Zayd bin Harithah R

>>Sahabah (Companions of Muhammad S)

Zayd bin Harithah R

Zayd bin Harithah R was not a Quraysh.Zayd bin Harithah R was kidnapped from his home when he was very young. His kidnappers sold him as a slave. A nephew of Khadijah bint Khuwaylid R, named Hakim bin Hizam R, bought him from the market of ‘Ukaz. He gave Zayd bin Harithah R to his aunt Khadijah bint Khuwaylid R.Khadijah bint Khuwaylid R presented him to Muhammad S at the time of their marriage.Muhammad S loved him very much. Muhammad S had two sons Qasim R and 'Abdullah R.Both sons of Muhammad S died when they were very young.After the death of his sons, Muhammad S adopted Zayd bin Harithah R as his son. Before Islam, he was recognized as Zayd bin Muhammad R.After the following revelation, his name was reverted back to Zayd bin Harithah R.

Allah has not made for any man two hearts inside his body. Neither has He made your wives whom you declare to be like your mothers' backs, your real mothers [Az-Zihar is the saying of a husband to his wife, " You are to me like the back of my mother" i.e. You are unlawful for me to approach], nor has He made your adopted sons your real sons. That is but your saying with your mouths. But Allah says the truth, and He guides to the (Right) Way.

Call them (adopted sons) by (the names of) their fathers: that is more just with Allah. But if you know not their father's (names, call them) your brothers in faith and Mawalikum (your freed slaves). And there is no sin on you concerning that in which you made a mistake, except in regard to what your hearts deliberately intend. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Surah (Chapter) Al-Ahzab (The Confederates) Qur-an 33:4-5

Zayd bin Harithah R was the first slave to accept Islam. 'Ali bin Abu Talib R was the first youth to accept Islam.Muhammad S migrated to Madinah with Abu Bakr R.A few months later, Muhammad S sent Zayd bin Harithah R and Abu Rafe’ R to Makkah to bring his family to Madinah.In the second year of Hijrah (623 AD), a supporter of Quraysh named Kurz bin Jabir al Fihri stole cattle belonging to Muslims of Madinah. Muhammad S led a small group of Muslims to chase Kurz bin Jabir al Fihri. Muhammad S followed him up to the Safawan valley in Badr district. The Muslims could not catch Kurz bin Jabir al Fihri.Muhammad S had made Zayd bin Harithah R in charge of Madinah in his absence. Zayd bin Harithah R was a brave soldier of Islam. He fought in the battle of Badr. It was the first major battle between Muslims and the Quraysh. Muslims won this battle. This battle was fought on the 17^th of Ramadan (Ninth month of the Islamic calendar) of the year 2H (Hijrah) (624 AD).

Muhammad S sent Zayd bin Harithah R and 'Abdullah bin Rawa'ah R to Madinah with the news of the victory of Muslims in the battle of Badr. The sick, old, children, women and others who could not go to the battleground were anxiously waiting for the news in Madinah.

Seventy-two (72) Quraysh of Makkah were captured in the battle of Badr. An equal number of Quraysh were killed. Many prominent Quraysh were among them.Son in-law of Muhammad S, Abu al 'As bin al Rabi' was one of the captives of Badr. The eldest daughter of Muhammad S, Zaynab R was married to Abu al 'As bin al Rabi' before Islam. Her husband did not accept Islam. She stayed in Makkah with her husband.

Zaynab R bint Muhammad S paid penalty for the release of her husband Abu al 'As bin al Rabi'. As a part of the deal, Zaynab R bint Muhammad S was to come to Madinah. Muhammad S sent Zayd bin Harithah R and his servant Abu Rafe’ R to bring Zaynab R from Makkah to Madinah. Later, her husband Abu al 'As bin al Rabi' R became a Muslim.

Zayd bin Harithah R was a skilled commander of the Muslim forces.Zayd bin Harithah R led one hundred (100) Muslim riders to intercept a caravan of Quraysh. This caravan was led by Safwan bin Umayyah. Zayd bin Harithah R intercepted them at the oasis of Qaidar near Najd. This incident was one of the factors responsible for the battle of Uhud.

Muhammad S got Zayd bin Harithah R married to Zaynab bint Jahsh R. Zaynab bin Jahsh R was a cousin of Muhammad S. She was the daughter of Umaymah bint ‘Abdul Muttalib, an aunt of Muhammad S.

'Abdullah bin Jahsh R was reluctant in marrying his sister Zaynab bint Jahsh R to Zayd bin Harithah R. The basic problem in their minds was that Zaynab bint Jahsh R belonged to the prominent Banu (Family of) Hashim of the Quraysh tribe. Zayd bin Harithah R was a former slave of Khadijah bint Khuwaylid R. Even after becoming Muslims, many aristocrats of Makkah continued practicing their age-old tradition of not marrying into families of lesser lineages. This ignorance faded away with time.

And it is He Who has created man from water, and has appointed for him kindred by blood, and kindred by marriage. And your Lord is Ever All--Powerful to do what He wills.
Surah (Chapter) al-Furqan (The Criterion) Qur-an 25:54

After this revelation from Qur-an, Zaynab bint Jahsh R and her brother 'Abdullah bin Jahsh R accepted the offer made by Muhammad S. Zaynab bint Jahsh R got married to Zayd bin Harithah R. She was not happy with her marriage. Their marriage did not work. Her family background came in her way. Zayd bin Harithah R tried to adjust. Their family life did not improve. Zayd bin Harithah R divorced her in the year 5H (Hijrah) (626 AD).

Zayd bin Harithah R was already married to Umm Ayman R. Umm Ayman R was an ex-slave girl of ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abdul Muttalib, the father of Muhammad S. They had a son named Usamah bin Zayd R. Usamah bin Zayd R proved himself to be a brave soldier and commander of the Muslim forces.

Muhammad S married Zaynab bint Jahsh R in the year 5H (Hijrah) (626 AD). Allah (God) approved this marriage.

Surah al-Ahzab Qur-an 33:37
"Then when Zayd had dissolved (his marriage) with her, with the necessary (formality), We rejoined her in marriage to you: in order that (in future) there may be no difficulty to the Believers (Muslims) in (the matter of) marriage with the wives of their adopted sons when the latter have dissolved with necessary (formality) (their marriage) with them, and Allah's Command must be fulfilled." Muhammad S wanted to spread the message of Allah outside the Arabian Peninsula also. He decided to take the message to Sham.

His ambassador Harith bin 'Amr R was killed by Shurahbil, the ruler of Sham.

In the year 8H (Hijrah) (629 AD), Muhammad S put together an army of three thousand of his best fighting men. He appointed Zayd bin Harithah R the commander of this army. Ja'far bin Abu Talib R was second commander.
'Abdullah bin Rawa'a R was deputed the third commander.

This army was sent for the battle of Mu'tah.In his send-off address to the army, Muhammad S commanded them not to kill any women, children or invalids and not to destroy any houses or trees.

Muslims fought a fierce battle at Ma'an. The ruler of Sham, Heraclius met the Muslims with an army of one hundred thousand soldiers.

Zayd bin Harithah R and his other commanders became a Shahid (Martyr) in this battle. Khalid bin Walid R, who was very young at that time, assumed command. Both sides withdrew in this battle. Muslim forces returned to Madinah. Muhammad S was deeply saddened by the death of his adopted son Zayd bin Harithah R. In his last days, the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S appointed Usamah bin Zayd R, son of Zayd bin Harithah R as the commander of Muslim forces.

One year later, under the command of Usamah bin Zayd R, son of Zayd bin Harithah R, Abu Bakr R was the Khalifah (Caliph) of Muslims at that time after the demise of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S. Usamah bin Zayd R, son of Zayd bin Harithah R was the commander of Muslim forces.