Islamic History

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The word "Sahaaba" is plural for "Sahaabi" (meaning a companion). This term refers to those disciples and companions of Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) who saw him in the state of Islam, and died with Iemaan. All in all there were approximately 120,000 Sahaaba who were alive when Nabi Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) passed away.

The Ansaar were those Sahaaba of Madinah who assisted the Muhajireen when the latter arrived in Madinah. Imam Ahmad bin Hambal narrates that after Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) passed away, Hazrat Abubakr (radhiyallahu anhu) entered the room where he lay covered with a sheet. He uncovered the blessed face and (after kissing the noble forehead) said: "May my parents be sacrificed for you. How pure you are in life and even in death! By the Lord of the Ka’bah, Muhammad has indeed passed away!"

There after he and Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) made their way hastily to the gathering of Ansaar. Hazrat Abubakr a gave speech, in which he never omitted any virtue of the Ansaar that he had heard Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) mention. Among these, one was the following statement: "Verily I know that Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) had said: ‘If all people take one path and the Ansaar take another path, I shall take the road of the Ansaar.’ Addressing Sa’d bin Ubadah (radhiyallahu anhu) (one of the Ansaar) he said: "O Sa’d! You do know that Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) had said: ‘The Quraish are the leaders in the affairs (of the Ummat). The good among people follow the good among the Quraish, and the bad among people follow the bad among the Quraish.’ Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu anhu) responded by saying: "You have spoken the truth. We shall be your advisors, and you shall be the leaders!"

This episode illustrates the great love and unity that existed among the Sahaaba, and how each one would acknowledge the virtue of the other. Such display of mutual trust and harmony is very rare nowadays. May Allah bring back among the Ummat that lost unity and mutual accord.