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Ijra’āt Thumāmah bin Uthāl Raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu

Madrasah Urwah Bin Zubayr has taken on the responsibility of overseeing the Highveld region’s correctional centers on behalf of the Mpumalanga Muslim Prison Board.

Focus

To create opportunities that allow students to visit inmates, conduct lessons and to gain experience and exposure under the guidance of ‘Ulamā.

Effort

To create opportunities that allow students to visit inmates at local correctional centres, conduct lessons and to gain experience and exposure under the guidance of ‘Ulamā. We are involved with the Mpumalanga Muslim Prison Board. We oversee the Highveld region. Our tasks include preparing monthly reports from the various Centres as well visiting the different centres whenever the need arises.

Inspiration

Ṯhumāmah Raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu was once an enemy of Islām. He longed for an opportunity to kill Nabī Ṣallallāhu ʾAlayhi Wa Sallam and, would have tried to do so, had he not been dissuaded by his uncle at the very last moment.

In this manner, Allāh saved Nabī Ṣallallāhu ʾAlayhi Wa Sallam from his evil. While Ṯhumāmah Raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu promised his uncle that he would not harm Nabī Ṣallallāhu ʾAlayhi Wa Sallam, he made no such promise regarding the Companions Raḍiyallāhu ʿanhum and continued to harass and torture them.

After some time, Ṯhumāmah Raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu was captured by a group of people who were patrolling Madīnah Munawwarah. They detained him in the Masjid and waited for the verdict of Nabī Ṣallallāhu ʾAlayhi Wa Sallam.

When Nabī Ṣallallāhu ʾAlayhi Wa Sallam realised who the captive was, he went home to gather some food and ordered that his camel be milked in the morning and evening and that the milk be given to Thumāmah Radhiyallahu Anhu. Thereafter Nabī Ṣallallāhu ʾAlayhi Wa Sallam approached Ṯhumāmah Raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu with the intention of encouraging him to accept Islām. Nabī SṢallallāhu ʾAlayhi Wa Sallam asked him,” What do you possess O Ṯhumāmah ?” Ṯhumāmah Raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu replied,” There is a lot of good in me. If you kill me you will have killed one who has shed blood. If you forgive me you will have forgiven one who is grateful and if you want money, then ask and you will be given any amount that you wish.”

Nabī Ṣallallāhu ʾAlayhi Wa Sallam left him alone for two days, during which he was given food and drink. On the third day, Nabī Ṣallallāhu ʾAlayhi Wa Sallam ordered his companions to release Ṯhumāmah Raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu. Ṯhumāmah Raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu left the Masjid of Nabī Ṣallallāhu ʾAlayhi Wa Sallam and went on his way until he reached an orchard on the outskirts of Madīnah Munawwarah where he found some water. Using that water, he purified himself and retraced his steps to the Masjid. He stood in front of the large gathering of Muslims and proclaimed,” I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship besides Allāh and I bear witness that Muḥammad Ṣallallāhu ʾAlayhi Wa Sallam is His servant and Messenger.”

He then faced Nabī rand said,” O Muḥammad Ṣallallāhu ʾAlayhi Wa Sallam, by Allāh there was no face on the surface of this earth more despicable to me than yours. Now your face has become the most beloved of all to me. By Allāh, your religion and your city were the most hated to me, but now they have become the most beloved of religions and cities to me. I have killed many of your companions so what punish will you impose on me?”

Nabī Ṣallallāhu ʾAlayhi Wa Sallam replied,” There will be no blame on you, for Islām wipes out all sins which were committed before it.” Ṯhumāmah Raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu then exclaimed,” I will punish the Mushrikīn with double the losses which I have imposed on your companions and I will dedicate my life, my sword and those with me to assist you and your religion.”

In honour of this Ṣaḥābī it was decided that this project be named after him (Raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu)