Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
On one occasion, a few leaders of the Quraish including Waleed bin Mugheerah, Umayyah bin Khalaf, Abu Jahal, ‘Utbah bin Rabee‘ah and Shaibah bin Rabee‘ah came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to enquire regarding some aspects of Islam.
While Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was engaged in answering their questions, Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Umme Maktoom (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), the blind mu’azzin of the musjid of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), also came to enquire regarding some issue. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) thought to himself that since Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Ummi Maktoom (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) is already a muslim, he can ask his question at some other time, however these people are influential, and if they embrace Islam, thousands of others will follow. Thus, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) did not give complete attention to Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Ummi Maktoom (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).
In fact, a few traces of a frown appeared on the blessed face of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) on account of his interrupting and asking his question at an unsuitable time. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) felt that Hazrat ‘Abdullah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) should have waited for the meeting to conclude before asking his question. However, Allah Ta‘ala, on that occasion, expressed His mercy by revealing the following verses:
عَبَسَ وَ تَوَلّٰۤی ۙ﴿۱﴾ اَنۡ جَآءَہُ الۡاَعۡمٰی ؕ﴿۲﴾ وَ مَا یُدۡرِیۡکَ لَعَلَّہٗ یَزَّکّٰۤی ۙ﴿۳﴾ اَوۡ یَذَّکَّرُ فَتَنۡفَعَہُ الذِّکۡرٰی ؕ﴿۴﴾ اَمَّا مَنِ اسۡتَغۡنٰی ۙ﴿۵﴾ فَاَنۡتَ لَہٗ تَصَدّٰی ؕ﴿۶﴾ وَ مَا عَلَیۡکَ اَلَّا یَزَّکّٰی ؕ﴿۷﴾ وَ اَمَّا مَنۡ جَآءَکَ یَسۡعٰی ۙ﴿۸﴾ وَ ہُوَ یَخۡشٰی ۙ﴿۹﴾ فَاَنۡتَ عَنۡہُ تَلَہّٰی ﴿ۚ۱۰﴾ کَلَّاۤ اِنَّہَا تَذۡکِرَۃٌ ﴿ۚ۱۱﴾ فَمَنۡ شَآءَ ذَکَرَہٗ ﴿ۘ۱۲﴾
He (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) frowned and turned away because there came to him the blind man. And how do you know – May be, (if you had attended to him) he would have attained purity, or have received the advice, and the advice would have benefited him. As for him who considers himself independent, to him you gave attention, whereas there is no blame upon you if he does not become pure (from disbelief). But as for he who came running to you (eager for deen), while he possesses the fear of Allah Ta‘ala, you are unmindful of him (by not paying attention to him and diverting your attention to others). Never (should it be so)! Indeed, these verses are a reminder, so whoever wills may remember it. (Surah ‘Abas v. 1-12)
After this incident, whenever Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Ummi Maktoom (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) would come to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), he would honour him by spreading his sheet for him to sit on it and thereafter say to him lovingly:
مرحبا بمن فيه عاتبني ربي
Welcome to the one in whose regard my Rabb reprimanded me.
Abu Qays bin Faakihah
He was also one of the people who would cause great pain to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). He was one of the special assistants and helpers of Abu Jahal. Abu Qays was killed in the Battle of Badr at the hands of Hazrat Hamzah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).
(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/218-219)
