When Abjar Az-Zayt Will Be Covered in Blood
Introduction
In this tradition, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) advises his Companions and his ummah after him what to do when the preparation of graves becomes costly and when problems and trials arise and become pervasive.
Text of the Hadith
Abu Dharr (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Apostle of Allah (ﷺ) said to him, “O Abu Dharr. I replied, ‘At your service and at your pleasure, Apostle of Allah.’ He then mentioned the tradition in which he said ‘What will you do when people die and a grave will be sold for a slave?’ I replied, ‘Allah and His Apostle know best.’ Or he said, ‘What Allah and His Apostle choose for me.’ The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘You must show endurance.’ Or he said. ‘You may endure.’ He then said to me, ‘What will you do, Abu Dharr, when you see the Ahjar az-Zayt covered with blood?’ I replied, What Allah and His Apostle choose for me. He said, ‘You must go to those who are like-minded.’ I asked. ‘Should I not take my sword and put it on my shoulder?’ He replied, ‘You would then associate yourself with those people.’ I then asked, ‘What do you order me to do?’ ‘You must stay at home.’ I asked, ‘What should I do if people enter my house and find me?’ He replied, ‘If you are afraid the gleam of the sword may dazzle you (entice you to fight), put the end of your garment over your face (in order that the one who kills you) may bear the punishment of your sins and his.’”
[This hadith was narrated by Abu Dawud in “The Book of al-Fitan wal Malahim (War and Dissensions)” in the chapter entitled: “The Prohibition of Seeking After Fitnah (Dissension)”, hadith no. 4261]
Explanation of the Hadith
This tradition which is a dialogue between the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and his Companion, Abu Dharr (رضي الله عنه), is meant to direct Muslims to the proper behavior during hard times that Muslims may undergo such as:
1. The time when graves become very costly. In the past, graves used to be free of charge and friends of the deceased used to prepare the grave for him. Thus, the burial process was all done free of charge. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) asked Abu Dharr (رضي الله عنه) what he would do when a grave becomes costly and people would have to purchase a plot of land in order to bury their deceased relatives there. Graves will be as costly as a slave which is a condition now existing in many cities throughout the Islamic World. People have to purchase the grave and for its preparation as well. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) advised Abu Dharr to show patience in such conditions if he was to witness them.
2. When hard times or trials become pervasive in the Islamic ummah to the extent that Ahjar az-Zayt (a place in Medina) becomes covered with blood, Muslims need to stay calm and keep away from those trials so that they will not become involved in them. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) asked Abu Dharr (رضي الله عنه) and the like-minded to stay at home and be like the better of the two sons of Adam,
لَئِنۢ بَسَطتَ إِلَىَّ يَدَكَ لِتَقْتُلَنِى مَآ أَنَا۠ بِبَاسِطٍ يَدِىَ إِلَيْكَ لِأَقْتُلَكَ
“If you do stretch your hand against me to kill me, I shall never stretch my hand against you to kill you…” [Qur’an 5: 28]
3. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) also instructed Abu Dharr (رضي الله عنه), ‘If you are afraid that the gleam of the sword may dazzle you, put the end of your garment over your face (in order that the one who kills you may) bear the punishment of your sins and his.’ A Muslim, in such a case, should not get involved even though he may get killed as the better of the two sons of Adam did when his brother killed him.
Morals of the Story
1. When graves become costly, we must show patience in such conditions.
2. When Muslims undergo trials and hard times of bloodshed, they should keep themselves away and should not get involved.
3. There is a reference to a trial that will occur in Medina and in which Ahjār az-Zayt will be covered in blood.
4. Whoever happens to be in the area at the time of that trial and bloodshed should cover his face with his garments in order not to see the gleam of the sword of his killer which can make him fight back in self-defense.
Excerpt taken from the book ‘Stories of the Unseen’ by Dr. ‘Umar Sulayman al-Ashqar
Precious Gems from the Quran and Sunnah 