Child Companions around the Prophet Peace be Upon Him – Darussalam

2014-06-23

Book Review: Child Companions around the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) By: Dar-us-Salam Research Division

Reviewed by: Ml. Ashraf Dockrat on Radio Islam – 23 June 2014

No of pages: (346) Hardcover.

Price: (R120)

EBook: (None) (Preview here and here)

Genre: Stories of the Sahaba (ra)/Biographies

Synopsis:

Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) loved children. This book covers, albeit not exhaustively, some prominent companions who accepted Islam at a young age and spent their youth around the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam). The reader gains an insight into the dealings of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) with younger Muslims and how these youth learnt from Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam), as they would from a kindly father, manners such as eating, talking with elders, behaviour with other children, and other basic tenets of Islam. While some books published by Darus Salaam may require a cautious approach, this one is benign and informative. It includes biographies of the following companions:

Hassan bin Ali (r)
Husayn bin Ali (r)
Abdullah bin Zubair (r)
Abdullah bin Abbas (r)
Abdullah bin Ja’far (r) – [a relative of Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) who many have never even heard of]
Abdullah bin Umar (r)
Abdullah bin ‘Amr (r)
Usamah bin Zaid (r)
Anas bin Malik (r)
Saeed bin Al-‘Aas (r)

We learn about their good character, knowledge and generosity. For example how Husan (r) approached Marwan bin Hakm’s brusqueness and ibn Abaas (r)’s wisdom.

It is reported on the authority of Ibn Abbas (r) that ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab (r) sat with some of the Companions of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) from among the Muhajiruun and they mentioned Lailatul-Qadr. Some of them spoke of what they had heard about it and the people disagreed regarding it.

‘Umar (r) said: “What ails you, Ibn ‘Abbas that you remain silent and do not speak? Speak and do not let your youthfulness deter you.”

Ibn ‘Abbas (r) said: “O, Commander of the Faithful! Verily, Allah, the Most high is Witr (an odd number-in the case of Allah, One), and He loves Witr.

He made the days of the week seven.
He created mankind from seven.
He created our sustenance from seven.
He created above us seven heavens
He created below us seven earths
He gave us the seven oft-repeated Verses. (The seven oft-repeated Verses: Surah Al-Fatihah)
He forbade marriage to seven relatives.
He divided inheritance in His book among seven.
We prostrate on seven points on our bodies.
The Messenger of Allah (s) circumambulated the Ka’abah seven times.
The Prophet performed seven circuits between As-Safa and Al-Marwah.
The Prophet stoned the Jamarat seven times.

In order to fulfill the Command of ALLAH, as written in His Book and He showed it – Lailatul-Qadr during the last seven nights of Ramadan and Allah knows better.”

Umar (r) was impressed and he said: “No one has confirmed what I heard from the Messenger of ALLAH saw except this boy, whose skull bones have not yet joined together. [Meaning, he was still so young]. Verily, the Messenger of Allah (S) said: “Look for it during, the last ten nights.” O people! Who can reply to me in this as Ibn ‘Abbas has done?”

Published by: Dar-us-Salam Publications

Available from: Most bookstores and:
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