Julaybib
Julaybib (ra) is one of the lesser known companions of the Prophet (aws), but arguably one of the greatest. He was probably born in or near Medina, but nothing at all is known about his family or tribe. He is believed to have became a companion of the Prophet (aws) sometime after the Hijra. His name means "small grown", being the diminutive form of the word "Jalbab”, indicative of the fact that Julaybib (ra) was small and short; he was also described as being "damim" which means ugly or deformed. From these details, it seems probable that Julaybib (ra) suffered from a life-long medical condition such as achondroplasia.In these times, even in a society enlightened by Prophetic light, Julaybib (ra) could not expect any compassion or help, except from some of the womenfolk. If he was not reviled and scorned, then he was feared, or perhaps worse, pitied. Indeed, a man named Abu Barzah of the Aslam tribe went so far as to prohibit Julaybib from entering his home. He told his wife: "Do not let Julaybib enter among you. If he does, I shall certainly do (something terrible to him)."
However, the Prophet (aws) of Mercy was aware of the problems experienced by Julaybib (ra) One day, he went to one of the Ansar and said: "I want to have your daughter married." "How wonderful and blessed, O Messenger of God and what a delight to the eye (this would be)," replied the Ansari man with obvious joy and happiness. "I do not want her for myself," added the Prophet. "Then for whom, O Messenger of God?" asked the man. "For Julaybib (ra)," said the Prophet.
The Ansari, probably too shocked to answer directly, replied that he would talk to his wife about the matter and then deliver his response in due course. At first, his wife was equally thrilled at the idea, until her husband explained that the Prophet intended their daughter to marry Julaybib (ra). "To Julaybib (ra)! No, never to Julaybib (ra)! No, by the living God, we shall not marry (her) to him." She protested.
As the Ansari was about to return to the Prophet (aws) to inform him of what his wife had said and their decision, the daughter – her name is not recorded - interjected, having heard some of the discussion: "Who has asked you to marry me?"
Her mother told her of the Prophet's (aws) request for her hand in marriage to Julaybib (ra). When she heard that the request had come from the Prophet (aws) and that her parents was absolutely opposed to the idea, she was greatly perturbed and said: "Do you refuse the request of the Messenger of God? Send me to him for he shall certainly not bring ruin to me. I am satisfied and submit myself to whatever the Messenger of God deems good for me."
The Prophet heard of her reaction and prayed for her: "O Lord, bestow good on her in abundance and make not her life one of toil and trouble." Julaybib (ra) was married to the Ansari, and they remained married until he was killed.
The death of Julaybib (ra) is another story. It is said he went on an expedition with the Prophet (aws) and an encounter with some mushrikun ensued. When the battle was over, the Prophet asked his companions: "Have you lost anyone?" They replied giving the names of their relatives of close friends who were killed. Another group answered that they had lost no close relative whereupon the Prophet said:
"But I have lost Julaybib (ra) . Search for him in the battlefield." They searched and found him beside seven mushrikun whom he had struck before meeting his end. The Prophet (aws) went straight to the spot where Julaybib (ra) lay. Standing over him, he said: "He killed seven and then was killed? This (man) is of me and I am of him."
He repeated this two or three times. The Prophet (aws) then took him in his arms saying that Julaybib (ra) had no better bed besides the forearms of the messenger of God. Then the Prophet (aws) dug his grave and placed his noble companion in it.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un
posted by Julaybib at
4/06/2006 08:03:00 AM
4 comment(s):
Mashallah. thank you for this piece.
By
malangbaba, at
4/08/2006 10:26:00 PM
By
Anonymous, at
4/10/2006 12:36:00 AM
By
Anonymous, at
4/10/2006 09:40:00 AM
Wasalaam
TMA
By
Julaybib, at
4/11/2006 01:27:00 AM
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