Musab Bin Umair(May Allah be pleased with him)

Musab Bin Umair belonged to one of the wealthiest families of Makkah and received the best upbringing in terms of luxuries at disposal. He used to wear the best clothes, eat the best food and enjoy best perfumes. He was known for his beauty and charm and whenever he used to pass by the streets, a sweet smell would fill the atmosphere around. His parents loved him and took great care in his upbringing and were affectionate to him. He had almost everything that a young man could desire and perhaps this is the reason he was also the most spoiled young man in the city. However things did not remain same forever as the change of heart of Musab changed everything around him.

When Musab heard of Islam, he became curious to know it and went to the Prophet’s place of preaching and got convinced with the message which the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) brought. His conversion was the turning point of his life. His parents, who loved him and were very affectionate to him, underwent a complete transformation as soon as they received the news of Musab’s conversion. Her mother, a strong-headed woman, threw him in the room and locked him under house arrest. When he got to know that some Muslims are migrating to Abyssinia, he somehow escaped from his house and joined the group of the immigrants.

On his return from Abyssinia after sometime, his mother threw him out of the house and he lost the financial support of his family. Hence the man who once enjoyed all the luxuries and had everything at his disposal, was reduced to the level of a poor and needy fellow, just because of the faith he had accepted. However, the lesson for the posterity which is evident in the life of Musab is that he never cared to for any of his loss and remained at peace with himself. He is the perfect example of a man who when received the truth and got convinced, implemented it in his life, regardless of the price that he had to pay for it.

His charming appearance and impeccable dress sense underwent a drastic change and Musab who once used to wear the finest of the clothes and applied the best of the perfumes, appeared to people in the most coarse garments with patches all around. On seeing the condition of Musab, the Messenger of Allah said, “Al-hamd-u-Lillah!  Now the condition of the world and worldly people should change.  This is the young man who had no equal in Makkah in the luxurious style in which he was brought up.  But the regard for virtue and love for Allah and His Holy Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) have made him indifferent to all worldly pleasures.”

Musab is the one who convinced the masses of Madina about Islam so much so that they became ready to pledge allegiance to the Messenger of Allah and agreed to give him protection. It so happened when the people of Madina asked the Messenger of Allah to send someone over to Madina to teach them their new faith. The Messenger of Allah reposed his confidence in Musab Bin Umair and the latter proved himself efficient and excellent in this task. It was because of this role that he is also known as the “First Muslim Missionary and the Ambassador of the Messenger of Allah.” Musab’s preaching was so effective that within a few months the numbers of Madinites embracing Islam increased manifolds.

One must not be mistaken that all the success that came Musab’s way was without trials. During his period in Madina he was also confronted by the elites who opposed his preaching, however it was Musab’s wisdom and intellect which saved the day for him and he even won over his critics. One day Musab was preaching and Usaid bin Huzair appeared and said, “Who has called you here to lead the people astray?  If your lives are dear to you, go away from this place at once.” To this Musab replied, “Please sit down and listen to us calmly.  If you like what we say, then you may accept it otherwise we shall leave this place.” Usaid threw the spear in his hands and sat down and listened to what Musab had to say. Within a few minutes he and his whole tribe asked Musab, “How can we join the faith?” Musab replied, “”You clean your bodies and clothing and declare that there is only one God, namely Allah and that Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) is Allah’s Messenger.”

The interesting point is that Musab remained a renowned person, earlier he was renowned for his unblemished clothes, superior perfumes and lavish food but later he became renowned for his God consciousness, piety, humbleness and love for Allah and His Messenger.

He was equally good in all the fields. He was not only a good learner and preacher, but he was a valiant fighter as well. He fought bravely in the Battle of Uhd and achieved martyrdom. It was Musab who was holding the flag of Islam at the battle. He was holding the flag with his one hand and was valiantly fighting with the other until his hands were chopped off, however he managed to hold on to the flag, but the enemy chopped off his second hand as well. He even managed to hold the flag up with the help of his bosom and chopped hands but an enemy arrow pierced through him and he died the death of a martyr.

At the time of his funeral, there was only one sheet to shroud his body and that too was too short for his size. When it was drawn to cover his head, his feet remained exposed and when feet were covered his head got exposed. To this, the Messenger of Allah said, “Cover his head with the sheet, and his feet with the Azkhar’ leaves.” This is the way the life of Musab came to a close.