44 - Story of the Week A COMPANION WHO CONQUERED NEHAVAND Hazeefa bin Yaman The people of Madayan were waiting outside the city for their newly appointed governor. After waiting for a long time, they asked the Muslim soldiers entering the city as to when the governor would arrive. ‘He has already passed on a pony, wearing a patched rob,’ replied the soldiers. After the brilliant victory of Nehavand (a city in Iraq that was under the Iranian rule) and his excellent contribution to it, Hazeefa bin Yaman was sent for the conquest of Azerbaijan, which, after a fierce fighting, was conquered and annexed to the Islamic State. Later, he conquered Jilan (Iran) and was planning to advance when he was made the governor of Madayan. Soon after he entered the city, he summoned all the citizens and read the order of the Caliph: ‘O people of Madayan, Hazeefa bin Yaman has been appointed your Amir (governor). You are expected to follow his instructions and furnish to his needs.’ When he finished reading the order, the people asked him about his needs and assured him of their cooperation. Hazeefa, who had already reached the stage of fuqr (a stage in Sufism where a person no longer desires worldly things), said: ‘As long as I stay here I’d ask you nothing but a little food for myself and for my pony.’ Hazeefa adhered to his words as long as he ruled. He always remained a dervish, he lived in a simple tent, without any pomp and show of power. Even the salary he received from the Caliph he distributed amongst the poor and needy. Once he was called by the Caliph. The Caliph himself went outside the city to receive him. Seeing him on the horse in an ordinary dress with several patches, Hazrat Umar embraced him and said: ‘O Hazeefa, I’m proud of you the way you have served Islam. You are my best brother.’ Hazeefa had a special attachment with the Holy Prophet who often shared with him some secrets. It is said that the Holy Prophet had told him the names of all munafiqeen (hypocrites) which he never shared with anyone else in order to honour the secrecy. For this reason, the people would call him Ser-e-Rasool. Instead of revealing any name, he would say that still there are many hypocrites. Hazrat Umar, instead of asking him the names, had made a rule for himself that he would only attend the funeral of those persons whose funerals were attended by Hazeefa also. Without any serious reason, if he did not attend any funeral Hazrat Umar would also not attend it. He would automatically come to know that the deceased was a munafiq. Hazeefa’s father, Haseel Yaman, who used to live in Makkah, had killed a person and, for the fear of qasas (compensation for murder), had escaped to Madinah where he married and Hazeefa was born. When the father and son heard about the Holy Prophet and the new religion, they returned to Makkah and accepted Islam. At the time of battle of Badr, both were in Makkah. However, in the battle of Uhad, both father and son took part with great enthusiasm. Mistaken as a kafir (infidel), the Muslim soldiers killed Hazeefa’s father. Hazeefa was very sad about it but forgave them since it was a mistake. In the battle of Trench (Ahzab), he received another honour from the Holy Prophet. The infidels had surrounded Madinah for one month. One night suddenly the sky was overcast by dark clouds and the gusts of wind started with thunder and lightning. The tents of the infidels were dislodged and they suffered great loss by this sudden calamity. As a result they decided to leave Madinah. At that time, the Holy Prophet asked who would go to the enemy lines and bring news about their next move. He also said: ‘The one who does this job, would be with me in Jannah.’ Then he called Hazeefa and asked him to go and do the job. The Holy Prophet used to give jobs to sahaba according to their capabilities. He knew that Hazeefa was extraordinarily intelligent, had the ability to react wisely in a dangerous situation, and would never disclose the secrets entrusted to him. When he returned with the information, he was shivering with cold. The Holy Prophet himself covered him with his blanket and he went to sleep. After the battle of Trench, Hazeefa participated in the battle of Khyber, Bayat-e-Rizwan, the conquest of Makkah and other battles. After the Holy Prophet left the world, Hazeefa was so disheartened that he migrated to Iraq where he married and then went to Madayan. In appreciation of his administrative skills, Hazrat Umar appointed him as the governor of Madayan. During his rule, he administered agriculture and production in such a remarkable way that it increased the yield as well as the income of the government. Hazrat Umar was very pleased with him. In 19 Hijra, when Muslims were preparing to attack Nehavand, Hazeefa was residing in Kufa. Hazrat Umar asked him to take the Muslim soldiers and join Numan bin Muqran, the conqueror of Khozastan. Hazrat Numan was a very prominent sahabi who had fought along with Hazrat Saad bin Abi Waqas and Khalid bin Waleed in several Arab expeditions. After deliberations, Hazrat Umar made Hazrat Numan the commander of Nehavand expedition. However, expedition to Nehavand, where Iranians had gathered 150,000 soldiers, proved to be very challenging. In view of that, Hazrat Umar instructed Hazeefa to help Numan. Muslims could gather a force of not more than 30,000 soldiers. Hazrat Umar issued instructions that, in case of any harm to Numan, Hazeefa would take over the command. During the fighting, Numan’s horse slipped. Iranians showered him with arrows and he attained martyrdom. Hazeefa took over the command. The Muslims fought with such bravery that 150,000 Iranian soldiers could not stand 30,000 Muslims. Hazrat Hazeefa established an exemplary rule after the victory of Nehavand. He did not touch the followers of other religions. The fire worshippers offered him suitcases full of precious stones as a gift but Hazeefa sent them to Hazrat Umar. Returning them, Hazrat Umar asked Hazeefa to sell them and distribute that money amongst the poor and needy. After Hazrat Umar, Hazrat Uthman kept him as the governor of Madayan. The rule did not quell the spirit of Jehad in him and he therefore participated in the conquest of Khurasan, Rey and Armenia. Forty days after the martyrdom of Hazrat Uthman, he also left the world in 35 Hijra. Being a true disciple of the Holy Prophet, he strictly followed the Sunnah and always stayed away from the worldly attractions. (The story is taken from my book - Companions of the Prophet, published by FEROZSONS, Lahore, in 2011).
Posted on: Sat, 10 Aug 2013 15:57:19 +0000