Download PDF: [S] His Thirst for one Single Hadith (Islamic story)

Hadrat Sayyiduna Jaabir bin Abdullah Ansari Salamah – may Allah be pleased with him – is considered as an eminent companion. He also narrated many Ahadith from the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. He also took part in many of the battles and he himself narrates that the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – took part in twenty expeditions and that he was involved in nineteen of them. He also mentioned that in one night, he was blessed with the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – making Du’a for his forgiveness twenty five times in one night.

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Jaabir bin Abdullah – may Allah be pleased with him – had such an amazing thirst for knowledge that one day he came to know that the Qadi of Egypt, namely Hadrat Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Unais Jhemi – may Allah be pleased with him – was someone who had a Hadith Shareef of the Holy Prophet – may Allah Almighty’s peace and blessings be upon him – which no one else had. In his thirst for this one Hadith Shareef, he went to the market place and purchased a camel. After preparing this camel, he decided to leave Madina Shareef in search of this one single Hadith Shareef.

When he arrived in Egypt he started to inquire about the whereabouts of the Qadi. Finally, he arrived at the residence of the Qadi and knocked on the door. When the doorman appeared, he told him that he should inform his master that Jaabir bin Abdullah wanted to him.

 

The Qadi Saheb then asked his servant to find out whether it was the same Jaabir bin Abdullah who was the blessed companion of the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. When he was informed that this was the same, he came rushing out of his house and warmly embraced the eminent companion.

 

The Qadi Saheb then asked the blessed companion the purpose of his visit. Hadrat Sayyiduna Jaabir bin Abdullah – may Allah be pleased with him – replied, “I have only come with the single purpose of finding out a Hadith Shareef which pertains to Qisas which was mentioned by the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – and I have also come to know that among the other companions, besides you, no one else is alive (who heard this Hadith Shareef). I also felt that before you pass away, I should acquire this Hadith Shareef from you.”

 

After hearing this Hadith Shareef, Hadrat Sayyiduna Jaabir bin Abdullah – may Allah be pleased with him –  then jumped on his camel and rode back to Madina Shareef without meeting anyone else or visiting any other place. In fact, it is mentioned that he did not even look at the scenery when he was returning from Egypt.

 

This was the blessed behaviour of the Ashaab. They were prepared to undertake long and arduous journeys merely to listen to one single Hadith Shareef. They did not think about the obstacles in front of them or the difficulty of the journey. The greatness of Islamic knowledge was firmly established in their hearts. They also understood the immense status and stature of someone who seeks Islamic knowledge. (Al Khulud)