'Abdullaah Ibn Umm Maktoom

'Abdullaah Ibn Umm Maktoomwas the cousin of Khadeejah Bint Khuwaylid,
Mother of theBelievers. His father was Qays Ibn Sa'eed and his mother
was 'Aatikah Ibnt 'Abdullaah. She was called Umm Maktoom (Mother of
the concealed one) because she gave birth to a blind child.
'Abdullaahwitnessed the rise of Islam in Makkah. He was amongst the
first to accept Islam. He lived through the persecution of the Muslims
and suffered what the other Companions of the Prophetexperienced. His
attitude, like theirs, was one of firmness, staunch resistance and
sacrifice.
Neither his dedication nor his faith weakened against the violence of
the onslaught of the Quraysh (the ruling tribe of Makkah at the time
of Prophet Muhammad, sallallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam). In fact, it
only increased his determination to hold onto the religion of Allaah
and his devotion to His Messenger.
'Abdullaahwas devoted to the noble Prophetand he was soeager to
memorize the Quran that he would not miss any opportunity to achieve
his heart's desire.Indeed, his sense of urgency and his insistence
could sometimes have been excessive as he, unintentionally, sought to
monopolize the attention of the Prophet.
In this period, the Prophetwas concentrating on the Quraysh notables
and was eager for them to become Muslims. On one particular day, he
met 'Utbah Ibn Rabee'ah and his brother Shaybah, 'Amr Ibn Hishaam,
better known as Abu Jahl, Umayyah Ibn Khalaf and Waleed Ibn Mugheerah,
the father of Khaalid Ibn Al-Waleedwho was later to be known as
Sayfullaah or 'the Sword of Allaah'.
Hehad begun talking and negotiating with them and telling them about
Islam. Hewished that they would respond positively to himand accept
Islam or at least call off their persecution of his Companions.
While the Prophetwasthus engaged, 'AbdullaahIbn Umm Maktoomcame up and
asked him to read a verse from the Quran. "O Messenger of Allaah," he
said, "teach me from what Allaah has taught you."
The Prophetfrowned and turned away from him. Heturned his attention
instead to the prestigious group of Quraysh, hoping that they would
become Muslims and that by their acceptance of Islam they would bring
greatness tothe religion of Allaah andstrengthen his mission.
As soon as hehad finished speaking to them and had left their company,
he suddenly felt partially blinded and his head began to throb
violently. At this point thefollowing revelation came to him (what
means):"He (i.e., the Prophet) frowned andturned away because there
came to him the blind man, (interrupting).But what would make you
perceive, (O Muhammad), that perhaps he might be purified, or be
reminded and the remembrance would benefit him? As forhe who thinks
himself without need, to him yougive attention. And not upon you (is
any blame) if he will not be purified. But as for he who came to you
striving (for knowledge) while he fears Allaah, from him you are
distracted. No! Indeed, they (i.e., theses verses) are a reminder;
sowhoever wills may remember it".[Quran 80: 1-12]
These are the verses which were revealed to the noble Prophetabout
'Abdullaah Ibn Umm Maktoom. Theseverses have continued to be recited
from that time till today and shall continue to be recited by all who
read the Quran.
From that day the Prophetdid not cease to be generous to 'Abdullaah
Ibn Umm Maktoomto ask him about his affairs, to fulfill his needs and
take him into his council whenever he approached. In fact, in later
years, heoften greeted Ibn Umm Maktoom with these words of
humility:"Welcome unto him on whose account my Sustainer has blamed
me."
When the Quraysh intensified their persecution of the Prophetand those
who believed with him, Allaah gave them permission to emigrate.
'Abdullaah's response was prompt. He and Mus'aab Ibn 'Umayrwere the
first of the Companions to reach Al-Madeenah.
One of the responsibilities that the Prophetplaced on 'Abdullaah Ibn
Umm Maktoomwas to put him in charge of Al-Madeenah in his absence.
This was done more than ten times.
Soon after the battle of Badr, the Prophetreceived a revelation from
Allaah raising the status of those who go out to fight the enemies
(for the sake of Allaah) and preferring them overthose who remain
inactive at home. This revelation affected 'Abdullaahdeeply. It pained
him to be thus barred from the higher status and he said: 'O Messenger
of Allaah! IfI could go on Jihaad (fighting in Allaah's cause), I
would certainly do it.' He then earnestly asked Allaah to send down a
revelation about his particular case and those like him who were
prevented because of their disabilities from going on military
campaigns.
His prayer was answered.An additional phrase wasrevealed to the
Prophetexempting those with disabilities from the import of the
original verse. The full verse became (what means):"Not equal are
those believers remaining (at home) – other than the disabled – and
the mujaahideen (who striveand fight) in the cause of Allaah with
their wealth and their lives…. "[ Quran, 4: 95]
In spite of thus being excused from Jihaad, the soul of 'Abdullaah Ibn
Umm Maktoomrefused to be content with staying among those who remained
at home when an expedition was in progress. Great souls are not
content with remaining detached fromaffairs of great magnitude. He
determined that no campaign should by-pass him. He fixed a role for
himself on the battlefield.He would say: "Place me between two rows
and give me the flag. I will carry it for you and protect it, for I am
blind and cannot run away."
In the fourteenth year after the Hijrah (migration), 'Umarwho was the
Caliph at the time resolved to mount a major assault against the
Persians to bring down their State and open the way for theMuslim
forces. So he wrote to his governors: "Send anyone with a weapon or a
horse or who can offer any form of help to me - and make haste."
Crowds of Muslims from every direction responded to 'Umar's call and
converged on Al-Madeenah. Among all these was the blind Mujaahid
'Abdullaah Ibn Umm Maktoom. 'Umarappointed Sa'd Ibn Abi
Waqqaascommander over the army, gave him instructions and bade him
farewell.
When the army reached Qaadisiyah, 'Abdullaah Ibn Umm Maktoomwas in the
forefront, wearing a coat of armor and fully prepared. He had vowed to
carry and protect the flag of the Muslims or be killed in the process.
The forces met and engaged in battle for three days. The fighting was
among the most fierce and bitter in the history of the Muslim
conquests. On the third day, the Muslims achieved a mighty victoryas
one of the greatest empires in the world collapsed and one of the most
secure thrones fell. The flag of Tawheed (Monotheism) was raised in an
idolatrous land.
The price of this clear victory was hundreds of martyrs. Among them
was 'Abdullaah Ibn Umm Maktoom. He was found amongst those who had
been killed on the battlefield clutching the flag of the Muslims.