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The Prophet Wept for His Goodness
Abu Ayyub Al Anshari is a friend of the prophet whose name is certainly no stranger to the Muslim community in general. He was part of Al Ansar but still has a kinship with his grandmother's family of the Prophet.
His full name is Khalid bin Zaid bin Kulaib bin Tsa’labah bin Abdu bin Auf bin Ghanam bin Malik Abu Ayyub An Najjari. His mother was Hindun bint Saad bin Amr bin Imrilqais bin Malik bin Tsa’lab bin Kaab bin Al Khazraj bin Al Harits bin Al Khazraj Al Akbar.
Abu Ayyub Al Anshari belonged to Sabiqunal Awwalun, the first Muslim of the Ansar. He was also among the Ansars who followed Bayat ‘Aqaba.
During the migration of the Prophet, when he reached Medina, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and give him peace, stayed for a while before stopping at the village of Bani Amr bin Auf.
The Prophet stayed in this house for several months until he built his house along with the mosque.
Like other companions of the Ansar Prophet, he befriended a Muhajirin, namely Mushab ibn Umair, the first Islamic preacher, sent by the Prophet, in the land of Yastrib.
Among the forms of love Abu Ayyub towards the Prophet Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam is as he himself tells:
Abu Ayyub's house is located on two floors. Abu Ayyub emptied the upper part of all his personal needs and the needs of his wife so that the Prophet Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam lived there.
But Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam prefer to stay under, then Abu Ayyub obey the will of the Prophet shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam and let him stay as he pleases.
The night came, Prophet Muhammad SAW, went to his bed, Abu Ayyub Al Anshari and his wife went upstairs, as soon as Abu Ayyub closed the door, he turned to his wife and said, “Then we, what do we do? Could it be that Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam below while we are above? Should we walk on Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam? Are we among the Prophets shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam with revelation? Then we shall perish.”
The husband and wife were confused, both of them did not know what to do. Both can be a little relieved when both of them pull over to the other side where Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam is not below it, the two of them remained where they had not left him except in a state of walking on the sidelines away from the middle.
Morning arrived, Abu Ayyub Al Anshari said to Prophet Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, “For the sake of Allah O Messenger of Allah, last night we could not sleep, neither I nor Umm Ayyub.”
The Prophet asked, “Why?”
Abu Ayyub said, “I remember that I am above the house where you are under it, if I move then the dust will fall on you, besides that I was among you with revelation.”
So Prophet Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said, “Do not think, O Abu Ayyub, it is easier for me if I am below, because of the many people who want to meet me.”
Abu Ayyub Al Anshari said, I obeyed the order of the Prophet Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, but one cold night, a barrel of our water broke, the water splattered on the top floor, and the water splattered on the ground, so I and Umm Ayyub took a piece of cloth that we had been using as a blanket, we had no other than it, we tried to wipe and dry the water with it, and we did not have anything else, we are worried that he will drip to Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam.
“Rasulullah stayed in our house at the bottom, and when I was in the room (upper part) then spilled the water in the room, so I and Umm Ayyub rushed to wipe the traces of water with a cloth so that Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam was not hit with the drops.” Not one bit he wants to hurt Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam even with something trivial.
Likewise, Ibn Abbas's story about Abu Ayyub Al Anshari's love, he said, Abu Bakr came out of the mosque one afternoon, Umar saw him, he said, “Wahai Abu Bakr, he said, what gets me out at times like this?” Abu Bakr replied, “That makes me come out is nothing but hunger wrapped around my stomach.” Umar said, “Together with myself, I also did not come out except because of severe hunger.”
When both of them were in such a state, the Prophet shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam came out and met them both, the Prophet shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam asked, “What makes you come out at times like this?”
The two replied, “For the sake of Allah, who made us come out is none other than the severe hunger that plagues our stomachs.” So the Prophet Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said, “I by virtue of which my soul is in His hands, do not come out except therefore also. Rise with me.”
So they went and came to Abu Ayyub al-Anshari. Abu Ayyub himself always kept food for the Prophet Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. If the Prophet of Allah shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam does not come to him then he will give it to his family.
As they approached the door, Umm Ayyub greeted them. He said, “Welcome to Prophet shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam and those who are with him.” So Prophet Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam asked, “Where is Abu Ayyub?”
Abu Ayyub Al Anshari who was working in the garden not far from home heard the voice of the Prophet Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, so he hurried to come and said, saying, “Welcome to Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam and those who are with him.”
Then Abu Ayyub added, “O Prophet, this is not the time where you used to come.” Prophet shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam replied, “You are right.”
Then Abu Ayyub Al Anshari went to a date tree and cut one of the beds containing fresh dates, which were ripe and half-ripe dates (which were already good to eat). Prophet shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam bersabda, “I don't want you to cut it, why don't you pick the fruit only.”
Abu Ayyub replied, “Yes the Messenger of Allah, I want you to eat the fruit, the ripe fresh dates and the half-ripe dates (which are already good to eat). I'll also slaughter a goat for you.” Prophet shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam bersabda, “Do not slaughter dairy animals.”
So Abu Ayyub Al Anshari slaughtered the young goat and he said to his wife, “Make dough and bread for our guests. You know better how to make it.” Abu Ayyub himself took half of the goat he slaughtered and cooked it and the other half he kept.
When the food is ripe, it is served in the presence of the Prophet Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam and his two companions. The prophet Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam took a piece of meat and put it on a piece of bread, he said, “Wahai Abu Ayyub, give this immediately to Fatimah, because he never ate like this for a few days.” Then they eat until they are full. Prophet shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam bersabda, “Bread, meat, dates, fresh dates and half-cooked dates.”
Suddenly both eyes of Prophet Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam shed tears, then he said, “For the sake of which my soul is in His hands, verily this is a pleasure in which you will be asked about it on the Day of Resurrection.
If you get something like this then you want to eat it then say, ‘In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Merciful.’ If you are full then say, ‘All praise be to Allah who has made us dear and give us blessings with baham’.” Then the Prophet shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam bankit and said to Abu Ayyub, “Come to us tomorrow.”
He was one of the friends who always followed the Islamic war. He participated in the wars of Badr, Uhud, Khandaq and the subsequent wars. He observed almost all the battles with the Prophet. Someone who is known to be brave, patient, pious and warlike in his life priorities.
When the caliphate was ruled by Ali ibn Abi Talib, he was among the companions who fought under the banner of Ali ibn Abi Talib and was among the close associates of Ali ibn Abi Talib.
He was with Ali ibn Abi Talib in the war of Jamal, the war against the Kharijites, and he replaced Ali ibn Abi Talib when Ali went to Iraq and moved the seat of government there.
Among the things that show his passion in jihad is the history mentioned by Abu Yazid Al Madini, he said, “Formerly Abu Ayyub Al Anshari and Miqdad bin Aswad said, , ‘We were ordered to fight in all circumstances.’” And both of them quibble with the verse
“Lift you both in a state of feeling light and heavy.” [Q.L. At Taubah: 41]
In his old age, just when the leadership of the Muslims was in the hands of Muawiyah, Allah destined Abu Ayyub Al Anshari to fight with the children against the Roman Empire. Yazid ibn Muawiyyah led the army.
One time he was wounded in the war, which made him sick. So when his illness got worse, Yazid asked for a will. So he said:
“When I die, cover me and tell people to send animals (to fight) to enemy territory. When you meet the enemy, bury me under your feet.”
Yazid fulfilled his wish, therefore he was buried near their fortress. He died in Constantinople around the age of 50, 51 or 52, 80 Hijri.
Abu Ayyub Al Anshari Has a High Spirit of Learning
Among the zeal of Abu Ayyub Al Anshari in gaining knowledge is what is mentioned from Juraij he said, “I heard a sheikh from Madinah mention the hadith to ‘Atha that Abu Ayyub went on safari to Egypt to ‘Uqbah bin Amir in order to get a hadith then when ‘Uqbah bin Amir heard the arrival of Abu Ayyub Al Anshari, so he came out to welcome him to glorify him.
So Abu Ayyub Al Anshari said to him, ‘(Say you) a hadith that you heard from the Prophet about covering up the secrets of the Muslims.’ So Uqbah also said, ‘I heard the Prophet Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam bersabda
“Whosoever covers (disgrace) a Muslim, Allah will cover (disgrace) him on the day of doomsday.’ After hearing the hadith, Abu Ayyub Al Anshari went to his mount and went home.
He is a shahabat who narrates the hadith of the Prophet of the Holy Spirit, directly or through the history of Ubay bin Kaab and others. There are also recorded students who narrated from him from among shahabat such as Anas bin Malik, Abdullah bin Abbas, Zaid bin Khalid, Jabir bin Samurah, Al Barra bin Azib, Miqdam bin Ma’dikarib.
Among the tabiins such as Abdullah bin Yazid al-Khathami, Jubair bin Nufair, Sa’id bin Al Musayyib, Musa bin Thalhah, Urwah bin Zubair, Atha’ bin Yazid Al Laits, Aflah maula Atha’ bin Yazid Al Laitsi, Abu Rumam As Sima’i bin Abdirrahman, Abu Salamah bin Abdirrahman, Abdurrahman bin Abi Laila, Qartsa’ Adh Dhubai, Muhammad bin Ka’ab, Al Qasim Abu Abdirrahman, and other.
Abu Ayyub Al Anshari
Abu Ayyub Al Anshari's priorities included philanthropy. He always prepares food for the Prophet, may the Lord bless him and give him peace, while he is in his house.
He even showed the nature of alms, as narrated by Abdullah bin Abbas, “One day Abu Bakr came out during the day.when the sun shines brightly.”
Umar looked at Abu Bakr then asked: “What makes you come out like that, Abu Bakr?”
“There is no other reason that forces me to go out (home) except because I feel very hungry,” replied Abu Bakr.
Umar replied, “I am also in the name of Allah, have no reason to leave except this.”
When the two of them were in this state, the Prophet came out and approached them. He said: “What brings you out at this hour?” The two said, “Nothing gets us out except what we feel in our stomachs. We are very hungry.”
Then Prophet Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “I also – in His Hands my soul – will not give birth to me except for this. Come with me.”
The three of them went to the house of Abu Ayyub Al Ansari. It was Abu Ayyub's custom to always prepare food for the Prophet. When his wives had nothing to eat, he went to the house of Abu Ayyub. When the three reached the house of Abu Ayyub, Umm Ayyub, wife of Abu Ayyub, said: “Welcome, Prophet of Allah and those who are with you.”
The Prophet, SAW, asked: “Where is Abu Ayyub Al Anshari ?” Abu Ayyub, who was working in the date orchard, heard the voice of the Prophet, Abu Ayyub Al Anshari rushed to his house and said: “Marhaban for the Prophet and those who were with him.” Abu Ayyub said, “Yes the Prophet, this is not the usual time for you to come here.” “Really,” replied the Prophet, saw.
Abu Ayyub Al Anshari immediately picked some dried dates, wet dates and young dates. He then offered it to the Prophet, “Rasulullah, eat it. I will also slaughter animals for you,” Abu Ayyub said. “If you want to kill, do not kill anyone who has milk,” said the Prophet, may Allah bless him and give him peace.
Abu Ayyub Al Anshari then served his food. The Prophet sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam took a piece of meat and put it on bread. Then he asked Abu Ayyub: “Revelation Abu Ayyub, bring him to Fatimah, for he has not eaten anything like this for a long time.”
After fullness, the Prophet shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said, “Bread, meat, dried dates, wet dates, and dates young.” He shed tears. Then said, “By the Soul that my soul in His hand. This is a pleasure, which will be asked later on the day of the apocalypse.”
With all his humility and reverence to Nabu Muhammad SAW. May it be an example for all of us. Wallahua’lam!
