Here we find the perfect example of someone who sacrificed everything for Allah and his messenger ﷺ. A true example of sincerity in faith. It is regarding such believers in faith, Allah states: ‘Among the believers, there are men who came true to the covenant they had with Allah.‘ Insha-Allah we will explore not only the life of Mus’ab Ibn Umair, but with the help of Allah, we will extract key lessons from his life. رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ. 

 

 

 

Topics Covered in the Article:

 

– Key Facts and family

– Before Islam

– His life during Islam

– Expedition of Uhud

– Conclusion

– Lessons

 

 

Musab Ibn Umair [رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ] – “From Luxury to Legacy: The Journey of a True Believer”

 

 

مِّنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ رِجَالٌۭ صَدَقُوا۟ مَا عَـٰهَدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ

 

“Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah.

[Surah Al-Ahzab (33:23)]

 

Key Facts and Family

 

• Full Name: مصعب بْن عمير بْن هاشم بْن عبد مناف بْن عبد الدار بْن قصي القرشي العبدري

• Technonym [Kunyah]: Abu Abdullah

• Key Events:

– One of the first groups to do Hijrah to Abysinnia.

–  First Person to do Hijrah.

– Participated in the expedition of Badr.

– Participated in the expedition of Uhud.

– Held the flag in both expeditions.

– First to lead the Jummah Salah before Hijrah.

– Martyred during the expedition of Uhud.

• Death Date: 3 AH
• Age: Approximately 14 years younger than The Prophet ﷺ

 

 

Family

 

Brothers [4]

 

وكان لمصعب بن عمير ﵁ إخوة، وهم:

 

[١ – أبو هاشم بن عتبة بن ربيعة ﵁ [وهو أخوه لأمه .

[٢ – أبو الروم بن عمير ﵁ [أخوه لأبيه  واسمه منصور بن عمير .

[٣ – أبو عزيز شقيقه لأبويه  [واسمه زرارة بن عمير .

٤ – يزيد بن عمير، وقيل زيد بن عمير .

Sisters [2]

 

 

[١ – أم أبان بنت عتبة بن ربيعة بن عبد شمس ﵂، [وهذه أخته لأمه.

    [أم جميل بنت عمير، واسمها هند] ٢ – أم شيبة بنت عمير

 

 

Wife

 

حمنة بنت جحش بن رياب بن يعمر

 

---

 

 

Insha Allah we will cover the life of this great Sahabi [رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ], we have broken down his noble life in the following three parts:

 

• Before Islam

• His life during Islam

• Expedition of Uhud

 

 

His life before Islam

 

Musa’b Ibn Umair رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ was from amongst the youngsters of Makkah, abundantly  wealthy and handsome. His parents loved him extremely, and used to dress him in the best clothes and he had the best fragrances. To the extent that he used to wear the best leather made sandals. 

 

The Prophet ﷺ used to remember him and say: ‘I did not see anyone in Makkah with a better appearance, better clothes and no one had a luxurious life better than Mus’ab Ibn Umair رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ. 

 

One of the first to accept Islam

 

It reached him that The Prophet ﷺ was calling people towards Islam in the house of al-Arqam [Dar al-Arqam]. So he proceeded towards the house and accepted Islam. He hid his conversion to Islam due to fear of his parents and his people. 

 

He used to secretly visit the Prophet ﷺ and one day he was offering prayers [secretly] and Uthman Ibn Talha [who was not Muslim at that time] noticed him prayed and informed his parents and people. His parents feared due to his conversion to Islam and rejecting traditional polytheistic beliefs, so they imprisoned him.   

 

Along with that his parents would threaten him by stating: ‘We will no longer give you expensive clothes to wear, the best of perfumes, nor we will give you anything to eat or drink until you leave that which you are on’. His brother Abu Uzair intervened and stated: ‘O mother, leave him and me, for he is a boy accustomed to comfort. If he experiences some hunger, he will abandon what he is upon.” Then he took him and detained him.’

 

Now at this juncture, we find the state of Mus’ab Ibn Umair رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ completely changed, from comfort and luxury to poverty, need and hardship. 

 

“And from this, it becomes clear the extent of the trials that Mus’ab ibn Umair (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) faced after accepting Islam, which are represented as follows:”

 

• Material harm – After all his clothes were taken from him, nothing was left for him except a fur garment that barely covered him.
• Physical harm – His body became weak, and his complexion changed due to hunger and thirst, to the extent that he was unable to walk.
• Psychological harm – The emotional and psychological harm that would be applied to Mus’ab Ibn Umair, in an attempt to make him leave his faith. His mother will leave the house with her hair uncovered as a sign of humiliation, placing the blame on Mus’ab Ibn Umair رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ and hoping he will leave his faith. 

 

So he remained imprisoned in this state, until The Prophet ﷺ allowed the muslims to migrate towards Abyssinia, due to the hardships they were encountering. The Muslims made all the preparations however they would not leave without Mus’ab Ibn Umair رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ. 

 

When his feet were freed from the restraints [due to it becoming loose], Mus’ab ibn Umair رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ managed to escape during the night and he رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ joined the Muslims. 

 

Aamir Ibn Rabiah رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ mentions: ‘I saw Mus’ab Ibn Umair رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ and his legs were dripping with blood due to his frailty’. Aamir رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ gave him his shoes until he was able to reach the ship. He [Aamir رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ  would take great care of Mus’ab رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ despite not having a single dirham himself.’ 

 

  

 

His life during Islam

 

Musab Ibn Umair رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ was from amongst the first group to do Hijrah to the land known Abysinnia. Thereafter he returned to Makkah. 

 

He also was the first person to do Hijrah to Madinah. The Prophet ﷺ sent him to Madinah before the actual Hijrah event took place. This took place after the first pledge of allegiance known as ‘al-Aqabah al-Thani’ [العقبة الأولى].  

 

One of the reasons for this was so that Musab Ibn Umair رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ  can teach the people Quran and other aspects of the religion. He was called ‘The Teacher’ and also ‘The Reciter’. 

 

Along with Mus’ab Ibn Umair رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ was also Abdullah bin Ummu Makhtoom رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ. When they reached Madinah, they were accommodated in the house of As’ad Ibn Zuraarah رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ. 

 

Mus’ab Ibn Umair رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ would invite people to Islam and also he was their Imam, leading the believers in prayer. One day he was preaching regarding Islam in front of a large crowd, when Usaid Ibn Hudhair, appeared in front of him with sword in his hand. He in anger said to him: ‘What have you come here for? Why are you misleading our people? It would be better if you left this place?   

 

Mus’ab Ibn Umair رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ replied calmly: ‘Is it possible for you to sit down for a while and listen to what I have to say? If it pleases you then all good if not then you may choose to withdraw?’ 

 

Usaid replied: ‘That seems fair’. 

 

Mus’ab Ibn Umair portrayed the beauty of Islam and recited verses from the noble Quran. On hearing this Usaid said:

 

ما أحسن هذا الكلام واجمله

‘How beautiful and splendid are these words.’

 

 

He then accepted Islam, all praise is due to Allah. Usaid رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ then requested if he can meet S’ad bin Muadh (the chief of the Aws tribe) and said: ‘If he embraces Islam, not a single member of the Aws tribe will remain unconverted. Let me go and I will send him to you now’. 

 

When S’ad bin Muadh saw Usaid رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ approaching him he said: ‘This is not the same Usaid رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ who left from here earlier on’. Usaid رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ as he appraoched S’ad bin Muadh, he explained to him what transpired. 

 

Hearing this S’ad bin Muadh got into a fit of rage, with sword in his hands went directly to the house of As’ad bin Zurarrah رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ. 

 

When he reached him S’ad fumed and stated: ‘If you were not my cousin I would have sorted you out with this sword. Have you brought this man (Mus’ab) here to deceive the people?’ 

 

Mus’ab hearing this once again calmly stated: ‘Is it possible if you can listen to what I have to say? If it pleases you then you can accept, if not, then you are free to do as you wish?’ 

 

S’ad replied: ‘That is fair’. 

 

Mus’ab explained to him regarding the beauty of Islam and recited a few verses from the Quran. Hearing this S’ad face began to change colour and asked: ‘How do I enter into this religion?’ 

 

Mus’ab رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ explained to him the process. Thereafter, S’ad bin Muadh رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ instantly went to his people and explained to them regarding Islam and every single one of them accepted Islam except for ‘Amr bin Thabit, who embraced Islam during Uhud. 

 

The first Sahabi to do Hijrah

 

الْبَرَاءَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ أَوَّلُ مَنْ قَدِمَ عَلَيْنَا مُصْعَبُ بْنُ عُمَيْرٍ وَابْنُ أُمِّ مَكْتُومٍ، ثُمَّ قَدِمَ عَلَيْنَا عَمَّارُ بْنُ يَاسِرٍ وَبِلاَلٌ رضى الله عنهم‏.‏

 

Narrated Al-Bara [Radiyallahu anhu]:

The first people who came to us (in Madinah) were Mus`ab bin `Umar and Ibn Um Maktum. Then came `Ammar bin Yasir and Bilal [Radiyallahu anhum].

[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 3925, Book of the Virtues of the Companions of the Prophet (Kitab Manaqib al-Ansar), Chapter: The arrival of the Prophet (ﷺ) at Al-Madina]

 

The order of those who emigrated towards Madinah is as follows as stated by al-Bara Ibn Azib [72 AH]:

 

قَالَ البراء بْن عازب: أول من قدم علينا المدينة من المهاجرين مصعب بْن عمير أخو بني عبد الدار بن قصي، ثم أتانا بعده عمرو بن أم مكتوم، ثم أتانا بعده عمار بْن ياسر، وسعد بْن أبي وقاص، وابن مَسْعُود، وبلال، ثم أتانا عُمَر بْن الْخَطَّابِ فِي عشرين راكبًا، ثم هاجر رَسُول اللَّهِ ﷺ، فقدم علينا مَعَ أبي بكر. 

 

• Mus’ab Ibn Umair رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• Amr Ibn Umm Maktum رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• Amaar Ibn Yasir رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• Sa’d Ibn Abi Waqas رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• Ibn Masood رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• Bilal رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• Umar رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ with 20 riders
• The Messenger of Allah ﷺ along with Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

 

“The Ultimate Sacrifice: Those Who Took Nothing from This World”

 

عَنْ خَبَّابٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ هَاجَرْنَا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَنَحْنُ نَبْتَغِي وَجْهَ اللَّهِ، فَوَجَبَ أَجْرُنَا عَلَى اللَّهِ، فَمِنَّا مَنْ مَضَى أَوْ ذَهَبَ لَمْ يَأْكُلْ مِنْ أَجْرِهِ شَيْئًا، كَانَ مِنْهُمْ مُصْعَبُ بْنُ عُمَيْرٍ قُتِلَ يَوْمَ أُحُدٍ، فَلَمْ يَتْرُكْ إِلاَّ نَمِرَةً كُنَّا إِذَا غَطَّيْنَا بِهَا رَأْسَهُ خَرَجَتْ رِجْلاَهُ، وَإِذَا غُطِّيَ بِهَا رِجْلاَهُ خَرَجَ رَأْسُهُ، فَقَالَ لَنَا النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏”‏ غَطُّوا بِهَا رَأْسَهُ، وَاجْعَلُوا عَلَى رِجْلَيْهِ الإِذْخِرَ ‏”‏‏.‏ أَوْ قَالَ ‏”‏ أَلْقُوا عَلَى رِجْلَيْهِ مِنَ الإِذْخِرِ ‏”‏‏.‏ وَمِنَّا مَنْ أَيْنَعَتْ لَهُ ثَمَرَتُهُ فَهْوَ يَهْدِبُهَا‏.‏

 

We find in the following hadith that Mus’ab Ibn Umair [رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ] left this world without attaining anything from this world, since he accepted Islam. A true example of sincerity in faith. 

 

Narrated Khabbab [Radiyallahu anhu]:

 

We migrated with the Prophet (ﷺ) for Allah’s Cause, so our reward became due with Allah. Some of us passed away (i.e. died) without enjoying anything from their reward, and one of them was Mus`ab bin `Umar who was killed (i.e. martyred) on the day of Uhud. He did not leave behind anything except a sheet of striped woolen cloth. If we covered his head with it, his feet became exposed, and if we covered his feet with it, his head became exposed. The Prophet (ﷺ) said to us, “Cover his head with it and put Idhkhir (i.e. a kind of grass) over his feet and put some Idhkhir over his feet.” But some of us have got their fruits ripened, and they are collecting them.

 

[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 4082, Book of the Battles (Kitab al-Maghazi), Chapter: The Muslims who were killed on the day of Uhud]

 

Another example found in a Hadith of Mus’ab Ibn Umair رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ sacrificing everything for this religion and attaining nothing from this world. Such that it would make the likes of Abdur Rahman Ibn Awf 32 AH (al-`Ashara al-Mubashsharun) رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ weep:

 

عَنْ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ أُتِيَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَوْفٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ يَوْمًا بِطَعَامِهِ فَقَالَ قُتِلَ مُصْعَبُ بْنُ عُمَيْرٍ ـ وَكَانَ خَيْرًا مِنِّي ـ فَلَمْ يُوجَدْ لَهُ مَا يُكَفَّنُ فِيهِ إِلاَّ بُرْدَةٌ، وَقُتِلَ حَمْزَةُ أَوْ رَجُلٌ آخَرُ خَيْرٌ مِنِّي فَلَمْ يُوجَدْ لَهُ مَا يُكَفَّنُ فِيهِ إِلاَّ بُرْدَةٌ، لَقَدْ خَشِيتُ أَنْ يَكُونَ قَدْ عُجِّلَتْ لَنَا طَيِّبَاتُنَا فِي حَيَاتِنَا الدُّنْيَا، ثُمَّ جَعَلَ يَبْكِي‏.‏

 

Narrated Sa`d [Radiyallahu anhu] from his father:

Once the meal of `Abdur-Rahman bin `Auf [Radiyallahu anhu] was brought in front of him, and he said, “Mus`ab bin `Umair [Radiyallahu anhu] was martyred and he was better than I, and he had nothing except his Burd (a black square narrow dress) to be shrouded in. Hamza [Radiyallahu anhu] or another person was martyred and he was also better than I and he had nothing to be shrouded in except his Burd. No doubt, I fear that the rewards of my deeds might have been given early in this world.” Then he started weeping.

[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1274, Book of the Virtues of the Companions [Kitaab al-Janaa’iz], The Virtue of the Emigrants (Muhajirun)]

 

ابن إسحاق: حدثني يزيد بن زياد، عن القرظي عمن سمع علي بن أبي طالب يقول:

 

Ibn Ishaq [Rahimallahu] reports from Amir al-Mumineen Ali Ibn Abi Talib [Radiyallahu anhu]:

 

[Ibn Ishaq is one of the earliest sources of Seerah]

 

إنه استقى لحائط يهودي بملء كفه تمرا،

 

He [Ali Radiyallahu anhu] drew water for a jewish man’s garden in exchange for a handful of dates

[A transaction that took place between the two – water in exchange of dates]

 قال: فجئت المسجد فطلع علينا مصعب بن عمير في بردة له مرقوعة بفروة، وكان أنعم غلام بمكة وأرفه، 

Ali [Radiyallahu anhu] stated: ‘I came to the Masjid, and then soon after came Musab Ibn Umair [Radiyallahu anhu] wearing a cloak patched with fur, and he was the most wealthiest and luxurious of the people of Makkah. 

[Ali (Radiyallahu anhu) was comparing the two different states of Musab Ibn Umair (Radiyallahu anhu), his previous life in which he was wealthy and his current state which was a state of poverty].

فلما رآه رسول الله ﷺ، ذكر ما كان فيه من النعيم، ورأى حاله التي هو عليها، فذرفت عيناه عليه،

When the Noble Prophet ﷺ saw him [in this state], he remembered of the luxury that he used to be in and his current state now. His noble eyes began to weep due to him.

 ثم قال: «أنتم اليوم خير أم إذا غدي على أحدكم بجفنة من خبز ولحم؟» فقلنا: نحن يومئذ خير، نكفى المؤنة، ونتفرغ للعبادة. 

Then he stated: ‘Are you in a better state today or when one of you is brought a dish of bread and meat in the morning? 

[The Noble Prophet ﷺ asked a question if whether they are in a better state before when they had luxury, or now when they are going through hardship]. 

فقلنا: نحن يومئذ خير، نكفى المؤنة، ونتفرغ للعبادة.

We stated: We were better before, we were able to take care [of our daily needs], and can devote ourselves to worship. 

فقال: «بل أنتم اليوم خير منكم يومئذ».

The Prophet ﷺ stated: ‘Rather you are in a better state today!’. 

[The Prophet ﷺ reminded the Sahabah that although they were going through hardship and struggle now, they were actually in a better state now than before when they were in luxury. This was due to the immense spiritual reward they were gaining]. 

ابن إسحاق: حدثني صالح بن كيسان عن سعد بن مالك قال: كنا قبل الهجرة يصيبنا ظلف العيش وشدته، فلا نصبر عليه، فما هو إلا أن هاجرنا،

Ibn Ishaq [151 AH] reported from Sa’d Ibn Malik [55 AH]: 

‘“Before the Hijrah, we used to endure the hardship and roughness of life, we could not bare it anymore, so there was no option except to migrate.

 فأصابنا الجوع والشدة، فاستضلعنا بهما، وقوينا عليهما، 

We were afflicted by hunger and hardship, but we endured them and became stronger in facing them.

فأما مصعب بن عمير، فإنه كان أترف غلام بمكة بين أبويه فيما بيننا،

“As for Mus’ab ibn Umair, he was the wealthiest young man in Mecca among us, under the care of his parents.

 فلما أصابه ما أصابنا، لم يقو على ذلك، 

Then when the hardship we experienced reached him, he could not endure that. 

فلقد رأيته وإن جلده ليتطاير عنه تطاير جلد الحية، 

“I saw him, and indeed his skin was peeling off like the shedding of a snake’s skin.

ولقد رأيته ينقطع به، فما يستطيع أن يمشي، فنعرض له القسي ثم نحمله على عواتقنا، 

“I saw him become so exhausted that he could not walk, so we would spread bows for him, then carry him on our shoulders.”

He [Radiyallahu anhu] also stated: 

ولقد رأيتني مرة، قمت أبول من الليل، فسمعت تحت بولي شيئا يجافيه، فلمست بيدي فإذا قطعة من جلد بعير، فأخذتها، فغسلتها حتى أنعمتها، ثم أحرقتها بالنار، ثم رضضتها فشققت منها ثلاث شقات، فاقتويت بها ثلاثا.

One day I was urinating during the evening and I heard something beneath my urine that was avoiding it. I touched it with my hands and it was a piece of camel skin. So I took it, and washed it until it was clean. Then I cooked it under the fire, then crushed it and split it into three pieces. I used it [ate from it] for three days. 

 

[SubhanAllah, this was the life the companions were living and the hardships they were going through, it is incumbent upon us to always show gratitude to Allah for innumerable blessings upon us]. 

 

 

Expedition of Uhud

 

 

He was 40 years old or slightly more at the time of this expedition. Also, there was no doubt amongst the scholars of history [seerah] that he held the flag during both expeditions, Badr and Uhud. 

 

Ibn Ishaq states: ‘Mus’ab Ibn Umair [Radiyallahu anhu] was martyred in the battle of Uhud by Ibn Qa’miah al-Laithi, who thought it was The Prophet ﷺ, so he returned to the people of Quraish saying ‘I have killed Muhammad’.  However it was Mus’ab Ibn Umair [Radiyallahu anhu]. When Mus’ab Ibn Umair [Radiyallahu anu] was martyred, The Prophet ﷺ gave the flag to Ali Ibn Abi Talib [Radiyallahu anhu]. 

 

The details regarding how Mus’ab Ibn Umair [Radiyallahu anhu] was martyred are as follows:

 

“Ibn Qami’ah approached, and he was an expert horse rider. He struck and cut the right hand of Mus’ab Ibn Umair [Radiyallahu anhu]. Mus’ab Ibn Umair exclaimed:

 

وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ ۚ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ ٱلرُّسُلُ

“Muhammad is not but a messenger. [Other] messengers have passed on before him.’ 

 

Surah Aal-e-Imran (3:144)

 

He then immediately took the flag on his left hand and Ibn Qa’miah al-Laithi struck his left hand. Once again Mus’ab Ibn Umair [Radiyallahu anhu] exclaimed: 

 

وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ ۚ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ ٱلرُّسُلُ

 

“Muhammad is not but a messenger. [Other] messengers have passed on before him.’ 

Surah Aal-e-Imran (3:144)

 

 

He [Radiyallahu anhu] then leaned forward and took it towards his chest. Once again exclaimed:

 

وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ ۚ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ ٱلرُّسُلُ

“Muhammad is not but a messenger. [Other] messengers have passed on before him.’ 

Surah Aal-e-Imran (3:144)

 

“Then he charged at him a third time with the spear. “He pierced him, and the spear broke. Mus’ab Ibn Umair [Radiyallahu anhu] fell and the flag was taken by an angel in his appearance. It was then given to the Prophet ﷺ, who then gave it to Ali [Radiyallahu anhu]“.  

 

عَنْ عُبَيْدِ بْنِ عُمَيْرٍ قَالَ: وَقَفَ رسول الله ﷺ عَلَى مُصْعَبِ بْنِ عُمَيْرٍ وَهُوَ مُنْجَعِفٌ عَلَى وَجْهِهِ [١] يَوْمَ أُحُدٍ شَهِيدًا، وَكَانَ صَاحِبَ لِوَاءِ رسول الله ﷺ، فقال رسول الله ﷺ: من الْمُؤْمِنِينَ رِجالٌ صَدَقُوا مَا عاهَدُوا اللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ قَضى نَحْبَهُ، وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَنْتَظِرُ، وَما بَدَّلُوا تَبْدِيلًا ٣٣: ٢٣ [٢]، إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ يَشْهَدُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَنَّكُمْ شُهَدَاءُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ. ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ عَلَى النَّاسِ فَقَالَ: أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ، ائْتُوهُمْ فَزُورُوهُمْ، وَسَلِّمُوا عليهم، فو الّذي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ، لا يُسَلِّمُ عَلَيْهِمْ أَحَدٌ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ إِلا رَدُّوا ﵇. وَلَمْ يُعْقَبْ مُصْعَبٌ إِلا مِنَ ابْنَتِهِ زَيْنَبَ.

 

After the battle was over, the Prophet ﷺ began checking on his companions and stopped near Mus’ab Ibn Umair [Radiyallahu anhu] whilst his face was lying face down [on the ground] on the day of Uhud as a martyr. 

 

He was carrier of the flag of The Prophet [ﷺ], then the  Prophet ﷺ recited the verse of the Quran: 

 

مِّنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ رِجَالٌۭ صَدَقُوا۟ مَا عَـٰهَدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ ۖ فَمِنْهُم مَّن قَضَىٰ نَحْبَهُۥ وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَنتَظِرُ ۖ وَمَا بَدَّلُوا۟ تَبْدِيلًۭا ٢٣

 

Among the believers are men who have proven true to what they pledged to Allah. Some of them have fulfilled their pledge ˹with their lives˺, others are waiting ˹their turn˺. They have never changed ˹their commitment˺ in the least.  

[33:23]

 

 

He ﷺ then stated: “Surely the Messenger of Allah ﷺ will give testimony in the presence of Almighty Allah on the day of Judgement that Undoubtedly all of you are martyrs”. Then he turned towards the people and stated: “O’ people Come and visit them, and send your greetings to them. For by Allah no one sends greetings to them until the day of judgement except that they will return the greeting. 

 

No one was able to recognise him except his daughter Zainab [Radiyallahu anha]. 

 

It is narrated in a Hadith: 

 

عَنْ خَبَّابٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ هَاجَرْنَا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَنَحْنُ نَبْتَغِي وَجْهَ اللَّهِ، فَوَجَبَ أَجْرُنَا عَلَى اللَّهِ، فَمِنَّا مَنْ مَضَى أَوْ ذَهَبَ لَمْ يَأْكُلْ مِنْ أَجْرِهِ شَيْئًا، كَانَ مِنْهُمْ مُصْعَبُ بْنُ عُمَيْرٍ قُتِلَ يَوْمَ أُحُدٍ، فَلَمْ يَتْرُكْ إِلاَّ نَمِرَةً كُنَّا إِذَا غَطَّيْنَا بِهَا رَأْسَهُ خَرَجَتْ رِجْلاَهُ، وَإِذَا غُطِّيَ بِهَا رِجْلاَهُ خَرَجَ رَأْسُهُ، فَقَالَ لَنَا النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏”‏ غَطُّوا بِهَا رَأْسَهُ، وَاجْعَلُوا عَلَى رِجْلَيْهِ الإِذْخِرَ ‏”‏‏.‏ أَوْ قَالَ ‏”‏ أَلْقُوا عَلَى رِجْلَيْهِ مِنَ الإِذْخِرِ ‏”‏‏.‏ وَمِنَّا مَنْ أَيْنَعَتْ لَهُ ثَمَرَتُهُ فَهْوَ يَهْدِبُهَا‏.‏

Narrated Khabbab [Radiyallahu anhu]:

We migrated with the Prophet (ﷺ) for Allah’s Cause, so our reward became due with Allah. Some of us passed away (i.e. died) without enjoying anything from their reward, and one of them was Mus`ab bin `Umar who was killed (i.e. martyred) on the day of Uhud. He did not leave behind anything except a sheet of striped woolen cloth. If we covered his head with it, his feet became exposed, and if we covered his feet with it, his head became exposed. The Prophet (ﷺ) said to us, “Cover his head with it and put Idhkhir (i.e. a kind of grass) over his feet.” But some of us have got their fruits ripened, and they are collecting them.

 

[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 4082, Book of the Battles (Kitab al-Maghazi), Chapter: The Muslims who were killed on the day of Uhud]

 

 

Conclusion

 

All praise is due to Allah, this is how the body of Mus’ab Ibn Umair [Radiyallahu anhu] was laid to rest. Barely enough cloth to cover his body. At one time he had all the wealth of this world, however for his love for Allah and his Messenger ﷺ , he left everything. 

 

Is there any better example of sacrificing everything for Allah?  

 

 

Lessons 

 

There are many lessons that can be taken from the life of Mus’ab Ibn Umair رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ, we truly can’t do justice. However, we have mentioned a few which we can reflect on.

 

Lesson 1 – Sacrificing everything for Allah

 

The martyrs of Uhud are surely a shining example of sacrificing everything for Allah. Below we have enumerated all the Shuhada of Uhud as outlined by Imam Dhahabi [748 AH]:

 

The names of those who were martyred during the expedition of Uhud

 

From the Muhajir [residents of Makkah]:

 

• حَمْزَةُ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

•  وَعَبْدُ اللهِ بن جحش الأسدي رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ 

• وَعُثْمَانُ بنُ عُثْمَانَ المَخْزُوْمِيُّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

 

From the Ansar [residents of Madinah]

 

The tribe of Aws:

 

• عَمْرُو بنُ مُعَاذٍ الأَوْسِيُّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

• الحَارِثُ بنُ أَوْسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

• الحَارِثُ بنُ أنيْسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

• عمَارَةُ بنُ زِيَادِ بنِ السَّكَنِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

• رِفَاعَةُ بنُ وَقشٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

• عَمْرٌو رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

• سَلَمَةُ ابْنَا ثَابِتِ بنِ وَقشٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

• صَيْفِيُّ بنُ قَيْظِيٍّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

• جنَابٌ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

• عَبَّادُ بنُ سَهْلٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ 

• عُبَيْدُ بنُ التَّيِّهَانِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

• حَبِيْبُ بنُ زَيْدٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

• إِيَاسُ بنُ أَوْسٍ الأَشْهَلِيُّوْنَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

• اليَمَانُ [وَالِدُ حُذَيْفَةَ] رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

• زَيْدُ بنُ حَاطِبٍ الظَّفَرِيُّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

• أَبُو سُفْيَانَ بنُ حَارِثِ بنِ قَيْسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

• حَنْظَلَةُ بنُ أَبِي عَامِرٍ [غَسِيْلُ المَلاَئِكَةِ] رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

• مَالِكُ بنُ أُمَيَّةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

• عَوْفُ بنُ عَمْرٍو رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

• حَيَّةَ بنُ عَمْرٍو رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

• عَبْدُ اللهِ بنُ جُبَيْرِ بنِ النُّعْمَانِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

• خَيْثَمَةُ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

• عَبْدُ اللهِ وَسُبَيْعُ بنُ حَاطِبٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

• مَالِكٌ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

• عُمَيْرُ بنُ عَدِيٍّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ 

 

The tribe of Khazraj:

 

• عَمْرُو بنُ قَيْسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

• قَيْسٌ [وَلَدُهُ] رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• ثَابِتُ بنُ عَمْرٍو رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• عَامِرُ بنُ مَخْلَدٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• أَبُو هُبَيْرَةَ بنُ الحَارِثِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• عَمْرُو بنُ مُطَرِّفٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• إِيَاسُ بنُ عَدِيٍّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• أَوْسُ بنُ ثَابِتٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• أَنَسُ بنُ النَّضْرِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• قَيْسُ بنُ مُخَلَّدٍ النَّجَّارِيُّوْنَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• كَيْسَانُ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• سُلَيْمُ بنُ الحَارِثِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• نُعْمَانُ بنُ عَبْدِ عَمْرٍو رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

 

From Bani Harith:

 

• خَارِجَةُ بنُ زَيْدِ بنُ أَبِي زُهَيْرٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• أَوْسُ بنُ أَرْقَم رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ 
• مَالِكٌ [وَالِدُ أَبِي سَعِيْدٍ الخُدْرِيِّ] رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• سَعِيْدُ بنُ سُوَيْدٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• عتبه بن ربيع رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• ثَعْلَبَةُ بنُ سَعْدٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• ثَقْفُ بن فَرْوَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• عَبْدُ اللهِ بنُ عَمْرٍو رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• ضَمْرَةُ الجُهَنِيُّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• عَمْرُو بنُ إِيَاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• نَوْفَلُ بنُ عَبْدِ اللهِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• عُبَادَةُ بنُ الحَسْحَاسِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• عَبَّاسُ بنُ عُبَادَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• نُعْمَانُ بنُ مَالِكٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• المُجَذَّرُ بنُ زِيَادٍ البَلَوِيُّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• رِفَاعَةُ بنُ عَمْرٍو رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• مَالِكُ بنُ إِيَاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• عَبْدُ اللهِ [وَالِدُ جَابِرٍ] رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• عَمْرُو بنُ الجَمُوْحِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• خَلاَّدٌ [ابْنُهُ] رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• أَسِيْر [مَوْلاَهُ] رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• تسليم بنُ عَمْرِو بنِ حَدِيْدَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• عَنْتَرَةُ [مَوْلاَهُ] رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• سُهَيْلُ بنُ قَيْسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• ذَكْوَانُ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
• عُبَيْدُ بنُ المُعَلَّى بن لوذان رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

 

 

Lesson 2 – The power of faith!

 

Mus’ab Ibn Umair [رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ] was brought up in luxury and comfort, having all the riches in the world. However, once faith [Iman] entered his heart, he was ready to give everything for Allah. Not only leaving his luxurious life, but going through intense difficulty, spending days and nights without food. 

 

It is for us to reflect! We are not physically capable of spending days without food or drink, however are we willing to leave sin for Allah?

 

Lesson 3 – Giving preference [إيثار] to others

 

We find that Aamir [رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ] seeing the frail state of Mus’ab Ibn Umair [رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ], had mercy and compassion towards him. Such that he would take care of him greatly, more than his own family, and this is also despite having not a single dirham himself!

 

The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

 

لا يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ لِأَخِيهِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِهِ

 

“None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”

 

[Sahih Bukhari, Book of Faith (Kitab al-Iman), Hadith No. 13]

[Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith (Kitab al-Iman), Hadith No. 45]

 

Lesson 4 – The importance of religious knowledge

 

The Noble Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent Mus’ab Ibn Umair [رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ] to Madinah before he ﷺ and his companions [رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُم] emigrated towards Madinah. 

 

The reason behind this was that Mus’ab Ibn Umair [رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ] can teach the people of Madinah the Quran and other aspects of the religion. 

 

We see here, the importance of religious knowledge and the emphasis that The Prophet ﷺ gave towards it. 

 

Lesson 5 – A good word [قَوْلٌ مَعْرُوفٌ] can go a long way

 

Mus’ab Ibn Umair [رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ] invited  Usaid [رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ] to Islam, who then asked S’ad bin Muadh [رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ] – who was the chief of the Aws tribe – to go and see Mus’ab Ibn Umair [رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ], which then led to S’ad bin Muadh [رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ] accepting Islam. This then led to the entire Aws tribe to accept Islam.

 

Almighty Allah says:

وَقُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنًا

“And speak to people kindly.”

(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:83)

 

 

Also our beloved Prophet ﷺ stated:

وَالكَلِمَةُ الطَّيِّبَةُ صَدَقَةٌ

“A good word is charity.”

 

[Sahih Bukhari, Book of Good Manners (Kitab al-Adab), Hadith No. 2989]

[Sahih Muslim, Book of Zakat (Kitab al-Zakat), Hadith No. 1009]

Lesson 6 – Perseverance in the face of hardship

 

We have read the extreme hardships that Mus’ab Ibn Umair [رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ] went through. Yet despite all the hardships such as going days without food and drink, he stayed steadfast in faith. 

Allah says:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوا تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَبْشِرُوا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي كُنْتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ

Translation:

“Indeed, those who have said, ‘Our Lord is Allah’ and then remained steadfast – the angels will descend upon them, [saying], ‘Do not fear and do not grieve but receive good tidings of Paradise, which you were promised.'”

[Surah Fussilat, 41:30]

 

 

References

 

 

Books

 

[Siyar A’lam al-Nubala, Imam Dhahabi, Vol:3, Pg:81-82]

 

الاستيعاب في معرفة الأصحاب,  دار الجيل، بيروت, 

Vol 4, pg: 1473 – 1475

 

الإصابة في تمييز الصحابة, دار الكتب العلمية – بيروت, 

Vol 6, pg 98

 

 أسد الغابة في معرفة الصحابة, دار الفكر – بيروت 

Vol:4, pg: 407-408

 

Seeratul Mustafa

 

سيرة الصحابي الجليل مصعب بن عمير

دار الأوراق الثقافية

 

Online Sources

www.quran.com

www.sunnah.com