Hazrat Miqdad was
from al-Kunda tribe in Yemen. He migrated to Makkah and belonged to
al-Aswad bin Abid Yaqut al-Zuhry. A Divine commandment was revealed concerning
Hazrat Miqdad saying: “Call them with their
father’s name.”When Miqdad was about 24 years old, he heard about Islam and
he hurried to the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) to accept the new religion.
However, he kept his faith a secret and used to see the Noble Prophet
(s.a.w.a.s.) frequently. He was from earlier Muslims.
When directed by the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), he
migrated to Madinah along with other Muslims. He admired the young Imam Ali (a.s.), who sacrificed his life to save
and protect the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) from the swords of the Polytheists
of Makkah.
Before the Battle of Badr, the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)
asked for opinion, one of the companions said: “It’s Quraish and its
disloyalty. It has not become a base since it became strong. And it has not
believed since it disbelieved.” Hazrat Miqdad
stood up and said with enthusiasm: “Allah’s
Prophet! Go on obeying Allah’s orders! We will support you! By Allah, we won’t
say as the Jews said to their Prophet. You and your Lord, go on fight! We will
stay here. We will say: We will
fight with you.” During the Battle
of Badr, he captured the Nadhar bin Harris among other captives. When they were
brought before the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), he ordered Nadhar to be killed
as he had perpetrated torture on Muslims. But Hazrat Miqdad said: “O Apostle of Allah! Nadhar is my
prisoner.” The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) knew that Hazrat Miqdad wanted
ransom, hence he prayed to Allah to increase Hazrat Miqdad’s sustenance. He was satisfied by the prayer and handed
over the enemy to the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) for
punishment.
In the Battle of Uhad, Hazrat Miqdad was the leader of
the Muslim horsemen and fought bravely. Before the battle commenced, the Noble
Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) had posted 50 best bow men at al-Ainan mount to protect the Muslim army from the back. The Noble
Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) ordered to attack the enemy’s banner which was dropped and
picked -up by the enemy but ultimately the banner dropped and could not be
picked up and the polytheists were defeated and ran away. In spite of the Prophet’s clear instruction not to leave the post,
the bowmen left the post to collect the war-booty. A contingent of the
Polytheist’s army headed by Khalid bin Walid attacked from behind the
unprotected post and played havoc in
the jubilant collectors of booty. They attacked the Noble Prophet
(s.a.w.a.s.) who was being protected by Imam Ali (a.s.), Hazrat Miqdad and few
other loyal soldiers.
Miqdad deeply
believed in Allah and His Apostle so the
Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) said: “Allah has ordered me to love four persons and
that Allah also loves them. The persons are; Ali, Miqdad, Abu Dharr, and
Salman.”
After the sad demise of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)
when the Muslims did not accept Allah’s clear directive to appoint The
Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) as his successor, Hazrat Miqdad and
other senior companions stood behind Imam Ali (a.s.) and did not pay allegiance
to the new caliph.
He continued to fight for Islam when it was in danger. He
used to teach the Glorious Qur’an to the people, and his teaching style became
famous in Shaam (Syria).
When Abu Dharr was
exiled by the third caliph, Muslims were prohibited from having any contact
with him. Only Imam Ali (a.s.), Imam Hasan (a.s.), Imam Hussayn (a.s.), Aqil,
Abdullah ibn Jaffar, Abdullah ibn Abbas, and Miqdad went to see-off Abu Dharr!
Surah al-Baqarah
Ayah 129: “Our Lord! Raise up in their midst a Messenger from among them who
shall recite to them Your Revelations, shall instruct them in the Book and in wisdom,
and purify them. Indeed You are the Mighty, the Wise.” This Ayah shows that apart from knowledge, wisdom, and
guidance, the purification of soul, viz spiritual
training, is an essential part of the Prophetic Mission.
In the school of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) a number of
people acquired this special training and made a marvelous and dazzling
progress. Salman Farsi, Abu Dharr Ghifari,
Miqdad bin al-aswad, Ammar ibn al-Yasir, Maytham al-Tammar, Uwais al-Qarani,
and many more were among this distinguished group.
Sources used:
Al-Amali Shaykh Mufid
(r.a.)
Miqdad ibn al-Aswad Kamal
al-Sayyid
An account of some senior companions Imamreza.net
Master and mastership Ayatollah
Murtadha Mutahhari
No comments:
Post a Comment