Islamiyat · May / June 2024 · Paper 12 · Question 5

Give an account of the lives of three of the following Blessed

Companions during the lifetime of the Prophet (pbuh):

Use AO1 Levels of Response.

Candidates should include some of the following points. All other relevant points must be credited.

‘Umar: He belonged to Bani Adi tribe and accepted Islam at the age of 26/27. Before his conversion, he was on his way to attempt to kill the Prophet (pbuh). When he was told that his own sister and brother-in-law had converted he went to her house. He found them reciting verses from sura Taha. ‘Umar was angry with them then asked to see the writing which they were reading. His sister said only those who have been purified can read it, and so ‘Umar made wudu’ before being given the Qur’an.

After his conversion, ‘Umar refused to keep Islam a secret, after which Muslims could pray openly. He didn’t emigrate in secret. He fought in all the battles, protecting the Prophet (pbuh) at Uhud and giving half his wealth for the campaign of Tabuk.

He was one of the witnesses for the Treaty of Hudaybiyya, although he was initially not satisfied with the terms. On the Prophet’s death he said he would kill anyone who said that the Prophet (pbuh) had died.

Talha: He belonged to Bani Taym tribe. He was a cousin of Abu Bakr, a wealthy businessman and could also read and write, later becoming a hafiz. Abu Bakr took Talha to see the Prophet (pbuh) and he became Muslim, so was one of the early converts. He was persecuted by the Makkans, especially Nawfal ibn Khuwaylid, who tied Talha and Abu Bakr together telling them to renounce their new faith. In Madina he used his wealth to help the Muslim community and fought in all the Battles except Badr as he had been sent as a scout. In the Battle of Uhud he acted as a human shield for the Prophet (pbuh), sustaining multiple injuries including two severed fingers. He passed out due to the heavy injuries sustained. He was given the name the ‘Living Martyr’ by the Prophet (pbuh).

Zubayr: He was a nephew of Khadija and cousin of the Prophet (pbuh). He belonged to Banu Asad tribe of Quraysh and converted through Abu Bakr. After conversion he was persecuted by his uncle, Nawfal, who would wrap him in a mattress and light a fire around it. He was one of the first group who migrated to Abyssinia and returned when they falsely heard the Makkans had become Muslim. He was also given responsibility to become hafiz. He was a commander at the Battle of Badr and fought in the other battles during prophethood. In Madina he was one of the Prophet’s scribes and was entrusted to look after the zakat funds. The Prophet (pbuh) said, ‘Every prophet has a helper, and my helper is Zubayr’.

Abd al-Rahman: He was one of the first eight people to accept Islam. His name in pre-Islamic days was Abu Amr. But when he accepted Islam, through Abu Bakr, the Prophet (pbuh) called him Abd al-Rahman – the servant of the Beneficent God.

Abd al-Rahman faced persecutions with the early Muslims by the Quraysh and migrated to Abyssinia.

In Madina, Abd al-Rahman was made the brother of Sa’d ibn ar-Rabi'ah. Sa’d was willing to share his wealth and family with Abd al-Rahman, but he wanted to work himself so asked to be shown the marketplace. He was a great merchant, and this led to him becoming a wealthy man.

He fought at the Battles of Badr and Uhud, and at the Battle of Tabuk he donated generously for the expedition and then spent money equipping those people who were too poor to equip themselves. At Tabuk he also had the honour of being the only person to have led the Prophet (pbuh) in prayer. His generosity was well known, and in one incident he gave away all the wealth of his caravan to the people of Madina. When asked the secret of his wealth he said that he never lifted a stone unless he expected to find gold or silver under it.

Sa’d: Another companion who came to Islam through Abu Bakr. When Sa’d became Muslim his mother stopped eating and drinking to try and force him to renounce Islam, but he didn’t. A number of Qur’an verses are said to be related to this incident (29.8, 31.15). Sa’d was the first Companion to shed blood in Islam as he beat a Makkan who was abusing the new Muslims as they were on their way to a meeting. After migration, Sa’d was present at Hudaybiyya and the Conquest of Makka and took part in the other battles. He was an accomplished archer and was one of those who remained on the hill at the battle of Uhud when some other archers left their places. The Prophet (pbuh) said, ‘Oh Sa’d, shoot the arrows, may I sacrifice my mother and father for you!’ He was one of the Companions who protected the Prophet (pbuh) at Uhud.

Many new converts were persecuted for their beliefs. To what extent can their responses help Muslims in their daily lives now?

Use the AO2 Levels of Response.

Candidates can give other examples and all relevant answers should be credited.

The early Muslim responses can help Muslims now as it is showing them ways they can react when they are finding it difficult being Muslim, e.g. because they have converted to Islam or are living in a non-Muslim country that is not treating them well. It makes Islam relatable for them.

When the new converts faced persecution one response was for them to migrate but not give up on their faith. Generally, they kept patient and did not retaliate, preferring to migrate and seek haven. So, this can give Muslims is hardship the idea that it is ok to migrate to seek a better life. Even if Muslims now might not be able to migrate, they may be able to disassociate themselves, moving home within their town/city, from the persecution. They could also seek communities that would support them.

There may be ways that the early Muslims’ responses are not helpful. In today’s world migration is not so easy because of rules, regulations, borders etc. and it can be dangerous to travel without the correct paperwork or passports.

The early converts did not break family ties, but today people are not so dependent on family, therefore survival on your own is easier.

Also now there may be more opportunities to bring the persecutor to justice rather than having to put up with being persecuted.