Abu-Dharr al-Ghaffary

The tribe of Ghaffar was one of the Arab Pagan tribe. It lived near al-Madena al-Monawwara (Yathrib), where the Meccan trading caravans passed.

The members of the tribe of Ghaffar worshiped an idol named Munat. They thought that Munat decided r predestination and chance. So, they visited and sacrificed sheep for it.

One day, a poor young man belonged to the tribe of the Ghaffar went to Munat. He gave Munat some yogurt and began looking at it. But Munat was motionless and did not drink the yogurt. He waited.

A fox passed by Jundub but did not see him. The fox drank the yogurt and, in addition, it raised its leg and made water in the ear of Munat. Still Munat was motionless. The young man laughed. He sneered at Munat. Then he criticized himself because he worshipped a dumb rock, which did not understand anything.

While Jundub was coming back home, he remembered the words Qais bin Saydah. He said to them in Ukadh Market:

People, hear and understand!

He who lives will die!

And he who dies will perish.

Future things will happen.

Why do I see people go and do not come back?

Are they satisfied with the stay there?

Or have they left anything there, so they have slept?

Jundub looked at the blue, clear sky and at the wide desert. Then he remembered what the fox did to Munat. So, he believed that the world had a God greater than Munat, Hubal, al-Lat, and all idols.

Since then Jundub bin Junadah had deeply believed in the Creator of the sky and the earth.

The Sunrise

The people of the Book (Christians and Jews) gave good news to the appearance of a new Prophet whose time was about to happen.

The Arab tribes reported the news. Those who sneered at the idols longed for the seeing of the new Prophet.

One day, a man came from Macca and said to Jundub:

There's a man in Macca says that there is no god but claims that he is a prophet.

Jundub asked: Which tribe does he belong to?

The man answered: He belongs to the Quraish.

Jundub asked: Which tribe of the Quraish does he belong to?

The man answered: He belongs to bani Ha shim. What have the Quraish done?

They've accused him of lying. They say that he's a magician and an insane.

The man went away. But Jundub thought again and again.

Anees 

Jundub thought to send his brother Anees to Mecca to get him some news about the new Prophet. Anees set off to Mecca.

Anees covered hundreds of miles.

Anees quickly came back to tell his brother:

I've seen a man.

The man orders people to do good and avoid doing evil He invites them to worship Allah.

I've seen a young man, his cousin Ali, praying beside him. And I've seen a woman, his wife Khadijah praying behind them.

Jundub asked: Then what have you seen?

Anees answered: This is what I've seen. But I didn't dare to approach him because I was afraid of the Quraishi leaders.

To Mecca

Jundub was dissatisfied with what he had heard. So he set out for Macca to know the Prophet.

When the Gheffarian young man arrived in Macca the sun was about to set. So, he went round the Kaaba. Then he sat in a corner of the Holy Then Shrine to take a rest and to think about a way to meet the Prophet (p.b.u.h).

It got dark. Kaaba became empty of people.

In the meantime, a young man came in to the yard of Holy Mosque. He began going round the Kaaba.

The young man saw a stranger. He came and asked him politely:

You're a stranger aren't you?

The Gheffarian answered: Yes.

The young man said: Let's go home.

Jundub was following the young man silently.

In the morning, Jundub thanked the young man for his good hospitality. He saw him off and set out to Zamzam well to see the Prophet (p.b.u.h).

The hours passed. Jundub waited till it got dark.

The Meeting

Again the young man came and went round the Kaaha.

He saw the foreign man at his place.

The young man said to Jundub: Isn't it time to know your house?

"No!" Jundub said.

The young man said to Jundub: Come with me to the house.

Jundub stood up and went with him to the house. He was silent, too. So, the young man said:

I can see you thinking-what's your need?

Jundub said carefully: I'll tell you i/you keep it a secret. I'll keep ft a secret if Allah had pleased.

Jundub' relieved when he heard Allah's Name. So, he said slowly:

I've heard about the appearance of a Prophet in Mecca. So, I want to see him.

The young man said with a smile:

Allah has guided you. I'll show you his house. Follow me in the distance. When I see a suspicious person, I'll stop as if I repaired my slippers. So, don't stop and go on your way.

The young man went on walking to our Master Muhammad's house. At the same time, Jundub was following him.

Belief

Jundub came into the Prophet's house and met our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h). He was before a man embodying all good manners.

Our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) asked his guest: Where's the man from?

Jundub answered:  From the tribe of Ghaffar.

The Prophet (p.b.u.h) asked: What's your need? 

Jundub said: How shall I be a Moslem?

The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said: Islam is to say that there's no god but Allah and I'm Allah's Apostle.

What else?

Avoid doing evil actions. Follow good manners. Stop worshiping the idols. Worship Allah only, don't waste your money, don't oppress people.

The young man believed in Allah and his Apostle very much. So, he said: I confess that there's no god but Allah and that you're Allah's Apostle. I am satisfied with Allah as my Lord and with You as my Prophet

At that moment, another personality was born. It was the personality of the great Companion Abu-Dharr al-Ghaffary whose full name was Jundub bin Junadah.

Abu-Dharr stood up and said with enthusiasm: By Allah, I'll spread Islam.

Before he left the house, Abu-Dharr had asked our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h): Who was the young man who showed me Your house.  

The Prophet (p.b.u.h) answered proudly: He was my cousin Ali.

Our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) advise him: Abu-Dharr keep your Islam a secret and go back to your homeland.

Abu-Dharr realized that Allah's Apostle was worried about him because the Quraish would kill him: By Allah, I'll spread Islam among the Quraish may be.

In the morning, Abu-Dharr set off for Ka'aba, Allah's Holy House. The idols were motionless at their places. Abu-Dharr was finding his way while the Quraishi tyrants were thinking about the new religion.

At those moments, a bold yell sounded: Quraish, I confess that there's no god but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah's Apostle.

The idols and the hearts of the polytheists shook.

One of the Quraish said loudly: Who's abusing our gods?

They rushed towards Abu-Dharr hitting him a lot. So, he was unconscious. Blood flowed out of his body.

Al-Abbas, our Master Muhammad's cousin, came in between and saved him and said: Woe unto you! Do you want to kill a man belongs to the tribe of Ghaffar? Don't you know that your trading caravans pass by his tribe?

Ahu-Dharr recovered and went to Zamzam Well. He drank water and washed the blood out of his body.

Again Abu-Dharr wanted to face the Quraish with his belief. He headed for the Kaaba. He said loudly: I confess that there's no god but Allah; there's no partner with him. And I confess that Muhammad is Allah s Apostle.

The Quraish attacked him as the wolves did. They hit him a lot. He fell over the ground unconsciously. Al-Abbas save him too.

The Return

Abu-Dharr. went to our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h). The Prophet (p.b.u.h) painfully looked at him. So, the Prophet (p.b.u.h) kindly said to him: Go back to your people and invite them to Islam.

Abu-Dharr said: I'll go back to my people and I won't forget what the Quraish have done to me!

Abu-Dharr came back to his tribe and began inviting them to the light of Islam. So, his brother Anees, his mother, and a half of his tribe believed in Islam.

The second half of his tribe said: We won't believe in Islam till the Prophet comes.

The Immigration

Days, months, and years passed. Our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) emigrated from Mecca to Madina. The news reached Abu-Dharr. So, he and his tribe went outside the town to receive the Prophet (p.b.u.h) on the road.

In the distance, our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) appeared on the back of his she-camel al-Qaswaa. So, Abu-Dharr hurried and took the reins of the she-camel and gave good news: Allah's Apostle, my brother, my mother, and a lot of my tribe have believed in Islam.

Our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) became happy when he saw crowds of people. One of them said: Allah's Apostle, Abu-Dharr has taught us what you've taught him. So, we've believed in Islam and we've confessed that you're Allah 'Apostle.

The second half of the tribe of Ghaffar believed in Islam, too. Another tribe near the tribe of Ghaffar named Aslam came, believed in Islam, and confessed: We confess that there's no god but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah 'Apostle.

Our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) said: May Allah forgive Ghaffar; may Allah save Islam.

Allah's Apostle went on his travel to Madina (Yathrib). Abu-Dharr came back to his tribe, some of them asked him: Has Allah's Apostle told you anything?

Yes, he has ordered me do seven things.

He has ordered me to love the poor and to approach them. He has ordered me to look at those who are lower than me not to those who are higher than me.

He has ordered me to maintain close relations with my He relatives even if I turn the back on them.

He has ordered me not to ask anyone anything.

He has ordered me to say truth even if it is bitter.

He has ordered me not to fear any one in Allah's way.

And He has ordered me to say a lot: *There's neither might nor power but with Allah* Because there the treasure under the Throne.

Abu-Dharr went on guiding and teaching his tribe. He was a model Moslem believer.

Recommend me!

One day, Abu-Dharr came into the mosque. He found our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) alone. He sat beside him. Our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) said: Abu-Dhari the Mosque has greetings. There two Rikaas (bowing).

Abu-Dharr stood up and said two Rikaas. Then he came back and sat beside the Prophet and said:

Allah's Apostle, which act is the best? To believe in Allah, the Almighty and to strive in His way.

Which believer is the most perfect? The most polite one.

Allah's Apostle, which believer is safest?

He, of whose tongue and hand Moslems are safe.

Allah's Apostle, which immigration is the best?

To immigrate from sins.

Allah's Apostle, which alms is the best?

The alms of the poor

Allah's Apostle, which verse is the best?

The verse of al-Kursey

Allah's Apostle, how many are the Prophets?

One hundred and twenty-four thousand Prophets. Abu-Dharr; four Prophets are Assyrian. They're: Adam, Sheeth, Idress- the first to write with pen- and Noah. And four Prophets are Arab. They're . Hud, Salih, Shuaib, and your Prophet.

Allah's Apostle, how many Books has Allah, the Almighty?

One hundred and four Books. Fifty Scriptures were sent down to Sheet. Thirty Scripture were sent down to Idress. Ten Sculptures were sent down to Ibraheem. Ten Sculptures were sent down to Musa before the Torah. The Torah, the Bible, the Zaboor, the Furqaan (Koran) were sent down, too.

Allah's Apostle, what were the Sculptures of Ibraheem (a.s)?

They're all proverbs: *Authorized, hit, Conceited King, I've not sent you to put together the things of the world. I've sent you to meet the request of the oppressed. I don't refuse it even lift is unbelievers request"

Allah's Apostle, what about Musa's Sculptures?

They're all lessons.

*1 wonder at the person who believes in death then he disbelieves.

I wonder at the person who believes in fire then he laughs.

I wonder at the person who believes in predestination then he becomes tired.

I wonder at the person who sees the world and its changes then he trusts it

And I wonder at the person who believes in the Day of Resurrection then he doesn't act."

Abu-Dharr wept humbly and said: Allah's Apostle, recommend me!

I recommend you to fear Allah, for it is the head of all religion.

Allah's Apostle, increase me!

Read the Holy Koran. It is light for you in the earth and remembrance for you in the sky.

Allah's Apostle, increase me!

Love the poor and sit with them.

On the Way to Tabook

Many years passed.

The Moslems became one nation. They had a government. They gained a victory over the atheists and the Jewish enemies. The Arab tribes entered Allah's religion in groups.

Our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) was Allah's Apostle for all men. So, he wanted Islam to cross the Arab Peninsula to spread all over the world.

Our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) announced Jihad and ordered the Moslems to get ready for Tabook, in the northern part of the Arab Peninsula.

The Moslems were surprised to hear about the Prophet's announcement and his challenge to the greatest power in the world at that time.

The hypocrites Said:

Hercules will defeat them with his enormous armies.

The hypocrites were always holding meeting in the house of the Jewish Suailim. They· were always discouraging the Moslems from going to Tabook.

The Prophet (p.b.u.h) wanted to leave Madina. He knew that the hypocrites and the ill-hearted would stay there. So, he decided to appoint his cousin Ali bin Abu Talib (a.s), the hero of Islam, successor over Madina to foil the hypocrites' plots.

The hypocrites were displeased with Ali. So, they spread among people:

The Prophet has appointed Ali successor because he disgusts him.

To show the truth to people, Ali took his followed the Prophet. He found him at an area called al-Juruf outside Madrna .He told him about the hypocrites' word:

Allah's Apostle, the hypocrites claim that you've appointed me successor because you disgust me.

Our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) smiled and said:

The hypocrites have told you lies. I've appointed you successor to protect Madina from their cunning plots. Ali, don't you accept to be my brother as Haroon was Musa's brother, but there will be no prophet after me.

Ali answered:

Yes, I accept, Allah's Apostle.

Ali was pleased with the Prophet's words. So he came back to Madina.

Be Abu-Dharr!

The Prophet (p.b.u.h) went on leading the Moslem Army across the desert. Some Moslems with weak belief I stayed behind and came back to Madena.

So, some of them said to our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h):

A person has stayed behind.

But Allah's Apostle was always saying:

Leave him. If he does good, Allah will bring him to you.

At the midway, A Muslim said:

Allah's Apostle, Abu-Dharr has stayed behind.

So, the Prophet (p.b.u.h) said: Leave him. If he does good, Allah will guide him to you.

The Moslem Army went on covering the desert.

Abu-Dharr was riding a weak camel. The camel was unable to walk. So, Abu-Dharr was gradually staying behind the Moslem Army. The camel kneeled. It was unable to walk even a step.

Abu-Dharr sat sadly. He was thinking about a way to follow the Prophet (p.b.u.h). Then he asked himself some questions:

Shall I go to Madena or shall I go on walking?

But Abu-Dharr was not thinking about coming back to Madina. He was a good believer. He loved our Master Muhammad (P.b.u.h). So, he decided to follow the traces of the Moslem Army on foot.

Abu-Dharr began covering the hot desert. He used up his food and water. Still he went on walking. His firm belief in Allah and his love for the Prophet. (p.b.u.h) Were pushing him to do that.

He was thirsty. He saw water in a pit in a rock. He tasted it. He found it fresh. So, he wanted to drink some water. But he prevented himself from drinking. He said: I won t drink till my lover Allah's Apostle drinks.

He filled his water-skin with water and went on covering the desert on foot.

Abu-Dharr was walking day and night to reach the Moslem Army.

The Moslem Army camped at strategic areas to rest at night. Then it would go on advancing towards Tabook.

When the sun rose on the following day, some Moslems saw a man coming in the distance. So, they wondered and said to the Prophet (p.b.u.h).

Allah's Apostle that man is walking alone.

So, our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) said: Be Abu-Dharr!

The Moslems were looking carefully. When he came nearer to them, they shouted:

By Allah, he's Abu-Dharr.

The Prophet (p.b.u.h) saw the marks of tiredness and of thirst on his face. So, he said:

Save him with water because he's thirsty

But Abu-Dharr headed for the Prophet (p.b.u.h) holding the water-skin to water the Allah's Apostle.

So, the Prophet (p.b.u.h) asked him:

Abu-Dharr why are you thirsty while you have water?

So, Abu-Dharr said:

Allah's Apostle, I saw rainwater in a pit in a rock. I tasted It was cool, fresh water But I said I would not drink till Allah's Apostle drank.

So, the Prophet (p.b.u.h) said kindly:

Abu-Dharr may Allah have mercy upon you!

You'll live alone, die alone and enter the Paradise alone. Some Iraqis will be happy on account of you- they'll wash your body shroud it pray on it and bury it. 

The Prophet's Traditions

Our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) died. The Moslems were sad. But Abu-Dharr was sadder than them. He was loyal to Allah's Apostle. So, he memorized his traditions and made them a lamp to lighten his way.

Abu-Dharr deeply believed in Caliphate as he believed in Prophesy. He regarded it as a Divine right. Allah, the Glorified, chose the most worthy ones of his righteous slaves. In the meantime, he heard the Prophet (p.b.u.h)

Saying to Ali:

Ali don't you accept to be my brother as Haroon was Musa's brother; but there will be no prophet after me.

At Ghadeer Khum, Abu-Dharr heard the Prophet (p.b.u.h) saying to all Moslems:

He, whose leader is I So Ali is his leader Allah, supports him who supports Ali....

And he heard the Prophet (p.b.u.h) saying:

Ali is with justice, and justice is with Ali.

We regret that some Moslems have forgotten such traditions when the Prophet (p.b.u.h) died. While his cousin and Regent Ali bin Abu-Talib (a.s) was busy with that disaster, the Moslems held a meeting and elected Abu-Bakr.

Many Companions opposed that. Salman al-Farsy, about whom the Prophet (p.b.u.h) said: Salman is one of us Ahlul-Bait, was one of them.

Abadah bin al-Saamit, Abu al-Haitham alTaihan, Huthaifa, Ammar bin Yasir were of them, too. Fatima al-Zahraa, the Mistress of all women of the world, was dissatisfied with that. She was angry.

After only few months, Imam Ali (a.s) was forced to appoint Abu-Bakr caliph to keep the interest of Islam. So, Abu-Dharr, the Companion, appointed him too.

Abu-Dharr was always thinking about the interest of Islam and of Moslems. So, he went to the fields of Jihad to defend the Moslem government.

In the meantime, the Romans were launching military attacks against the borders of the Moslem State. So, Abu-Dharr went with many Companions to the war fronts to strive for Allah.

The first Caliph was Abu-Bakr. Then Caliph Umar bin a1-Khattab succeeded him. Abu-Dharr was in Sham (Syria).

 He and his Moslem brothers were striving there.

Umar bin al-Khattab died. The Caliph Uthman succeeded him.

But the third Caliph did not follow the Prophet's and Companions' manners. He brought his relatives and appointed them in the offices of the government. He began filling their pockets with the Moslems' money. He brought Marwan bin al-Hakam, whom our Master Muhammad (p.b.u.h) dismissed, and made him the real ruler for the state.

People complained of Uthman's policy. A delegation from Cufa went to the Caliph. They told him that their ruler was always drinking alcohol and that he was always going to mosque drunk and vomiting in prayer niche.

But the Caliph did not do any thing. Rather, Marwan I abused the delegation and dismissed them. Some of the Prophet's Companions were with them.

One day Abu-Dharr advised Uthman:

Follow your friends' way. So, no one will speak against you. Your policy must be like Abu-Bakr's and Uthman's policy.

But Uthman scolded Abu-Dharr and said in the presence of the attendees:

Advise me! What shall I do for this lying Shaik? Shall I hit, imprison, kill, or banish him from the land of Islam.

Abu-Dharr and the Moslems felt pain. So, they remembered our Master Muhammad's tradition:

There's no one under the sky or in the earth more truthful than Abu-Dharr.

But the Caliph accused Abu-Dharr of lying and said:

The lying Shaik!

Abu-Dharr sadly went out the Caliph's meeting. He remembered what had happened to him for over twenty years. He remembered the day when Allah's Apostle entered the mosque and found him sleeping. So, he woke him and said:

Never sleep in the mosque again.

Then he said to him: What will you do if they send you out of the mosque one day?

Abu-Dharr said: I'll go to Sham, the land of Jihad.

So, the Prophet (p.b.u.h) said: If they dismiss you from it?

Abu-Dharr said: I'll come back to mosque.

The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said: If they send you out of it?

Abu-Dharr said: I'll take my sword and hit them with it.

The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said: Shall I direct you to a better thing?

Yes, Allah's Apostle. 

The prophet (p.b.u.h) said: Listen and obey.

To Sham (Syria)

The third Caliph decided to banish Abu-Dharr to Sham. Abu-Dharr arrived in Sham. Maawyyah ordered his soldiers to banish him to an area in the southern part of Lebanon, now called Jabal Amil.

Abu-Dharr began teaching people the Prophet's traditions and his behavior. He condemned the rulers' corruption, their oppression towards people, their luxury.

He was always reading Allah's Words: "And (as for) those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend it in Allah's way announce to them a painful punishment*

Maawyyah wanted to tempt Abu-Dharr with money to make him keep silent So, he ordered his soldiers to bring him to Damascus. In the meantime, he sent him a lot of gifts. But the great Companions gave them to the poor. Then he was always passing by Maawyyah's palace and saying:

Allah, curse those who enjoy good, but don't apply it. Allah curses those who prevent people from committing abominable actions, but they commit them.

So, Maawyyah ordered his guards to arrest Abu-Dharr. The guards brought him chained before Maawyyah.

Maawyyah said to him with spite:

Allah's enemy and enemy of Allah's Apostle, every day you pass by our palace and shout Ill ask Amirul-Momineen Uthman for permission to kill you.

Then Maawyyah turned to his guards and said:

Take him to prison.

To Madina

Maawyyah send the Caliph a letter. In the letter, he told him about Abu-Dharr's action and about the gathering of people around him.

The Caliph ordered Maawyyah to send back Abu-Dharr to Madena and to mistreat him.

The Moslems heard the news. So, they crowded to see off the Companion of Allah's Apostle.

Abu-Dharr rode his she-camel. Some rude persons were leading the she-camel. They were not respecting his old age and weakness. So, they made him tired during his travel.

Abu-Dharr arrived in Madena in a bad condition. He went to the Caliph. He was about to fall over the ground because of the intense weakness and tiredness.

Abu-Dharr said: Woe unto you! Haven't you seen Allah's Apostle, Abu-Bakr;. and Umar? Are your actions like theirs? You attack me violently as tyrants do!

Uthman intensely said: Get out of our homeland.

So, Abu-Dharr sadly said: Where?

The Caliph said: Wherever you want?

Abu-Dharr said: Shall I go to Sham, the land of Jihad?

Uthman cried: No! I won t return you to Sham!

Abu-Dharr said: Shall I go to Iraq?

No!

Shall I go to Egypt?

No!

Abu-Dharr said sadly:

So, where shall I go?

To the desert!

Shall I go to Najid Desert?

No! To the far-east to al-Rabathah!

Abu-Dharr shouted: Allah is great! Allah's Apostle was truthful when he told me about that!

Uthman asked: What did he say to you?

The old Companion answered: He told me that I would be prevented from staying in Madina and Macca and that I would die in al-Rabathah and that some Iraqis, on their way to al-Hejaz would bury me.

Al-Rabathah

Al-Rabathah is an area at the eastern part of al-Madina al-Monawwara.

Abu-Dharr disliked al-Rabathah because he worshiped the idols there during the pre-Islamic period.

Abu-Dharr liked Madena because the Prophet's Holy Shrine and Mosque were there. He liked Macca because Allah's Holy House was there. He liked Sham because it was the land of Jihad.

Abu-Dharr disliked al-Rabathah because it would remind him of worshiping the idols. But the Caliph banished him to that area. In the meantime, the Caliph ordered Marwan to take him and prevent the Moslems from seeing him off.

The Moslems were afraid of the Caliph's power. So, only a few Companions saw him off. They were Ali bin Abu-Talib (a.s), his brother Aqeel, al-Hasan, al-Husain (the Prophet's grandsons), and the great Companion Ammar bin Yasir.

Imam Ali (a.s) advanced to see him off. So, he said:

Abu-Dharr, you ye become angry for Allah. The people are worried about their religion, and you're worried about your religion. So, leave what they're worried about in their hands, and escape from them with what you're worried about. They're in need of what you've prevented them from. And you're in no need of what they've prevented you from. Tomorrow you'll know who will be the winner. Abu-Dharr, nothing amuses you but truth, and nothing annoys you but untruth.

Aqeel advanced and said:

You know we like you, and you like us. So, fear Allah because the fear of Allah is salvation. And be patient because patience is generosity.

The Prophet's grandson, al-Hasan bin Ali, advanced and said:

Uncle, be patient till you meet your Prophet (p.b.u.h). He'll be pleased with you.

Al-Husain advanced and said:

Uncle, ask Allah to grant you patience and victory.

While Ammar bin Yasir was in tears, he advanced and said:

May not Allah amuse those who annoy you. And he may not make safe those who have dismayed you. By Allah! If you want their world, they'll make you safe. And if you re pleased with their actions, they'll love you.

Abu-Dharr wept and said:

People of the House of Mercy may Allah have mercy upon you all. When I see you, I remember Allah's Apostle. 

Abu-Dharr, his wife, and his daughter went to al-Rabathah Desert. He was recalling our Master Muhammad's words:

Source - The companions of the Prophet and their Followers series: Abu Dhar, the voice of Justice. By Kamal al-Sayyid.