Allegations of Some People of Kufah

In the year 21 A.H., some people of Kufah came to Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and complained about Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) that he did not perform salaah correctly. At that time, Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu anhu) was appointed by Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) as the governor of Kufah.

Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) thus called for Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and when he arrived, addressed him with utmost respect saying, “O Abu Ishaaq (this was his filial title)! Some people of Kufah are claiming that you do not perform salaah correctly.

Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “By Allah! I perform for them the salaah which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had performed, without leaving out any aspect.” Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) then explained the manner in which he performed salaah saying, “When I lead them in the ‘Esha Salaah, I lengthen the first two rakaats and shorten the second two rakaats (in the manner which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) performed salaah” Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) responded saying, “O Abu Ishaaq! This was the exact opinion which I held regarding yourself!”

Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) thereafter sent Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) back to Kufah with a few people in order to investigate the allegations against him. The people whom Hazrat Umar radhiyallahu anhu sent went to every musjid of Kufah in order to question the people regarding Hazrat Sa’d radhiyallahu anhu. When the people were questioned, they had nothing to say regarding him but words of praise for everything he did.

Finally, they reached a musjid in the district of the Banu ‘Abs tribe. Here, there was a man by the name of Usaamah bin Qataadah, who stood up and said, “Since you have asked me regarding Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), then there are three complaints that I have against him (1) He does not go out in Jihaad with the army, (2) he does not distribute wealth with justice and equality, (3) he is not just in his verdicts and decisions.”

Hearing these false allegations, Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “By Allah! I will make three du‘aas (curses against you if you are speaking lies) – O Allah! If this servant of yours is lying, and he has merely stood up for fame and recognition, then (1) lengthen his life, (2) lengthen his poverty, (3) and continuously involve him in fitnah.”

Later on, when Usaamah bin Qataadah would be asked by people regarding his condition, he would reply, “I have reached old age and I am entangled in fitnah and all this is on account of the curse of Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) which has afflicted me.”

One of the narrators of this incident, ‘Abdul Malik, mentions, “I saw him (Usaamah bin Qataadah) later on in old age. His eyebrows were drooping over his eyes due to extreme old age, and he was interfering with the young slave girls by poking them in the street and troubling them.”

(Saheeh Bukhaari #755)