Ramadan Series Heroic Sahaba (ra): Anas ibn Naḍr (ra)

Ramadan Mubarak to the best Ummah brought forth for humankind. The Islamic Ummah that Allah has honored with His obedience... The Ummah Voice Podcast is pleased to present during the month of Ramadan Heroic Stances of the Sahaba (ra). Sahaba (ra) who had a positive impact in changing the course of events, and set an example for many members of the Islamic Ummah.

One Sahaba that can be attributed for his heroic stance is Anas ibn Naḍr. He was one of the companions to the Prophet (saw) and belonged to the Banu Khazraj tribe of the Ansar. He was the paternal uncle of the famous Companion Anas bin Malik (ra). He became a Muslim in Madinah in the first years when Islam emerged and was loved by the Prophet (saw)

He did not fight in the Battle of Badr therefore, feeling guilty. He felt ashamed toward Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saw). He prayed to his Lord as follows:

“O Lord! Give me an opportunity to make jihad so that I will be forgiven and I will pay my debt.”

Having this feeling in mind, he entered into the presence of the Messenger of Allah. He said, “O Messenger of Allah! I could not take part in the first battle against the polytheists. If Allah enables me to fight them, Allah knows what I will do to them.”

He was given the opportunity to fight Battle of Uhud. While the Muslims were fighting the polytheists stated that Prophet Muhammad (saw) had died. Some companions sat on the ground, stopped fighting, and gave up. Anas ibn Naḍr (ra) told them to stand up and to continue and fight for the sake of Allah (swt). Anas said, “If the Messenger of Allah was martyred, what will you do if you remain alive without him? If Muhammad is dead, his Lord is alive. Get up and sacrifice your lives for what the Messenger of Allah sacrificed his life.” Then, he pointed the Muslims that were scattering and said, “O Lord! I ask forgiveness from you for what they do.” Then, he pointed to the polytheists and said, “O Lord! I take refuge in you from what they do.”

He was firm in his beliefs and told them to die in which the Prophet (saw) had died upon. He refused to stop fighting and was granted martyrdom. His body was found with more than eighty wounds of swords and arrows. Only his sister could recognize his body by his fingers. Some believed that the verse was revealed concerning him and other men of his sort:

(مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ رِجَالٌ صَدَقُوا مَا عَاهَدُوا اللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ ۖ فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ قَضَىٰ نَحْبَهُ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَنْتَظِرُ ۖ وَمَا بَدَّلُوا تَبْدِيلًا)

"Among the believers are men true to what they promised Allah. Among them is he who has fulfilled his vow [to the death], and among them is he who awaits [his chance]. And they did not alter [the terms of their commitment] by any alteration". [Surat Al-'Aĥzāb :23]

Anas (ra) is an excellent example of courage and steadfastness to the path of pleasing Allah (swt). He is a prime example of how a Dawah Carrier should carry Islam. He set an example by telling the companions to stand up and fight all while he himself implemented the same action. One should always as portray Islam in the best manner by starting with him/herself, setting an example before the same people he carries Islam to. May Allah (swt) make us among the companions known for their heroic attributes.

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