Download PDF: [S] Blind Sahabah to pray in Congregation (Islamic Story)

There is a difference in opinion in the name of Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umme Maktum – may Allah be pleased with him. The people of Madina Shareef say that his name is Abdullah bin Qias and the people of Iraq consider it to be Amar. However, he is famous by his title “Abdullah Umme Maktum”. His blessed mother is Sayyidah Aatika binte Abdullah Maktum – may Allah be pleased with her – who is among the very first group of Muhaajireen.

 

He was also one of the Mu’azzins of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. During the Battle of Badr, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – kept him in charge of Madina Shareef. He began to lose his vision from a young age. He displayed immense love and reverence for Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umme Maktum – may Allah be pleased with him – used to rent with a certain Jew who used to take care of him also. However, one day, this Jew mentioned a few words of disrespect for Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – and in a fit of anger, Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umme Maktum – may Allah be pleased with him – killed this person. This killing was something for which he was not held accountable for by Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.

 

During the Battle of Qaadisiyah he was martyred. In other words, even though he was blind, he still insisted on taking part in this battle. (Sayr ‘Alaamul Nublah)

 

In fact, although Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umme Maktum – may Allah be pleased with him – was blind, he used to accompany Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – in many expeditions although Allah Almighty had excused such people from taking part. In fact, such was his state that not only did he take part in some battles, he was also martyred on this path as well.

 

It is reported that one day he approached Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – and asked, “O Prophet of Allah! I am blind and the road between my house is also not flat. In between, there are trees and vegetations and at the same time, my house is very far from the Masjid. I also do not have any person who will guide me to the Masjid or who will be able to hold my hand and bring me to the Masjid. Therefore, do you find any reason in my words to be able to excuse me from coming to the Masjid and performing my Salaah in my house. (In other words, so that I can save myself the inconvenience of coming to the Masjid). (Musnad Imam Ahmed)

 

When Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – saw his problem and inconvenience and obviously it was not something which was invalid, he told to him that he could perform his Salaah in his house. However, when Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umme Maktum – may Allah be pleased with him – had left the blessed court of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – sent someone to go and call him.

 

In other words, although Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – had given him permission to perform his Salaah in his house, but at the same time, he also wanted to impress upon him the importance of Congregational Salaah. When Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umme Maktum – may Allah be pleased with him – arrived, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – asked him, “Are you able to hear the Adhan?” He replied that indeed he could hear the Adhan.

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – then said to him, “Then (in that case) you will have to come to the Masjid”. (Sahih Muslim, Ibn Maja)

 

In another narration it is reported that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – mentioned to him, “I cannot see any excuse for you to perform your Salaah in your house.” In other words, you are not allowed to ignore Salaah with congregation. Even though you are blind, even though there are obstacles between your house and the Masjid, even though your house is at a distance and even though there is no one to guide you to the MASJID. In other words, the moment you hear the Adhan, it is your duty to come to the Masjid to perform the Salaah with the congregation.