MUSJIDUL HAQ

Download PDF: [S] The Tenth person of Jahannam

Hadrat Sayyiduna Ubay bin Ka’ab – may Allah be pleased with him – was a blessed companion who was famous for his amazing recital of the Qur’an. He was also given the titles “Sayyidul Qurra”, “Sayyidul Ansaar” and “Sayyidul Muslimeen.” He was from the Khazraji Ansaar tribe, the offshoot Najaar and from the family of Banu Mu’awiyah. They are also known as the “Banu Hudaylah”.

Hadrat Sayyiduna Ubay bin Ka’ab – may Allah be pleased with him – was also considered as one of the most educated among the Ansaar. He accepted Islam during the second oath of allegiance. When the system of Islamic brotherhood was established in Madina Shareef, he was nominated as the brother of Hadrat Sayyiduna Sa’eed bin Zaid – may Allah be pleased with him. He continued to accompany the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – in all the battles and expeditions right until the expedition to Taif. He was also among those who helped in the collection of the Qur’an during the time of Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Bakr – may Allah be pleased with him.

During the time of Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – Hadrat Sayyiduna Ubay bin Ka’ab – may Allah be pleased with him – was also among those who enjoyed a very senior position in the consultative forum. When Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – established the Taraweeh Salaah in congregation, he was also the person who was chosen as the Imaam. He has immense love and respect for the Qur’an. Once Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – declared, “However wishes to listen to the Qur’an should go to Ubay.” He passed away in 30 A.H. or 32 A.H. and his Janazah Salaah was performed by Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Uthman Ghani – may Allah be pleased with him.

Hadrat Sayyiduna Ubay bin Ka’ab – may Allah be pleased with him – narrates:

Once during the time of the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – two people came forward to present their family lineage. One of them said to the other, “I am the son of so and so. Who are you?”

The Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – also revealed that, “Even during the time of Nabi Moosa – peace be upon him – two people also mentioned their family lineage. One of them in act of show off mentioned, “I am the son of so and so” and he outlined nine generations before him. He then asked the other person, “Who are you, has your mother died?” The other person replied, “I am the son of so and so who was the son of Islam.”

Thereafter, Allah Almighty sent revelation to Nabi Moosa – peace be upon him – that he should inform both of them the following. The first person who had revealed his family lineage for nine generations (in an act of showing off), (inform him) that all of them are people of Hell and this person will be the tenth person who will enter the Fire of Hell with them. The other who has revealed until only two generations, both of them are in Jannah and this person will be the third person to enter Jannah with them.” (Shuhubul Imaan. Imam Bahiqi)

This should indeed be a lesson for those who go out of their way to explain how great their family is or how great their family background is. You have no idea whether these are people of Hell or Jannah, yet, you would go out of your way to show off about them. Remember that the Qur’an has clearly mentioned that the best among you is he who is the most pious. The Qur’an never say that because you belong to a certain community or a certain tribe, therefore you are the best among people.

Look at the history of Islam. The best in the world came from the poorest in the world but, there is no generation until the Day of Judgement that will match this blessed generation in piety and greatness. Your grandfather may have been a King or your great grandfather may have been the Ruler of a certain city. All this means nothing in the Divine Court of Allah Almighty.

The King of the Awliyah, namely Hadrat Sayyiduna Sayed Abdul Qaadir Jilani – may Allah be pleased with him – has mentioned that, “The greatest of Awliyah is not even in the same status and rank as the dust which comes from the hoof of that camel which is being ridden by the lowest in rank among the blessed Ashaab.”

Remember, the great Saint is not even talking about the hoof itself, or the leg of the camel, or the saddle of the camel. He is merely describing the dust which comes from this hoof! Hence where are the millionaires or billionaires in this regard? We can safely say that they can be compared to that part of the camel which cannot be said in public.