Abu Musa al-Ash’ari (RA)
Early Life and Acceptance of Islam:
Birth and Name:
Abu Musa’s real name was Abdullah ibn Qays but he is well-renowned as Abu Musa al-Ash’ari.
Migration to Makkah:
He left Yemen for Makkah immediately after hearing that a Prophet had appeared, who called people to the worship of One God.
Companionship with the Prophet:
At Makkah, he stayed in the company of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and gained knowledge and guidance.
Return to Yemen:
He returned to Yemen to spread the word of Allah and the mission of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Migration to Madinah:
Abu Musa had come to Madinah with more than fifty people from Yemen and all of them accepted Islam, including his two brothers Abu Ruhm and Abu Burdah.
Recognition by the Prophet:
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ referred to the group as ‘Ash’aris’ and sometimes, he referred to all Yemenis as Ash’aris because of Abu Musa.
Leadership and Governance:
Governor of Basra:
When Abu Musa went to Basra as governor of the city, he gathered the residents and addressed them saying: Umar ibn al-Khattab has sent me to you to teach the Book of your Lord and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and to clean your streets for you.
Praise from Al-Hasan ibn Ali:
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ’s grandson Al-Hasan ibn Ali said about Abu Musa: there was no rider who came to Basra who was better for its people than him.
Reputation in the Muslim Community:
Abu Musa became highly esteemed in the Muslim community because he had many great qualities. He was known for his intelligence and wisdom, and was ranked as one of the leading judges in the Muslim community.
People used to say: The judges in this Ummah are four: Umar al-Khattab, Ali ibn Abi Talib, Abu Musa al-Ash’ari and Zayd ibn Thabit.
Military Recognition:
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said about Abu Musa al-Ash’ari: The master of horsemen is Abu Musa.
Military Commander:
Abu Musa was in command of the Muslim army against the Sasanian Empire.
At Isfahan, the disbelievers approached him and offered to pay the Jizyah, in return for military protection so that they could make peace and avoid fighting.
However, they were not sincere in their offer and wanted an opportunity to launch an attack on the Muslims when they least expected it.
Abu Musa al-Ash’ari was fully aware of their true intentions and remained alert.
When the residents of Isfahan launched their attack, Abu Musa was well-prepared and engaged in the battle where the Muslims ended up victorious.
Devotion to the Quran:
Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari would read the Quran in a voice that deeply touched the souls of all those who listened.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said about his recitation of the Quran: Abu Musa has indeed been given one of the flutes of the people of Dawud.
Umar ibn al-Khattab often called for Abu Musa, asking him to recite the Quran saying: Create in us a yearning for our Lord, Abu Musa.
Preservation of the Quran:
As a mark of his dedication to the Quran, Abu Musa al-Ash’ari was one of the few companions who had prepared a mushaf, a written collection of the revelations that came to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Conduct in War:
Abu Musa only participated in fighting against the armies if the disbelieving armies would try to oppose Islam.
When fighting broke out between the Muslims, he fled from this conflict and never took part in it.
Role in Arbitration Between Ali ibn Abi Talib and Mu’awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan:
He followed this same principle in regards to the conflict that occurred between Ali ibn Abi Talib and Mu’awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan.
Abu Musa’s position appeared to be that of a neutral, as he witnessed the Muslims killing each other and felt that if the situation was to continue, the future of the Muslim Ummah would be threatened.
An arbitration occurred and when Ali ibn Abi Talib accepted the idea of an arbitration, he wanted Abdullah ibn Abbas to represent him.
Selection as Arbitrator:
However an influential group of Ali’s army insisted on Abu Musa. This was because, he did not take part in any of the disputes from the beginning. He was neutral so they felt that he was the most suitable person to be the arbitrator.
Ali ibn Abi Talib knew that Abu Musa always wanted to deal with people based on trust and honesty and he feared that Abu Musa would be deceived by others and that the arbitration would be won in a manipulative way rather than in an honest matter.
Arbitration Process:
Abu Musa represented the side of Ali ibn Abi Talib and Amr ibn al-A’as represented the side of Mu’awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan.
Aftermath:
Abu Musa al-Ash’ari continued to remain neutral in the conflict which was ended by Ali ibn Abi Talib when he made a peace treaty with Mu’awiyah.
Abu Musa then left for Makkah and spent the rest of his life near the Kabah.
Devotion to the Prophet and the Caliphs:
During his life, he had remained devoted to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his righteous successors.
Attachment to the Quran:
Abu Musa al-Ash’ari was known to be attached to the Quran, reading it constantly, memorising it, understanding it and putting it into practice.
Advice on the Quran:
Abu Musa’s advice regarding the Quran was: Follow the Quran, and do not desire that the Quran should follow you.
Devotion and Endurance in Worship:
In his worship, he showed a lot of strength and endurance.
On days when the heat was intense and almost unbearable, Abu Musa would be found fasting and he would say: perhaps the thirst of the midday heat would prove to be quenching for us on the Day of Qiyamah.
Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari’s Last Words:
Towards the end of his life, Abu Musa kept reciting the following: Allahumma antas- Salam, Wa minkas-Salam! (O Lord, you are the Source of Peace. And from You comes peace)
Hadith on Abu Musa al-Ash’ari:
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ praised Abu Musa for having a melodious voice.
He said: O Abu Musa! You have been given one of the Mazamir (sweet melodious voices) of the family of Prophet Dawud. (Bukhari, Tirmidhi)