Fervor Of Faith

The city of Madina was under an impending attack from the King of Rome. The financial position of the people of Madina was very weak. Prophet (p) gave a call to all the people of Madina to make contributions in the cause of God, such that they can buy the arms and equipment needed for facing the attack of the Roman king on the city of Madina, and protect Madina and its inhabitants - the men, women and children. This expedition is called Expedition of Tabook. Everybody contributed far beyond his capacity. Usman (r), one of the companions of Prophet (p), was one of the richest persons those days. He contributed 900 horses, and a lot of gold. Omar (r), another close companion of Prophet (p), had just then got lot of money from out of his business. He thought that this time he would definitely excel Abu-Bakr (r), a very poor, but very dear, companion of Prophet (p). Omar (r) divided his complete wealth and monies into two parts; kept one half for his family and brought with him and contributed the other half in the cause of God. Having made the contribution, when he was going, Prophet (p) asked him, “O Omar! What did you leave for your family?” He said, “O Prophet (p)! I left half of my wealth and monies for my family, and the remaining half, I contributed in the cause of God.” Just then Abu-Bakr (r) also happened to come and bring his contribution. He made his contribution and was going. Then Prophet (p) asked him, “O Abu-Bakr! Tell me, what did you leave for your family?” Abu-Bakr (r) said, “I left only God and His Prophet for my family.” Omar (r) heard these words of Abu-Bakr (r), and said to himself, “I can never excel Abu-Bakr (r), because his faith in God is far more superior to that of mine.”

One thing that is worth noting here is that, what Abu-Bakr (r) contributed, was, in quantum terms, no match to the contribution of Omar (r). Omar’s contribution must have been at least 100 times more than that of Abu-Bakr (r), but even then, it was only half or 50% of Omar’s wealth. What Abu Bakr (r) contributed was full, or, whatever he had, or it was full 100%.

- A Rejoinder -

With Abu-Bakr (r), it so happened, that he had packed up everything that he had in his house, to contribute in the cause of God; and he was left with a woolen blanket to cover himself. There was not even a pin available to pin the blanket after covering his body with it; because even up to the pin, everything was packed towards the contribution. Then he went out and brought some thorns from the nearby bushes, and pinned it to the blanket to cover his body. It was in this dress that he came to submit his contribution. After that Prophet (p) had called him and asked the above question, and Abu-Bakr (r) gave the reply as above.  Just then Gabriel, the Arch Angel of God, who brings God’s Revelations and Messages to the Prophets, came to Prophet (p). He was wearing the same dress of a woolen blanket tied with the thorns. Prophet (p) wondered and asked Gabriel about the unusual dress, he was wearing that day. Gabriel replied, “Not only myself but, as per the command of God, all angels in the Heavens are wearing the same dress as that of Abu-Bakr (r) today. God has so much of liked the contribution, the spirit and faith of Abu-Bakr (r), that God not only ordered all angels including myself to wear this dress, but has also sent a message to you to convey to Abu-Bakr (r) that God is very happy with Abu-Bakr (r), and God wanted to know from Abu-Bakr (r), whether Abu-Bakr (r) is happy with God or not.” Prophet (p) conveyed to Abu-Bakr (r), “ O Abu-Bakr (r)! Gabriel has come to me now and is conveying to you that God is very happy with you for your spirit in making 100% contribution in the cause of God, and the faith you have shown in God. And God also wants to know from you whether you are happy with God.” On hearing this, Abu-Bakr (r) was in tears of joy; went into a trance and went on repeating again and again, by raising his hand, pointing his index finger towards the Heavens and rotating his hand, “ I am happy with God ! I am happy with God !! I am happy with God !!!”            

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx