Amar ibn Yasir, a man of Paradise
Friday, August 15, 2008
IF THERE were people born in Paradise, reared and brought to maturity there, and then brought to earth to adorn and enlighten it, then 'Amar, his mother Sumaiyah and his father Yasir would be of them!
But why do we say "if" and why do we make that condition when Yasir's family were really of Paradise?
The Messenger of Allah Muhammad, peace and blessing be upon him, was not merely pacifying them when he said, "Patience, O Yasir's family. Verily, your meeting place will be in Paradise."
Their embracing of Islam was early, like that of the righteous ones guided by Allah. And like the early righteous Muslims as well, they had their good share
of the Quraisy's persecution and terror.
The Quraisy used to waylay the believers to attack them. If the believers were among the honorable and noble people in their community, the Quraisy would pursue them with threats and menace.
Abu Jahl would meet one of the believers and tell him, "You abandoned your forefathers' religion and they were better than you. We will spoil your character, degrade your honour, reduce your trade, and exhaust your money."
They would then launch a heated war of nerves upon him.
If the believers were among the weak, poor, or slaves of Mekah, then the Quraisy would burn them with the fire of persecution.
Yasir's family belonged to that class. The order for their persecution was handed to Bani Makhzum.
They used to take them all — 'Amar's father Yasir ibn Amir, 'Amar's mother Sumaiyah bint Khayyat and 'Amar — to the burning desert of
Mekah, where they would pour upon them different kinds of the hell of torture.
Sumaiyah's share of that torment was colossal and terrible. We shall not elaborate about her now, since we shall have — Allah willing — another encounter with her and her likes during those immortal days to talk about the grace of sacrifice and the glory of her firmness.
Suffice it to mention now, without any exaggeration, that Sumaiyah, the martyred one, maintained a firm stance that day which gives the whole of humanity an everlasting honour and an ever glorious dignity. The Messenger of Allah used to go where he knew Yasir's family were tortured. He did not have at that time any means of resistance or keeping harm from them. This was Allah's will, because the new faith — the faith of Ibrahim Al-Hanif (Ibrahim the true) — which was revealed to Muhammad was not a casual and passing reform movement.
It was a way of life for the whole humanity of believers who had to inherit along with the religion all its history of heroism, sacrifices, and risks.
These abundant noble sacrifices are the cement and the foundation that grant an everlasting firmness and immortality to the faith and the creed.
It is the fragrance that fills the hearts of believers with loyalty, joy, and happiness. It is the lighthouse that guides the coming generations to the reality of religion, to its truth and greatness.
Therefore, Islam had to make its sacrifices and have its victims, the meaning of which is illustrated and illuminated in more than one verse of the Quran for the Muslims.
Allah says, "Do the people think that they will be left to say: 'We believe', and they shall not be tested?" (translation of the Quran surah Al-Ankabut: 2)
"Do you think that you will enter Paradise before Allah tests those of you who fought (in His Cause) and (also) tests those who remained patient?" (Ali Imran: 142)
One day while the Messenger of Allah was looking for them, 'Amar called to him, "O Messenger of Allah, we are suffering from extreme torment." The Messenger called to him saying, "Patience, Abu Yaqzan, patience O Yasir's family. Verily, your meeting place will be in Paradise."
'Amr ibn Maimun said, "The polytheists scorched 'Amar ibn Yasir with fire, and Allah's Messenger used to pass by him, pass his hand over Yasir's head and say, 'O fire, be cool and peaceful on 'Amar, as you were cool and peaceful on Ibrahim'."
Despite that overwhelming terror, it did not vanquish 'Amar's spirit, though it overburdened his back and strained his strength. They burned his skin with fire, laid him on the heated sands of the desert un der the burning stones, ducked him in water until he could hardly breathe and until his wounds and gashes were skinned. Amar remained steadfast until his tormenters were exhausted and they retreated, yielding to his determination.
Men around the Prophet
But why do we say "if" and why do we make that condition when Yasir's family were really of Paradise?
The Messenger of Allah Muhammad, peace and blessing be upon him, was not merely pacifying them when he said, "Patience, O Yasir's family. Verily, your meeting place will be in Paradise."
Their embracing of Islam was early, like that of the righteous ones guided by Allah. And like the early righteous Muslims as well, they had their good share
of the Quraisy's persecution and terror.
The Quraisy used to waylay the believers to attack them. If the believers were among the honorable and noble people in their community, the Quraisy would pursue them with threats and menace.
Abu Jahl would meet one of the believers and tell him, "You abandoned your forefathers' religion and they were better than you. We will spoil your character, degrade your honour, reduce your trade, and exhaust your money."
They would then launch a heated war of nerves upon him.
If the believers were among the weak, poor, or slaves of Mekah, then the Quraisy would burn them with the fire of persecution.
Yasir's family belonged to that class. The order for their persecution was handed to Bani Makhzum.
They used to take them all — 'Amar's father Yasir ibn Amir, 'Amar's mother Sumaiyah bint Khayyat and 'Amar — to the burning desert of
Mekah, where they would pour upon them different kinds of the hell of torture.
Sumaiyah's share of that torment was colossal and terrible. We shall not elaborate about her now, since we shall have — Allah willing — another encounter with her and her likes during those immortal days to talk about the grace of sacrifice and the glory of her firmness.
Suffice it to mention now, without any exaggeration, that Sumaiyah, the martyred one, maintained a firm stance that day which gives the whole of humanity an everlasting honour and an ever glorious dignity. The Messenger of Allah used to go where he knew Yasir's family were tortured. He did not have at that time any means of resistance or keeping harm from them. This was Allah's will, because the new faith — the faith of Ibrahim Al-Hanif (Ibrahim the true) — which was revealed to Muhammad was not a casual and passing reform movement.
It was a way of life for the whole humanity of believers who had to inherit along with the religion all its history of heroism, sacrifices, and risks.
These abundant noble sacrifices are the cement and the foundation that grant an everlasting firmness and immortality to the faith and the creed.
It is the fragrance that fills the hearts of believers with loyalty, joy, and happiness. It is the lighthouse that guides the coming generations to the reality of religion, to its truth and greatness.
Therefore, Islam had to make its sacrifices and have its victims, the meaning of which is illustrated and illuminated in more than one verse of the Quran for the Muslims.
Allah says, "Do the people think that they will be left to say: 'We believe', and they shall not be tested?" (translation of the Quran surah Al-Ankabut: 2)
"Do you think that you will enter Paradise before Allah tests those of you who fought (in His Cause) and (also) tests those who remained patient?" (Ali Imran: 142)
One day while the Messenger of Allah was looking for them, 'Amar called to him, "O Messenger of Allah, we are suffering from extreme torment." The Messenger called to him saying, "Patience, Abu Yaqzan, patience O Yasir's family. Verily, your meeting place will be in Paradise."
'Amr ibn Maimun said, "The polytheists scorched 'Amar ibn Yasir with fire, and Allah's Messenger used to pass by him, pass his hand over Yasir's head and say, 'O fire, be cool and peaceful on 'Amar, as you were cool and peaceful on Ibrahim'."
Despite that overwhelming terror, it did not vanquish 'Amar's spirit, though it overburdened his back and strained his strength. They burned his skin with fire, laid him on the heated sands of the desert un der the burning stones, ducked him in water until he could hardly breathe and until his wounds and gashes were skinned. Amar remained steadfast until his tormenters were exhausted and they retreated, yielding to his determination.
Men around the Prophet
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