Reflections From Age of Bliss

Mikdad B. Aswah radiyallahu anh

The Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Allah informed me that He loves four individuals and commanded me to love them as well.” When the Companions asked, “Who are they, O Messenger of Allah?” he listed their names: “Ali b. Abi Talib, Abu Dharr, Salman al-Farisi, and Mikdad b. Aswad.” (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)

Mikdad (radiyallahu anh) was born in Yemen. After a quarrel with a man from his tribe led to the man's death, Mikdad fled to Makkah to avoid retribution. There, he sought protection from the tribe of Zuhrah. A man named Aswad took him under his wing. As a result, while his original name was Mikdad b. Amr, he began to be called Mikdad b. Aswad. He was among those who migrated to Abyssinia. During the Battle of Badr, he was the only warrior with a mount.

Historical accounts show he was tall, robust, and powerful, with dark skin and long hair. He had a booming voice and enjoyed making light-hearted jokes. At the Battle of Uhud, he was one of the archers who staunchly defended and did not abandon the hill of Aynayn. He passed away during the time of the third caliph, Uthman (radiyallahu anh), in Medina. May Allah be pleased with him.

Here are a few stories from his life…

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Before the Battle of Badr, following the migration to Medina, the mushriks from Makkah amassed a large army to confront the Muslims. This formidable force, superior in numbers and equipment, caused anxiety among some Companions. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) gathered his companions in the Masjid an-Nabawi, attempting to bolster their spirits and encourage them to fight. At this point, Mikdad stood and declared in a resonant voice: 

• O Messenger of Allah! Unlike the people of Musa who told him, 'You and your Lord go and fight! We will stay here,' we say otherwise. By Allah, you will see all of us fighting fiercely at your right, left, front, and back." 

Mikdad's words infused courage into the Companions, lifting the weight of anxiety from their hearts. Ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu anh), while narrating this incident, remarked: 

"On that day, after Mikdad's speech, the face of the Prophet shone with such joy and satisfaction that we all wished we had been in Mikdad's place, to have been the cause of that delight." During the Battle of Badr, wherever the Companions looked, they bore witness to Mikdad bravely engaging in combat.

The Three Goats

Mikdad b. Aswad (radiyallahu anh) recounts: One evening, as I strolled with two of my companions, a debilitating hunger rendered us nearly blind and deaf. Desperation drove us to inquire about sustenance among our fellow Sahaba. Yet, with every door that closed in disappointment, our hopes grew dim. Finally, we decided to seek the presence of the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).

Taking us under his wing, he led us to a house where, outside, three goats grazed. Their udders hinted at the sustenance we so dearly sought. The Prophet gently instructed: 

"Milk these three goats. Divide the milk into four portions, three for yourselves and the fourth, reserve for me."

Night after night, we followed this ritual. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would venture to the mosque for his nightly prayers. On his return, he would greet only those of us awake in a tone so soft it wouldn’t disturb the slumbering. We, in turn, would keep aside his share of the milk. However, one fateful night, temptation took the better of me. A whisper of thought, perhaps the devil's mischief, reasoned, "The Prophet receives plentiful from the Ansar. What harm if you partake in his meager share?" Succumbing, I drank his portion. No sooner had I done so than regret consumed me, fear gripping my heart. "What if he notices? What if he prays against me?" 

Attempting to hide, I covered myself with a blanket. Yet, a comical sight it was, as either my head or feet would invariably remain exposed. As anxiety kept sleep at bay, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) returned. His soft greeting echoed, followed by a search for his share of milk. Finding none, he raised his gaze to the heavens. My heart sank, thinking this to be the moment of my doom. However, his lips parted only in a prayer, "O Allah, satiate the one who has satiated me."

Seizing the moment, I rushed to milk the goats again and, to my astonishment, found them brimming with milk. Presenting this to the Prophet, he seemed puzzled, thinking we hadn't had our share. Assuring him we had, I encouraged him to drink. Once certain he was contented, joy overwhelmed me to the point where I burst into laughter. Observing my state, the Prophet, with a glint in his eye, inquired, "Another one of your jests, Mikdad?"

Upon confessing my earlier transgression, he responded with a smile, "By Allah, this is His mercy upon you. Had you informed earlier, we would’ve shared it with the others, too."

If Only We Had Witnessed

Upon seeing Mikdad (radiyallahu anh) enter the room, a few individuals from the Tabi'in said:

'Oh, how fortunate are those eyes that beheld the Messenger of Allah! If only we, too, had been so blessed to witness Him!'

These words incensed Mikdad, baffling those around him who could not discern the cause of his irritation. With a gravity only a man of his stature could muster, Mikdad responded:

'Why do you yearn for a reality that Allah has not decreed for you? Do you truly know what your fate might have been had you lived in those times? There were many who gazed upon the radiant countenance of the Messenger of Allah, yet it could not spare them the dreadful end of damnation. There were those who saw him and did not believe. Can you not be content with the grace you've been shown? You have been raised with an awareness of your Lord. You've affirmed the veracity of the faith brought by the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). Why are you not content with this blessing? Why do you not offer thanks to Allah?

By Allah, the Messenger was sent amidst the harshest of conditions, to a society steeped in ignorance, who knew no other religion but idolatry. It was only after the revelation of the Quran that the Messenger could separate truth from falsehood. Be grateful, for you did not witness those difficult days; you were spared those trials.'