Habib Bin Zayd Al-Ansari

 

Habib came from a strong Muslim family.  His father, Zayd bin Asim, was one of the first persons in Medina to accept Islam.  His mother, Nusayba bint Kab known as Umm Amara, was the first woman to bear arms in defense of Islam and the blessed Prophet. 

As a young boy, Habib went to Mecca with his mother, father, aunt, and brother.  They went with a group of around seventy people.  They pledged their loyalty to the Prophet at Aqaba.  This group played an important role in shaping the early history of Islam.

In the darkness of the night at Aqaba, the young Habib stretched out his small hand and vowed obedience to the Prophet.  From that time on the Prophet became dearer to Habib than his own mother and father.  Islam became more important than his own life.

Habib was too young to fight in the battles of Badr and Uhud.  But after that he was with Muhammad (pbuh) wherever he fought.  He was known for his bravery.

By 9 A.H. Islam had spread widely.  It was the most powerful force in Arabia.  Groups from tribes all over the land came to Mecca to meet the Prophet and accept Islam.  A group came from the Hanifa Tribe of Najd.  Outside of Medina they left their goods with a tribesman named Musaylama bin Habib.  The group went to see the Prophet.  They told him their tribe was entering Islam.  The Prophet welcomed them and treated them very generously.  He gave them each a gift, including the person watching their goods.

They returned to Najd, and Musaylama left Islam.  He said he was a prophet to the Hanifa Tribe like Muhammad (pbuh) was a Prophet to the Qureish.  For various reasons the other tribe members began to gather around Musaylama.  Their reasons were foolish.

For example, one tribesman said, “I believe that Muhammad (pbuh) is truthful and Musaylama is not.  But Musaylama is from my tribe.  So he is dearer to me than Muhammad.”

In a short time Musaylama’s followers increased.  He felt powerful enough to write this letter to the Prophet:

From Musaylama, the messenger of God, to Muhammad, the messenger of God,

Peace be upon you.

We can be partners.  Half of the world is ours.  The other half is yours.  But the Qureish are an oppressive people.

Musaylama sent this letter to the Prophet with two of his men.  The Prophet listened to the letter.  Then he asked the two men, “What do you say about this?”

They answered, “We agree.”

The Prophet said, “By God, if emissaries weren’t protected, I would cut your necks.”

Then he wrote this letter to Musaylama:

        In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Compassionate.

From Muhammad the Messenger of God, to Musaylama the impostor.

Peace be upon whoever follows the true path.  The earth is God’s.  He gives it to whichever servant He wishes.  Final victory will be for those who fear to rebel against God.

The Prophet sent the letter with the two men.  Musaylama’s foolishness and evil continued to spread.  The Prophet decided to write him another letter.  He chose Habib bin Zayd to take the letter to Musaylama.  Habib was a reliable youth and a firm believer in Islam. 

Habib quickly set out to fulfill his duty.  He went directly to the land of the Hanifa Tribe and gave the letter to Musaylama. Musaylama read the letter.  He became very angry.  His face was ugly and cruel.  He told his followers to tie Habib up and bring him the next morning. 

The following day Musaylama held a meeting.  His men were sitting around him.  He ordered some of his men to bring Habib.  Habib’s feet were tied, but he walked to the middle of the crowd.  He remained upright, dignified, and proud.  He wasn’t afraid of anyone. 

Musaylama turned to him and asked, “Do you testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God?” 

“Yes,” replied Habib.  “I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God.”

Musaylama was angry.  “And do you testify that I am the messenger of God?” he asked.

“My ears can’t hear what you say,” replied Habib.

Musaylama’s face changed color.  His lips trembled with rage.  “Cut off a piece of his body!” he ordered his executioner.  The executioner walked towards Habib and cut off a piece of his body with his sword.

Musaylama asked the same questions again.  Habib gave the same answers.  Musaylama again ordered the executioner to cut off a piece of Habib’s body.  The second piece fell to the ground next to the first one.  The people looked at Habib with amazement.  He was brave and firm in his faith. 

Musaylama went on asking, and Habib kept repeating, “I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God.”

Musaylama’s man continued cutting parts from Habib’s body.  Habib lost nearly half of his body.  He died with Muhammad’s  (pbuh) name on his pure lips.  He never went back on the pledge he made as a little boy at Aqaba.

News of Habib’s death reached his mother.  She simply said, “I bore him for these days.  I ask God to reward him.  As a child, he pledged loyalty to the Prophet on the night of Aqaba.  As an adult, he fulfilled his pledge.  If God gives me the chance, I will make Musaylama’s daughters cry after him.”

Habib’s mother didn’t have to wait long.  After the death of the Prophet, Abu Bakr declared war on Musaylama.  Habib’s mother and brother, Abd Allah bin Zayd, joined the Muslim army. 

At the Battle of Yamama, Habib’s mother cut through the ranks of fighting men like a lioness.  “Where are the enemies of God?” she shouted.  “Show them to me.”

When she reached Musaylama, he had already been killed.  She felt at peace.  God had taken revenge for her son’s death.

Upon Habib’s death, the noble Prophet commended him and his entire family.  Muhammad (pbuh) prayed, “May God bless this family.  May He have mercy on them.”