Umair bin Saad
Allah stood by Umair’s statement of truth by revealing one full verse of Surah Taubah.
Hazrath Umair bin Saad Ansari was orphaned during his infancy. His father left no bequest for him to sustain him or his mother through difficult days of childhood. It left no option for Umair’s mother, but to marry Julas bin Suyad, a wealthy merchant of Aus tribe. Julas was gentle as well as compassionate. He took Umair under his wings and vowed never to let the child feel the pangs of orphanhood. Umair was an extremely intelligent child and embraced Islam while he was just 10. He would pray behind the Prophet during his childhood. The sight of his rushing to the mosque would please the parents to no end. But then the moment of crisis visited him in the 9th Hijri when the Prophet declared war against the Romans and ordered march towards Tabuk. And the Prophet had made no effort to hide his strategy for the battle. It was all out in the open. The enemy was formidable and the days ahead were getting hotter. The harvest was just ready and it was natural for the people to get weary. As was their wont, the holy companions began to pour charities at the feet of the holy Prophet. Women brought their ornaments while Usman presented a bag of 1,000 dinars. Abdur Rahman bin Auf came with a bag full of guineas. Yet another companion was seen selling his bed-roll to donate for the war effort. But young Umair found no enthusiasm in Julas, husband of his mother. Neither was he ready to stir out for the battle nor would he offer any portion of his wealth for the purpose. Umair decided to persuade him to take part in the battle (ghazwa). Umair explained the entire situation to Julas making a fervent appeal to participate in the battle. But Julas’ arrogant reply came to him almost like a thunderbolt. It almost bordered on blasphemy. Umair was shocked beyond belief. Julas had said, ‘If Muhammad is indeed the messenger of God, then we are worse than donkeys” (God forbid!) Umair was plunged into a crisis. He thought, ‘if Umair is left unchallenged, it would boost the morale of the hypocrites whose ranks were swelling by the day. But if the statement is made public, it would hurt Julas who has given me everything that an affectionate father could give his son.’ He turned to Julas and told him: ‘By God! I held you dearer than anybody on the face of the earth. But now am I am utterly disgusted with you. You have maligned the beloved Prophet in no uncertain terms. I would convey this to Muhammad, peace be upon him’. The Prophet called for Julas following Umair’s narration of the events. Julas came, sat before the Prophet and flatly denied the statement and dismissed it as a lie fabricated by Umair. It was another shock for Umair. He began to sob silently with tears rolling down his cheek. This set the audience in the Mosque whispering. Someone said the youth was up against a father who gave him all the affection that only a real father could give. Others were unwilling to take it for a lie. The Prophet looked at Umair and read his face. It was red with rage and tears were rolling down the cheeks. Umair was muttering prayers: “O God! reveal the truth on the Prophet.” Julas began to swear by Allah that he did not tell anything of the sort that Umair was relating to him. But soon, the Prophet went into a trance indicating that he was about to receive a divine revelation. Moments later he emerged out of the trance and recited the verses: They swear by Allah that they said nothing (evil), but indeed they uttered blasphemy. And they uttered it after accepting Islam; and they meditated a plot which they were unable to carry out: this revenge of theirs was their only return for the bounty with which Allah and His messenger had enriched them! If they repent, it will be best for them: But if they turn back to their evil ways, Allah will punish them with a grievous chastisement to this life and the Hereafter: they shall have none on earth to protect or help them. A shiver ran down Julas as the verses were chanted loudly by the Holy Prophet. The Prophet patted Umair’s ear and congratulated him on his narration being endorsed by Allah. Julas bin Suyad sought pardon from the Prophet and Allah and vowed never to betray the faith in Islam. Then on Julas would ever remember Umair as one who salvaged him from disbelief and would send his blessings for him. (Note: One more chapter on Umair bin Saad would appear next month.) (Translated and edited by Maqbool Ahmed Siraj from Suwarum min Hayathus Sahaba authored by Dr. Abdur Rahman Rafat Pasha).
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