Sayyiduna Abu ‘Ubaidah رضي الله عنه continued commanding the armies in Syria and in the year 18 A.H. the plague of ‘Amwaas broke out. Many Sahaabah and local people lost their lives in this plague. It was the decree of Allah Ta‘ala that Sayyiduna Abu ‘Ubaidah رضي الله عنه would also be affected by the plague. When the news of the plague reached Sayyiduna ‘Umar رضي الله عنه, he was greatly worried and concerned about the fate of Sayyiduna Abu ‘Ubaidah رضي الله عنه. Thus, he immediately wrote a letter to Sayyiduna Abu ‘Ubaidah رضي الله عنه stating:
“I have some very urgent work for which I desperately require you. So come quickly to me (in Madeenah Munawwarah).”
When Sayyiduna Abu ‘Ubaidah رضي الله عنه read the letter, he exclaimed, “I know exactly what is the need of Ameerul Mu-mineen, ‘Umar رضي الله عنه. He is trying to save the life of someone whose life will not be spared.”
In other words, “Sayyiduna ‘Umar رضي الله عنه does not have any real need for me, but is using this letter as an excuse to make me return to Madeenah Munawwarah in order to protect my life, However, my life is going to depart here in the blessed lands of Syria.”
So Sayyiduna Abu ‘Ubaidah رضي الله عنه replied, “I have understood your need. Absolve me from this instruction of yours because I am in an army of Muslims and I do not wish to leave them.” Meaning, “If everyone else has to risk their lives for the sake of Allah Ta‘ala and for the sake of Deen, then I, Abu ‘Ubaidah will also risk my life for the sake of Allah Ta‘ala and for the Deen of Islam.” When Sayyiduna ‘Umar رضي الله عنه read his letter, he began to cry. Someone asked Sayyiduna ‘Umar رضي الله عنه, “Did Abu ‘Ubaidah رضي الله عنه pass away?” Sayyiduna ‘Umar رضي الله عنه replied, “No, he hasn’t passed away, but it is as good as though he has passed away.” (Siyaru Aa’laamin Nubalaa vol. 1, pg. 18)
(Sayyiduna Abu Ubaidah bin Jarraah رضي الله عنه pg.36)
REFLECTIONS
Six Important Points for those Afflicted by the Pandemic or any Difficulty
Hazrat Thaanwi رحمه الله mentioned the following six points for those who are afflicted with any difficulty.
- One should exercise sabr (patience) at the time of the difficulty. Exercising patience in the face of difficulty is the sign of a true believer. Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “If prosperity and favorable conditions prevail over a believer, he expresses gratitude, and this is good for him, and if adversity and unfavorable conditions befall him, he adopts sabr (patience), and this is good for him.” (Saheeh Muslim #2999)
- One should not become despondent and lose hope in the mercy of Allah Ta‘ala. Rather, one should continue to hope for the mercy of Allah Ta‘ala, and remember that the power and grace of Allah Ta‘ala is above all worldly means. Only a kaafir loses hope on account of him not believing in taqdeer. People of true Imaan never lose hope and are always pleased with the decree of Allah Ta‘ala.
- One should not allow the difficulty to cause him to become negligent in fulfilling his deeni obligations which he owes to Allah Ta‘ala (e.g. attending the salaah in the musjid and performing salaah in the normal manner, etc.) or the creation (e.g. visiting the sick and taking care of them, participating in the janaazah salaah and burial in the case where they pass away, etc.).
- One should continue to make du‘a to Allah Ta‘ala and adopt the means to remove the problem (e.g. taking medication). However, one should not place his reliance on the means, but should place his reliance upon Allah Ta‘ala alone. Through turning to Allah Ta‘ala in du‘a, Allah Ta‘ala will place barakah in the means and cause the desired effect to materialize.
- One should continuously engage in istighfaar and beg Allah Ta‘ala to forgive his sins.
- If a calamity has afflicted any of one’s Muslim brothers, then one should regard his brother’s difficulty as his own difficulty. Hence, he should make du‘a for him, and if he is able to assist him, then he should adopt the same means in assisting him that he would have adopted to remove his own difficulty. (Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “None of you has true Imaan until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself).” (Saheeh Bukhaari #13)
(Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 23/174)
We make dua that Allah Ta‘ala grant the ummah the true understanding of deen, bless us with the tawfeeq of upholding the sunnah of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم and treading in the footsteps of the Sahaabah رضي الله عنهم in all facets of our lives.
(Orchards of Love pg.241)