THE PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE BY THE ANSAR COMPANIONS Hayatus Sahabah by Muhadith Kandahlawi (Kandhelvi) Rendered into current English by Khadeijah Abdullah Darwish (Anne Stephens) Free give away Acquired from Amazon’s Kindle Not for sale or resale by any third party ©2013 - www.Muhammad.com This chapter highlights the Companion’s pledging of allegiance to the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace e upon him, and to the Caliphs who came after him, and the conditions on which they pledged allegiance. PLEDGING ALLEGIANCE TO ISLAM CONDITIONS Jarir narrates, “The condition on which we (the male Companions) pledged allegiance to the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, was similar to the conditions the female Muslims pledged. The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, guaranteed that as long as any Muslim, male or female, did not commit any of the following sins they would enter Paradise. If anyone did commit such sins, but the Islamic punishment had been administered that would be an expiation for him, whereas Allah will decide the case of anyone who kept the action secret (He may either forgive or punish). THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE GIVEN BY THE ELDERS, MEN, WOMEN AND YOUTHS ON THE DAY OF THE OPENING OF MECCA Aswad narrates that he saw the people pledging their allegiance to the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, on the day Mecca was opened. The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, sat at a place called Qarn Musqilah and it is there that the people came to him to pledge their allegiance to Islam and to make their Shahadah (bearing witness to the Islamic creed). Aswad says that he asked (his teacher Abdullah, son of Othman). “What is the Shadah?” He replied, (My teacher) Muhammad, son of Aswad, son of Khalf informed me that the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, required the Companions to pledge their allegiance to their belief in Allah and to their testimony that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is the worshipper and Messenger of Allah.” The addition in the narration of Bayhaqi is that everyone, young and old as well, men and women alike pledged their allegiance to Islam and to the Shadhah at the hands of the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him. THE PLEDGE OF MUJASHI , SON OF MASOOD AND HIS BROTHER Mujashi, son of Masood narrates that he and his brother went to the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, and asked him to accept their pledge of allegiance to the migration. The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him said. “Migration (to Medina) has finished with those who have already migrated.” When Mujashi asked what he could pledge allegiance too, the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, replied, “Pledge your allegiance to Islam and to Jihad.” THE PLEDGE OF BASHIR , SON OF KHASASIYAH Bashir, son of Khasasiyah narrates that when he approached the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, to pledge his allegiance, he asked, “O Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, to what should I pledge my allegiance?” The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, stretched out his hand and said, “Bear witness that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is the worshiper and Messenger of Allah. Offer your five daily prayers in their allotted time, pay the obligatory charity (zakat), fast the month of Ramadan, fulfill the Pilgrimage and fight in the Path of Allah.” Bashir said, “O Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, I can carryout all except two of these, (the first is) the obligatory charity, because I possess only ten camels, the milk of which my family needs to subsist on and they are the only beasts of burden that I have. (The second is) fighting in the way of Allah, because I am a timid person, and people say that one who flees from the battlefield returns with the wrath of Allah. It is my fear that when a battle is fought I would flee for fear of my life and that I would return with the wrath of Allah.” The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, withdrew his hand and shook his head saying, “O Bashir, by virtue of what deed will you enter Paradise without paying the obligatory charity and Jihad?” Whereupon Bashir said, “O Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, extend your hand,” thereupon Bashir pledged his allegiance to all the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, had told him to pledge. THE PLEDGE OF JARIR, SON OF ABDULLAH Jarir narrates that when he pledged allegiance at the hand of the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, that he would establish (the five daily prescribed) prayers, pay the obligatory charity (zakat) and wish good for all Muslims. Another narration from Jarir states that he said, “O Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, tell me the conditions (of the pledging allegiance) as you are best aware of the conditions.” The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, said, “You are required to pledge that you will worship none except One, Allah and not ascribe a partner to Him, that you will establish the prayer, pay the obligatory charity, wish good for all Muslims and absolve yourself from Shirk.” Jair narrates the he went to the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, and asked him to stretch out his hand (to pledge his allegiance). Jarir asked, “On what should I pledge my allegiance?” The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, replied, “That you surrender yourself to Allah, and wish good for all Muslims,” and Jarir accepted the conditions. Jarir was an intelligent person and said to the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, “(I will abide by these conditions) as far as I am able to do so.” Thereafter, this concession was allowed for everyone after him. Ziyad, son of Ilaqa narrates that when Mughiera, son of Shu’ba passed away he heard Jarir, son of Abdullah address the people saying, “I advise you to fear the One, Allah, who has no partner and to remain graceful and calm. With these hands of mine I pledged allegiance to Islam at the hands of the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, who stipulated that I always remain a well-wisher for every Muslim. I swear by the Lord of Ka’bah that I wish each one of you well.” He then sought forgiveness from Allah and descended from the pulpit. THE PLEDGE OF AWF, SON OF MALIK AND HIS COMPANIONS Awf, son of Malik Ash’ja’e narrates that he was with either seven, eight or nine people in the company of the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, when the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, said, “Won’t you pledge allegiance to the Messenger of Allah?” After the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, had repeated his statement three times, they stretched out their hands and pledged their allegiance at the hand of the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, and asked, “O Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, inform us what the conditions of our pledge are.” He replied, “You have pledged that you will worship Allah without ascribing any partners to Him, that you offer the five daily prayers ….” Then the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, whispered another condition saying, “that you will not ask people for anything.” Awf, son of Malik said that he had seen members of this group who would not even ask anyone to pass them their whip which had fallen (from their hands as they rode their mounts). THE PLEDGE OF THOWBAN Abu Umamah narrates that the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, asked, “Who would like to pledge their allegiance?” Thowban who was the slave of the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, said, “(please) accept our pledge of allegiance, O Messenger of Allah.” The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, said, “Pledge that you will not ask anyone for anything.” Thowban asked, “What will one receive for making this pledge?” The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, replied, “Paradise”. Thowban then gave his pledge to the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him. Abu Umamah said that he saw Thowban riding among a large crowd in Mecca, and even when his whip fell on someone’s shoulders and the person attempted to give it back to him, he would not allow it. He would dismount and pick it up himself. Other narrations report that Abu Bakr would not ask people to pass him his whip if it fell from him. THE PLEDGE OF ABU DHARR Abul Muthanna reports from Abu Dharr that there was a time when the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, called him and asked, “Do you wish to pledge your allegiance in exchange for Paradise?” Abu Dharr accepted and stretched out his hand. Whereupon the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, made the condition that he (Abu Dharr) should never ask anyone for anything. Abu Dharr agreed, and the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, added, “Even if your whip falls from your hand (you should not ask anyone to retrieve it but rather) dismount and get it yourself.” In another narration it stated that the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, said to Abu Dharr that after six days he should pay attention to what would be said to him. On the seventh day, the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, told him. “I advise you to adopt Taqwa (Although commonly translated as "fear for Allah" or "piety", the word Taqwa refers to such consciousness of Allah or such piety that drives a person to carry out all Allah's commands and to stay away from everything that Allah has prohibited) in privacy and in public. In addition to this, when you do something wrong, do a good deed immediately thereafter, never ask anyone for anything even if your whip should fall from your hand and never accept any trust.” THE PLEDGE OF SAHL, SON OF SA’AD AND OTHER COMPANIONS Sahl, the son of Sa’ad said that he was with Abu Dharr, Ubadah, son of Samit, Abu Sa’ed Khudri, Muhammad, son of Maslam and a sixth Companion when they pledged that they would never be affected by the criticism of any critic when it concerned Allah. When the sixth person requested to be relieved from the pledge the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, relieved him. Ubadah, son of Samit narrates that he was with several chieftains (of Medina) who pledged their allegiance to the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him. He adds that they pledged they would not ascribe partners to Allah, that they would not steal, that they would not fornicate, that they would not kill a soul whose killing Allah had prohibited unless it was Islamically binding, that they would not plunder, or be disobedient. They were told that if they abided by their pledge they were promised Paradise, but if they committed any of these sins, the decision would rest with Allah. Ubadah, son of Samit narrates that they were with the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, when he said, “Pledge allegiance at my hand that you will not ascribe any partner to Allah, that you will neither steal nor fornicate. Whosoever fulfills this pledge the reward of Paradise is guaranteed by Allah, and whosoever commits any of these sins (without subjecting himself to the Islamic penal law in which case he is forgiven) and Allah conceals them, then the matter rests with Allah, who may either punish or forgive him.” THE PLEDGE OF UBADAH, SON OF SAMIT AND OTHERS AT FIRST PLEDGING AT AQABA Ubadah, son of Samit narrates that there were eleven of us when the pledge of allegiance was taken for the first time at Aqaba. He said that because fighting in the Way of Allah (Jihad) was not compulsory at that time their pledge was the same as that of the women. They pledged that they would not ascribe a partner to Allah, that they would not steal, that they would not fornicate, that they would not slander which they fabricate by their hands and legs, that they would not kill their children, and that they will not disobey the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, in any good (deed he commands them to do). They were assured that whosoever fulfills this pledge will have a guaranteed reward with Allah, whereas whosoever commits any of these sins, his matter rests with Allah who may either punish or forgive them. The following year, the same people return (to Mecca) and pledge their allegiance again. THE PROXY PLEDGE OF YALA, SON OF MUNYAH ON BEHALF OF HIS FATHER Ya’la, son of Munyah narrates that the day after Mecca was opened he went to the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, and said, “O Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, allow me to pledge on behalf of my father that he will migrate.” The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, replied, “I will allow him to pledge his allegiance to Jihad because (the obligatory) migration (to Medina) ceased on the day Mecca was opened.” THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE BY THE COMPANIONS TO MIGRATE AFTER THE BATTLE OF THE TRENCH Ziyad, son of Sa’idi narrates that during the Battle of the Trench (Khadaq) he went to the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, when the Companions were engaged in pledging their allegiance at his hands to migrate. Being under the impression that everyone (residents and non-residents of Medina) were being called to take this pledge, Harith asked, “Will you accept this man’s pledge to undertake the migration?” The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, asked Harith who the person ways and Harith replied, “He is my cousin, Howt, son of Yazid (in another narration Yazid, son of Howt.” The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, informed him, that the pledge to undertake the migration could not be taken from him (as he was already an Ansar from Medina) and it was therefore unnecessary. Then the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, said, “I swear by the One who controls my life that the person who loves the Ansar until he meets Allah, Allah will love him when He meets him. The person who hates the Ansar until he meets Allah, Allah will hate him when He meets him.” Abu Usayd Sa’idi narrates that as the trench (around Medina before the battle) was being dug people came to the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, to pledge that they would migrate. The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, said, “O gathering of Ansar, the pledge to undertake to migrate cannot be taken from you, because it is for other people to migrate to you. A person who loves the Ansar until he meets Allah, Allah will love him when He meets him. A person who hates the Ansar until he meets Allah, Allah will hate him when he meets him.” THE PLEDGE OF SEVENTY ANSAR IN THE VALLEY OF AQABA Jabir narrates that during the ten years that the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, lived in Mecca (after announcing his prophethood), that during the seasons of hajj he would visit people at their camp locations.. At the market places of Ukaz and Majina, he would ask the pilgrims, “Who will ally themselves to me? Who will assist me so that I might tell people the message of my Lord? Whosoever does this will receive the reward of Paradise.” However, none would either ally themselves or give him their assistance. News spread as far away as Yemen about the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, seeking assistance. It is reported that when people from Yemen or the tribe of Mudhar left (for Mecca) their fellow tribesmen and relatives would warn them saying, “Beware of that man from the Koraysh does not get you into trouble.” People even pointed at the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, as he walked between their camps. Jabir continued to narrate “This situation prevailed until Allah sent us (the people who were to become known as the Ansar) to him from Yahrib. We offered to ally ourselves and believed in him. Whenever one of our tribesmen journeyed (to Mecca he sought out the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him and) he believed in him, and the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, would recite the Koran to him. Thereafter that man would return to his family (in Yathrib, late renamed Medina) and they would accept Islam by the virtue of him conveying Islam to them. As time went by there was scarcely a family from (Medina who were to be called) the Ansar that did not have several Muslims who publicly announced their belief in Islam. “Jabir further narrates, that (they were concerned about the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him) and asked one another, “How much longer will we leave the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, to be hassled by the people in the mountains of Mecca and face the threats of others?” .When the pilgrimage season came, seventy people rode out to meet the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him. They agreed together to meet in the valley of Aqaba (but did not arrive there in a group rather) they arrived one-by-one, or in twos until they were all present. (When the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, arrived they asked him “To what should we pledge allegiance at your hands?” The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, replied, ‘’You should pledge that you will always listen and obey, whether or not your hearts are willing. You should also pledge that you will spend (in charity) in times of hardship and ease and that you will command good and forbid evil. In addition, you should pledge that you will speak for (the pleasure of) Allah and not fear the criticism of a critic when it concerns (the religious injunctions of) Allah. You should also pledge that you will assist me when I come to you, that you protect me as you would protect your own lives, wives and children. If you adhere to these pledges you will be rewarded with Paradise.” Thereupon the men from Medina (Ansar) stood before the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, and Asad, son of Zurarah who was among the youngest present took hold of the Messenger of Allah’s, praise and peace be upon him, hand. In the narration of Bayhaqi, Jabir said that after himself As’ad was the youngest and that Asad said, “O people of Yathrib, we have undertaken this journey only because we are convinced that he is the Prophet of Allah, praise and peace be upon him. Taking him will signal the enmity of all the Arabs, the killing of the best of you and swords will cut you to pieces. If you people are willing to endure this, then take the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, with you and you will receive your reward from Allah. If, however you are fearful, then leave him and make yourselves known, this will be a better way of excusing yourselves before Allah. The tribesmen said, “O Asad, by Allah, we will never forsake this pledge of allegiance and no one can every make us do so!” The tribesmen from Medina then pledged their allegiance to the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, which he received from them and informed them of their responsibilities in exchange for which they would attain Paradise. Ka’b, son of Malik narrates that when they were gathered in the valley of Aqaba awaiting the arrival of the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, who was accompanied by Abbas, son of Abdul Muttalib even though Abbas was at that time an adherent to the religion of his people. Abbas wanted to be there with his nephew and take their promise on his behalf. When the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, sat down, the first to speak was Abbas who said, ”O tribesmen of Aws and Khazraj, as you know this is my nephew and the person I love most. If you accept his message, believe him and intend to take him with you to your city, you must make me a promise so that my heart will be placated. Promise me you will never desert or betray him because your neighbors are the Jews and the Jews are his enemies. I am fearful that the Jews will connive against him.” Upon hearing this, As’ad the son of Zurarah and his companions felt hurt that Abbas had expressed his mistrust in them, whereupon As’ad asked the permission of the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, to permit him to reply to Abbas in a manner that would neither upset nor appear distasteful to him. As’ad said to the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, “Our reply will confirm that we have accepted your message and it will express our belief in you.” The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, said, “You may reply to him as I have complete confidence in you.” Then, turning to the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, As’ad said, “O Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, there is a path to every call. While some paths are easy, others are difficult. Today you have called us toward something that is both new and difficult for people to accept. You have called us to forsake our religions and to follow you in your Religion. This is not an easy task. However, we have accepted your Call. You have called us to sever our ties with both close and distant relatives (by following you rather than them). This is not an easy task. You have invited us to Islam. We are a strong group living in a place that is powerful and mighty, none could ever imagine that our leader would be someone who is not from among us. This is not an easy task but we have accepted it. These things appear difficult for all except those whose welfare Allah has decided and who foresee good in its results. We have accepted your call with our tongues, our hearts and our hands, because we believe in what you have conveyed to us and we accept it with conviction that has settled deep within our hearts. We pledge our commitment to you in all of this and we pledge it to our Lord and your Lord. The hand of Allah is above ours (witnessing the pledge). We shall spill our blood to protect yours and give our lives for yours. We shall protect you as we protect ourselves, our children and our wives. If we fulfill this pledge, it will be for Allah. Should we betray this pledge, it will be betraying Allah to the cost of making us the most wretched people. O Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, all that we have told you is the absolute truth and we seek the assistance of Allah (to help us fulfill the pledge).” As’ad then turned to Abbas saying, “As for you who have used your words to be a barrier between the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, Allah knows best whom you love the most. However, we have severed ourselves from people near and far as well as from blood relatives. We bear witness that he is indeed the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, whom Allah has sent. There is no doubt that he is not a liar and what he has brought does not in the slightest resemble the words of a human. As for your statement that you cannot be placated with us until we make you a promise, we will certainly not refuse such a request made out of concern for the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him. You may therefore take from us whatever promise you wish.” Then turning to the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, As’ad son of Zurarah said, “O Messenger of Allah, take any promise you wish from us and make any condition that your Lord would wish us to make.” Bara turned and said, "We have been born and raised as warriors". Just then Abu Al Haitham interjected saying, "O Prophet of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, we are on good terms with the Jews, after this pledge we shall have to break from them. Is it possible that you may leave us to return to your own City when your authority is realized?" The Prophet praise and peace be upon him, smiled reassuringly and said, "No, my blood is your blood. In life and death I will be with you and you with me, you are mine and I am yours." Ka’b then spoke saying, “We have heard your words O Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, and it is for you to speak and take from us any pledge you like regarding your Lord and yourself.” Thereupon the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, recited verses from the Koran and spoke to them about belief then told them their pledge would be to hear and obey him in all circumstances, to spend in the Name of Allah in times of plenty and when restricted. To enjoin good and forbid evil deeds. To be obedient to Allah and fear none other. To defend in times of need and to protect him in the same way that they protect their family. The Prophet praise and peace be upon him, then told them that if they adhered to this Paradise would be their reward. As they were about to take their pledge, Abbas son of Ubadah who was the son of Nadlah, stood up and asked, "My tribesmen, do you understand what is meant by such a pledge, it is a declaration of conflict against Arab and non-Arab alike. If you undertake this heavy responsibility, I swear by Allah, that there is good in this world for you and in the Hereafter.” His tribesmen replied that they had understood and pledged their allegiance. Abbas, son of Ubadah’s statement is one of great significance and has regrettably been misunderstood and misinterpreted by some Muslims - especially in the recently emerged bellicose, followers of Muhammad ibn Abd Al-Wahab and Ibn Taymia - who fail to understand one of the basic, elementary duties of a Muslim to his neighbor. It is not a call for Jihad or for hostilities to be levied against those who have not embraced Islam. Rather, it is obligatory upon all Muslims, especially those who have migrated to a foreign land, to tell their neighbors about Islam and demonstrate its teachings by leading an exemplary life in accordance with the Koran and teachings of Prophet Muhammad praise and peace be upon him,. From the gathering, the Prophet praise and peace be upon him, chose twelve men as leaders to go out and preach. Nine belonged to the tribe of Khazraj and three from the tribe of Aws. They were: Rifa’a, Abdul Mundhir’s son. Al Aws Usaid son of Hudair. Sa’ad, Khaithama's son, later to be martyred during the Encounter of Badr. Asad, Zurarah's son, who would often lead the congregational prayer on Friday. Sa'ad, Rabi's son, later to be martyred during the Encounter of Uhud. Abdullah, Rawahah's son, a famous poet, martyred during the Encounter of Mu’tah. Sa'ad, Ubadah's son, a close Companion of the Prophet praise and peace be upon him,. Mundhar, Umair's son, martyred at the Encounter of Bi'r Maunah. Bara Marur's son, spokesman during the Allegiance of Aqabah. Bara died before the migration of the Prophet praise and peace be upon him,. Abdullah, son of Amr. Ubadah, Al Samit's son, a close Companion of the Prophet praise and peace be upon him,, transmitter of many prophetic sayings. Rafi, Malik's son, martyred at the Encounter of Uhud. May Allah be pleased with all the Companions.