility
Were you not a lowly drop of water in the womb?
And at the same time he was admonishing himself.
O Soul, even if you are not killed, 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 on the Right Path.
But if you fail and avoid stepping into he battlefield
Then your fate will be tragic indeed!
Reciting these verses he advanced and fighting as if possessed he met the fate of a fearless martyr. Thabit bin Aqram took the flag of Islam and handed it to Khalid Bin Waleed (Radhiallahu Anhu), with these words:
"Now it is only you who have the capability to bring this ship out of the whirlpool of grief to safety. Please assume command; in my opinion no one else had God-given skills and abilities than you. All of us unanimously accept you as our Commander."
Discharging his duties as Commander-in-Chief, Khaild bin Waleed achieved something Unique in military history, which left the experts astounded. In the face of one hundred thousand fully armed enemy troops he saved the lives of his small army of three thousand men and brought them back to safety by the help of Allah. In recognition of this great achievement, the prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) give Khalid bin Waleed (Radhiallah anhu) the title of 'Saifullah' (Sword of Allah).
'Abdulah bin Rawahah (Radhiallahu Anhu) was a great General of the Muslim forces and was apoet of the highest rank. His poetry was appreciated and receited by the Prophet (salla-Llaahu 'alayhi wa-sallam) himself.
"Come back to your Lord, well-pleased (yourself) and well-pleasing (unto Him)! (89:28).
Taken from the book...
Commanders of the Muslim Army
Published by 'Darussalam'
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