The Illustrious Sahaabah The Illustrious Sahaabah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)
Prior to receiving nubuwwah from Allah Ta‘ala, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) led a life of purity and piety while living in Makkah Mukarramah. He would worship Allah Ta‘ala and refrain from the customs of Jaahiliyyah.
Though the shari’ah had not been revealed to him at that time, and the wrongs that the kuffaar were engaged in had not yet been prohibited, Allah Ta‘ala, out of His infinite grace and mercy, protected Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) from participating in such customs which were later on prohibited in the shari’ah of Islam.
Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) mentioned that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) once said to him, “O Ali! Apart from two occasions, I never took part in any of the customs of Jaahiyiiah, and on these two occasions also, Allah Ta‘ala saved me.”
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) thereafter explained the two occasions saying:
One night, I said to my companion who grazed goats with me, “Keep an eye on the animals as I wish to go to Makkah Mukarramah to listen to some story telling.” Thereafter, as I entered Makkah Mukarramah, I heard music coming from a certain place. Upon enquiry, I learnt that the music was coming from a place where the wedding of a certain person was taking place.
I went to the place where the wedding was being held, but as soon as I sat down, I was overcome by sleep and Allah Ta‘ala sealed my ears from the music. By Allah! I remained asleep (throughout the night) until it was only the intense heat of the sun the following morning that woke me up. After awakening, I returned to my companion who asked me what I saw. I replied that I had seen absolutely nothing and then related how I had fallen off to sleep.
The following night, I again decided to join the wedding function. However, Allah Ta‘ala again caused me to fall asleep.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then said, “By Allah! After this, I never thought of joining in any Jaahiliyyah customs until the time came when Allah Ta‘ala granted me nubuwwah.” (Musnadul Bazzaar #640, Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah 2/267)
Allah Ta‘ala Protecting Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) From Consuming the Meat of Animals Slaughtered in the Name of Idols
On one occasion, the Quraish presented some food before Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and Zaid bin Amr bin Nufail. However, since the food was from animals that were slaughtered in the name of idols, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) refused to partake from it.
Zaid bin Amr bin Nufail also declined and addressed the Quraish saying, “I refuse to consume the meat of the animals which you slaughter in the name of your idols. I will only consume food upon which the name of Allah Ta‘ala alone is taken.” (Saheeh Bukhaari #3826)
Zaid bin Amr bin Nufail would often condemn the Quraish for slaughtering in the name of idols. He would say to them, “Allah Ta‘ala is the sole Creator of the goats. He then sent down rain from the sky to nourish the goats by causing grass to grow from the ground for them to eat, so why are you slaughtering these goats in the name of someone besides Allah Ta‘ala?”
Who was Zaid bin Amr bin Nufail?
Zaid bin Amr bin Nufail was the paternal cousin of Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) i.e. father’s brother’s son, and he was the father of Hazrat Sa’eed bin Zaid (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), who was one of the Asharah Mubasharah (the ten Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) who were given the glad tidings of Jannah).
Zaid bin Amr bin Nufail was initially a mushrik, but thereafter, on account of his fitrah (pure disposition), he repented from shirk and brought imaan in the oneness of Allah Ta‘ala.
After repenting from shirk, he would oppose idol worship and say to the Quraish, “How can you worship those things which you made with your own hands and which cannot avail or assist you in any way?”
It is mentioned that after Zaid repented from idol worship, he remained in search of the true religion. Zaid bin Amr left Makkah Mukarramah and came to the land of Shaam where he met a scholar of the Jews. He enquired from him regarding Judaism and said, “I hope that I can perhaps follow your religion, so please tell me about Judaism.” The Jew replied, “You cannot follow our religion without taking a share of the anger of Allah Ta‘ala.” Hearing this, Zaid responded, “It is from the anger of Allah Ta‘ala that I am fleeing! I will never manage to bear any amount of the anger of Allah Ta‘ala – and how can I ever manage to bear His anger? Can you please show me another religion?”
The Jew replied, “The only deen which I can think of is the Haneef (straight and pure) deen.” Zaid asked, “Which deen is the Haneef deen?” The Jew replied, “The deen of Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam). He was neither a Jew nor a Christian, and he would worship Allah Ta‘ala alone.”
Zaid then departed and met a scholar of the Christians. On enquiring from him regarding Christianity, the Christian said “You cannot follow our religion without taking your share of the curse of Allah Ta‘ala.” Hearing this, Zaid exclaimed, “It is from the curse of Allah Ta‘ala that I am fleeing! I will never manage to bear the curse or the anger of Allah Ta‘ala – and how can I ever manage to bear them? Can you please show me another religion?”
The Christian then gave him the same reply as the Jew, instructing him to follow the deen of Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam). Hence, after departing from the Christian, Zaid raised his hands and said, “O Allah! I make you my witness that I am upon the deen of Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam)!” (Rowdhul Unf 1/382-383)
In another narration, it is reported that Zaid bin Amr eventually came to a certain monk in a place named Mayfa’ah and enquired from him regarding the deen of Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam). The monk responded saying, “The deen which you are searching for is such that you will not find anyone today who will be able to guide you in this deen. However, the time is imminent for a Nabi of Allah Ta‘ala to appear in the land from which you set forth. He will be commissioned with the deen of Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam). Return to your land, for he will appear soon and this is his era.”
Hearing this, Zaid hastily set out, however while passing through the territory of the Lakhm clan on his return to Makkah Mukarramah, he was attacked by them and killed. (Rowdhul Unf 1/392)
In one narration, it is mentioned that the son of Zaid bin Amr bin Nufail – Hazrat Sa’eed bin Zaid (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), who was one of the Asharah Mubasharah, and the cousin of Zaid bin Amr – Hazrat Umar bin Khattaab (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), both came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and asked, “Can we make du‘aa to Allah Ta‘ala for the forgiveness of Zaid bin Amr (i.e. did he die upon imaan)?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Yes, he (died upon imaan and) will be resurrected on the Day of Qiyaamah as an ummah (a person who had the good qualities of a nation).” (Rowdhul Unf 1/384)
Zaid bin Amr bin Nufail passed away five years prior to the prophethood of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) while the Ka’bah was undergoing reconstruction.
