A Sahabi Who Never Saw Muhammad

When the Prophet (SAW) returned to Madinah from the Farewell Pilgrimage in the tenth year after the Hijrah, he fell ill. News of the Prophet’s illness spread rapidly throughout Arabia. Sincere Muslims were saddened by the news but for some, it was time to reveal their real attitudes to Islam. In al-Yamamah, Musaylamah the Imposter renounced Islam. So too did Tulayhah al-Asadi in the land of the Asad. In Yemen, al-Aswad al-Ansi also became an apostate. These three imposters claimed that they were prophets sent to their respective peoples as according to them, just like Muhammad (SAW) was sent to the
Quraysh. 

Al-Aswad al-Ansi practiced sorcery and was very influential. With his wealth and power he managed to attract not just the masses but people of status as well. When he appeared before people he wore a mask in order to surround himself with an air of mystery and reverence. In Yemen at that time, a section of the people who had much prestige and influence were the Abna. They were the scions of Persian fathers who ruled Yemen as part of the Sasanian Empire and their mothers were local Arabs. 

Fayruz al-Daylami was one of them. 

When Islam appeared, the most powerful of the Abna was Badhan who ruled Yemen on behalf of the Chosroes of Persia. When Badban embraced Islam, his people followed him in droves. The Prophet confirmed him in his dominion and he ruled the Yemen until his death shortly before the appearance of al-Aswad al-Ansi. Al-Aswad's tribe, the Banu Mudh-hij, was the first to accept his claims to prophet hood. With his tribal force, he attacked Sana'a, killed the governor, Shahr, the son of Badhan, and took his wife to himself. Through his swift and startling strikes, a vast portion of Yemen came under his control. 

Al Aswad alleged that an angel disclosed revelations to him and gave him intelligence of people and their affairs. Unknown to the people, he had spies all over the city. When news of al-Aswad's apostasy and his zealotry reached the Prophet (SAW), the Prophet (SAW) dispatched about ten of his companions with letters to those Sahaba in Yemen he trusted. He urged them to confront the calamity with faith and resolve, and he ordered them to obliterate al-Aswad by any means possible. All who received the Prophet's missives set about to carry out his orders implicitly. In the forefront of these was Fayruz ad-Daylami and those of the Abna who were with him. 

Fayruz and his compatriots succeeded in eliminating Al Aswad and sent a letter to the Prophet (SAW) giving him the good news. When the messengers reached Madinah they found that the Prophet (SAW) had passed away that very night. They learned however that Revelation had been communicated to the Prophet (SAW) informing him of the death of al-Aswad al-Ansi the night it took place." 

Years later, the Khalifah Umar ibn al-Khattab wrote to Fayruz ad-Daylami saying: "I have heard that you are busy eating white bread and honey (meaning he was leading an easy life). When this letter reaches you, come to me with the blessings of ALLAH so that you may campaign in the path of ALLAH." Fayruz went to Madinah and sought an audience with Umar and it was granted him. There was a crowd waiting to see Umar and a Qurayshi youth pushed Fayruz. Fayruz raised his hand and hit the Quraysh youth on the nose. The youth went to Umar, on seeing him, Umar asked, "Who did that to you?" The youth replied, "Fayruz! He is at the door".  

Fayruz entered and Umar asked, "What is this, O Fayruz?" Fayruz then began his defense, he said, "O Amir al-Muminin, you wrote to me, you didn't write to him. You gave me permission to enter and you didn't give him permission. He wanted to enter in my turn before me. Then I did what you have been told." Umar then pronounced ‘Al-Qisas’, meaning Fayruz had to receive the same blow from the youth in retaliation. Fayruz asked, "Must it be so?" Umar replied, "It must be so" Fayruz got down on his knees and the youth stood up to exact his retaliation. Umar then said to the youth, "Wait a moment, young man, so that I can tell you something which I heard from the Messenger of ALLAH, may ALLAH bless him and grant him peace. I heard the Messenger of ALLAH say one evening: This night, al-Aswad al-Ansi the Imposter has been killed. The righteous servant Fayruz ad-Daylami has killed him” 

Umar then asked the youth: "Do you see yourself taking retribution on him after you have heard this from the Messenger of ALLAH?" The youth then replied, "I forgive him after you have told me this from the Prophet." Fayruz then said to Umar, "Do you think that my escape from what I have done is a confession to him and that his forgiveness is not given under duress?" And Umar replied in the affirmative. Fayruz then declared: "I testily to you that my sword, my horse and thirty thousand of my money is a gift to him." Umar who was no doubt impressed by the sense of remorse and the spontaneous generosity of Fayruz the righteous then turned to the youth and said, “Your forgiveness has paid off, O brother Quraysh and you have become rich". 

It is not certain when Fayruz ad-Daylami passed away, but it is believed he died of natural causes in Yemen. May ALLAH be pleased with him and him with ALLAH.

LESSONS

Believe in the Message of Muhammad (SAW) even without seeing him: Some people never saw Muhammad (SAW) but their faith in him was stronger than the one of those who watched him grow. We have every reason to believe wholeheartedly in the Message of Muhammad (SAW)

Faith in the truth: Evil people might taste victory and success for a time but people of faith will never be deceived by the charm of the heedless.

We should not hold grievances against the Sahaba: The young chap forfeited his right to retaliate against Fayruz because he was told of the high status Fayruz had in the heart of the Prophet (SAW).