MUHAMMAD IBN MASLAMAH (Knight of the Prophet)

Muhammad bin Maslama was black, tall and sturdy, he was a giant among the companions of the Prophet, a giant in body and a giant in deeds. Significantly he was called Muhammad even before he became a Muslim. Ibn Maslamah was an ally of the Aws tribe in Madinah. He became a Muslim at the hands of Musab ibn Umayr, the first missionary sent out by the Prophet from Makkah to Madinah. When the Prophet, peace be on him, came to Madinah, he adopted the unique method of strengthening the bonds of brotherhood between the Muhajirin and the Ansar. He joined in brotherhood ibn Maslamah and Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah. Like Abu Ubaydah,  ibn Maslamah was quiet and pensive and had a strong sense of trust and devotion. He was a distinguished horseman who performed feats of heroism and sacrifice in the service of Islam.  ibn Maslamah took part in all
the military engagements of the Prophet except the expedition to Tabuk. On that occasion, he and Ali were put in charge of an army which was left behind to protect Madinah. Later in life, he would often relate scenes of these battles to his ten children. At the Battle of Uhud, the Prophet and the Muslim force numbering some seven hundred persons spent a night in an open camp. He put fifty men under the command of ibn Maslamah and entrusted him with the task of patrolling the camp the whole night. After the disastrous rout of the Muslims by the Quraysh, a small band of the faithful bravely defended the Prophet till the tide of battle turned, Ibn Maslamah was among them. The chief of Banu Nadir was a man named Ka’b ibn Ashraf, he was dangerous and a public enemy to the nascent Muslim state. He would often sing songs insulting the chastity of Muslim women. The Prophet was quite exasperated with him and said to the Muslims: "Who will deal with Kab i bn al-Ashraf? He has offended God and His Apostle." "I shall deal with him for you, O Messenger of God," volunteered Muhammad ibn Maslamah. This, however, was no easy undertaking. Muhammad ibn Maslamah, according to one report, went home and stayed for three days without either eating or drinking, just thinking about what he had to do. The Prophet heard of this, called him and asked him why h e had not been eating or drinking. He replied: "O Messenger of God, I gave an undertaking to you but I do not know whether I can accomplish it or not." "Your duty is only to try your utmost," replied the Prophet. Muhammad bin Maslama succeeded in eliminating Ka’b bin Ashraf. At the beginning of the fourth year of the hijrah, the Prophet went to Banu Nadir on the outskirts of Madinah to seek their help on a certain matter. While among them, he found out that they were planning to attack him. He had to take decisive action. Straight away, the Prophet went back to the center of the city. He summoned ibn Maslamah and sent him to inform the Banu Nadir that they had to leave Madinah within ten days. His towering stature and his loud and clear voice combined to let the Banu Nadir know that the Prophet meant every word he said and that they had to stand the consequences of their treacherous acts. The fact that the Prophet chose ibn Maslamah for the task is a tribute to his loyalty, courage and firmness. All this happened exactly one year after the elimination of Kab ibn al-Ashraf. Both during the time of the Prophet and after, ibn Maslamah was known for carrying out any assignment he accepted exactly as he was ordered, neither doing more nor less than he was asked to do. It was these qualities which made Umar choose him as one of his ministers and as a trusted friend and guide. When Amr ibn al-Aas requested reinforcements during his expedition to Egypt, Umar sent him four detachments of one thousand men each. Leading these detachments were Muhammad ibn Maslamah, az-Zubayr ibn aI-Awwam, Ubadah ibn as-Samit and al-Miqdad ibn al-Aswad. To Amr, Umar sent a message saying, "Let me remind you that I am sending ibn Maslamah to you to help you distribute your wealth. Accommodate him and forgive any harshness of his towards you." Ibn Maslamah went to Amr in Fustat (near present-day Cairo). He sat at his table but did not touch the food. Amr asked him: "Did Umar prevent you from tasting my food?" "No," replied ibn Maslamah, "he did not prevent me from having your food but neither did he command me to eat of it." Ibn Maslama then placed a flat loaf of bread on the table and ate it with salt. Ibn Maslamah was a veritable scourge against all arrogant and haughty behavior. Muhammad ibn Maslamah served Umar's successor, Uthman ibn Affan, faithfully. When, however, the latter was killed and civil war broke out among the Muslims, ibn Maslamah did not participate. The sword which he always used and which was given to him by the Prophet himself he deliberately broke. During the time of the Prophet, he was known as the "Knight of the Prophet". By refusing to use the sword against Muslims he preserved this reputation undiminished. Subsequently, he made a sword from wood and fashioned it well. He placed it in a scabbard and hung it inside his house. When he was asked about it he said: "I simply hang it there to terrify people." Muhammad ibn Maslamah died in Madinah in the month of Safar in the year 46 AH. He was seventy seven years old. So Muhammad bin Maslama had a record worthy of emulation; he never fought against any Muslim. He was a black man the company of whom the Prophet (SAW) enjoyed.