Abu Musa Al-Asy'ari

Abu Musa Al-Asy'ari, whose full name is Abdullah ibn Qais ibn Salim ibn Harb ibn ‘Amir ibn al-Ash‘ar, is one of the noble Companions who accompanied the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) during the early stages of the Islamic call.

He became famous as the one who was with the Messenger (peace be upon him), transmitting many hadiths and virtues from him, which made him a model of asceticism, piety, and love of knowledge. He was born into the Ash‘ari tribe, a tribe renowned for its piety and generosity, which embraced Islam early and played an important role in supporting the Islamic call.

The Early Embrace of Islam and His Journey to Abyssinia

Abu Musa embraced Islam early in Mecca, then returned to his people and continued to live among them until the day came when he, along with a group of Ash‘aris, traveled to Medina to meet the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).

Their arrival coincided with that of Ja'far ibn Abi Talib and his companions from Abyssinia. According to various narrations, when the wind drove their ship toward Abyssinia, they stayed there for a period before joining the Prophet’s army during the conquest of Khaybar. This blessed journey marked an important milestone in the history of migration to Medina.

The Acceptance of the Glad Tidings and the Virtues of His Tribe

The acceptance of the Prophet’s glad tidings by the families of the emigrants was a unique event in Abu Musa’s life. This was demonstrated in an incident when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was staying at al-Ji'rānah between Makkah and Medina. An unfortunate, one-eyed man came and requested that the Prophet fulfill his promise of glad tidings.

At that moment, the Prophet remarked that the glad tidings had increased with Abu Musa and Bilal, indicating the special status of the Ash‘ari tribe, known for their generosity and sincere service to Islam. The hadiths recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim reflect the unity and mutual support of this tribe in times of hardship, whether during jihad or in sharing rewards.

Recitation of the Quran and Devotion

Abu Musa held a special position in the recitation of the Holy Quran. The Prophet (peace be upon him) narrated that he was given a “mizmar” (a type of musical instrument) from the instruments of the family of David, indicating the quality and mellifluous nature of his recitation.

 The early generations of Muslims praised his devotion to worship; he was known to perform the night prayer in such a beautiful tone that even the wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him) would listen intently. Moreover, his careful preparation for worship, and dressing modestly to avoid any exposure, demonstrates his piety and adherence to the limits set by Sharia.

Dedication to Knowledge and Contributions in Jihad

Abu Musa was one of the scholars and jurists who emerged in the early days of Islam. It is reported that he transmitted approximately 360 hadiths, and he is cited with 49 hadiths in the two authentic collections, with al-Bukhari narrating four unique hadiths and Muslim fifteen. As a jurist, he emphasized that a judge should not deliver a verdict until the truth becomes as clear as the distinction between night and day, a methodology adopted by the Companions in handling religious and worldly affairs.

In the fields of jihad and military endeavors, he participated in numerous battles and played a prominent role in the campaigns in Sham and Basra. His appointments by the rightly guided caliphs for both military and administrative tasks underscore his reputation not only as a scholar but also as a courageous and astute fighter.

The Words of the Pious and Words of Wisdom

Various narrations recount the wise sayings of Abu Musa, reflecting his deep understanding of faith and ethics. He encouraged people to choose righteous companionship by asserting that a good companion is better than solitude, and he stressed the importance of diligently following the Quran as the source of both reward and protection.

He likened the heart to a feather that is easily swayed by the vicissitudes of life. His thoughtful words left a lasting impact on those who heard them, earning him high esteem among the early pious generations and their successors.

A Farewell with Supplication and Hope

Abu Musa Al-Asy'ari died in Kufa. It is narrated that his death occurred either in Mecca in the year 42 AH or in the year 44 AH, and that he was 63 years old, which confirms that he lived a life full of contributions to the service of Islam. Although his earthly life ended, his clear legacy in knowledge, worship, and jihad endures. May Allah have mercy on him and reward him with the best of rewards for his contributions.

We ask Allah, by His Beautiful Names and Exalted Attributes, to make this work sincere for His Noble Face and a treasure for us on the Day of Judgment. May it benefit the honorable seekers of knowledge, and may every sincere reader supplicate to Allah on our behalf for sincerity, success, steadfastness in the truth, and a good ending, for the supplication of a sincere Muslim for his brother is always answered.