Abu-Thar Al-Ghaffary

Abu-Thar Al-Ghaffary His name was Jundub Ben junadah from the tribe of Ghaffar. He was a companion of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w) who has said, “There is no man on this earth more truthful than Abu-Dhar.” Abu-Thar never worshipped idols in his life. When he heard news of the Prophet (s.a.w.w) Abu-Thar came to Makkah to meet him. He waited in the mosque the whole day until Imam Ali (a.s) passed by and seeing that he was a stranger in Makkah took him to his house. When Imam Ali (a.s) found out the purpose of Abu-Thar’s journey, he personally took him to see the Prophet (s.a.w.w.). Abu-Thar spoke with him and paid his allegiance to Islam. The first thing he did after becoming a Muslim was to go to the Holy Mosque and shout out “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger!” When the Mushrikeen heard him, they beat him until Abbas the Prophet (s.a.w.w)’s uncle saved him. He kept coming back and did this for 3 days! The Prophet (s.a.w.w) then told him to go back home and preach Islam there. His brother and mother were the first to accept his message. Soon half the tribe followed their example and the other half accepted Islam after Hejra. He endured a lot of hardship. He was exiled by the 3rd caliph, Uthman, to Damascus. In Damascus he saw the evil of Mu’awiyyah and he spoke against him in public. Finally Mua’wiyyah got tired of him and asked Uthman to send him somewhere else. He was then exiled to a place in the desert called Rabadha and no one was allowed to even bid him farewell! The only people who met him before he left were Imams Ali, Hassan and Hussain (a.s) and Aqil. Abu-Thar was a man who spent his days fasting and worshipping Allah (S.W T). Imam Al-Sadiq (a.s) says, “Abu-Thar wept from fear of Allah until he was almost blind. The people told him to pray for his eyes to get cured but he replied, `I am busy with more important things’. When asked twhat these were, he said, `fear of Hell and joy of Heaven.” This great man died alone in exile with no one by his side as the Prophet (s.a.w.w) had predicted when he said, “O’ Abu-Thar, you shall live alone and die alone and be resurrected alone.”

Al-Asbagh ben Nubatah

Al-Asbagh ben Nubatah Al-Asbagh ben Nubatah was one of the most heroic companions of Imam Ali (a.s) and apart from being brave, he was also very pious and truthful. After the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w)’s death Asbagh stood by Imam Ali (a.s) and reminded people whenever he could of the event of Ghadeer and the rights of Imam (a.s). During his lifetime, he was faithful to him and would never leave his side. He was not afraid to speak the truth even though it was dangerous to do so at the time. It has been recorded that when Imam Ali A.s) was struck on the head by the sword of Ibn Muijam (may Allah (S.W.T) curse him), a group of men went to see him. Asbagh was amongst them. They stood outside the house of imam (a.s) and after a while, Imam Hassan (a.s) came out. He thanked them for coming and asked them to return home for the time as his father was resting. They all went except for Asbagh who did not move and stood crying bitterly. When Imam Hassan (a.s) heard him, he came out again and said, “Did I not ask you to go home?” Asbagh sadly replied, “O’ beloved son of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w), my feet wouldn’t obey me when I tried to leave.” Imam Hassan (a.s) went back inside and told his father about Asbagh, who then gave him permission to enter. Imam Ali (a.s) said to him, “O’ Asbagh, by Allah (S.W.T), it is only Jannah.” Asbagh replied, “I know it is Jannah, but I am sad because I cannot bear the separation from you.”

Sua’sua’ bin Souhan

Sua’sua’ bin Souhan Sua’sua’ bin Souhan was amongst the elders of the tribe of Abdul Qais. He was born in Darain near Al-Qateif and was famous for his lectures and poetry. He was present at Siffin with the Master of Believers, Imam Ali (a.s). Sua’sua’ was one of the best students of Ali (a.s) and one who deserves to be respected. Imam Ali (a.s) has said about him, “He is talented and has got a good tongue.” During the rule of the third Khalifa, the governor of Kufa began to oppress people and Sua’sua’ stood up against him. This made the cruel ruler send him away from Kufa to Shaam in Syria. Muawiyah was also scared of him and his words and ordered him to go to a small town in Syria where no one would hear his words. After the battle of Jamal, Imam Ali (a.s) sent Sua’sua with a letter to Muawiyah who told the people that Sua’sua’ was one of Imam Ali (a.s)’s strongest weapons and a great speaker of the Arabs. When he came, Sua’sua’ warned Muawiyah not to go against Imam Ali (a.s) On hearing this, even Muawiyah had to admit that he wished he could have men who were as loyal to him as Sua’sua’ was to Imam (a.s). One day Sua’sua’ was sick. Imam Ali (a.s) paid him a visit and told him that he was visiting him specially because he had brought great respect to his people. Sua’sua’ replied, “I have not done anything great, O Master, but you have honoured me and made me happy.” After the martyrdom of Imam (a.s), Muawiyah promised Imam Hasan (a.s) that he would not harm any of the companions of Imam Ali (a.s) but he broke this promise and jailed many of them threatening to kill them. He also imprisoned Sua’sua’ and later sent him to an island called Awal, in Bahrain. Sua’sua died there in the year 56 A.H. at the age of 70. Some books say that he died in Kufa and there is a mosque named after him behind Masjide Sahla.

Hamza. The uncle of our Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w)

Hamza. The uncle of our Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w) Hamza ben Abdul-Muttalib is the uncle of our Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w). He was very brave and feared only Allah (S.W.T). This is why he is known as the Lion of Allah (S.W.T) and His Prophet (s.a.w.w). The following is a story about one of the many times that he pleased the Prophet (s.a.w.w) with his actions. During the early days of Islam, Quraysh used to find every chance to torture the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w) and his companions. One of the most cruel people from amongst the Quraysh was called Abu-Jahal. He was so mean that he used to teach little children to abuse the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w) and throw stones at him! One day, as the Prophet (s.a.w.w) was praying in the mosque, Abu-Jahal came behind him with the intestines of a goat and threw them on his head! Can you guess what the Prophet (s.a.w.w) did? He gently raised his head from sajda, removed the intestines and went home, saying, “O’ Allah! Forgive my people, they do not know what they are doing.” Isn’t that amazing akhlaq? On this day, Hamza had gone out for hunting. When he came back and heard about what had happened, he was hurt and angry. He went to the meeting place of the Quraysh and walked up to Abu-Jahal. Then he gave him a blow on the forehead. Hamza said: If you are brave enough, get up and hit me back!Abu-Jahal kept quiet and looked at the ground, ashamed! The other Quraysh who were around also did not reply. They were all cowards! Hamza then declared his faith in Islam before all of them. When the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w) heard about this incident, he was very pleased. Hamza’s love for Islam made him stand up against the Quraysh for the Prophet (s.a.w.w). Can’t we do the same for our Imam (a.s)

Abu-Thar Al-Ghaffary

Abu-Thar Al-Ghaffary His name was Jundub Ben junadah from the tribe of Ghaffar. He was a companion of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w) who has said, “There is no man on this earth more truthful than Abu-Dhar.” Abu-Thar never worshipped idols in his life. When he heard news of the Prophet (s.a.w.w) Abu-Thar came to Makkah to meet him. He waited in the mosque the whole day until Imam Ali (a.s) passed by and seeing that he was a stranger in Makkah took him to his house. When Imam Ali (a.s) found out the purpose of Abu-Thar’s journey, he personally took him to see the Prophet (s.a.w.w.). Abu-Thar spoke with him and paid his allegiance to Islam. The first thing he did after becoming a Muslim was to go to the Holy Mosque and shout out “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger!” When the Mushrikeen heard him, they beat him until Abbas the Prophet (s.a.w.w)’s uncle saved him. He kept coming back and did this for 3 days! The Prophet (s.a.w.w) then told him to go back home and preach Islam there. His brother and mother were the first to accept his message. Soon half the tribe followed their example and the other half accepted Islam after Hejra. He endured a lot of hardship. He was exiled by the 3rd caliph, Uthman, to Damascus. In Damascus he saw the evil of Mu’awiyyah and he spoke against him in public. Finally Mua’wiyyah got tired of him and asked Uthman to send him somewhere else. He was then exiled to a place in the desert called Rabadha and no one was allowed to even bid him farewell! The only people who met him before he left were Imams Ali, Hassan and Hussain (a.s) and Aqil. Abu-Thar was a man who spent his days fasting and worshipping Allah (S.W T). Imam Al-Sadiq (a.s) says, “Abu-Thar wept from fear of Allah until he was almost blind. The people told him to pray for his eyes to get cured but he replied, `I am busy with more important things’. When asked twhat these were, he said, `fear of Hell and joy of Heaven.” This great man died alone in exile with no one by his side as the Prophet (s.a.w.w) had predicted when he said, “O’ Abu-Thar, you shall live alone and die alone and be resurrected alone.”