5 Iconic Scenes of Young Companions in Jihad
The love for jihad for the cause
of Allah was not limited to strong men nor confined to those who wielded swords
and spears. Its light spread into the hearts of the young boys among the
Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), to the point that they would race
toward the battlefields just as children race toward playgrounds.
They saw jihad as an honor and
dignity, a path leading to the pleasure of Allah and His Paradise. Their hearts were set ablaze
with enthusiasm, longing to accompany the Messenger of Allah (peace and
blessings be upon him) in the decisive battles of Islam.
Examples of the Companions’ Youth Eagerness for Jihad
The eagerness of these young
Companions to participate in jihad presents the most magnificent scenes of
sacrifice and devotion. It reflects how the Prophetic upbringing created a generation of believers whose hearts were attached to the Hereafter,
unoccupied by worldly matters from supporting their faith. Their souls grew
larger than their bodies, and their determination exceeded their young age.
Below are some examples that
illustrate how these young Companions were keen on striving in the path of
Allah:
1.
The Youth Volunteering Themselves for Battle
The young boys were keen to prepare for combat, they would wear the attire of warriors, carry their swords,
and present themselves before the Prophet (peace be upon him) seeking his
approval to join the army.
An example of this in the Battle
of Uhud was recorded, where several young Companions came forward, among them:
`Abdullah Ibn `Umar, Zayd Ibn Thabit,
Usamah Ibn Zayd, Zayd Ibn Arqam, Al-Baraa’ Ibn `Azib, Usayd Ibn Zhuhayr, `Arabah
Ibn Aws Ibn Qayzhi, Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri, Samurah Ibn Jundub, and Rafi` Ibn
Khadij (may Allah be pleased with them all).
Rafi` said: “I stretched myself
taller so the Prophet (peace be upon him) could see me.” (1)
2.
The Youth Learning Combat Skills to Qualify for Jihad
The young Companions desired to
go out with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) for jihad, but they
feared being rejected due to their young age. Therefore, they hurried to learn
the skills required in battle so they might be accepted among the warriors.
Ibn Hisham reported: “The
Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) that day approved Samurah Ibn Jundub
Al-Fazari and Rafi` Ibn Khadij of Banu Harithah, both fifteen years old. He had
initially turned them back, but when it was said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, Rafi`
is a skilled archer,’ he approved him. Then it was said, ‘O Messenger of Allah,
Samurah can wrestle Rafi` and defeat him,’ he approved him too.
The Prophet (peace be upon him)
then turned back Usamah Ibn Zayd, `Abdullah Ibn `Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, Zayd Ibn
Thabit of Banu Malik Ibn An-Najjar, Al-Baraa’ Ibn `Azib of Banu Harithah, `Amr Ibn
Hazm of Banu Malik Ibn An-Najjar, and Usayd Ibn Zhuhayr of Banu Harithah. He
later approved them at the Battle of the Trench when they were fifteen years
old.” (2)
3.
Hiding Among the Mujahideen
Ibn Sa`d narrated from `Amir Ibn
Sa`d, from his father, who said: “I saw my brother, `Umayr Ibn Abi Waqqas,
before the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) inspected us for the Battle
of Badr, hiding himself. I said, ‘What’s the matter, brother?’ He replied, ‘I
fear the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) might see me and consider me
too young, then send me back. Yet, I love to go out (for battle), hoping Allah
may bestow upon me martyrdom.’” (3)
4.
Weeping to Be Allowed to Join Jihad
In the same story of `Umayr Ibn
Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him), when he hid among the fighters so
the Prophet (peace be upon him) would not see him and send him back, he kept
trying until he was presented to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).
The Prophet (peace be upon him)
found him too young and said, “Go back.”
`Umayr (may Allah be pleased with him) wept, so the Messenger of Allah (peace
be upon him) permitted him to join. (4)
5.
Seeking Help from the Elders and Leaders in Battle
The young Companions were keen to
perform heroic acts that would bring victory to the Muslims. They would seek
the help of the elders and commanders in the field.
Al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated on
the authority of `Abd al-Rahman b. Auf (may Allah be pleased with him) who
said: While I was standing in the battle array
on the Day of Badr, I looked towards my right and my left, and found myself
between two boys from the Ansar quite young in age. I wished I were between
stronger persons. One of them made a sign to me and. said: Uncle, do you recognize
Abu Jahl? I said: Yes. What do you want to do with him, O my nephew? He said: I
have been told that he abuses the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). By
Allah, in Whose Hand is my life, if I see him (I will grapple with him) and
will not leave him until one of us who is destined to die earlier is killed.
The narrator said: I wondered at this. Then the other made a sign to me and
said similar words. Soon after I saw Abu Jahl. He was moving about among men. I
said to the two boys: Don't you see? He is the man you were inquiring about.
(As soon as they heard this), they dashed towards him, struck him with their
swords until he was killed. Then they returned to the Messenger of Allah (peace
be upon him) and informed him (to this effect). He asked: Which of you has
killed him? Each one of them said: I have killed him. He said: Have you wiped
your swords? They said: No. He examined their swords and said: Both of you have
killed him.
This scene confirms the young
Companions’ eagerness for jihad and their courage, driven by the desire to
bring victory to Islam.
Lessons from the Youth’s Eagerness for Jihad
1.
The Power of Faith-Based Upbringing
The educational environment
during the Prophet’s time (peace be upon him) instilled love for Islam and
readiness to sacrifice for it, even among boys and young men.
2.
The Prophetic Example in Instilling Honor and Dignity
The Prophet (peace be upon him)
raised the spirits of the youth and nurtured their bravery, yet balanced
enthusiasm with actual ability and maturity.
3.
Cultivating Responsibility from a Young Age
These examples shaped a
generation aware of its greater causes from an early age, detached from
trivialities and distractions.
4.
Combining Training with Empowerment
When the Prophet (peace be upon
him) turned back the young boys, it was not to discourage them but to prepare
them physically and mentally until they matured.
For Further Reading:
- Financial Jihad as a Collective Responsibility upon the Ummah
- Martyrs or Victims?
- Fiqh al Jihad Book By Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi Critical Questions Seeking Answers (3-3)
-------------------------------------------------------------
References:
(1) Ansab Al-Ashraf by Al-Baladhuri (1/316)
(2) As-Sirah An-Nabawiyyah by Ibn Hisham (2/66)
(3) At-Tabaqat Al-Kubra by Ibn Sa`d (3/149)
(4) Ibid.
