Rabi’ah bin Ka’b al-Aslami, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “I used to spend my night in the company of Messenger of Allah, may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him, and used to put up water for his Wudu’ (ablutions). One day he said to me: “Ask something of me”. I said: “I request for your companionship in Jannah!” He inquired: “Is there anything else?” I said: “That is all”. He said: “Then help me in your request by multiplying your Sajdah (prostrations)”. 106

COMMENT:

Abu Firas al-Aslami (R), (the servant of the prophet (saw.) was one of the people as-Suffah). There was a terrace at the end of Masjid an-Nabi which is called as-Suffah. The companions who want to get divine knowledge and wisdom from the messenger of Allah devoted their life to learn more about Islam from the Prophet (saw.). They used to spend their time to follow Messenger of Allah day and night in order to memorize his teachings. Most of them, nay all of them, were poor due to they have no job except learning. Even they could not find enough food to eat and drink. That is why some of them were fainting because of extreme hungry. Let us listen to one of them, that is Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, he says: “I would fall swoon between the pulpit of the mosque of Messenger of Allah and the chamber of Aishah (r), and every passer-by would put his foot on my neck thinking I was insane! I was not insane but I was awfully hungry!” 503. Because of their admirable efforts, most of the prophetical knowledge and education came to us through them. May Allah be pleased with them all.

The companions, especially amongst them Abu Firas al-Aslami, when he says “I used to spend my night in the company of Messenger of Allah and used to bring water for his Wudu’ (ablution)” he indicates that he was taking pride in the company of the prophet (saw.) and in his nearness. They were never taking pride in their possessions, nor their money, nor their wealth, nor their worldly distinction as we do so in the current age. But they were taking pride in their moral qualities and religious affairs. May Allah enable us to follow the good examples of the companions.

The prophet (saw.) in this Hadith wanted to give a present to one who served him, saying “ask something from me”. This shows us that how constant and loyal the prophet (saw.) was! He did not forget to reward his servant. So, we should ask ourselves the following questions: How constant and loyal we are? When someone did a good thing for us in the past, can we remember him/her in the present and thank him/her by our sweet words rather than giving to him any material gift? Or do we forget the benefits that are provided for us? Do we not appreciate the people who granted those benefits to us? In fact, a human is a human with his/her moral qualities like his love for creation, his mercy towards everything, his kindness, his forgiveness, his loyalty, his sensitivity, his honesty, his trustworthiness, his good intentions, his constructive ideas and the like. If you take out these moral qualities and remove them from a human being, then what is left behind for him? He has nothing left except the position which he shares with animals. That may be why the prophet Muhammed (saw.) always encourages us to improve our moral qualities and to decorate ourselves with moral values. The most beautiful peaces and the most beautiful roses be upon you o messenger of Allah! O master of Mankind!

When Rabiah b. Ka’b al-Aslami (R) says to prophet (saw.): “I want to be with you in Jannah” this point shows us that how great his love for the prophet was! The companions loved him very much. One day after Salat al-Asr, the prophet (saw.) saw one of his companions so upset. When the prophet (saw) asked him about the reason, he replied: “O messenger of Allah! Something made me very sad. Indeed, we and you will die. When you pass away, you will go to the highest level of the Jannah (paradise). But I do not know whether I get in the paradise. Even I get in the Jannah, I will not be in your company in the Jannah. I love you so much that I cannot bear to be apart from you even I am in the paradise!” Thereupon, the prophet (saw.) remained client. He could not find anything to say. But angel Jibril brought the reply with following Quranic verse: “And whosoever obey Allah and the Messenger f Allah, they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His Grace, of the prophets, the Siddiqun (the truthful ones), the Shuhadaa (the martyrs), and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are!” (An-Nisa:69).