Mus’ab ibn Umair

“Among the believers are men true to what they promised Allah. Among them is he who has fulfilled his vow [to the death]”

I am going to tell you the heart wrenching story of the first and youngest ambassador in Islam. His name was Mus’ab bin Umair bin Abdul Manaf. Son of, Umair and Khunaas Bint Maalik. Born to one of the most affluent family’s from the Quraish tribes, residing in Makkah, he is also referred to in Islamic history, as the first envoy in Islam.

His youth

Mus’ab was an extremely popular young man amongst the people of Makkah. He was handsome and charming, wore only the best of clothes, and when he walked pass the people in the street, it is said, that his perfume would be so unique and fragrant that women would stand in line trying to get his attention.

He came from a home which fed him with a silver spoon, spoilt him with anything he wanted and showered him with affection. Basically, Mus’ab Ibn Umair, was like a superstar or a Prince amongst the Makkans and won the hearts of all that knew him. Mus’ab ibn Umair, possessed everything a man could want, or dream of, but deep down, there was a longing for something greater,  a purpose, and a love that his soul yearned for.

The sapience of Mus’ab

It was during this time, throughout Makkah, that the message of the Oneness of Allah, was being spread, fast, and news soon reached young Mus’ab, about the truthful Messenger of Allah; Muhammad (SAW), the Bearer of Glad Tidings.

Even though Mus’ab was a boy residing in luxury, his mind was awake and his hearing was thirsty, to go forth and listen to the message that RasulAllah (SAW) conveyed.

So thirsty, was his yearning for this wisdom, that he would visit RasulAllah (SAW) in order to attain closeness to him and the Deen of Islam.

Everything changed

One night, Mus’ab decided to venture out to the house of Al-Arqam, the place at which the Prophet (SAW) would meet his companions and recite Qur’an to them. Young Mus’ab had hardly progressed into the class, when his heart, fell inlove with the verses of the Qur’an. It felt as if, it had found the nourishment that his soul had been waiting for, like an instant sweetness had over taken his being and he embraced Islam.

As I read about this, I felt astonished. This was not even a man, not even someone in his twenties, but rather a teenager, SubhanAllah, someone who in today’s times, could be at highschool. An age, where most kids are texting their friends.

When Mus’ab embraced Islam, he kept it a secret for a while because he was terrified of his mother’s reaction, as she was a staunch disbeliever. He donated everything he had to the needy and when she eventually found out, she had him shackled and guarded. Despite this, he managed to escape.

The chosen Dawah caller

Mus’ab ibn Umair was so passionate about the Qur’an that when the Madinites pledged allegiance to the call of Islam, Mus’ab was the one chosen, by Muhammad (SAW) to be the one to go to Madina and be the “Caller to Islam”

Can you imagine what an amazing opportunity, this must have been for a teenager like Mus’ab and at the same time what a huge responsibility on his shoulders. From all the men close to RasullAllah (SAW), as well as older, Mus’ab was the one chosen.

His way of propagating Dawah was excellent and so positive that the people of Madina flocked to Islam. His sincerity was so true, that he even, won the heart of Amr bin Jamuh who broke his Idols and gave in to Islam.

A valliant Matyr at Uhud

When the Quraish, prepared themselves for revenge, from the battle of Badr, the battle of Uhud took place. During the preparations for this battle, the Prophet (SAW) chose courageous Mus’ab to bear the standard (flag) during the battle.

As the battle raged, and it seemed as if the polytheists were withdrawing, the Muslim archers on top of the mountain, lost sight of their goal and failed to follow the instructions of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and withdrew from their positions.  Within moments, confusion arose, and Muslims were being killed, and the disbelievers saw this as an ideal opportunity to finally destroy the beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Mus’ab Ibn Umair, took note of their plan and immediately raised the flag really high, yelling at the top of his lungs, "Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!” He defended our Rasul (SAW) from the left and right, defending him and killing the enemy with every blow. Many scholars, describe these moments of courage, from Mus’ab as him being an entire army rolled into one.

Ibn Qamee’ah approached him and with his sword slashed off  Mus’ab’s right hand. Mus’ab then switched the flag to his left hand, and again he was attacked, this time bidding farewell to both his hands.

SubhanAllah, while writing this, my heart ached, because with this agonizing pain, he picked up the flag with the stumps of both his amputated hands, can you imagine yourself, for a minute, in this situation,  and he kept reciting, “Muhammad is not but a messenger. [Other] messengers have passed on before him. So if he was to die or be killed, would you turn back on your heels [to unbelief]?”[1]

Eventually, the courageous Mus’ab ibn Umair was hit with a spear which thrust through him, and he fell to the ground.

Ibn Sa’d reports, that Abdullah bin Al-Fadl narrated: “When Mus’ab fell, an Angel in the image of Mus’ab took the flag, and raised it high. At the end of the day, Allah’s Messenger (SAW) addressed him, ‘Proceed Oh Mus’ab.’ The Angel drew close to him and said, ‘I am not Mus’ab.’ It was then, that RasulAllah (SAW) recognized that he was an Angel in the form of Mus’ab.”

The love RasulAllah (SAW) had for Mus’ab

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was so fond of Mus’ab, that a smile would emanate on his face at the sight of this young man, and he harbored so much trust and confidence in Mus’ab, which is definitely why he chose him to be his envoy in Madina. This was to be one of the greatest missions of his life.

When Muhammad (SAW) came around during the aftermath of Uhud, ibn Umair lay as a matyr in the dust.

The Prophet (SAW) stood at the body of him, with tears in his eyes, and with a tender heart recited a verse from Surah Ahzab, “Among the believers are men true to what they promised Allah.  Among them is he who has fulfilled his vow [to the death]”[2]

 Ibn Umair possessed so little belongings, that when they went to his home, to search for his belongings there was nothing besides a piece of white cloth to cover him. And when they tried to cover his head, his feet would show, and when they tried to cover his feet, his head would show.

At this, the Prophet (SAW) remarked, “Oh Mus’ab Ibn Umair, we did not find anything of your wealth, besides this to bury your body in, as you gave it all away to those in need.”

The story of Mus’ab ibn Umair, is one that shows us someone who decided to give all of their everything for the sake of Allah. He was every girl’s desire, had everything he could dream of, but this was not enough to replace the love for Allah which was missing in his heart. He teaches us, that once we establish this love for our Creator, not any wealth in the world could suffice as a substitute.

In our society we aim to attain luxury, wealth and status, deluding ourselves into thinking that this is a way to feel and be loved. We do things, in order to gain popularity, and be accepted, but the moment Mus’ab Ibn Umair, at his tender age of being in his early teens, embraced Islam, he knew that this world, was nothing but a passing phase, deception with all its luxuries.

He remained loyal and sincere, defending our beloved Prophet (SAW) till he fell to the ground.

Giving up every single thing for Islam, was not enough for him, having his limbs torn and having been struck more than 70 times, but still gripping the flag of Islam with his teeth, yet still wanting to do more.

How can we, say, that it is too hard to give up sin, to give up our simple desires for Allah.

May Allah detach our hearts from this world, and replace that love with his Mercy and love for Islam.

May Allah embed courage in our hearts, the type of courage that Mus’ab Ibn Umair harbored, the way he held the flag of Islam till the very end.

Duaa to you always,

Ayesha

(Sieny 2000) (Yusuf July 2000)

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[1] Qur’an, 3: 144

[2] Qur’an, 33: 23