A story of outstanding sacrifice, a story of love of Allah and His Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam). Among the thousands of stars, this is the story of another star, whose sacrifice surpasses all other stories. Where all the Sahaba Ikram (R.D’s) stories are full of sacrifices, how can we say this story is something more special??? When we dive deep into this story we find yes it is, a story that teaches us strength of Imaan, where nothing in this world except the love of Allah, His Rasul (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) and Islam was important to this person . A person who showed his love for Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) until his last moment of life and gave life for Imaan and Islam, who recited the couplets of strength of Imaan in the gallows of death, who showed the strength of Imaan in front of odds. A story that builds Imaan more stronger and gives new thought and wisdom. This is the story of Khubaib bin Adiy Al-Ansari (R.D).

Khubaib (R.D) was born in the Aws tribe of Madinah, He was among the Ansaars. As soon as he came into the fold of Islam and understood the true faith, he started coming in the gathering of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) frequently. A person is known by his company, when his company was such pure, automatically it’s understandable how pure was his noble character, how firm was his Imaan. He was very strong in his Imaan, very prudent in nature, he could understand with his sharp inner and outer eyes (wisdom) which is right and which is not right and that is why he was said as the falcon among the Ansaar’s by the poetry of Hassan bin Thabit (R.D). Hassan bin Thabit (R.D) said,

” Khubaib (R.D) was like a falcon among the Ansaars, Allah SWT bestowed him with noble character and good morals.”

This prudent person was among the nearest Ansaar companions of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam), Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) made him the brother of Umair bin Abi Waqqas (R.D), when Umair (R.D) migrated to Madinah (in some narration), who as well gave his life in the battle of Badr later. However, Khubaib (R.D) was a bold worrier of the battle of Badr and a daring fighter. None of the trick’s of the Kuffar could escape from his sharp eyes, the Quraish noticed this falcon of the Ansaars and targeted him from that day.

After the victory of the Badr the Muslim army returned from the battle field with victory, again Khubaib (R.D) proved he is not only an outstanding worrier but he is an outstanding worshiper too. His night would pass in long prayers and weeping in the passionate love and yearning for the Lord of the universe and long summer days would pass in fasting and austerity. The glorification of Allah was present in his words always, the obedience of Rasululullah (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) was his asset and strengthening Islam was his goal.

In the Battle of Uhud, he showed his same vigorous fight and strength of Imaan again. The Kuffar again selected him as their next target. In the Battle of Uhud Quraish lost some of their greatest worriers. Peoples behavior are always according to their expectations and the desire of the merit of rewards. Muslim army used to fight for Allah and his Rasul (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) , martyrdom was the guarantee of Jannah for them. That’s why the loss always turned into utmost happiness of Akhirah but on the other hand, Kuffar fought for prestige, win, booty. Death was scary to them, because no belief of reward was there. All was for worldly honer, and whenever anybody hit that so called honer they became revengeful and agitated. After the loss of their greatest worriers, they made vows to kill some of the Muslim Armies whom they selected. But how to bring them?? They made a treacherous plan and went to Madinah.

The Kuffar group pretended to embrace Islam in the hand of Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) and asked his permission to take some Sahaba (R.D) with them, who will teach them and their tribe the Ahkam (rituals) of Islam. Khubaib (R.D) was also among them. Asim (R.D) was the leader of the group of Sahaba (R.D), however, the kuffar group and the Sahaba (R.D) started their journey from Madinah. Until the end of Madina the journey remained smooth but as soon as the border of Madinah was crossed, the plan of treachery of the kuffer came to light. Almost 200 enemy including 100 archers attacked the group of Sahaba (R.D). Sahaba (R.D) immediately climbed up a nearby hill called Fadfad. The Kuffar called them back and said,

” We are not willing to kill you; we will take you to Mecca and sell you to the Quraish.”

The hero’s of Islam were not scared, 10 people were together with the same view, they will fight the heavy odd and fight tooth and nail until they get martyred. Only 10 people started fighting with not less then 200 strong men. Very soon they run short of arrows, still those hero’s of Islam attacked the enemies open handedly with spears. The leaders of the group of Shaba (R.D), Hadrat Asim (R.D) called out his companions and motivated them with his strong words of wisdom,

” No doubt you have been betrayed by these treacherous people but do not lose your heart. Remember martyrdom is your goal, Allah the most beloved is always with you, and your future spouses are waiting for you in Jannah.”

Those god fearing people, to whom love of Allah was more beloved than everything of this world, these words of wisdom strengthened their Imaan. They started fighting with full strength. Asim (R.D) rushed in the thick of the enemy and fought until he met his martyrdom. before the end he asked,

” Ya Allah, Inform the prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) about our fate”.

Allah SWT answered his Duaa at once by revealing the news to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam), 8 among them were embraced Maryrdom, 2 were left, Khubaib (R.D) was among them. The Kuffar took them to the Quraish as captive and sold them to the Quraish. Hudhair bin Abiahab bought him to take the revenge of his fathers death. It was just an excuse, the Quraish selected Khubaib (R.D) many days back in their black list as they knew this prudent Ansaar was going to be the great strength for Islam and Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam).

Khubaib (R.D) started remaining in captivity for long time, the test of Imaan and Ikhlas again came in front of him. Quraish used to deprive him from food and drink but the person who was beloved to Allah, whose Yaqeen in the unseen was perfect and clear, how can he get deprived of the Nusrah of Allah. The Quraish deprived him from worldly food, Allah SWT would bless him with food of Jannah to honer His lover, His devotee, His nearest. Allah SWT fed him with the fruits of Jannah. A women slave of Hudhair narrated,

” When Khubaib (R.D) was in captivity, I noticed him eating grapes from a bunch as big as human head. although it was not the season of grapes in makkah at that time”

It was not the time of good transportation system that a person can have the fruit of other country or region, not a time when refrigerator was available. It was a time when only transport was riding animals, food was only seasonal foods and fruits. No doubt Khubaib (R.D) took that bunch from his beloved Lord, Allah Azza wa Jallah. The slave women was surprised with that miracle which lead her to embrace Islam later in life. That was the connection of our Sahaba Ikram (R.D) with Allah SWT, the sight of their Tawaqqul, love and connection would lead others to embrace Islam. May Allah gives us all such Imaan. Ameen.

Days passed the sight of this love of slave with his Master became unbearable for the Quraish, their kaafir heart were getting shaken, they decided to remove him from this world. But it wont be a simple death rather they chose a very pathetic and horrible death for him. The test of of giving life. Where love of Allah and His Rasul in one side and own life on the other side. Khubaib (R.d) was successfull in this test even, became ready to give his life. The Quraish was not satisfied enough even after that, Their ego told them to give great punishment to this amazing lover of Allah. They prepared gallows and decided to put him there, and prepared 40 strong Quraish who will throw arrows to him at the same time. Khubaib (R.D) was still calm without having any worry. Even in these periods of preparations, when the day of his meeting with his beloved Rabb came near, he asked for a razor to clean himself. A Mu’min always remain clean, and that is why cleanliness is a part of Imaan. He was even in this situation did not forget his obligation to his Lord, asked for a razor to get cleaned. Suddenly, a little child went near to him. The kuffar got alarmed, a prisoner who would be in the gallows very soon, what would he do with this small child now. The revengeful people are always scared because they think everyone are revengeful like them, but the people of truth and peace lover always shows the path of peace and love, to the world. Kuffar were revengeful, they wouldn’t care for any child or women even, to take their revenge. But Islam came as peace, showed there is no battle with the weak and fragile, they need support and kindness. Khubaib (R.D) practically showed that to the Kuffar, he smiled and said to them, ” Do you think, I would attempt to kill an innocent child? this heinous crime is simply not possible for me.”

Our Sahaba (R.D) showed Islam, honesty and loyalty until leaving this world. Allahuakber! How great were their life, how honorable were their end!! However, the time of his end drew near, he was brought near to the gallows. The kuffar asked him to make his last wish. The person who spent his nights with the prayer in front of his beloved Rabb, how come he forget the final moment to do the same? His last wish was the chance of praying two Rakaat of Salaat. Aha! how golden people were they, how amazing were their wishes!! How mesmerizing were their thinking!!!

Kuffar were surprised, they let him to pray two Rakaat of Salaat, the eager lover of the Lord prayed his Salaaah with utmost submission and humility then he said to the Kuffar, ” But for your thinking that I was afraid of death, I would have prayed two more Rakaat of Salaah.”

They tied the Lover of Allah tightly with the gallows, Khubaib (R.D) recited these couplets at that moment,

وَلَسْتُ اُبَالِیْ حِیْنَ اُقْتَلُ مُسْلِمًا

عَلٰی اَیِّ شِقٍّ کَانَ لِلّٰہِ مَصْرَعِیْ

وَذَالِك فِیْ ذَاتِ الْاِلٰہِ وَاِنْ یَّشَأْ

یُبَارِك عَلٰی اَوْصَالِ شِلْوٍ مُمَزَّعِ

“When I am getting martyred for Islam as a Muslim, I do not care as to which flank I fall on after getting martyred and everything is for my Allah, if my Lord so wills, He will bless every piece of my limb.”

Khubaib (R.D) knew when many archers will through arrows on him at the same time, the body will turn like a siever and every limbs of body will turn into pieces, that’s why he was making Duaa, I don’t care as long as my end is with Imaan and Islam. When the Kuffar was tying him with the gallows, he said, ” Ya Allah! There is nobody to covey my last Salaam to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam).” Allah heard the voice of His lover, Allah SWT sent an angle to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) to send his Salaam. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) answered while in Madinah,

” Wa-alaikumus-salam! ya Khubaib.”

At the gallows 40 of the Quraish speared him continuously, at that time one of them teased him ” Say by Allah, if you now wish Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) to be in your place and you to be free.”

His answer amazed the Quraish, Khubaib (R.D) answered, ” By Allah the most Magnificent, I will never tolerate a thorn pricking my prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) in ransom of my life.”

Their love was nonparallel , nobody could love and give support to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) as Sahaba (R.D) did to him, May Allah gives best Ajr on behalf of every single Ummah to Khubaib (R.D). Ameen. Allah SWT sent the news of his end to Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) and showed him the entire moment, Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) informed Sahaba (R.D) thus,

” Khubaib (R.D) has been martyred.”

He gave his life but left an unparalall story of love and sacrifice. For a single moment he didn’t accept anything, any pleasure in exchange of truth. Allahuakber! Allahuakber!! Saeed bin Aamir (R.D) was also among those who were standing among the crowd. Afterwards, he became a Muslim and even until the time of Hazrat Umar (R.D), whenever he would remember the incident of Khubaib, he would become unconscious with the fear if Allah SWT asks about this incident on the day of judgment, what would he answer on that day. Such cruelty was done to Khubaib (R.D) on that day.

May Allah gives us all true love for Him, for Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) and for Islam. May we can help Deen with best possible means, may we can try hard to make our Islam as the most strongest thing in this world. May we can practice every single Ahkam of Islam and may we become the true lover of Allah. Ameen.

Dandenong Madrasa