Download PDF: [S] Hadrat Sa’eed bib Musayyib and His Firmness in the Shari’ah (Islamic story)

Hishaam bin Ismail bin Waleed bin Mughayrah Makhzumi had a daughter who was the wife of the ruler of that period, Abdul Malik bin Marwaan. He was chosen as the Governor of Madina Shareef in 82 A.H. and died in 87 A.H. (Al ‘Alaam page 83)

 

During his position as Governor of Madina Shareef, he wrote a letter to the Khalifah Abdul Malik bin Marwaan that, “Everyone in Madina Shareef has sworn allegiance to Abdul Malik bin Marwaan. However, Saeed bin Musayyib has not done so. He is still adamant on his own personal stance. There is also no doubt that his allegiance is of vital importance in Madina Shareef because he is considered as an eminent person in Madina Shareef and one of the leaders of this region.”

 

Abdul Malik wrote back, “Place a sword on his neck and if he still does not accept, then have him whipped fifty times in public and take him around the bazaar as a show of humiliation.”

 

When this reply reached the Governor of Madina Shareef, at that moment, Hadrat Sulayman bin Yasaar, Hadrat Urwah bin Zubair and Hadrat Saalim bin Abdullah Radi Allahu ‘Anhu approached Hadrat Sa’eed bin Musayyib Radi Allahu ‘Anhu and informed him, “We have brought such news to you whose verdict has already been pronounced. The command of Abdul Malik has already reached Madina Shareef and if you do not swear allegiance to him, you will be killed. Therefore, we are here to give you advice and to offer you three alternatives. Whichever one of them you choose, even the Governor will accept this.”

 

“When the letter of the Khalifah is read, you should remain silent. Do not utter no or yes.”

 

Hadrat Sa’eed Radi Allahu ‘Anhu replied, “I cannot do this.”

 

“The reason is that this would be an indication that I have accepted the leadership of Abdul Malik. At the same time, since I have already negated this, no person no matter how powerful and mighty they are can never force him to change their decision,” He said.

 

They then informed him, “Sit in your house for a few days and do not appear in public to perform the Salaah. In this manner, if they search for you in any public gatherings, they will not find you.”

 

Hadrat Sa’eed Radi Allahu ‘Anhu replied, “How is this possible that I hear the call of the Azaan and remain in my house. By Allah! Even this is not possible for me.”

 

The third advice was that he leave his place where he normally delivers his lesson so that when the guards come looking for him, obviously, they will not be able to find him and when they do not find him, they will leave quietly.

 

But, even this was not accepted by Hadrat Sayyiduna Sa’eed Radi Allah ‘Anhu and he declared, “Shall I leave this place simply because of the fear of one creature? I am not prepared to leave this place even one inch and I have full trust in Allah azza wajal.”

 

The group of people who had come to give him advice realized that there was nothing that they could do and that he was not prepared to listen to anyone. They then sadly left his house.

 

After this, Hadrat Sa’eed bin Musayyib Radi Allahu ‘Anhu went to the Masjid to perform his Zohar Salaah and sat at the same spot where he normally sat. After the Salaah, when the Governor noticed him and told him in a threatening tone, “The leader of the Muslims has sent me strict instructions that if you do not swear allegiance to him, then your head should be chopped off.”

Hadrat Sa’eed Radi Allahu ‘Anhu replied, “The Holy Prophet Sallal Laahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam has prohibited the taking of two allegiances.”

 

Hadrat Imam Jalaaludeen Suyutwi Radi Allahu ‘Anhu has mentioned the words which are, “The Holy Prophet Sallal Laahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam has prohibited taking two allegiances in any one transaction.”

 

This has been reported by Imam Tirmidi Radi Allahu ‘Anhu and Imam Nisaa’i Radi Allahu ‘Anhu from Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah Radi Allahu ‘Anhu and is considered a Sahih Hadith Shareef. (However, I am of the opinion that this signifies two business transactions and one part of this transaction).

 

When the Governor realized that he was still not prepared to take any allegiance, it was instructed that he be taken to prison. His head was then lowered and a sword was placed on his neck. However, Hadrat Sa’eed Radi Allahu ‘Anhu remained silent and did not utter a word. At the same time, he displayed no fear at all. He did not sacrifice his inner conviction for the sake of the public and remained firm in his decision and for the Divine Pleasure of Allah azza wajal.

 

When the Governor realised that Hadrat Sa’eed Radi Allahu ‘Anhu was not afraid of death he then commanded that his clothes be removed and that he be whipped fifty times. Hadrat Sa’eed Radi Allahu ‘Anhu was then paraded around Madina Shareef and people were instructed to boycott his company. Such was the piety of Hadrat Sa’eed Radi Allahu ‘Anhu that if anyone did approach him, he used to warn them, “Please remove yourself from here, I do not wish that because of me you are punished.”

 

He used to always sit in one corner of the Masjid and no other place and used to tell his friends, “When you see the oppression of people, then your heart should be filled with refutation in this regard so that (through this) your (good) actions are not destroyed.” (Rash haatul Khulud, Shaikh Al Furur)

 

Describing this incident, Shaikhul Hadith, Sharf Millat, Allamah Abdul Hakeem Sharf Saheb Radi Allahu ‘Anhu states that, “May Allah azza wajal be pleased with Hadrat Sa’eed bin Musayyib Radi Allahu ‘Anhu. Without displaying any difficulty, he was prepared to withstand and put up with all the tests and trials which came to him. Merely to please the Allah azza wajal and His beloved Prophet Sallal Laahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam, he did not care for anyone else. His beliefs were undefeated. In spite of all the pressures which came from the then government, he was not prepared to sacrifice his inner conviction. He was whipped, severely punished, insulted and he was made to stare in the eyes of death, a sword was placed on his neck, yet, he did not move one inch away from his opinion. In spite of all of these tests and trials, his Imaan became more steadfast. He thought of this as a Divine Blessing and also a means of spiritual elevation. His state was saying to every Muslim who came later that, ‘This is the steadfastness which the Holy Prophet Sallal Laahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam had taught us. He taught us to fulfil our promise and not to move away because of any threat.’” (Sifatus Safwah).

 

As a matter of fact, these blessed souls established such a solid foundation for Muslims who were to appear later.

 

Introduction to some of the people mentioned in this incident.

 

  1. Abdul Malik bin Marwan was born in 26 A.H. He was among the foremost leaders from the Bani Ummayyah Dynasty. He grew up in Madina Shareef and was also considered highly intelligent. Hadrat Ameer Mu’awiyah Radi Allahu ‘Anhu nominated him at the young age of sixteen to be the Governor of Madina Shareef. He was nominated as the Khalifah after the death of his father, Marwan in 64 A.H. He was an extremely severe person and treated those who opposed him very harshly. During his era, many Persian manuscripts were translated into Arabic. Interestingly, he was also the first person to use a cheque which was based on Dinaar as its legal tender. He died in Damascus in 86 A.H. (Al ‘Alaam)

 

  1. Hadrat Sayyiduna Sa’eed bin Musayyib bin Huzn bin Abi Wahb Makhzumi Radi Allahu ‘Anhu. His title was “Abu Mohammed.” He was considered as one of the foremost Muslims among the Taba’een and also among the seven Jurists of Madina Shareef. He was a combination of attributes such as being a master of Ahadith, Islamic Law, piety and nobleness. He used to have a small business which dealt in olive oil. He never accepted the gift of anyone. He narrated many Ahadith from Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar Radi Allahu ‘Anhu. He passed away in 95 A.H. in Madina Shareef.

 

  1. Sulayman bin Yasaar Radi Allahu ‘Anhu was born in 34 A.H. He is also considered as among the seven Jurists of Madina shareef. It is also mentioned that whenever anyone went to Hadrat Sa’eed bin Musayyib Radi Allahu ‘Anhu on any Islamic issue, he used to inform them to visit Hadrat Sulayman bin Yasaar Radi Allahu ‘Anhu and used to also say that among the contemporary ‘Ulama of that period, he was considered as one of the most learned. He was well versed in Qur’an and Ahadith and passed away in 197 A.H. (‘Alaam)

 

  1. Hadrat Urwah bin Zubair bin Awwam Radi Allahu ‘Anhu was born in 22 A.H. He is also considered as the seven famous Jurists of Madina Shareef. He was also extremely pious and very kind and never allowed himself to get involved in any fitnah. He passed away in 93 A.H. in Madina Shareef. (‘Alaam)

 

  1. Hadrat Saalim bin Abdullah bin ‘Umar Al Khattab Radi Allahu ‘Anhu. He is also considered as among the seven famous Jurists of Madina shareef and also among the most authentic scholars of his period. He passed away in Madina Shareef in 106 A.H. (‘Alaam)