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THE SEVENTY ANSARS

1344

“Some people came to the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, and requested him to send some men with them to teach the Koran and the Prophetic ways.

The Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, sent seventy men from the tribe of Ansar who were known as Reciters and among them was my (Anas') maternal uncle, Haram. These people used to recite the Koran and occupy themselves at night teaching and learning it. During the day, they brought water to the Mosque and gathered wood for fuel which they then sold. With their earnings they bought food for the people of Suffa (the needy people who remained in attendance in the Mosque) and other poor people.

The seventy Ansari's who were sent with these people were martyred. As they were being martyred they supplicated saying, ‘O Allah, convey from us to our Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, that we have met You and are pleased with You and that You are pleased with us.’

A man came to Haram from behind him with a spear and thrust it through his body, whereupon Haram exclaimed, ‘By the Lord of the Ka’ba I am a winner.’

The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, informed his Companions: ‘Your brethren have been murdered and they supplicated: O Allah, convey from us to our Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, that we have met You and are pleased with You and that You are pleased with us."

Bukhari and Muslim with a chain up to Anas who related this.