Brief biography of Abu Zar Al-Ghifari (RA)
A brief biography of Abu Zar Al-Ghifari (RA)
In the Waddan valley which connects Makkah with the outdoor international, lived the tribe of Ghifar (Banu Ghafir). The Ghifar existed on the meager offerings of the alternate caravans of the Quraish which plied among Syria and Makkah. It is probable that they also lived with the aid of raiding those caravans when they have been no longer given sufficient to meet their needs.
Jundub ibn Junadah, nicknamed Abu Zar, become a member of this tribe. He was the fourth or fifth character converting to Islam. Little is thought of his life earlier than his conversion to Islam.
Narrated by Abdullah bin Amr (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) stated: "There isn't anyone more honest, that the sky has shaded and the earth has carried than Abu Zar." (Tirmidhi: 3801)
He was known for his courage, his calmness, and his a ways sightedness and additionally for the repugnance he felt in opposition to the idols which his human beings worshipped. He rejected the stupid non-secular ideals and the spiritual corruption wherein the Arabs have been engaged.
While he became inside the Waddan desolate tract, news reached Abu Zar (RA) that a brand new Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) had appeared in Makkah. He certainly was hoping that his look could assist to alternate the hearts and minds of human beings and lead them far away from the darkness of superstition. Without wasting a whole lot of time, he referred to as his brother, Anees, and said to him: "Go to Makkah and get something news you may of this man who claims that he's a Prophet and that revelation comes to him from the heavens. Listen to some of his sayings and are available returned and recite them to me." went to Makkah and met the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW). He listened to what he had to mention and returned to the Waddan wasteland. Abu Zar (RA) met him and anxiously asked for information about the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW).
Anees suggested to Abu Zar (RA):
"I actually have visible a person who calls humans to noble characteristics and there's no mere poetry in what he says."
"What do human beings say about him?" asked Abu Zar (RA).
"They say he's a magician, a soothsayer, and a poet," answered Anees.
"My curiosity isn't pleased. I am not completed with this being counted. Will you look after my own family even as I exit and take a look at this prophet's assignment myself?" Abu Zar (RA) said.
"Yes. But beware of the Makkans." Anees stated to Abu Zar (RA).
On his arrival at Makkah, Abu Zar (RA) straight away felt very anxious and he determined to workout terrific caution. The Quraish had been highly indignant over the denunciation of their gods. Abu Zar (RA) heard of the terrible violence they were allotted to the followers of the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) but this became what he predicted. He consequently kept away from asking every person about Mohammad (SAW) not knowing whether that character is probably a follower or an enemy.
At dusk, he lay down in the Sacred Mosque (Masjid Haram). Ali ibn Talib (RA) passed with the aid of him and, realizing that he become a stranger, requested him to come back to his house. Abu Zar (RA) spent the night with him and within the morning took his water pouch and his bag containing provisions and again to the Mosque. He had asked no questions and no questions had been requested of him.
Abu Zar (RA) spent tomorrow without getting to know the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW). In the evening he went to the Mosque once more to sleep and Ali ibn Talib (RA) once more surpassed via him and stated: "Isn't it time that a person knows his house?"
Abu Zar (RA) observed him and stayed at his residence a 2nd night time. Again nobody asked the alternative approximately whatever. On the third night time, however, Ali ibn Talib (RA) requested him: "Aren't you going to tell me why you came to Makkah?"
"Only if you'll supply me with a task that you may manual me to what I am searching out." Abu Zar (RA) answered.
Ali (RA) agreed and Abu Zar (RA) stated: "I came to Makkah from a far-off region searching for an assembly with the new Prophet and to pay attention to several what he has to say."
Ali's (RA) face lit up with happiness as he stated, "By Allah, he's simply the Messenger of Allah (SAW)," and he went on telling Abu Zar (RA) extra approximately the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) and his coaching. Finally, he said: "When we stand up in the morning, comply with me anywhere I move. If I see whatever which I am terrified of for your sake, I could prevent as though to pass water. If I retain, follow me till you enter where I enter.
“Abu Zar (RA) did now not sleep a wink the rest of that night time because of his severe longing to look at the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) and listen to the phrases of revelation. In the morning, he followed intently in Ali's (RA) footsteps till they were in the presence of the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW). "Assalamu Alika Yaa Rasulullah, (Peace be on you, O Messenger of Allah)," greeted Abu Zar (RA). " WA Alika Salaamullahi Wa Rahmatuhu Wa barakaatuhu (And on you be the peace of Allah, His mercy and His blessings)," spoke back the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW).
Abu Zar (RA) became hence the first character to greet the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) with the greeting of Islam. After that, the greeting unfold and came into fashionable use.
The Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) welcomed Abu Zar (RA) and invited him to Islam. He recited some of the Verses of the Quran for him. Before lengthy, Abu Zar (RA) pronounced the ‘Shahadah’ (Oneness of Allah), consequently entering the new faith (without even leaving His region). As stated above, Abu Zar (RA) become the various first individuals to simply accept Islam.
Let us go away Abu Zar to keep his personal story.
After that, I stayed with the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) in Makkah and he taught me Islam and taught me to read the Quran.
Then Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) said to me, "Don't inform all people in Makkah approximately your reputation of Islam. I worry that they will kill you."
"By Him in whose arms is my soul, I shall not leave Makkah until I visit the Sacred Masjid and proclaim the decision of Truth in the midst of the Quraish," vowed Abu Zar (RA).
The Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) remained silent. I went to the Mosque. The Quraish have been sitting and talking. I went off their midst and called out at the pinnacle of my voice:
"O human beings of Quraish, I testify that there is no God but Allah and that Mohammad (SAW) is the messenger of Allah."
My phrases had a direct impact on them. They jumped up and stated, "Get this man or woman who has left his religion."
They pounced on me and started to overcome me mercilessly. They simply intended to kill me. But Abbas ibn Abdul-Muttalib (RA), the uncle of the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW), diagnosed me. He bent over and guarded me against them. He (RA) informed them: "Woe to you! Would you kill a man from the Ghifar tribe and your caravans have to bypass thru their territory?"
They then launched me. I went back to the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) and while he saw my situation, he (SAW) said, "Didn't I tell you not to announce your attractiveness of Islam?"
"Ya Habib ul Allah," I said, "It modified into a need I felt in my soul and I fulfilled it."
"Go in your people," he (SAW) commanded, "and tell them what you have seen and heard. Invite them to Allah. Maybe Allah will convey them precisely through you and reward you thru them. And while you pay attention that I actually have come out in the open, then come to me."
I left and went lower back to my human beings. My brother came as much as I and asked, "What have you finished?” I advised him that I had come to be a Muslim and that I believed within the fact of Hazrat Mohammad's (SAW) teachings. "
I am now not averse to your religion. In reality, I am also now a Muslim and a believer," he stated. We each went to our mother then and invited her to Islam. "
I do no longer have any dislike for your religion. I receive Islam additionally," she stated.
From that day this circle of relatives of believers went out tirelessly inviting the Ghifar to Allah and did not recoil from their cause. Eventually, a big variety became Muslims and the congregational Prayer become instituted amongst them.
Abu Zar (RA) remained in his wilderness homestead till after the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) had gone to Madinah and the Battle of Badr, Battle of Uhud, and Battle of Khandaq were fought. At Madinah at remaining, he asked the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) to be in his private service. The Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) agreed and became thrilled with his companionship and provider. He every now and then confirmed preference to Abu Zar (RA) above others and each time he (SAW) met him, he (SAW) could pat him and smile and display his happiness.
After the loss of life of the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW), Abu Zar (RA) could not endure staying in Madinah due to grief and the expertise that there has been to be no extra of his guiding organization. So he left for the Syrian barren region and stayed there at some point of the caliphate of Abu Bakr Siddique (RA) and Umar ibn Khattab (RA).
During the caliphate of Usman ibn Affan (RA), he stayed in Damascus and noticed the Muslim's challenge for the arena and their eating choice for luxury. He became saddened and repelled via this. So Usman (RA) asked him to come back to Madinah. At Madinah, he changed into also vital of the people's pursuit of worldly items and pleasures and that they have been critical in turn of his reviling them. Usman (RA) consequently ordered that he must go to Rubdhah, a small village close to Madinah. There he stayed ways far from people, renouncing their preoccupation with worldly goods and protecting directly to the legacy of the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) and his companions in search of the eternal abode of the Hereafter in preference to this transitory world.
Once a man visited him and commenced looking at the contents of his house however observed it pretty naked.
He requested Abu Zar (RA): "Where are your possessions?"
"We have a residence yonder (meaning the Hereafter)," said Abu Zar, "To which we ship the first-rate of our possessions."
The guy understood what he supposed and said: "But you ought to have a few possessions so long as you're on this home."
"The owner of this domicile will not go away us in it," responded Abu Zar (RA). Abu Zar endured in his easy and frugal life to the stop. Once the amir (ruler) of Syria dispatched three hundred dinars to Abu Zar (RA) to fulfill his desires, he back the money announcing, "Does not the amir of Syria discover a servant more deserving of it than I?"
In the year 32 AH (652 CE), the self-denying Abu Zar (RA) surpassed away. He is buried in Al-Rabadha, Saudi Arabia.
