04-10-2003, 06:10 AM
Zaid bin Harithah (may Allah Be Pleased with Him)
His Early Life:
- His name is Zaid bin Harithah bin Shurahil Al-Ka`bi.
- When he was eight years old, his mother Su`da bint Tha`labah took him in a visit to her people Banu Ma`n. On the way, they were attacked by Banu Al-Qain, who plundered her people’s property and took their offspring as captives.
- Losing her son, the mother of Zaid suffered a great deal and kept on weeping and wailing.
The Story of Selling Him:
- Zaid was offered for sale in `Ukazh marketplace, which was held in Mecca during the Sacred Months for transactions and as a forum for presenting poetry. Zaid was bought by Hakim bin Hizam, one of the dignitaries of the Quraish and nephew of Khadijah bint Khuwailid, who became later the wife of the Prophet.
- Hakim gave Zaid as a gift to his paternal aunt Khadijah, who in turn gave Zaid as a gift to the Prophet (peace be upon him) after they got married. At that time, the Prophet did not receive the revelation yet.
- Zaid was happy with the Prophet (peace be upon him) and loved him very much, and so did the Prophet (peace be upon him).
The Decision to Stay with the Messenger of Allah:
- Zaid’s father knew where his son is. He traveled to Mecca along with Ka`b, Zaid’s paternal uncle, carrying money to ransom Zaid.
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) refused to take money and proposed to make Zaid free to choose either to stay with him or to return to his family. Zaid’s father and uncle were satisfied with this suggestion. Unexpectedly, Zaid preferred to stay with the Messenger (peace be upon him). When his father blamed him for preferring servitude to freedom, Zaid explained that he experienced something during his stay with the Prophet that urged him to keep his company forever. When Zaid said that, the Prophet took him to the Sacred House and proclaimed his adoption of Zaid before the Quraish people. On seeing this, Zaid’s father was very pleased and he left Mecca after being reassured of his son’s status. Zaid was called Zaid the son of Muhammad until adoption was prohibited and the Qur’anic verse: “Call them by the names of their fathers” (33:5) was revealed. Afterwards, Zaid was known as Zaid bin Harithah.
His Jihad:
- When the Prophet (peace be upon him) received revelation, Zaid was one of the pioneering men who accepted Islam, and commanded some of the detachments and deputations sent by the Prophet (peace be upon him). Sometimes he was appointed ruler of Medina when the Prophet left it for some battles in outside borders.
His Death:
- In 8 A.H., Zaid bin Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him) commanded the Islamic army, which was composed of 3000 soldiers, at the battle of Mu’tah. No sooner the Islamic army reached Mi`an (present Jordan), than Hiraql, the Roman King, commanded an army of 100,000 soldiers, to which another 100,000 of the polytheist Arabs were joined. Zaid was killed in that battle, and was succeeded by Ja`far bin Abi Talib and `Abdullah bin Rawahah, who were also killed. The Muslims then chose Khalid bin Al-Walid to command the army. Khalid managed to make an organized retreat, thus saving the Islamic army from total destruction.
- The Prophet was very sad for the death of Zaid and the other two commanders. He wept bitterly for the loss of his beloved Zaid.[/color:63b4d19036]