THE STORY OF AMMAR IBN YASIR

Ammar ibn Yasir was one of the first people to embrace Islam.  He and his parents suffered terribly at the hands of the elite tribe of Mecca known as the Quraish.  Ammar was with the small group that migrated to Abyssinia and also made the migration to Medina where he was part of the group that built the first mosque.  He fought fearlessly in all the battles the new Muslim nation took part in, and Ammar is known to have narrated several ahadith[1].  He is particularly remembered for his hadith about dry ablution. 

Ammar ibn Yasir is believed to have been born in Mecca around 570 CE.  He was roughly the same age as Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, and they were known as close friends.  Ammar is said by some historians to have played some part in arranging Prophet Muhammad’s marriage to his first wife Khadijah.  Thus, when Prophet Muhammad began to call his family and friends to Islam, Ammar and his parents were amongst the first to heed the call.  Ammar’s father Yasir is said to have dreamed that his wife and son were calling to him from across a valley divided by fire.  They embraced Islam together.  At first, they attended the secret and private lessons at the house of Al-Arqam, but when their belief became known they began to undergo public abuse and humiliation at the hands of the enemies of the new religion.

Most of the rich and powerful men in Mecca rejected the Prophet’s call while most of their slaves and many of the poor were drawn to the comfort of Islam.  When the slaves and the poor or downtrodden began to question their treatment and their rights as human beings the elite started to systematically torture and abuse the new Muslims.  The man known as Abu Jahl was notorious.  He is said to have designed such gruesome tortures as walking over hot coals, being staked out in the noontime sun and piling stones and rocks upon the chests of his victims.  Ammar and his family were tormented so consistently that Prophet Muhammad would urge them to be patient by reminding them that they were destined for Paradise.

Ammar’s mother was Summaya and she is known as the first martyr in Islam.  She was a staunch and enthusiastic member of the new Muslim community.  All the suffering she was subjected to did nothing to lessen her faith.  One day in a fit of rage Abu Jahl stabbed her in the lower stomach with a spear; she dies almost immediately.  After this Abu Jahl and his wicked companions tortured and killed Ammar’s father and brother.  Ammar was a broken man.  He was overwhelmed with grief and fear and did what his parents had died refusing to do; he cursed Islam and Prophet Muhammad.   Abu Jahl released Ammar.  The grief-stricken man ran straight to Prophet Muhammad who comforted him and reminded of God’s forgiveness.   The following verse of the Quran is said to have been revealed in response to Ammar’s despair.

"Whoever disbelieves in God after having believed in Him—not the one who is compelled (to utter a word of disbelief) under duress while his heart is at peace with faith, but the one who embraces disbelief wholeheartedly—upon such people is wrath from God, and they will suffer a great punishment." (Quran 16: 106)   

Many of the new Muslims who were just learning their faith did not understand Prophet Muhammad’s actions.  They criticized Ammar and called him a disbeliever but Prophet Muhammad soon taught them the error of their ways.  He said "No (he is not a disbeliever), indeed Ammar is full of faith from head to toe."[2]

God did not allow the persecution to go on much longer.  Prophet Muhammad sent a small band of Muslims, including Ammar and others who were tortured relentlessly, to Abyssinia, where they sought refuge with a good Christian king.  After some time, Ammar returned to Mecca and joined the migration to Medina.

Prophet Muhammad took an interest in Ammar.  When the first mosque was built after the migration to Medina, Ammar was one of the men who worked tirelessly on its construction.  Prophet Muhammad noticed that while everyone else was carrying one brick at a time Ammar was carrying two bricks.   He said, "They will get one reward whereas you (Ammar) will get two."[3]  Ammar put his heart and soul into bettering himself, and worked consistently for the religion of Islam.  He was involved in every battle the fledgling nation faced including the Battle of Badr in which Abu Jahl was killed.   At that time Prophet Muhammad is said to have turned to Ammar and said, "The murderer of your mother is dead."  In addition to this Ammar was a witness at Prophet Muhammad’s farewell sermon.

Ammar is known to have related several ahadith.  He is particularly remembered for his narrations about dry ablution.  A man came to Umar ibn Al-Khattab and said, "I became impure but no water was available." Ammar ibn Yasir said to Umar, "Do you remember that you and I became impure while we were together on a journey and you didn’t pray but I rolled myself on the ground and prayed? I informed the Prophet about it and he said, ‘It would have been sufficient for you to do like this.’ The Prophet then stroked the earth lightly with his hands, blew off the excess dust and passed his hands over his face and hands."[4]

This narration not only gives us excellent information about dry ablution but it also demonstrates to us just how close Ammar was to Prophet Muhammad and the inner circle of his companions.  He felt comfortable nudging the memory of Umar ibn Al-Khattab.  He was also appointed Governor of Iraq during Umar ibn Al-Khattab’s rule.   Ammar was more than a young man who sobbed with Prophet Muhammad after the murder of his family. 

Ammar was a fearful youth but grew into the strong capable man whose love for Islam never wavered.  He died in the Battle of Siffin at around the age of ninety.  Prophet Muhammad had previously predicted the nature of his death.   "Alas! A rebellious group which swerves from the truth will kill Ammar.   Ammar will be calling them towards Paradise and they will be calling him towards Hell.   His killer and those who strip him of arms and clothing will be in Hell."[5] - islamreligion.com

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FOOTNOTES:

[1]Ahadith (singular: hadith) – sayings and teachings attributed to Prophet Muhammad.

[2]Ibn Majah.

[3]Saheeh Bukhari.

[4]Saheeh Bukhari.

[5]Saheeh Bukhari, At-Tirmidhi, and Imam Ahmad among others, and transmitted through 25 companions of Prophet Muhammad.

Examples for good ends

All perfect praise is due to Allah; I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and thatMuhammad is His Slave and Messenger;  as well as his family and all his companions.

Fear of an evil end had broken the hearts of our righteous Salaf (predecessors) . Sufyan Ath-Thawri  cried one night until the morning, and when he was asked whether he cried due to his fear of his sins, he replied: “No, I am more scared of having an evil end”

 

Ibn Katheer,  said: “People who are righteous inwardly and outwardly and whose actions coincide with their words, Allah willing, will not have an evil way to end their lives; and never was this reported about anyone before. It is only those who are evil inwardly and outwardly; those who are daring and indulge in major great sins and who are frequent in committing minor sins. This type of people, who are used to this practice will continue to do so until they die without repenting.”

 

The Prophet  said: “Verily, deeds are but by the way they end.” [Al-Bukhari]. This is why our right predecessors  feared their ends because no one knows how he will end his life and in which state he will depart.

 

For this reason, Huthayfah  was happy to die before the trials about which the Prophet, , informed them and said: “All perfect praise be to Allah who has hastened my death before these trials”.

 

One of the signs indicating that the person died whilst having a good end is dying whilst performing a righteous deed. Anas  narrated that he heard the Prophet  saying: “Do not be impressed with someone’s actions (thinking they are righteous) until you see how his end is, because one would be performing a (righteous) deed for a long period of his life, and should he die upon such a deed he would enter Paradise, but he switches to performing evil deeds (before his death). The slave would be performing a (bad) deed for a long period of his life, and should he die upon such a deed he would enter Hell, but he switches to performing good deeds (before his death) and when Allah Wills good for a slave He uses him before his death” The companions  asked: “O messenger of Allah! How does Allah use him?”  He, , responded: “He enables him to perform a good deed, then ends his life upon it.” [Ahmad]

 

Huthayfah,  narrated that the Messenger of Allah,  said: “He who says; ‘Laa ilaaha illallaah’ (i.e., 'None is worthy of worship except Allah') seeking the pleasure of Allah, and it being his final statement, will enter Paradise; he who fasts sincerely, seeking the pleasure of Allah, and died whilst in this state, will enter Paradise; he who spends in charity, sincerely seeking the pleasure of Allah, and it being the last thing he did before dieing, will enter Paradise.”

 

Jabir,  reported: “I heard the Prophet  saying: “Every slave will be resurrected in the state upon which he died” [Muslim]. Imam As-Suyooti  said: “This narration refers to the state of obedience or disobedience”. Malik Ibn Deenar  used to say: “If I can afford (physically) not to ever sleep I would not sleep” he was asked about the reason, to which he said: “I fear that the angel of death would come to me whilst I am sleeping and I would like that he comes whilst I am engaged in a righteous deed”.

 

An example highlighting one of the best ways to die is for a disbeliever to embrace Islam then immediately die. Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: “A young Jewish boy who was in the service of the Prophet fell ill. The Prophet  went to visit him. He sat down by his head and said to him:“Embrace Islam.”The little boy looked at his father who was sitting beside him. He said: ‘Obey Abul-Qasim (i.e., the Messenger of Allah ).’ So he embraced Islam and the Prophet  stepped out saying:“Praise be to Allah Who has saved him from Hell-fire.” [Al-Bukhari].

 

Allah guided a man from the Philippines to the light of Islam on Wednesday in the city of Ta’if in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he was taught some of the merits of Islam and on Thursday he started reciting some chapters of the Qur’aan and on Friday morning he passed away, after only two days of him becoming a Muslim.

 

Uttering the testimonies of faith prior to death is a good deed and another example for one’s good end. Mu’ath ibn Jabal  narrated that the Prophet  said: “He whose final words are: ‘Laa Ilaaha Illallaah’ (i.e., 'None is worthy of worship except Allah') will enter Paradise.”[Al-Hakim].

 

‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Amr Ibn Al-‘Aas  reported that when his father  was on his death bed he said: “O Allah! You commanded me with many commands and I fell short in many of them. O Allah! You forbade me from many matters, but I transgressed. O Allah! None has the right to be worshipped but You” then he continued repeating this until he died .

 

Many of the Salaf  died whilst praying, which is another example for a good way to end life. ‘Abdullah Ibn Abi As-Sarh  supplicated one night after having performed Qiyam saying: “O Allah! Make my last deed in this life the performance of Fajr prayer” Then he performed ablution and prayed Fajr and died whilst concluding his prayer.

 

Abu Tha’labah  used to say: “I hope that Allah will not make me suffer upon death like I see some people do” Then he started performing Qiyamand died whilst in the position of prostration. That night his daughter saw in her dream that her father died, so she woke up terrified and went to her mother asking about her father, so she told her that he was praying Qiyam. They went to check on him and found him in the position of prostration and when they moved him he fell to his side.

 

A young man prayed the Fajr prayer with the congregation and sat in the mosque reciting the Qur’an and waiting for the sun to rise so that he may pray two Rak’ahs and he did not know that it was the last hour of his life, and died whilst in that state.

 

A fifty five year old lady was admitted into ER (the emergency room) as a result of getting a heart attack which made her heart stop beating completely. When the physicians were trying to make a heart massage with special equipment a very astonishing thing happened, which doctors had never seen before that day … the woman suddenly opened her eyes and spoke calmly saying a few words … she did not complain of any pain … she did not scream asking for their assistance … she did not ask for her husband or children … she simply uttered the two testimonies of faith … then the heart stopped again. She repeated this three times … then she died … and her face illuminated. When her husband was asked about the type of woman she was, he said: “I married her more than thirty five years ago, and since then I have never seen her abandon the Witr prayer (i.e. the odd-numbered Rak’ahs after the optional night prayer) unless she was sick or during her monthly period”.

 

Dying whilst fasting is yet another example exemplifying a good end, like in the case of Asmaa’ Bint Abu Bakr  and her son ‘Urwah .

 

Some people die whilst in the state of Ihram which entitles the person to a great reward, as in the narration about the Companion who died as a result of his animal kicking him whilst in the state of Ihram (for either Hajj or ‘Umrah), he  said: “Wash him with water and lote-tree (leaves), shroud him in his own garments and do not cover his head, because he will be resurrected on the Day of Resurrection uttering the Talbiyah.”.

 

There are some people who die whilst reciting the Qur’an, like in the case of ‘Uthman Ibn ‘Affan¸ who was known to be a person who continuously recited the Qur’an day and night. He  was martyred whilst reciting the Qur’an in his house. Once Ibn ‘Abbas  recited the saying of Allah which means: “Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]?”[Quran 39: 9] then he said: “I swear by Allah! This applies to ‘Uthman Ibn ‘Affan”.

 

One of the best examples indicating a good end is being martyred. Al-Miqdam Ibn Ma’di Karib,  narrated that the Prophet  said: “A martyr has six bounties: He will be forgiven with the first drop of his blood that is spilt; He will see his place in Paradise (at the time of death); He will be saved from the ‘Great Horror’ (on the Day of Judgment): A Crown of Dignity will be placed on his head, which contains many corundum, each one being more precious than this life and all that it contains; He will have seventy two Women of Paradise; And, he will be allowed to intercede for seventy of his family members (who would have otherwise gone to hell).”[At-Tirmithi].

 

Shaddad Ibn Al-Had  narrated: “A Bedouin came to the Prophet accepted Islam and said: ‘I wish to migrate (to Madeenah)’. So the Prophet  asked some of his companions to take care of him. Then after a battle, the Muslims had gained some booty so the Prophet  divided it and gave the Bedouin’s share to some of his companions to look after, as the Bedouin was still at the rearguard. When the Bedouin returned, they gave him his share, so he asked them: ‘What is this?’ they replied: ‘It is your share from the booty which the Prophet  gave us to hold on to for you.’ So the Bedouin took the booty and went to the Prophet  and asked: ‘What is this?’ The Prophet  replied: “Your share of the booty.”The Bedouin said: ‘This is not why I believe in you and follow you; rather, I follow you so that I can get shot by an arrow right here, (and then he pointed to his throat) then die and enter Paradise.’ The Prophet  said:“If you are sincere then Allah will grant you your wish.”After a short while, fighting resumed and the Bedouin’s body was brought to the Prophet with an arrow in his throat at exactly the spot where he had pointed to the Prophet . Thereupon The Prophet  said: “He was sincere so Allah granted him his wish.”Then using his own garment, the Prophet shrouded the Bedouin, prayed the funeral prayer over him and was heard by his companions to say during the prayer: “O Allah! This is Your slave who migrated for Your sake and was killed as a martyr – and I testify to this”.Which testimony could ever be more honorable, sincere and truthful than this great one given by the Prophet ?

 

A truck driver by the name of Abu Dujanah, was known in his town to be an evil person who consumed intoxicants. One day, he got in a deadly car accident, but Allah rescued him from death. Allah decreed that two righteous young men see the accident and rush to him whilst he was unconscious and took him with them and when he woke up they told him to perform Ghusl (ritual bath) which he did, then they instructed him to pray, and after he prayed they said to him: “Allah Has rescued you from death and had you died upon the state you were in, it would have been the worse way to die and be resurrected. You should repent to Allah and shun all sins” their words affected him deeply, and he shunned his evil company with whom he used to hang around, and started practicing. A few months later, he traveled to Bosnia for Jihad, and Allah granted him martyrdom there. His body remained with the enemies thrown in an open field for two and a half months after he was killed, and then a swap of dead bodies happened between the Mujahideen and the Serbs, and when the brothers opened the plastic bag in which he was kept for this long period, they saw his face smiling and an extremely pleasant scent emanating from his body.

 

These were but some examples of how a good end may be, and we ask Allah to bless us and grant us a good way to end our lives. -islamweb.net