Men of Excellence
After reciting the Tashahhud, Ta’awwuz, and Surah Al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) stated:
As this series of narrating the accounts of various aspects of the lives of the companions of the Holy Prophet (sa), who participated in the Battle of Badr continues, today, I will speak about a few more Companions.
The first is Hazrat Khauli Bin Abi Khauli. Hazrat Khauli participated in all of the battles alongside the Holy Prophet (sa) including the Battles of Badr and Uhud. Hazrat Khauli passed away during the period of the Khilafat of Hazrat Umar.
Next companion is Hazrat Rafe’ Bin al-Mu’alla. Hazrat Rafe’ Bin Mu’alla belonged to the Banu Habib branch of the Khazraj tribe. His mother’s name was Idaam Bint ‘Auf. The Holy Prophet (sa) established a bond of brotherhood between Hazrat Rafe’ and Hazrat Safwan Bin Baidhaa. Both of these companions participated in the Battle of Badr. According to some narrations, both of them were martyred during the Battle of Badr.
Next companion is Hazrat Zush-Shimalain Humair Bin ‘Abdi ‘Amr. His real name was ‘Umair and his title was Abu Muhammad. Ibn Hisham states that he was referred to as Zush-Shimalain but that was not his name. This was a title given to him because he used to utilise his left hand more. According to another narration, he was able to utilise both of his hands equally. Hence, he was also referred to as Zul Yadain. He belonged to the tribe of Banu Quza’ah and he was a confederate of Banu Zuhrah. When Hazrat Umair migrated to Medina from Mecca, he stayed at Hazrat Sa’ad Bin Khaisama’s house. The Holy Prophet (sa) established a bond of brotherhood between him and Yazid Bin Haris. Both of these companions were martyred during the Battle of Badr.
Next companion is Hazrat Rafe’ Bin Yazid. Hazrat Rafe’ Bin Yazid belonged to the Banu Zuhoor Bin Abdul Ash-Hal branch of the Aus tribe of the Ansar. Hazrat Rafe’s mother, Aqrab Bint Mu’az was the sister of the famous companion Hazrat Sa’ad Bin Mu’az. Hazrat Rafe’ participated in the battles of Badr and Uhud. According to one narration, he was traveling on the camel of Saeed Bin Zaid on the day of the Battle of Badr. He was martyred during the Battle of Uhud.
Next companion is Hazrat Zakwan bin ‘Abd-i-Qais (ra). His title was Abu Sabuh. He participated in the first as well as the second Bai’at [pledge of initiation] at Aqabah. One of the aspects that stands out in relation to him and is worth mentioning is that he migrated from Medina and went to the Holy Prophet (sa) in Mecca. The Holy Prophet (sa) was still in Mecca at that time. He was called an Ansari Muhajir. He migrated to Mecca to be with the Holy Prophet (sa) and stayed in Mecca for some time. He participated in the battles of Badr and Uhud and attained the status of martyrdom during the battle of Uhud.
Next companion is Hazrat Khawad bin Jubair Ansari. His title was ‘Abdullah Hazrat Khawad and he was of moderate height. He passed away in Medina in 40 AH, at the age of 74. According to one narration, his age at the time of his demise was 94. Hazrat Khawad also departed along with the Holy Prophet (sa) for the Battle of Badr, however on the way, he sustained an injury from a sharp corner of a stone and so the Holy Prophet (sa) sent him back to Medina. Nevertheless, the Holy Prophet (sa) included him in the spoils of the Battle of Badr. Thus, it was as if he too was counted among those individuals, who participated in the Battle of Badr. He participated alongside the Holy Prophet (sa) in all battles, including the battles of Uhud and Khandaq. Hazrat Khawad narrates: “The Holy Prophet (sa) visited me once when I was sick. After I had fully recovered, he said: ‘O Khawad, your body has restored to complete health. Hence, fulfil your covenant with Allah.’ I stated: ‘I have not promised Allah anything’. The Holy Prophet (sa) said: ‘There is not a sick person who does not take an oath or intends [to do something] during their time of sickness. (Such a person surely says to God Almighty that he will do such and such if He would grant him good health). Therefore, fulfil your promise with Allah faithfully by acting on your words.’” Hence, this is something that we should all ponder over and greatly pay attention towards it.
Next companion is Hazrat Rabeea bin Aqsam. His title was Abu Zaid. Hazrat Rabeea was short and of stocky build who belonged to the Asad bin Khuzaimah tribe and is counted amongst the Muhajireen Companions. After migration to Medina, he stayed at the residence of Hazrat Mubashir bin ‘Abdul Munzir along with a few other Companions. He was 30 years old when he participated in the Battle of Badr. Apart from the Battle of Badr, he also participated in the Battles of Uhud and Khandaq. He also took part in the Treaty of Hudaibiya and participated in the Battle of Khayber, where he was martyred. He was thirty-seven years old at the time of his martyrdom.
Next companion is Hazrat Rifa’ bin ‘Amr Al-Jahan. He is also known as Wadiya bin ‘Amr. He participated in the battles of Badr and Uhud. He was an ally of Banu Najjar, a tribe of the Ansar.
Hazrat Zaid bin Wadiya is another Companion who will be mentioned today. Hazrat Zaid was from Ansar tribe of Khazraj. He took part in Ba’it-e-‘Uqbah, the battle of Badr, and Uhud and was martyred during the battle of Uhud.
Next companion is Hazrat Ribee’ bin Rafi’ Ansari Hazrat Ribee’ bin Rafi’ and he was from the Banu ‘Ajlaan tribe and he took part in the Battles of Badr and Uhud.
Next companion is Hazrat Zaid bin Muzain. His father’s name was Muzain bin Qais. Hazrat Zaid has also been mentioned as Yazid bin Al-Muzain. He belonged to the Khazraj tribe. He participated in the battle of Badr and Uhud. During the time of migration to Medina, the Holy Prophet (sa) established a bond of brotherhood between Hazrat Zaid and Hazrat Mistah bin Uthatha.
Next companion is Hazrat Ayyaz bin Zuhair. His title was Abu Sa’ad and his mother’s name was Salma bint ‘Amir. He belonged to the Feher tribe. He took part in the second migration to Abyssinia [Ethiopia], and upon his return, he migrated to Medina and resided in the home of Hazrat Kulthum bin Al-Hadem. He participated in all the Battles including Badr, Uhud, and Khandaq. He passed away in Medina in 30 AH during the caliphate of Hazrat Uthman (ra).
Next companion is Hazrat Rifa bin Amr Ansari. His title was Abu Waleed, and he belonged to the tribe of Banu ‘Auf bin Khazraj. His mother’s name was Umme Rafa’a. He took part in the second Bait at Aqabah along with seventy Companions. He participated in the battles of Badr and Uhud and was martyred in the Battle of Uhud.
Hazrat Ziyaad bin Amr who was also known as Ibn-e-Bishr and was an ally of the Ansar. He participated in the battle of Badr. He belonged to the Banu Saida bin Ka’ab tribe. According to another narration, he was from the freed slave of Banu Saida bin Ka’ab bin Al-Khazraj.
Nect companion is Hazrat Saalim bin ‘Umair bin Thabith. He was a member of an Ansari tribe called Banu ‘Amr bin ‘Auf. He took part in the first Bai’at at Aqabah. Hazrat Salim also participated in all the battles alongside the Holy Prophet (sa), including the Battle(s) of Badr, Uhud and the Battle of the Ditch. On the occasion of the Battle of Tabuk, when a group of poor Companions who desired to partake in the battle of Tabuk appeared before the Holy Prophet (sa) weeping, because they had no means of conveyance, Hazrat Saalim was also one of them. These seven companions came to the Holy Prophet (sa) just as the Holy Prophet (sa) was about to depart for Tabuk and requested that they be given some means of transport [so that they could participate]. The Holy Prophet (sa) replied that “at this time, I have nothing with which I can provide for you to mount on.” They were not after horses or camels, they were only asking for shoes as they were unable to walk to the battlefield barefoot. This is how poor Muslims were! Hazrat Salim Bin Umair lived until the time of Hazrat Mu’awiyah.
Next companion is Hazrat Saraaqah bin Ka’b and he belonged to the Banu Najjaar tribe. His mother’s name was ‘Umairah bint Nu’man. Hazrat Saraaqah took part in all of the battles alongside the Holy Prophet (sa) including Badr, Uhud, and the Battle of the Ditch. He passed away in the time of Hazrat Mu’awiyah, and according to a narration by Kalbi, he was martyred at the battle of Yamamah.
Next companion is Hazrat Saa’ib bin Maz’oon. He was the biological brother of Hazrat Usman bin Maz’oon. He was amongst the very first Companions who migrated to Abyssinia and had the privilege of partaking in the battle of Badr. Hazrat Saa’ib also had the honour of doing trade with the Holy Prophet (sa).
Next companion is Hazrat ‘Asim bin Qais. Hazrat ‘Asim bin Qais belonged to the Ansari tribe of Tha’labah bin Amr. He took part in both the battle of Badr and of Uhud.
Next companion is Hazrat Tufail bin Malik bin Khansa. Hazrat Tufail belonged to the Banu Ubaid bin Adi branch of the Khazraj tribe. Hazrat Tufail took part in the Bai’at at Aqabah, the Battle of Badr and the Battle of Uhud.
Next companion is Hazrat Tufail bin Nu’man. Hazrat Nu’man belonged to the Ansar tribe of Khazraj. His mother was Khansaa bint Riyaa who was also the paternal aunt of Hazrat Jaabir bin Abdullah. He was present at the Bai’at at Aqabah as well as the battle of Badr. Hazrat Tufail likewise took part in the battle of Uhud and on that day he received a total of thirteen wounds. He was also present in the battle of the Ditch and it was during this battle that he was martyred.
Next companion is Hazrat Zahaaq bin ‘Abd A’mr. He belonged to the tribe of Banu Dinar bin Najjar. His father’s name was ‘Abd Amr and his mother’s name was Sumairah bint Qais. Him and his brother Nu’man bin Umar both took part in the battle of Badr and the battle of Uhud. Hazrat Nu’man passed away in the battle of Uhud.
Next companion is Hazrat Zahaaq bin Haritha. Hazrat Zahaaq belonged to the Ansar tribe of Khazraj. His father’s name was Haritha and mother’s name was Hind bint Malik. Hazrat Zahaaq (ra) took part in the Bai’at of Aqabah along with seventy other companions. He also took part in the battle of Badr.
Next companion is Hazrat Khallad bin Suweid Ansaari. Hazrat Khallad belonged to the Banu Harith branch of the Khazraj tribe. Hazrat Khallad took part in the Bai’at-e-Aqabah. He also took part in the Battle of Badr, Uhud and the Ditch. In the Battle of Banu Quraizah, a Jewish lady named Bunanah dropped a heavy rock on him inflicting a fatal injury on his head which resulted in his martyrdom.
Next companion is Hazrat Aus bin Khauli Ansari. His title was Abu Layla and he belonged to the Banu Salim bin Ghanam bin Auf branch of the Khazraj tribe of the Ansar. His mother’s name was Jameela bint Ubayy, who was the sister of Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salul. He participated in all the battles alongside the Holy Prophet (sa) including the battles of Badr, Uhud and Khandaq. The Holy Prophet (sa) established a bond of brotherhood between him and Hazrat Shujaa’ bin Wahab Al-Asadi. Hazrat Aus bin Khauli was counted amongst the Kamileen. In the days of ignorance and in the early days of Islam, one who knew how to write Arabic, was an expert in archery and was a good swimmer would be called a Kamil. One who possessed these three qualities was considered a Kamil, and all three were found in Hazrat Aus bin Khauli. Hazrat Aus bin Khauli relates that he once presented himself before the Holy Prophet (sa) and the Holy Prophet (sa) said to him, “O Aus! One who adopts humility and meekness for the sake of God Almighty, He in turn elevates his status. And one who is arrogant, God Almighty humiliates him.” This indeed is a very important lesson for us all which we should always be mindful of. Hazrat Aus bin Khauli passed away in medina during the Khilafat of Hazrat Usman (ra).
May God Almighty continue to elevate the station of these noble Companions (ra).