Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
Hazrat Mu’aaz bin Jabal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) mentions, “Once, I was seated behind Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) on a donkey while he was riding it. There was nothing between me and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) besides the wood of the saddle (which separates the rider from the person seated behind him).
“Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) addressed me saying, ‘O Mu’aaz!’ I replied, ‘I am present in your service, O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).’
“Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) remained silent and continued to ride the animal. After a little while, Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) again addressed me saying, ‘O Mu’aaz!’ I replied, ‘I am present in your service, O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).’
“After a little while had passed, Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) addressed me for the third time saying, ‘O Mu’aaz!’ I replied, ‘I am present in your service, O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).’
“Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said to me, ‘Do you know what is the right of Allah Ta’ala upon His servants?’
“I replied, ‘Allah and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) know best (i.e. I do not know).’
“Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, ‘The right of Allah Ta’ala upon His servants is that they should worship Him without ascribing any partners to him (i.e. they should carry out all acts of worship solely for His pleasure and they should remain obedient to Him at all times, while refraining from His disobedience).’
“Thereafter, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) continued to ride the animal and he remained silent for a little while. After a little while had passed, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) again addressed me saying, ‘O Mu’aaz!’ I replied, ‘I am present in your service, O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).’
“Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then said to me, ‘Do you know what is the right of the servants upon Allah Ta’ala if they fulfil what He has commanded them to do (i.e. what is the right of the servants upon Allah Ta’ala if they carry out all acts of worship solely for His pleasure and they remain obedient to Him at all times, while refraining from His disobedience)?’
“I replied, ‘Allah and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) know best (i.e. I do not know).’
“Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then said to me, ‘The right of the servants upon Allah Ta’ala is that Allah Ta’ala does not punish them and that He enters them into Jannah (i.e. if the servants remain obedient to Allah Ta’ala at all times while refraining from His disobedience, then Allah Ta’ala will not punish His servants by entering them into Jahannum but He will bless them with His divine mercy and enter them into Jannah).’”
From this incident, we see the close relationship which Hazrat Mu’aaz bin Jabal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) enjoyed with Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).
The reason for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) remaining silent thrice after addressing Hazrat Muaaz (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was in order to create the eagerness and desire within him to hear what Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was going to teach him.
Since the issue which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) wished to teach him was of great importance and paramount significance, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) adopted this approach when addressing him.
We also see the high level of respect and honour which Hazrat Muaaz (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) showed to Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) when speaking to him.
Hazrat Muaaz (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) responded to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) with the same degree of fervour and enthusiasm on all three times that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) addressed him.
(Saheeh Bukhaari #6500, Saheeh Muslim #30, Fathul Baari 11/339)
