The Guard in Prayer
Jabir bin Abdullah says that in
the Battle of Dhat-ur-Ruqa' the Holy Prophet (SAW) asked his companions
to rest for the night on a plain surrounded by the mountains."
"Who will volunteer to guard us tonight?" The Holy Prophet (SAW)
asked.
Immediately, two companions,
namely Ammar bin Yathir and Abbad bin Bishr came forward and volunteered
to stand guard while the army of Islam slept.
As they stationed themselves at
a strategic spot on the terrain, Abbad said: "Let us divide the
night, I shall keep the vigil in the first half, and you in the
second." So Ammar slept while Abbad remained vigilant, engaged
in nightly prayers. In the middle of his prayers, an enemy soldier
stealthily came near and shot an arrow which hit Abbad. He pulled out
the arrow and continued his prayers. Another arrow hit him causing a
further injury. Abbad pulled it out again and remained steadfast. When
the third arrow wounded him further, Abbad hastily bowed down in
prostration to complete his prayers. He awakened Ammar and related to
him what had transpired.
Ammar began to tend his wounds
and wipe off blood from his body, then asked: "Why did you not
wake me when you were first hit?"
Abbad said: "I was in my prayers,
and I did not feel like abandoning my communion with Allah. When I felt
terribly weakened by the third blow, I bowed down to complete my
prayers. Had it not been for the Holy Prophet's (SAW) order to stand
guard, I would not have disturbed your sleep."
Reference:
Pearls of Wisdom. A String of Incidents in the History of
Islam. The World Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim
Communities. Page 17 |