Heroic Stands by Shiekh Abu Nizhar Ash Shaami: Iyas Bin Muadh (ra) – Taking Da’wah Opportunities to the Youth

Our lives are a collection of stands taken. These stands are what will decide our status and value before Allah (swt) on the Day of Judgement. Heroic stands, which changed the course of history, produced events, and greatly influenced all who witnessed them or heard of them. Heroic stands, which we mention while living at a time when most stands we see are those of humiliation and shame. Heroic stands, we mention them whose heroes are mentioned in the Quran, and the pages of the Seerah and our Ummah's past and recent history are overflowing with them. Heroic stands, which we mention in order to take lessons from. We mention them in order to receive flames of glory, optimism, and expecting good from Allah (swt), and to prove that our Ummah, by the permission of Allah (swt), is capable of bringing back the dignified stands which will fill the world with justice and light after it was filled with injustice and tyranny.

Of the heroic stands are those where the heroism is in taking opportunities - taking the right opportunity, within which is the victory of Islam and achievement of truth and justice. This is what the hero of our story today did: Sayyiduna Iyas bin Mu'adh (ra).

During the early days of Islam, in the Makkan period, Iyas bin Mu'adh (ra) was in Madinah from Bani Abd Al-Ashhal from the Aws tribe. Their leader, Anas bin Rafi', came in a delegation from the Aws to Makkah to meet the Kuffar of Quraysh in order for the Kuffar of Quraysh to ally themselves with the Aws against the Khazraj in Madinah. Here, the young man, Iyas bin Mu'adh (ra) also came, and when they arrived in Makkah, the Prophet (saw) entered before them. He (saw) learned what they came for: a political alliance against the Khazraj. So, he (saw) said to them: "Shall I not direct you to what is better for you than this?" They said: "And what is that?" He (saw) said that He was the Messenger of Allah (saw), called them to Islam and recited the Quran to them. Then the leader of the delegation, Anas bin Rafi', stood up and said: "We have no need for you nor do we want this message." That young man, Iyas bin Mu'adh (ra), heard this and he was the youngest of his people. This situation required a stand to be taken. So, he stood up amongst his people - his tribe - and said: "O people, by Allah (swt), what Muhammad (saw) is calling us to is better than what we came for, so why not follow him?"

Their leader, Anas bin Rafi' heard this and grabbed some sand in his hand then struck his face with it then they all began fighting amongst each other. Then, their alliance didn't materialize and they returned to Madinah without achieving anything.

They reached Madinah and the Bu'ath war broke out. It was only some days after that they found Iyas bin Mu'adh (ra) taking his final breath in his bed. However, the strange thing was that they heard him saying: "Subhanallah wa Alhamduillah wa la ilaha illah Allah wa Allahu Akbar" He was making Tahleel and Tasbeeh, and died a Muslim. He (ra) was one of the very first Ansar who supported the Messenger of Allah (saw) in one stand he took during one meeting only with Him. My dear brother, we see the differences in reactions and stands taken in response to hearing the Dawah. Allah (swt) says: "Indeed, your efforts are diverse." "As for he who gives and fears Allah. And believes." and there is also one who "withholds and considers himself free of need. And denies" Iyas bin Mu'adh (ra) found an opportunity to support Islam.

If this alliance had been concluded between the Aws and Quraysh, the Hijra of the Prophet (saw) to Madinah would have been jeopardized and His Dawah would not have flowed so easily as it did among the Aws and Khazraj. Who was the hero behind this? It was that young man! Therefore, my brothers, our lives are but a collection of opportunities. So, do you firmly make stands of truth? Unfortunately, my brothers, sometimes the first to stand in your way and prevents you from the Dawah and from letting you make the heroic stands that support the truth, are you family or the closest people to you. So, will you give in to the status quo and leave the truth just to please your family and the people around you? No. Ibn Al-Qayyim (ra) says: "Be on the side of Allah and His Messenger even if all the people were on the other side."

The opportunities that come during our lives and need heroic stands to be taken are many. While in a taxi, you might hear a passenger expressing disgruntlement with Allah. While at university, you might hear a lecture or some words from a lecturer that insult Islam and accuse it of terrorism. Your brothers might invite you to join an organised Islamic Dawah where you would learn how to support Islam and work to establish its State. For the sake of Allah, when in all these situations, take the stance that would please Allah and support Islam and its people and take the stand that will honour you and brighten your book of deeds with Allah (swt) before you meet Him (swt) whilst being among the regretful ones.

Ummah Voice Podcast