As'ad b. Zurara: Difference between revisions

{{Infobox Sahaba

  | Notable roles = Preaching Islam in Medina, presence at the pledge of al-'Aqaba, naqib of Banu l-Najjar

'''Abū Umāma, Asʿad b. Zurāra''' (Arabic: {{iarabic|ابوامامة اَسْعَد بن زُرارة}}) (d. [[1]]/623) was a [[Sahaba]], and among the first people of [[Yathrib]] who converted to [[Islam]]. He was titled as '''As'ad al-Khayr''' (Arabic:{{ia| أسعد الخير}}). He preached Islam in [[Medina]]; it is said he destroyed the [[idol]]s and performed [[prayer]]s alongside other Muslims. He was appointed as the [[naqib]] (deputy) of [[Banu l-Najjar]] by Prophet Muhammad (s) after [[the second pledge at al-Aqaba]]. As'ad and the Prophet Muhammad (s) had a mutual friendship. When As'ad had died, the Prophet Muhammad (s) performed the [[funeral prayer]] on his body and buried him in [[al-Baqi' cemetery]]. It is said that the 143rd verse of [[Quran 2]] was revealed on the status of a number of [[Sahaba]] especially As'ad b. Zurara.

 

As'ad b. Zurara was among the first people of [[Yathrib]] (name of Medina before Islam) who converted to Islam in [[Mecca]], prior to [[Hijra|the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (s) to Medina]]<ref>Ibn Sa'd, ''al-Tabaqat al-kubra'', Dar Sadir, vol. 3, p. 608.</ref>. As'ad was a companion of the Prophet Muhammad (s) from [[Khazraj]];<ref>Ibn Hisham, ''al-Sira al-Nabawiyya'', vol. 2, p. 429.</ref> he was a monotheist in [[Jahiliyya]] (ignorance) era.<ref>Ibn Sa'd, ''al-Tabaqat al-kubra'', Dar al-Kutub al-'Ilmiyya, vol. 1, P169; Ibn al-Jawzi, ''al-Muntazam'', vol. 3, p. 203.</ref>

According to sources, different stories are stated about the first meeting between As'ad b. Zurara and the Prophet Muhammad (s). However, the origin of all these narrations goes back to the meeting between people of [[Yathrib]] and the Prophet(s) at al-Aqaba.

According to the Ibn Sa'd's narration, when the conflict between the tribes of [[Aws and Khazraj]] reached its peak, As'ad and [[Dhakwan b. 'Abd Qays]] came from Yathrib to [[Mecca]], because they heard about the Prophet (s). After a meeting with him, they both converted to [[Islam]]. Then they returned to Yathrib and preached Islam. After some time along with a number of people of Yathrib, they came to the Prophet (s)<ref>see: al-Tabari, ''Tarikh al-Tabari'', vol. 2, p. 354-355.</ref> to take an oath of allegiance, which is known as [[the first pledge of al-Aqaba]].

People of [[Yathrib]] came to [[the Prophet Muhammad (s)]] in different groups to take an oath of allegiance, [[Banu l-Najjar]], the relatives of As'ad, claimed As'ad was the first one who took the oath of allegiance to the Prophet (s).<ref>Ibn Hisham, ''al-Sira al-Nabawiyya'', vol. 2, p. 73, 81, vol. 1, p. 89; Al-Tabari, ''Tarikh al-Tabari'', Vol2., p. 364.</ref> After [[the second pledge at al-Aqaba]] the Prophet (s) chose a [[naqib]] (deputy) for each tribe, who were supposed to preach [[Islam]] and take the responsibility in matters related to their own tribe. As'ad b. Zurara was among the twelve deputies chosen by the Prophet (s).<ref>Ibn Hisham, ''al-Sira al-Nabawiyya'', vol. 2, p. 85.</ref> According to one narration, As'ad was appointed as Naqib al-Nuqaba (the chief deputy).<ref>Al-Baladhuri, ''Ansab al-ashraf'', vol. 1, p. 254.</ref>

After As'ad b. Zurara returned to Yathrib, he started preaching Islam.<ref>Ibn Sa'd, ''al-Tabaqat al-kubra'', Dar Sadir, vol. 3, p. 609-610.</ref> As it is said, he destroyed the [[idols]] in the city and performed [[prayer]]s along with other Muslims.<ref>Ibn Hisham, ''al-Sira al-Nabawiyya'', vol. 2, p. 435; Tabrisi, ''Majma' al-bayan'', vol. 10, p. 431.</ref> It is also said he was the first one who performed the first [[Friday Prayer]]. However, historiographers have debates on the matter that As'ad b. Zurara preached Islam and performed prayers in Medina.<ref>Ibn Hisham, ''al-Sira al-Nabawiyya'', vol. 2, p. 76.</ref> According to the narrations by Ibn Ishaq, after the first pledge of al-Aqaba, Prophet Muhammad (s) sent [[Mus'ab b. 'Umayr]] to Medina in order to teach [[the Holy Quran]] to people. And in [[The Second Pledge of al-'Aqaba|the second pledge of al-'Aqaba]] Mus'ab along with Ansar came to [[Mecca]] to have a meeting with the Prophet Muhammad (s).<ref>Ibn Hisham, ''al-Sira al-Nabawiyya'', vol. 2, p. 76.</ref>

While other narrations declared that Mus'ab b. 'Umayr went to Medina after the second pledge of al-Aqaba.<ref>Ibn 'Abd al-Barr, ''al-Isti'ab'', Cairo, vol. 4, p. 1473.</ref> Therefore, it seems Mus'ab was responsible for teaching Quran and As'ad b. Zurara was responsible for performing prayers.<ref>Al-Baladhuri, ''Ansab al-ashraf'', vol. 1, p. 239, 243, 266; Al-Tabari, ''Tarikh al-Tabari'', vol. 2, p. 397; Ibn Hisham, ''al-Sira al-Nabawiyya, vol. 1, p. 100, 153; Khalifa b. Khayyat, ''Tarikh'', vol. 1, p. 14.</ref> When Mus'ab came to Medina, he settled in As'ad's house to carry out his duties.

The information about As'ad b. Zurara after the migration of the Prophet (s) to [[Medina]] is highly limited. As'ad became ill a few months after the migration of the Prophet (s) to Medina. The treatment was not effective and he passed away in [[Shawwal]] before the building of [[al-Masjid al-Nabawi]] (Prophet's mosque) was finished.<ref>Ibn Sa'd, ''al-Tabaqat al-kubra'', Dar Sadir, vol. 3, p. 611; Tabari, ''Tarikh al-Tabari'', vol. 2, p. 397; Ibn Hisham, ''al-Sira al-Nabawiyya'', vol. 1, p. 100, 153.</ref> the Prophet Muhammad (s) attended his funeral ceremony and also provided financial support for it.<ref>Ibn Sa'd, ''al-Tabaqat al-kubra'', Dar al-Kutub al-'Ilmiyya, vol. 3, p. 459.</ref> He also performed [[funeral prayer]] on his body, which was the first funeral prayer in Medina by the Prophet Muhammad (s).<ref>Ibn Shabh, ''Tarikh al-Madina'', vol. 96; Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani, ''al-Isaba'', vol. 1, p. 209.</ref> He was buried in [[al-Baqi' cemetery]]; it is said that he was the first one who was buried there.<ref>Ibn Sa'd, ''al-Tabaqat al-kubra'', Dar Sadir, vol. 3, p. 611-612.</ref>

After As'ad had passed away, [[Banu l-Najjar]] came to the Prophet Muhammad (s) and asked for a new [[naqib]] (deputy) for their tribe. Prophet said: I would be the naqib of your tribe, which made Banu l-Najjar immensely proud.<ref>Ibn Hisham, ''al-Sira al-Nabawiyya'', vol. 1, p. 154; Ibn Sa'd, ''al-Tabaqat al-kubra'', Dar al-Sadir, vol. 3, p. 611.</ref>

==Relation with the Prophet Muhammad (s)==

As'ad's speech at the night before [[Pledge of 'Aqaba|the allegiance at al-Aqaba]]<ref>Ahmad b. Hanbal, ''al-Musnad'', vol. 4, p. 268.</ref> and also the time that [[the Prophet (s)]] entered [[Quba]] and [[Medina]] represents his faith in the Prophet (s). Whenever the Prophet (s) came to Quba, As'ad went to meet him and performed [[congregational prayer]]s led by the Prophet (s).<ref>Tabrisi, ''I'lam al-wara, p. 76.</ref>

On the other hand, the Prophet (s) was fond of him, so that when he arrived in Medina, he asked about As'ad.<ref>Ahmad b. Hanbal, ''al-Musnad'', vol. 5, p. 26.</ref> When As'ad became ill, the Prophet (s) paid a visit to him and provided treatment for him.<ref>Ibn Sa'd, ''al-Tabaqat al-kubra'', Dar al-Kutub al-'Ilmiyya, vol. 3, p. 458; Ibn 'Abd al-Barr, ''al-Isti'ab'', Beirut, vol. 1, p. 175.</ref>

==Verses Revealed about As'ad==

A number of [[Sahaba]] had passed away before the [[change of qibla]] to [[Ka'ba]], including As'ad b. Zurara. Meanwhile, several leaders of Jews cast doubts on the prayers of those Sahaba who already passed away.<ref>Al-Baghawi, ''Ma'alim al-tanzil'', vol. 1, p. 123.</ref> Subsequently, it raised a question for As'ad's family and a number of [[Sahaba]] about the prayers of departed Muslims. Therefore, the 143rd verse of [[Quran 2]] was revealed:

<ref>Al-Tabrisi, ''Majma' al-bayan'', vol. 1, p. 417.</ref>{{enote|Never would Allah make your faith of no effect. For Allah is to all people most surely full of kindness Most Merciful. (Qur'an, 2:143)}}

It is narrated from Muqatil b. Sulayman, that the 102nd and 103rd verses of [[Quran 3]] were revealed about the conflict between Tha'laba b. Ghanam and As'ad b. Zurara. However, according to the reasons stated below, it seems attributing these verses to Tha'laba and As'ad is not correct. Tha'laba b. Ghanam from the tribe of [[Aws]] and As'ad b. Zurara from the tribe of [[Khazraj]] began a conflict on glorifying their own tribes. Tha'laba said [[Khuzayma Dhu l-Shahadatayn]], [[Hanzala Ghasil al-Malaika]], and [['Asim b. Thabit]] who supported [[Islam]] and [[Sa'd b. Mu'adh]] (whose decision on [[Banu Qurayza]] was accepted by [[Allah]]) are all from our tribe. As'ad said: [[Ubayy b. Ka'b]], [[Mu'adh b. Jabal]], [[Zayd b. Thabit]] and Abu Zayd (who carried and memorized Quran) and [[Sa'd b. 'Ubada]], the chief of [[Ansar]], all are from our tribe. Subsequently, it led to a dispute which caused an armed conflict between the tribes. After this incident, the 102nd and 103rd verses of [[Sura 3]] were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (s) which recommended piety and unity between both tribes.{{enote|O you who have faith! Be wary of Allah with the wariness due to Him and do not die except as Muslims. (102) Hold fast, all together, to Allah’s cord, and do not be divided [into sects]. And remember Allah’s blessing upon you when you were enemies, then He brought your hearts together, so you became brothers with His blessing. And you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, whereat He saved you from it. Thus does Allah clarify His signs for you so that you may be guided. (Quran, 3:102, 103}} Afterwards, both tribes agreed to make peace.<ref>Al-Tabrisi, ''Majma' al-bayan'', vol. 2, p. 804.</ref>

If we consider some of the statements mentioned above, they took place after the demise of As'ad b. Zurara (1\623), then it would be incorrect to attribute this story to him. For instance, [[Hanzala b. Abi 'Amir|Hanzala]] was martyred in [[the Battle of Uhud]] (3/625); also the story on [[Battle of Banu Qurayza|Banu Qurayza]] and [[Sa'd b. Mu'adh]] took place in [[5]]\11. possibly it is related to Sa'd, As'ad's brother, who was a hypocrite according to one narration.<ref>Al-Waqidi, ''al-Maghazi'', vol. 3, p. 1009.</ref>

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* Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani, Ahmad b. 'Ali, ''al-Isaba fi tamyiz al-Sahaba''. Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-'Ilmiyya, 1415

* Ibn Sa'd, Muhammad, ''al-Tabaqat al-kubra''. Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-'Ilmiyya, 2nd edition, 1418

* Ibn Shabih, ''Tarikh al-Madina al-munawwara''. Qum, Dar al-Fikr, 1410

* Ahmad b. Hanbal al-Shaybani, Abu 'Abd Allah, ''al-Musnad''. Beirut: Dar Ihya al-Turath al-'Arabi, 3rd edition, 1415

* Baghawi, Husayn b. Mas'ud al-, ''Ma'alim al-tanzil fi tafsir wa al-ta'wil''. Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-'Ilmiyya, 1414