Outline
- Introduction
- The Beginning
- Who was Musab (Mus'ab) ibn ‘Umayr?
- Muṣ’ab, the Darling Child Wealthy Iron Lady Mother
- Muṣ’ab ibn ‘Umayr Accepts Islam
- Mus’ab’s Experiences of Migration
- Muṣ’ab ibn ‘Umayr Accomplishes Mission as Islam First Ambassador
- Muṣ’ab and His Brother Abu ‘Aziz on the Day of Badr
- Mus’ab’s Passing
- Mus’ab’s Family
- 7 Things to Remember About Muṣ’ab ibn ‘Umayr
- The Takeaway
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Beneficent
Introduction
Our Shining Star in this episode used to be the darling son of his super wealthy mother. The wealthy mother provided him with everything he wanted, from head to toe, until the moment she learnt that he had embraced Islam. Not only did she stripped him off from everything she had provided for him, she also locked him up and denied him food and water until he leaves Islam. But he chose Islam.
When the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam decided to appoint a teacher for the people fo Yathrib, which later become Madinah, his best candidate was our Shining Star of this episode. With that he became the first ambassador in Islam, and he was 27.
Yes, I’m talking about Muṣ’ab ibn ‘Umayr. Sayyidunā Musab (Mus'ab) ibn ‘Umayr raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu is our Shining Shining Star in this episode of The Shining Stars Series, brought to you by GSalam.Net and Al-Bushra by GSalam.
The Beginning
Assalamu alaykum!
Welcome to a new episode in The Shining Stars Series brought to you by GSalam.Net and Al-Bushra by GSalam.
Once upon a time in Makkah, there was a young man who belonged to an upper-class family. His mother was a wealthy lady who provided for him everything he wanted in life. Everything, indeed!
With a wealthy and overprotective mother that he had, he donned the most expensive outfit, that was custom tailored specifically for him. Also, he wore the most expensive types of perfume. So much so, that 30 minutes after he walked past an alley, you can tell that the young man passed by this lane.
But when Islam came, he sacrificed all that luxury and embraced Islam. This young man was Sayyiduna Musab (Mus'ab) ibn ‘Umayr. … So, who was Muṣ’ab ibn ‘Umayr?
Who was Musab (Mus'ab) ibn ‘Umayr?
His full name goes as
مُصْعَب بن عُمَيْر بن هاشم بن عبد مَناف بن عبد الدار بن قُصَيّ بن كِلاب بن مُرَّة
Muṣ’ab ibn ‘Umayr ibn Hāshim ibn ‘Abd Manaf ibn ‘Abd al-Dar ibn Quṣay ibn Kilāb ibn Murrah. He was from the Quraysh tribe of Makkah. His mother, the wealthy, overprotective iron lady was Khannās bint Mālik.
When Islam came, he was estimated be 27 years old. That means he was 13 years younger than The Prophet Muhammad ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam, 6 years younger than Zayd ibn Ḥārithah, 3 years younger than both Bilal ibn Rabāḥ, and ‘Abdul-Raḥmān ibn ‘Awf, and 4 years older than Khabbāb ibn al-Aratt.
By virtue of his family and influence, he had access to the meetings of the policy makers of Makkah. Thus, he learnt about a man who claimed prophecy and prophethood. That was Sayyidunā Muhammad ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam.
With that, when the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam came with the message of Islam, Musab (Mus'ab) ibn ‘Umayr was already aware about him, and it seemed he already made up his mind to accept Islam and follow Muhammad, ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam.
He met the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam at Dar al-Arqam secretly and that was where he declared his Islam before the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam.
Muṣ’ab, the Darling Child Wealthy Iron Lady Mother
Although he was not the only son, Musab (Mus'ab) ibn ‘Umayr used to be the darling son to his super wealthy mother.
In addition to been super wealthy, iron lady and loving mother, Khannās bint Mālik was also overprotective about her darling child.
She would do everything to ensure his comfort. Probably, that made her think it was impossible for him to go against her choices in life.
Coincidently, probably, coincidentally, she and her family happened to be one of the fiercest enemies of the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam when Islam came.
One day, she woke up to the most shocking news that hit her heart. Her darling son, Musab (Mus'ab) had accepted Islam and had become a follower of Muhammad, ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam.
Khannās couldn’t accept it. Therefore, she decided to protect her ego and prestige, and probably her darling son too. Not only did she stripped him off from everything she provided him with, she also locked him up and denied him food until he leaves Islam. The good news, which was not so good news to Khannās is that, Muṣ’ab insisted on Islam.
And that marked the end of the relationship with the mother.
Muṣ’ab ibn ‘Umayr Accepts Islam
Sayyidunā Muṣ’ab was one of those who accepted Islam in Dar al-Arqam. Thus, his Islam was a secret until his mother knew about it. For the record, although he was among the early Muslims, the fact that he accepted Islam in Dar al-Arqam means he was not among the very early ones to accept Islam.
His mother knew about his Islam when a person by the name Uthman ibn Talhah al-‘abdarī saw him praying and he rushed to inform Musab's (Mus'ab) family. He was then taken and locked up, following his mother’s discretion.
Muṣ’ab ibn ‘Umayr remained in lockup set up for him by his own mother, until he managed to escape and migrated to Abyssinia with the first batch of Muslim migrants.
Mus’ab’s Experiences of Migration
So, Sayyidunā Muṣ’ab ibn ‘Umayr was among the first batch of Muslims who migrated to Abyssinia.
A while after his return from Abyssinia, in the eleventh year after the arrival of Islam, the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam picked and appointed him to go to Yathrib (Madinah) to teach Qur’an and Islam to those who have already accepted Islam there, and to also propagate Islam to the yet-to-be Muslims there and then.
That made Sayyidunā Musab (Mus'ab) ibn ‘Umayr the first ambassador in Islam and the first to migrate to Madinah. With his appointment as the first ambassador, and with him being the first to make hijrah to Yathrib, he was the one who prepared Yathrib for the beginning of hijrah of other Muslims and subsequently the hijrah of the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam.
Musab (Mus'ab) ibn ‘Umayr Accomplishes Mission as Islam First Ambassador
When Muṣ’ab reached Yathrib, he focused on his mission, that was to teach Islam and Qur’an to the few Muslims among the people of Yathrib, and to spread Islam among the rest of the people.
He succeeded in conveying Islam to some influential figures in Yathrib at the time. As a result, big names like Usayd ibn Hudayr, Sa’d ibn Mu’adh, and Sa’d ibn ‘Ubadah, accepted Islam.
Since these were leader with positive influence in the people of Yathrib, the masses accepted Islam easily. So much so, that majority of the people of Yathrib became indebted to Muṣ’ab ibn ‘Umayr for their Islam.
With Mus’ab’s appointment for the that job, we understand that he was knowledgeable about the Qur’an and Islam. Furthermore, it’s proven that he possessed effective communication skills.
Besides his teaching of Qur’an and Islam to the people of Yathrib, it’s said that he sought the Prophet’s permission to start Jumu’ah prayers in Yathrib. The Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam approved. And with that, Musab (Mus'ab) ibn ‘Umayr became the first to conduct Jumu’ah in Madinah (the then Yathrib).
Fast forward to a few years later, during the Battle of Badr and Uhud, which occurred in the second and third years of hijrah respectively, Sayyidunā Muṣ’ab ibn ‘Umayr was the bearer of the flag of the Muslim camp.
Sadly, he was martyred during Uhud.
Muṣ’ab and His Brother Abu ‘Aziz on the Day of Badr
After the battle of Badr ended, Mus’ab’s younger brother, Abu Aziz ibn ‘Umayr was captured by the Muslim camp.
While he was tied up, Abu ‘Azīz saw his blooded brother Musab (Mus'ab) passing by. He called him, my brother, Muṣ’ab, please come and intercede for me. Let him show me some kindness.
Sayyidunā Muṣ’ab ibn ‘Umayr looked at him, and then said to his fellow Muslim bother who captured him, “tie him up firmer. His mother is a rich woman and will be willing to pay more for his freedom.”
Unsurprisingly, the shocked, Abu Aziz said to his brother, Muṣ’ab, “have you forgotten that I’m your brother? How dare you asked for me to be tied up even firmer?!
Sayyidunā Muṣ’ab said to him, “you are not my brother.” He then pointed to the other Muslim and said, “ this is my brother”.
Yes, that’s right. A Muslim is a brother to the other Muslim, regardless of their social background, level of knowledge, or complexion. And he’s not a brother to the disbeliever, even if they come from the same womb.
Mus’ab’s Passing
On the Day of Uhud, after the dramatic change of events the saw the Muslim army been defeated after clear victory (well because some fighters disobeyed the command of the commander, the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam), Muṣ’ab ibn ‘Umayr noticed that the enemies were aiming at the Prophet. So, he used the flag of Islam since he was the bearer to distract them from reaching the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam. He held it with one had and fighting the opponents who were trying to reach the Prophet with the other.
While doing that, a person in the Quraysh camp by the name Ibn Qamī’ah saw him and cut off his right hand. Then Musab (Mus'ab) held the flag with his left hand. And that too was chopped off. He then embraced the flag with his shoulders. Then, Ibn Qami’ah stabbed him in the chest. And that led to his killing, raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu. All that, and Muṣ’ab was repeating:
وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ ٱلرُّسُلُ
“Muhammad is only a messenger. Messengers have passed away before him.” (Al-‘Imrānn, 3:144).
With that, the Ummah lost Sayyidunā Muṣ’ab ibn ‘Umayr during the battle of Uhud, that took place in the 3rd year of hijrah. After he was martyred, when he was prepared for burial, the cloth he had on him couldn’t cover his whole body. Mind you, this is the man who used to have his outfit custom tailored specifically for him.
So, the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam instructed them to cover his head with it, and use some leaves to cover his legs.
Muṣ’ab was said to be 40 at the time of his killing, raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu.
Mus’ab’s Family
Muṣ’ab married Hamnah bint Jaḥsh, and had with her a daughter by the name Zaynab.
7 Things to Remember About Muṣ’ab ibn ‘Umayr
Here are 7 things you may want to remember about Sayyidunā Muṣ’ab ibn ‘Umayr.
- Sayyidunā Muṣ’ab was among the early Muslims to accept Islam, among the batches of Dar al-Arqam
- He was the first to make hijrah to Madinah
- Sayyidunā Muṣ’ab had the honour to be appointed as the first ambassador in Islam
- He participated in all battles that took place during his lifetime after Islam.
- Sayyidunā Muṣ’ab let go of luxurious life and high-class lifestyle in favour of Islam.
- Majority of the people of Madinah are indebted with their Islam to Muṣ’ab ibn ‘Umayr.
- Sayyidunā Muṣ’ab ibn ‘Umayr was the first to start and lead Jumu’ah prayers in Madinah.
The Takeaway
After Mus’ab’s mother stripped him off from everything, not only did he degrade to a low class, he degraded to socially the lowest. So much so that the Prophet and the companions when they saw him in his torn clothes, they couldn’t help but shed tears. Simply because they could remember the luxurious lifestyle he used to lead.
Sayyiduna Muṣ’ab ibn ‘Umayr didn’t embrace Islam to attain freedom from slavery or social injustice. Thus, there was not any sort of pressure whatsoever that could have pushed him to Islam.
However, Muṣ’ab ibn ‘Umar raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu left all that, for the sake of Allah, and had to bear with all sorts of humiliations, just to remain Muslim. Imagine a millionaire who loses all his millions finds himself homeless who has to wear torn clothes, and you can make a better sense of Muṣ’ab ibn ‘Umayr situation.
Muṣ’ab lived 16 years in the life of Islam, 10 in Makkah and 3 until Uhud. However, his contribution to Islam goes beyond just refusing the bliss of a luxurious lifestyle provided by his mother, to sacrificing his comfort and taking up the challenge to accept Islam for a better and eternal luxury to come.
We learn from Sayyidunā Muṣ’ab ibn ‘Umayr to put the world in our hands, not in our hearts. The one who puts the world in his heart dies for the world. and the one who puts it in his hands, dies for what’s in his heart. So, ensure Allah is in your heart.
That was Sayyidunā Muṣ’ab ibn ‘Umary. The one for whom the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam shed tears many times upon seeing him, and also on the day he was martyred in the battle of Uhud. This alone is enough to make him a glittering Shining Star.
Until we meet in the next episode to take a look at another Shining Star, I leave you in Allah’s protection.
Wassalamu ‘alaykum warahmatullah.
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