TH Darimi

Pretty Petals 1

1
Ecstatic affection.
Haritha’s1 cheek became wet with tears as he was bidding farewell to his wife Sa’da who had been carrying their beloved son Zaid on her arms. It was her long desire to pay a visit to her siblings along with husband and son. But Haritha was always busy with his trade. At last he allowed her to go alone with son for visit for two days. He wiped the tears out as they disappeared in the vastness of desert.



It was very happy moments for Sa’da and Zaid and for their siblings as well. They were given a warm welcome there. They made a delicious feast for the guests. They were very late to the bed as they had to share more and more.



That night some unfortunate incidents happened. Some robbers attacked their house and theft everything they could carry. Only at the dawn they realized what they lost last night. That taken their consciousness away because, they found that Zaid -the guest also was missing.
It was time of slavery. So, waves of tears, shouts of cries and crucial searches were never bring any benefit. So, at last of such attempts, Haritha and Sa’da –the helpless parents– laid down with their anxiety and sadness. The robbers directed with Zaid to the market of slaves at Makkah and they sold the poor small boy there.



On another day Hakeem Bin Hizam2 a wealthy businessman from Makkah entered the Market. He was searching for a good gift to present to his aunt Khadeeja Binth Khuwailid3 as she got married newly. While he was wandering in the market searching the gift his eyes caught with a small slave boy. He thought it was precious enough to present to his aunt. He bought the small boy. It was none but Zaid Bin Haritha the missing boy.



Khadeeja delighted with the gift. Thus Zaid Bin Haritha became member of the house of most wealthy women of Makkah. As it was her habitude Khadeeja presented the slave boy to her beloved husband, Muhammad (Sa.). Thus Zaid became member of the house of Muhammad (Sa.) the trustworthy.



One day, during the time of the pilgrimage, a man from Haritha’s village noticed a boy who supposed to be Haritha’s missed son. He followed the boy and assured that it was as he assumed, Haritha’s son. As arrived back in his village he rushed to Haritha and handed over the fact. Haritha delighted for the news. He rushed to his brother Ka’ab and they started to Makkah without any dely.



They aimed the house of Muhammad (Sa.) directly. ‘Oh Muhammad, great son of Abdul Muthalib, we entire Arabs believe that you are worthy enough in virtues. We are here to ask you our son back. If you want money on that account, we are ready to pay it. But, please give our son back..’; said Haritha without any preface.



Prophet (Sa.) raised his head and asked: ‘Who is you are talking about? About Zaid?’
‘Yes we are’, they replied together.
‘Don’t worry, I will call on Zaid, if he recognize you, you have to take him back’; Prophet’s stand made an ecstatic feel in their hearts. He called Zaid.



Young Zaid recognized his father and uncle. As the scene was explicit to understand that they are here to bring him back he moved to the prophet. ‘Zaid, they want to bring you back to home, they miss you very much. If you want to go with them you can go’; Prophet said to him.
Soon he embraced the prophet and said: ‘No, I won’t go, I won’t go….’
The scene brought out different feels. It was a shock for Haritha and his brother while it was very emotional with proud and affection for prophet. Prophet took the young zaid in his arms and went to the courtyard of Ka’aba4 where the prominent leaders of Makkah were rusting on their settees. Then he proclaimed: ‘ Oh people of Makkah, from today this Zaid is my own son as he will inherit me and I will inherit him’



Thus, Zaid Bin Haritha became and known as Zaid Bin Muhammad(S)5.



Source: Rijalun Hawla Rasool. Khalid Muhammad Khalid.
(1) Haritha belongs to Udhra branch of the Banu Kalb tribe dwelling in Najd in central Arabia. (2) Son of Hizam Bin Khuwailid brother of Khadeeja (Ra.), one of wise leaders of Makkah. It was believed that his mother gave birth in the ka’aba. He embraced Islam in 8th yaer of Hijra. (3) Kahdeeja Binth Khuwailid (Ra.) was daughter of Khuwaild Binth Asad and first wife of Prophet(Sa.). She was married to Athiq bin A’id Al Makhzoomy first and then to Abu Hala befrore she married to Prophet(S). She died in 11 Ramadan 3 years before hijra and buried in Ma’ala cemetery of Makkah. (4) A Squire holy building in the center courtyard of great mosque at Makkah (Masjidul Haram) where the Muslims turning their faces to in the prayers. (5) Zaid Bin Haritha was adopted son and slave of prophet. He was called as his son till Quran prohibit by 5th verse of 33rd chapter. Zaid Bin Haritha (Ra.) martyred in the battle of Mu’atha (now in Jordan) which held in the 8th year of Hijra.
--------------------------------------



2
Supplicating boy
Allah’s Messenger lost his father Abdulla before his birth. Then he was looked after by his grandfather Abdul Muthalib. When he was eight years old the beloved grandfather also passed away. It was a terrible shock for the Prophet because; by the death of the grandfather he became a complete orphan. An eight year old boy was about to be thrown to an empty space without any guardian.



The scene of that boy who was walking to the Hujoon1 cemetery holding the side of coffin brought tear to the eyes of all. He was firmly controlling the weep while the mud was being shed to the grave. Soon he felt as a cold palm wiping over his head cherishing. He turned his head and looked at him. It was none but Abu Thalib, his uncle. He took his hands and walked away as it means ‘Oh my dear, I am here to look after you’. Thus then Abu Thalib was the guardian of Allah’s Messenger till his death2.



It was there in Makkah a severe famine that year. People along with their cattle were facing very fearful situation. The chiefs of the clans gathered somewhere to discuss the matter. At last they decided to conduct the usual ritual seeking the rain. They went to Abu Thalib to take the permission for that and to ensure his presence in the dais. It was must as he was the supreme leader of Makkah3.



Their custom for this ritual was too strange. They will bring an ox and tie some dried grass or small plants to its tail. Then climbing with the ox to one of the mountains, they will burn its tail and let it direct to the west. It was believed that it will rain after this ritual. It was a mere belief but they claim it as an experienced way to get rid of the famine.



When the leaders put their wish, Abu Thailb began to think of Muhammad, his brother’s son. Because, so far he witnessed several miraculous moves which indicate that Muhammad has a kind of supernatural power. So, this thought was leading him to utilize Muhammad for rain. Soon he approached Muhammad and described the pathetic situation of Makkah due to lack of rain. ‘So, please get up and offer a prayer for the rain’; Abu Thalib urged.



It happened so. He stood leaning the wall of Holy Ka’aba and prayed to quench his kith and kin at Makkah and it was rained. It was a scene kept in the memory of entire people at Makkah for decades. But when the Messenger of Allah proclaimed as a Prophet they forgot it.
Source: Muhammad Rasoolullah – Muhammad Rida



(1) Hujoon is a valley at upper Makkah where the cemetery of Ma’ala situated. It is the oldest cemetery of Makkah. Khadeeja Bint Khuvailid (Ra.) and many prominent personalities are buried there. (2) According the reliable sources the death of Abu Thalib was in the month of Rajab from the 10th year of Prophet Hood, just before three days from the death of Kahdeeja(Ra.). (3) At Makkah there was no an organized ruling system or a powerful ruler. So, the chiefs of the clan were possessed a notable position. As Abu Thalib was such a chief and more aged from Banu Hashim family he was considered as supreme leader.
-----------------------------------------------------------



3
Surprise of a Shepherd
They, Allah’s Messenger (Sa.) and Abubacker (Ra.), were on their way to outskirt of Makkah. It was hot summer. They were looking for something to quench. Fortunately they fell upon a flock of sheep. They met with the young, svelte shepherd who was seemed to be honest and brilliant at the first sight itself.



‘Do you have milk to quench us?’, asked Abubacker (Ra.).
‘But I am entrusted, I can’t quench you without permission from my master’, the shepherd answered.



Whereupon the Messenger of Allah (sa.) entered to that conversation and asked ‘Do you have any goat which is not mounted by a male?’
‘Yes I have’, he replayed and brought one such a goat which is not having milk in its dug.



Messenger of Allah (Sa.) sat down and rubbed over the dug. The dug began to fill. Then he milked the goat and drank the milk. Then he gave the milk to Abubacker. And to the shepherd boy also, who was in his exclamation seeing the wonder. Then the Messenger of Allah (Sa.) told to the dug to shrink and it happened so.



The boy shepherd was in surprise. He hadn’t undergone such an experience before. He glanced at the faces of the strangers for he doesn’t know them. So far he hadn’t seen them. Even though they seemed as two gentlemen from Makkah, It was not in reach of a shepherd to know such big men. But he kept the scene in his heart.



Abdullah Bin Masud(Ra.)1 says: ‘It was the first experience of me with the Messenger of Allah’. His mind turned to the Prophet and Islam by this incident. He became very prominent among the followers of the Messenger of Allah (Sa.) especially by his quranic relations and services.
Source: Rijalun hawla Rasool



(1) Abdullah Bin Masud (Ra.) was a slave from Banu Tamim born in Makkah and embraced Islam as sixth one. He participated in the most of the movements of the Messenger of Allah (Sa.). He was one of a few Sahabees who memorized the holy quran fully during the life of the Messenger of Allah (Sa.). He was called as Ibn Umm Abd.
-----------------------------------------------------------



4
An infant leads..
It was a glad news for the emigrants1. Because they were in a confusion due to the secret news spread out there in Madeena that they would not be bestowed with any child more. The confusion was not to be neglected at all, because the Jews were behind it. The secret was unveiled as they console some worried men saying: ‘Don’t worry about Muslims; they won’t grow more to be strengthened, because we have done very powerful witchcraft against them, they will no more bear a child’



Jews of Madeena were excellent in this regard. The witchcraft was their weapon. It is weapon of every one who has no inner courage or confidence. It is safe and easy for such people for it can be done secretly and without any burden. That is why they used it even against the Messenger of Allah (Sa.) when they realized they can’t defeat him.



The glad news was that Asma’a Bint Abubacker2 bore a child at Quba3. It was first child who delivered for the emigrants. In that ecstatic moment they brought the child to the Messenger of Allah and he sweetened4 him and named Abdulla. Then they took the child in their arms and had an open demonstration showing the child to the public and answering the Jews for their fake argument. It was a first experience at Madeena such a demonstration lead by an infant.



Abdulla was son of Asma’a Bint Abubacker(Ra.) and Zubair Bin Awwam(Ra.)5 the closest companion to the Messenger of Allah and one of the ten who were given the assurance of paradise6. Abdulla spent his first seven years along with the Messenger of Allah (Sa.) and stood firmly along with the rightly guided caliphs7 for Islamic services. Latter in 683AD he proclaimed himself as caliph of Hijaz. In 692AD he was assassinated in the civil war8.



Source: Swahih Al Bukhari 5152, Al Waqidee.
(1) The emigrants from Makkah to Madeena upon the command of the Messenger of Allah. They are been called in Arabic Al Muhajirun. (2) Asma’a(Ra.) was daughter of Abu Bakar(Ra.) and Quthaila Bint Abdil Uzza. So she was half-sister of Ayisha (Ra.) and leader of the women swahabees. She was married to Zubair Bin Awwam(Ra.) the son of the aunt of the Messenger of Allah. She died in 692 AD at Makkah just after few days from the assassination of her son Abdulla Bin Zubair. (3) A place on six km. off on the border of Madeena where Allah’s Messenger built his first mosque at Madeena. (4) It is an Islamic tradition to sweeten the tongue of the new born child usually with chewed dates or honey. (5) Zubair Bin Awwam (Ra.) is one of the great disciples of the Messenger of Allah (Sa.) and son of his aunt Safiyya Bint Abdul Muthalib. He was born in Makkah in 594AD and died in 656AD at Basara. He served as commander in the Islamic Army during the time of Rashidy Caliphs. He is one of the ten who are given the glad tiding of paradise. (6) This followers are known as Asharathul Mubashirah in Arabic. They are Abu Bakar, Umar, Uthman, Ali Bin Abee Thalib, Zubair Bin Awwam, Thalha Bin Ubaidullah, Abdul Rahman Bin Awf, Sa’ad Bin Abee Waqas, Sa’eed Bin Zaid and Abu Ubaisa Bin Al Jarrah (May Allah be pleased with him all) (7) The first four Caliphs are known as rightly guided Caliphs (Al Khulafau Rashidun) (8) Held between him and army of Umayyads in the regime of Yazeed 1st.
-----------------------------------------------------------