What was it about Zahir?

Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه narrated that:

أن رجلا من أهل البادية كان اسمه زاهر بن حزام أو حرام ، قال : وكان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يحبه وكان دميما ، فأتاه النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يوما وهو يبيع متاعه ، فاحتضنه من خلفه وهو لا يبصره ، فقال : أرسلني ! من هذا ؟ فالتفت فعرف النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فجعل لا يألو ما ألزق ظهره بصدر النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم حين عرفه ، وجعل النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول : من يشتري العبد ، فقال : يا رسول الله ! إذا والله تجدني كاسدا ، فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم : لكن عند الله لست بكاسد ، أو قال : لكن عند الله أنت غال

 

“There was a man from the people of the desert whose name was Zahir bin Hizam (or bin Haram). And he was loved by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم – He was (also) not of a pleasant (facial) appearance. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم came to him one day, while he (Zahir) was selling his goods (in the market) and embraced him (from behind) so that he (Zahir) could not see who it was [nb. in another narration he صلى الله عليه وسلم placed his hands over his eyes to stop him from looking behind]. Zahir asked: ‘Tell me, who is this?’, he turned and found it was the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, so he continued to rub his back (and cling) onto the chest * (of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم). Upon this, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم (held him and) said (in jest to those around him): ‘Who would like to buy a slave (from me)’? He (Zahir) said: ‘O Messenger of Allaah, by Allaah you will find me to be a poor sell (i.e. I’ll be of no value)’. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ‘But with Allaah you are not unsellable?’ [in another narration 'But with Allaah you are valuable'].”

 

[Al-Bayhaqi, 'Sunan al-Kubra', 10/248 [found in Musnad Ahmad, Musnad Abi Ya'la and Bazzar with slight variations] – graded as saheeh by Ibn Katheer in ‘Al-Bidaayah’, 6/48; Ibn Hajar in ‘Al-Isaabah’, 1/542; Al-Haythami in ‘Majma az-Zawa’id’, 9/371 (#15979) and al-Albani in ‘Takhreej Mishkat al-Masabih’, 4815 (see also ‘Mukhtasar Shama’il’, 204)]

* (This gesture of rubbing his back with the body of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was due to the barakah he hoped to attain).

So what was it about Zahir رضي الله عنه that made him loved by Allaah and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم?

Little is known about him from the books of history and biographies… What is known is that he was a simple man from the desert, and whenever he came to Madinah, he would bring gifts for the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, and would be looked after by him صلى الله عليه وسلم. He also partook in some of the battles with the Muslims.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم would say: إن زاهرا باديتنا ، و نحن حاضروه - “Zahir is our man of the desert, and we are his (i.e. his attendees in town).” [see 'Saheeh al-Jaami', 2087]

“Verily Allah has commanded me to love four (persons)…

إن الله عز وجل أمرني بحب أربعة وأخبرني أنه يحبهم : علي والمقداد وأبو ذر وسلمان

Rasulullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said,”Verily Allah has commanded me to love four (persons) and has told me that He loves them: ‘Ali, Al-Miqdad, Abu Dhar and Salman  رضي الله عنهم “

[Jami'us saghir]

Night Prayer

وحدثني عن مالك عن زيد بن أسلم عن أبيه أن عمر بن الخطاب كان يصلي من الليل ما شاء الله حتى إذا كان من آخر الليل أيقظ أهله للصلاة يقول لهم الصلاة الصلاة ثم يتلو هذه الآية وأمر أهلك بالصلاة واصطبر عليها لا نسألك رزقا نحن نرزقك والعاقبة للتقوى

Zayd Ibn Aslam narrated from his father that ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab رضي الله عنه used to pray the night prayer for as long as Allah had decreed for him. When the last part of the night arrived he would wake his family saying: ‘The Prayer! The Prayer! And he would recite the verse:

“And enjoin Salah on your family, and be patient in offering them. We ask not of you a provision: We provide for you. And the good end is for those who have Taqwa” [Taha: 132]

Muwatta Malik

Fathima on her father’s passing away

Fathima رضي الله عنها on her father’sصلى الله عليه وسلم  passing away,

 يا أبتاه ، أجاب ربا دعاه ، يا أبتاه ، من جنة الفردوس مأواه ، يا أبتاه ، إلى جبريل ننعاه

O My Beloved Father صلى الله عليه وسلم ! Who has responded to the call of the Lord Who has invited him! O My Beloved Father صلى الله عليه وسلم , whose dwelling place is the Garden of Paradise (i.e. Al-Firdaus)! O My BelovedFather صلى الله عليه وسلم ! We convey this news (of your death) to Gabriel.“

Sahih Bukhari

…sins like the mountains of Tihamah

روي عن عمر بن الخطاب رضي الله عنه:”إن الرجل ليخرج من منزله وعليه من الذنوب مثل جبال تهامة فإذا سمع العلم خاف و رجع وتاب فانصرف إلى منزله وليس عليه ذنب ،فلا تفارقوا مجالس العلماء

مفتاح دارالسعادة

It has been reported that ‘Umar رضي الله عنه said: “If a man comes out of his house carrying a burden of sins like the mountains of Tihamah, then when he hears some knowledge he fears Allah and repents, he will go back home with no sins on him. So do not separate yourselves from the gatherings of the scholars.”

Mafatih Daaris s’aada

Tihamah Mountains

I saw the angels bathing…

 رأيت الملائكة تغسل حمزة بن عبد المطلب ، وحنظلة بن الراهب

‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (رضي الله عنه) said,”I saw the angels bathing Hamza ibn ‘Abdul Muttalib (رضي الله عنه) and Hanzalah Ibnul Rahib (رضي الله عنه) (on the day of Uhud) .

Sahihul Jami’

This world a home by those who will have no real home

الدنيا دار من لا دار له، ومال من لا مال له، ولها يجمع من لا عقل له

It is reported that ‘Abdullāh b. Mas’ūd  (رضي الله عنه) said:

This world (the dunyā) is [only taken as] a home by those who will have no real home [in Jannah], and it is the wealth of those who will have no real wealth, and it is gathered and collected for by those who have no real intelligence.

Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Dhamm Al-Dunyā article 16.

“I am pleased with Allah ‘azza wa jall and with His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم)

حَدَّثَنَا ‏ ‏يَحْيَى بْنُ خَلَفٍ ‏ ‏حَدَّثَنَا ‏ ‏عَبْدُ الْأَعْلَى ‏ ‏عَنْ ‏ ‏سَعِيدٍ يَعْنِي الْجُرَيرِيَّ ‏ ‏عَنْ ‏ ‏أَبِي الْوَرْدِ ‏ ‏عَنْ ‏ ‏ابْنِ أَعْبُدَ ‏ ‏قَالَ ‏
قَالَ لِي ‏ ‏عَلِيٌّ ‏ ‏رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ ‏ ‏أَلَا أُحَدِّثُكَ عَنِّي وَعَنْ ‏ ‏فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ‏ ‏صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ‏ ‏وَكَانَتْ مِنْ أَحَبِّ أَهْلِهِ إِلَيْهِ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ إِنَّهَا جَرَّتْ ‏ ‏بِالرَّحَى ‏ ‏ حَتَّى أَثَّرَ فِي يَدِهَا وَاسْتَقَتْ بِالْقِرْبَةِ حَتَّى أَثَّرَ فِي نَحْرِهَا وَكَنَسَتْ الْبَيْتَ حَتَّى اغْبَرَّتْ ثِيَابُهَا فَأَتَى النَّبِيَّ ‏ ‏صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ‏ ‏خَدَمٌ فَقُلْتُ لَوْ أَتَيْتِ أَبَاكِ ‏ ‏فَسَأَلْتِيهِ خَادِمًا فَأَتَتْهُ فَوَجَدَتْ عِنْدَهُ ‏ ‏حُدَّاثًا فَرَجَعَتْ فَأَتَاهَا مِنْ الْغَدِ فَقَالَ مَا كَانَ حَاجَتُكِ فَسَكَتَتْ فَقُلْتُ أَنَا أُحَدِّثُكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ جَرَّتْ ‏ ‏بِالرَّحَى ‏ ‏ حَتَّى أَثَّرَتْ فِي يَدِهَا وَحَمَلَتْ بِالْقِرْبَةِ حَتَّى أَثَّرَتْ فِي نَحْرِهَا فَلَمَّا أَنْ جَاءَكَ الْخَدَمُ أَمَرْتُهَا أَنْ تَأْتِيَكَ فَتَسْتَخْدِمَكَ خَادِمًا يَقِيهَا ‏ ‏حَرَّ ‏ ‏مَا هِيَ فِيهِ قَالَ اتَّقِي اللَّهَ يَا ‏ ‏فَاطِمَةُ ‏ ‏وَأَدِّي فَرِيضَةَ رَبِّكِ وَاعْمَلِي عَمَلَ أَهْلِكِ ‏ ‏فَإِذَا أَخَذْتِ مَضْجَعَكِ فَسَبِّحِي ثَلَاثًا وَثَلَاثِينَ وَاحْمَدِي ثَلَاثًا وَثَلَاثِينَ وَكَبِّرِي أَرْبَعًا وَثَلَاثِينَ فَتِلْكَ مِائَةٌ فَهِيَ خَيْرٌ لَكِ مِنْ خَادِمٍ قَالَتْ رَضِيتُ عَنْ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَعَنْ رَسُولِهِ ‏ ‏صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ‏

ibn A‘bud said, “‘Alī (رضي الله عنه) , may Allah be pleased with him, said to me, ‘Shall I not tell you about myself and Fāṭimah (رضي الله عنها) , the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم), who was the most beloved of his family to him?’ ‘Certainly,’ I replied.

He (رضي الله عنه) said, ‘Indeed, she used the hand mill to the extent that it left marks on her hands, she drew water with a waterskin to the extent that it left marks on the upper part of her chest, and she swept the house to the extent that her clothes became dust-coloured. Then some servants came in to the possession of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), so I said, “If only you would go to your father and ask him for a servant.” She went to him but found him busy speaking with some men, so she returned.

He then came to her the following day and enquired, “What is it that you need?” She kept quiet, so I spoke up, “I will tell you, O Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم). She used the hand mill to the extent that it left it marks on her hands and she carried the waterskin to the extent that it left marks on the upper part of her chest. So when some servants came in to your possession, I commanded her to go to you and ask you for a servant who would protect her from [having to do] the difficult work she is doing.”

He said, “Be mindful of Allah, O Fāṭimah (رضي الله عنها) , carry out the duties of your Lord, and work in the service of your family. Then when you lie down to sleep, say ‘Subḥānallah’ thirty-three times, ‘Alḥamdulillāh’ thirty-three times and ‘Allāhu akbar’ thirty-four times – and that makes one hundred – for that is better for you than a servant.” She responded, “I am pleased with Allah ‘azza wa jall and with His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم).”’”

(Sunan Abū Dāwūd)

Another version reads:

حَدَّثَنَا ‏ ‏حَفْصُ بْنُ عُمَرَ ‏ ‏حَدَّثَنَا ‏ ‏شُعْبَةُ ‏ ‏ح ‏ ‏حَدَّثَنَا ‏ ‏مُسَدَّدٌ ‏ ‏حَدَّثَنَا ‏ ‏يَحْيَى ‏ ‏عَنْ ‏ ‏شُعْبَةَ ‏ ‏الْمَعْنَى ‏ ‏عَنْ ‏ ‏الْحَكَمِ ‏ ‏عَنْ ‏ ‏ابْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى ‏ ‏قَالَ ‏ ‏مُسَدَّدٌ ‏ ‏قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا ‏ ‏عَلِيٌّ ‏ ‏قَالَ ‏ شَكَتْ ‏ ‏فَاطِمَةُ ‏ ‏إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ‏ ‏صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ‏ ‏مَا ‏ ‏تَلْقَى فِي يَدِهَا مِنْ ‏ ‏الرَّحَى ‏ ‏فَأُتِيَ ‏ ‏بِسَبْيٍ ‏ ‏فَأَتَتْهُ تَسْأَلُهُ فَلَمْ تَرَهُ فَأَخْبَرَتْ بِذَلِكَ ‏ ‏عَائِشَةَ ‏ ‏فَلَمَّا جَاءَ النَّبِيُّ ‏ ‏صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ‏ ‏أَخْبَرَتْهُ فَأَتَانَا وَقَدْ أَخَذْنَا مَضَاجِعَنَا فَذَهَبْنَا لِنَقُومَ فَقَالَ عَلَى مَكَانِكُمَا فَجَاءَ فَقَعَدَ بَيْنَنَا حَتَّى وَجَدْتُ بَرْدَ قَدَمَيْهِ عَلَى صَدْرِي فَقَالَ أَلَا أَدُلُّكُمَا عَلَى خَيْرٍ مِمَّا سَأَلْتُمَا ‏ ‏إِذَا أَخَذْتُمَا مَضَاجِعَكُمَا فَسَبِّحَا ثَلَاثًا وَثَلَاثِينَ وَاحْمَدَا ثَلَاثًا وَثَلَاثِينَ وَكَبِّرَا أَرْبَعًا وَثَلَاثِينَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمَا مِنْ خَادِمٍ ‏

‘Alī (رضي الله عنه) said, “Fāṭimah (رضي الله عنها) complained to the Prophet  (صلى الله عليه وسلم) about the marks left on her hands from her using the hand mill. A slave then came in to the possession of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). So she went to him to ask him [for a servant], but did not see him. She then informed ‘Ā’ishah (رضي الله عنها) about why she had come and when the Prophet  (صلى الله عليه وسلم) arrived, ‘Ā’ishah (رضي الله عنها) related to him what had happened.

He then came to us while we had already lain down to sleep. We began to stand up, but he told us, ‘[Stay] on your places.’ He then came and sat between us until I felt the coldness of his feet on my chest. He said, ‘Shall I not guide you two to that which is better than what you asked for? When you lie down to sleep, say ‘Subḥānallah’ thirty-three times, ‘Alḥamdulillāh’ thirty-three times and ‘Allāhu akbar’ thirty-four times, for that is better for you than a servant.’”

(Sunan Abū Dāwūd)

“O Abu Dhar! You will be with the one whom you love”

 أنت يا أبا ذر ! مع من أحببت قلت : إني أحب الله و رسوله قال : أنت مع من أحببت ، يا أبا ذر !

Rasulullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “O Abu Dhar! You will be with the one whom you love.” Abu Dhar (رضي الله عنه) replied: “Verily I love Allah and His Messenger.” Rasulullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “You will be with the one whom you love, O Abu Dhar!”

[Al Adab al Mufrad]

“Are you having menses?”

Kharshah bin al-Hurr رحمه الله narrated that ‘Umar bin al-Khattaab رضي الله عنه saw a man with his ‘Izaar dragging below his ankles, so he said:

أحائض أنت، فقال يأمير المؤمنين وهل يحيض الرجل؟ قال: ” نعم لما أسبلت إزار لك – لأن إسبال الإزار لا يكون إلا للنساء

“Are you having menses?” The man replied: “O Ameerul-Mu’mineen, does a man have menses?” He said, “Yes, if you hang your ‘Izaar down – because ‘Isbaal (wearing garments below the ankles) is only for the women.” Kharshah (the narrator) then said:

فأتى عمر بمشبط مقص وقص ما ذاد عن الكعبين “. قال خرشه بن الحر: فكأنى أنظر إلى خيوط الإزار على عقبيه

“So ‘Umar came with blade or scissors and cut what trailed from the ankles.” Kharshah then said: “It is as if I’m seeing the threads of the ‘Izaar hanging from his ankles (right now).” [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 8/393]