When Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه left Madinah Munawwarah to travel to Baitul Muqaddas in order to conquer it, he stopped in Syria to meet the Sahaabah residing there. When the Sahaabah رضي الله عنهم who were residing in Syria and governing over Syria came to meet him, he asked them, “Where is my brother?” The Sahaabah رضي الله عنهم asked, “Who are you referring to?” Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه replied, “Abu ‘Ubaidah رضي الله عنه.”
The Sahaabah رضي الله عنهم informed him that Hazrat Abu Ubaidah رضي الله عنه was soon to arrive to meet him. After a short while, Hazrat Abu ‘Ubaidah رضي الله عنه arrived riding on a simple camel.
When Hazrat Abu Ubaidah رضي الله عنه met Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه, Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه expressed great happiness and joy and immediately embraced him. Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه thereafter delivered a khutbah to the Sahaabah رضي الله عنهم and all those who were present there.
During that time, the Sahaabah رضي الله عنهم invited Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه to their homes, but Hazrat Abu Ubaidah رضي الله عنه did not invite Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه to his home as at that time he did not possess anything to present to Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه.
On account of the close relationship Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه had with him, Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه addressed him saying, “O Abu Ubaidah! (From the Sahaabah,) every leader of the army has invited me to his home besides you.” Hazrat Abu Ubaidah رضي الله عنه said to him, “O Ameerul Mu-mineen! If you visit my home, then most certainly it will bring tears to your eyes.”
However, Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه wished to visit the home of this great Sahaabi, hence, Hazrat Abu Ubaidah رضي الله عنه invited Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه to his home as his guest.
When Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه entered his home, he was surprised to see that the only things he possessed were a few pieces of dry bread, a water bag, a sword, a shield, a saddle bag, and a saddle blanket which he also used as his bedding and pillow when sleeping at night.
When Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه saw this, he began to weep and then hugged Hazrat Abu Ubaidah رضي الله عنه saying, “Really, you are my brother. I find that all the companions whom I have met, the world has affected them (to a certain extent, as they have taken part of the worldly items to benefit from) besides you.” Hazrat Abu Ubaidah رضي الله عنه replied saying, “Didn’t I tell you, O Ameerul Mumineen, that if you visit my home you will tear (on account of not finding the wealth of the world in it)?”
According to one narration, Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه then said to him, “Why don’t you at least keep some worldly goods or items to benefit from?”
However, Hazrat Abu Ubaidah رضي الله عنه replied saying, “O Ameerul Mumineen! This much is sufficient for my journey in this world until I reach my grave.” (Al-Iktifaa 3/296)
REFLECTIONS
We need to learn about the Sahaabah رضي الله عنهم through reading and making Taleem of authentic literature regarding their lives and virtues. This will increase our love and attachment with them. A few beneficial sources are mentioned below:
- Stories of the Sahaabah رضي الله عنهم in Fazaa’il-e-A’maal by Shaikhul Hadith, Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya Sahib رحمه الله.
- Hayatus Sahaabah رضي الله عنهم by Moulana Muhammad Yusuf Sahib رحمه الله.
- 100 stories regarding various Sahaabah رضي الله عنهم translated by Mufti A.H. Elias Sahib رحمهالله.