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Every moment of the life of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) manifests the exalted status that has been granted to him by Allah Ta’ala. Even in the battles that he took part in, there were numerous incidents that took place, demonstrating his unparalleled knowledge and excellence. A few incidents from the Battle of Tabuk are presented here to further increase our love and honour for Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
After leaving Madinatul Munawwarah and travelling towards Tabuk, Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) stopped and rested at a place called Thaniyatul Wada’. Hazrat Abu Zarr Ghiffaari (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), who was amongst those travelling with Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) remained behind at this place when everyone had continued on their journey. The reason was that his horse became exhausted and weak. He fed it fodder which helped in strengthening it. When he began to ride it again, the horse again became tired, and in this helpless condition, he loaded his belongings on his back and travelled on foot to join the Muslim army again. {Zarqaani}
When Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saw Hazrat Abu Zarr Ghiffaari (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) travelling alone on foot, he said, “He shall travel alone, live life alone and experience death alone.”
Hazrat Usman Ghani (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), during his Khilaafat, ordered Hazrat Abu Zarr Ghiffaari (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) to live in Rabza, where the Sahaabi began to live alone with his wife and slave. When he was about to pass away, he instructed his wife to give him Ghusl, place his Kaffan on him and leave his ‘Janaazah’ on the road, further saying, “You should say to the first group of travellers that pass by, “This is the Janaazah of Abu Zarr. Help us to read his Janaazah Salaah and bury him.”” The first group to pass that area included Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh). After hearing that this was the Janaazah of Hazrat Abu Zarr Ghiffaari (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), he recited, “Indeed we belong to Allah and indeed to Him we shall return {Surah 2:156},” and thereafter buried him. He then said, “Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) spoke the truth when he said that Abu Zarr shall travel, live and die alone.” {Seerat ibn Hishaam} SubhanAllah!
Some narrations have stated that his wife did not have Kaffan for him. An Ansaari from the travellers gave it to her, performed the Janaazah and buried him as well.
Continuing on the journey to Tabuk, when the Muslim army reached a place called Hajar, Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) ordered that none should go anywhere far, alone. Everyone followed this order except two members from the Banu Saa’idah. One of them proceeded out alone to answer the call of nature, which resulted in him suddenly and mysteriously being choked to death by someone before he could sit. The other left the camp alone chasing after his fleeing camel. Without notice, a wind then emerged and lifted him between the two mountains of the tribe of Tai, where it finally released him to his death. When Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) heard of this he said, “Had I not forbidden you to go out alone?” {Zarqaani}
At another part of the journey, the camel of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) went somewhere and got lost. People began searching for it when a Munaafiq (hypocrite) by the name of Zaid bin Laseef said, “Muhammad says he is the Prophet of Allah and that he receives Wahi (Revelation), but he does not even know where his camel is lost.” Concerning this, Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) later said to his Companions, “How can a person speak like this when I am certainly aware, through Allah Ta’ala informing me, where my camel is. It is in a certain valley and its reins have been caught in one of its trees. Go and bring it back to me.” When the Companions proceeded to the valley, they found the camel with its reins caught in a tree just as how Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) had said. {Ibid} SubhanAllah!
Upon nearing Tabuk, Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “In Sha Allah! Tomorrow you will have reached the Fountain of Tabuk after the sun has risen, but when you reach it, do not use its water.” When Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) eventually reached this fountain, only a small amount of water spurted out from it. He then asked for some water from it in a jug, washed his hands and mouth, gargled and thereafter spat the water back into the jug. He then ordered that the water in the jug be poured back into the fountain, resulting in an excess amount of water beginning to gush out from it, from which three thousand soldiers, together with their animals, were able to drink and use. {Zarqaani} SubhanAllah!
No other Sahaabi passed away or was made Shaheed in the Battle of Tabuk (which eventually never took place) except for Hazrat Zul-Bajaadain (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh). He was from the Mazeena tribe and was cared for by his paternal uncle after his father had died. After becoming mature and learning of the teachings of Islam, he began to hate idol-worship and chose to become a Muslim, but could not as his uncle was a staunch disbeliever. When Makkah was later conquered and crowds of people began to accept Islam, he advised his uncle to do the same and said, “I personally yearn to accept Islam,” causing his uncle to disown him.
Hazrat Zul-Bajaadain (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) then migrated to Madinah Shareef wearing an upper and lower garment made from tearing the blanket he had asked for from his mother, and spent the night in Masjid-e-Nabawi. Upon seeing the Noor emanating from the blessed face of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) at Fajr Salaah, Hazrat Zul-Bajaadain (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) then read the Kalima and entered Islam. Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) asked his name and was told that it was Abdul Uzza. Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) changed his name to Abdullah and granted him the title ‘Zul-Bajaadain’ (the person with two blankets). Hazrat Zul-Bajaadain (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) began to live with the Ashaab-e-Suffah in Masjid-e-Nabawi and he would recite the Holy Qur’an very loudly.
When Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was leaving for Tabuk, he fervently joined the army and requested Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) to make Dua for him to receive Shahaadat in the path of Allah. Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) then told him to bring a bark of a tree, and he brought a piece of a mimosa tree. It was tied to the shoulders of Hazrat Zul-Bajaadain (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) and Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) then made the following Dua for him, “O Allah! I make his blood sacred on the Kuffaar.” Hazrat Zul-Bajaadain then submitted, “Ya Rasoolallah! I intend becoming a Shaheed,” to which Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) responded, “If a person comes out for Jihad and dies from any sickness, he shall be regarded as a Shaheed!” When Hazrat Zul-Bajaadain (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) arrived at Tabuk, he became sick and passed away as a result of it. {Madaarijun Nubuwwah}
SubhanAllah! Such is the knowledge, vision and excellence of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), which is beyond our comprehension.
May Allah Ta’ala increase our love and honour for Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), Ameen.
