Reflections From The Age of Bliss

Usayd bin Hudayr

Radiyallahu Anh

Usayd bin Hudayr (radiyallahu anh) was one of the first Muslims from Medinah. He was known by the alias “Kamil,” meaning mature/perfect person, for his mature demeanor, literacy, and proficiency in archery and swimming.

He was also one of the scribes and advisors of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). He was usually called by the nickname “Abu Isa.”

He was an excellent reciter of the Qur’an, so much so that his voice was said to move even the angels. He passed away in 641 CE, and Umar bin Khattab (radiyallahu anh) led his janazah prayer. He was buried in the cemetery known as Jannatu’l-Baqi, where lie the graves of most of the sahabah who lived and died in Medinah. May Allah be pleased with him and grant us his shafa'ah. Amin

We will include in this writing some of the stories from his life.

Listen to us first

Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) had sent Musab bin Umayr (radiyallahu anh) to Medinah to tell people about Islam.

The youth, orphans, and outcasts of the city were fascinated with the message of the new religion this Makkan young man was spreading, so they entered the fold of Islam in large groups.

Usayd bin Hudayr and Sad bin Muadh, the leaders of the tribes of Aws and Khazraj— two of the largest tribes in Medinah—hadn’t become Muslims yet, and had decided to have Musab bin Umayr removed from Medinah.

Musab (radiyallahu anh) was conversing with the newly-reverted Muslims before Usayd began to walk towards him threateningly with a spear in hand. Seeing him approach, Asad bin Zurara (radiyallahu anh) said to Musab bin Umayr (radiyallahu anh):

- Musab! The one approaching us is the leader of his tribe. People trust his moral integrity and intellect. If he becomes a Muslim, so will his entire tribe.

Usayd walked up to stand tall before them, stabbed his spear into the ground with fury, and said:

- What business do you have in our lands? You are driving our people to abandon their religion despite breaking bread with us. You are turning them into enemies for our idols. Leave this place!

Certain of the truth of his call and his purpose, Musab (radiyallahu anh) replied with a gentle voice:

- Would you like to hear a better offer than these words of yours?

- What would that offer be?

- Sit with us, and listen to what we have to say. If you like it, you can accept it too. If not, we will leave this place and never return.

- Well said, so be it!

Musab (radiyallahu anh) told him about Allah the Most High, the Prophet, and Islam. He recited ayahs from the Qur’an. With each ayah reaching his ears, Usayd felt the veils over his heart falling away like autumn leaves. Eventually, he was blessed with the honor of receiving the guidance of Allah and professed his iman.

Following his profession of iman and reversion to Islam, Sad bin Muadh (radiyallahu anh) and then all of the Aws and Khazraj tribes became Muslims.

What was it hanging above your head?

After becoming a Muslim, Usayd (radiyallahu anh) began to read the Qur’an at every opportunity and found that it brought him peace and broadened his heart’s horizons; Allah had granted him great knowledge and a recitation that pulled at the heartstrings of his listeners.

When he would make the call for jihad, he would mount his horse and gallop into battle with unblinking courage. He joined all of the battles except Badr. Those who listened to him recite the Qur’an often found themselves crying or even lost themselves completely. The other sahabah would keep an eye out for when he would begin to recite the Qur’an.

One night, in the late hours, he felt uneasy in bed, and got up and out of his house to recite the Qur’an in front of it. As he continued to recite, his horse tied next to him was walloping the ground and tugging so wildly at its rope that it looked as if it was going to tear itself free.

The creature would calm down when he stopped reciting and begin to act bewildered again when he resumed.

While looking around to find what it was that was frightening the horse, Usayd (radiyallahu anh) noticed a beam of light above his head rising to the sky. When the morning came, he told Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) about this phenomenon that he couldn’t explain. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) clarified the events of the night:

-They were angels who came to earth to listen to you. If you had continued to read, they would not have departed and would not have hidden themselves from people.

A strange retribution

One day, Usayd (radiyallahu anh) was joking with the Sahabah in front of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), making them laugh with humorous jests and quips.

Watching this mirthful banter with a gentle smile, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) slightly slapped Usayd on his back to express his pleasure.

Usayd (radiyallahu anh) suddenly got serious and said:

- O Rasulullah, you hurt me! I have a right to qisas (retribution in kind).

Knowing that such a light tap couldn’t have possibly hurt him, the Companions tried to change his mind, but Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) stepped in to say he was going to allow it. This time, Usayd (radiyallahu anh) said:

-My back was naked when you hit me.

So, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) stripped the shirt off his back.

Usayd instantly hugged Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and kissed his back. He then said:

- May the lives of my father and mother be laid down for yours, Ya Rasulallah! My only intention was to kiss your back. How could I ever ask qisas of you?