His complete name was Ammar ibn Yasir ibn Amir ibn Malik Abu al-Yaqzan. He was one of the pious Muhajireen in the
history of Islam and most loyal and beloved companion of the Noble Prophet
(s.a.w.a.s.) and the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.). He was the
first Muslim to build a mosque. He is also considered by the Shia Muslims to be
one of the “Four Companions”.
He was born in Makkah in the Year of Elephant, the same
year as his Master the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) was born. He was a friend of
the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) even before conversion to Islam. He was one of
the intermediaries in the marriage of his master and Hazrat Khadija (s.a.). His
mother was Sumaiyyah bint Khaiyyat and his father was Yasir ibn Amir. After
conversion to Islam, Ammar and his parents were tortured by Abu Jahal. He ordered
heavy stones be placed on their chests, red hot spears were penetrated in their
bodies and ultimately they attained martyrdom. His mother became the first female martyr of Islam.
Ammar survived but bore the most severe form of mental
torture as he was the witness of the brutal martyrdom of his parents. The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) pacified the
family of Ammar saying: “O’members of the family of Yasir! Be patient. You have been promised Paradise.”
Surah al-Zumar Ayah 9 was revealed for
Ammar saying: “Can this one be considered equal to one who worships Allah
during the night, prostrating and standing, who has fear of the Day of
Judgment, and who has hope in the mercy of his Lord? Say, “Are those who know
equal to those who do not know? Only the people of reason take heed.”
The opening Ayahs of Surah al-Ankabut was revealed
relating to this tragic event. The Noble
Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) would always mention the merits of Ammar by saying: “Ammar
is with the truth and truth is with Ammar.”
Ammar fought many battles with the Noble Prophet
(s.a.w.a.s.) and his last battle was the Battle of Siffin. The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) had foretold Ammar that he would be
killed by rebellious people and that his last earthly food will be milk!
After the sad demise of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.),
Ammar did not pay allegiance to the first caliph, because he believed that the
Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) was the legitimate successor of the
Prophet, whom the Prophet had appointed as his successor. The second caliph had
appointed him as governor of Kufa. He criticized the third caliph for not
following the Islamic orders practiced by the second caliph. The third caliph did
not like his criticism and ordered that Ammar be beaten up.
Battle of
Camel: When the events were progressing towards the battle, Imam Ali (a.s.)
sent Ammar along with Imam Hasan (as.) to muster support from the people of Kufa.
Abu Musa Ash’ari was the governor of Kufa and concocted false traditions to
persuade the people of Kufa to remain neutral. Imam Ali (a.s.) had already
deposed him but did not leave until Malik al-Ashtar reached Kufa and evicted
him from Kufa.
Battle of Siffin: Ammar
said on that day: “Let it be known to
you that today I will be killed. I will take the deeds of this transient world
into the eternal abode. So let it be known to you that the Prince of the
Faithful (Imam Ali) is my exemplar
and that Allah shall judge between the righteous and the evil from amongst His
subjects.” He then spurred his horse forward towards the battlefield
saying: “Today I will meet up with the
loved ones, Muhammad, and his group.” He fought courageously and at last he
was hit by sword on the waist. He was brought back in the tent. He asked for
some water. One of the companions brought a bowl of milk and seeing the milk he
said: “The Messenger of Allah did not
lie!” On inquiry, he said: “The Messenger of Allah had informed me that the
last provision from this world would be milk.” He went back in the battle
field, again fought bravely and ultimately was martyred. He was 91 years old. Imam Ali (a.s.) eulogizing Ammar said: “We
belong to Allah and to Him shall be our return. Whoever does not feel grief
over the death of Ammar is not an adult and mature Muslim. O’ Allah! Be Merciful to Ammar during that
time when the Angels will question him in the grave. I did not witness with the
Prophet a group of three, without Ammar being the fourth, or a group of four,
without Ammar being the fifth. Ammar was not deserving of Paradise only once;
he deserved it on many occasions. The everlasting gardens that await him are
countless because he was with the truth and the truth was with him and as the
Messenger of Allah said: “it (the truth) accompanies him every way which way he
turns. “O’Allah! Torture the Murderer, the curser, of Ammar in Hell.”
The Noble Prophet
(s.a.w.a.s.) said: “Ammar is one of the four persons whom Paradise is keen to
see; Imam Ali (a.s.), Ammar, Salman and Bilal bin Raba.”
His mausoleum in al-Raqqa, Syria was desecrated on March
13, 2013 by the Salafi/Wahabi group.
Sources used:
Ammar ibn Yasir-a companion of the Prophet by
Sadruddin Sharfuddin al-Amili
Imamreza.net WIKIPEDIA
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