Fayruz al-Daylami (RA)
The Prophet’s Orders to Confront Al-Aswad Al-Ansi:
When news of Al-Aswad Al-Ansi’s apostasy reached the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, he ordered a group of his companions to get rid of the fitnah of Al-Aswad.
Leading the Mission:
One of the main companions sent for this mission was Fayruz ad-Daylami
Fayruz ad-Daylami’s Resolve and Response:
Fayruz said: I and those of the Abna Persians who were with me never for one moment had any doubt about the religion of Allah. no belief in the enemy of Allah entered the heart of any one of us. (In fact) we waited for opportunities to get hold of Al-Aswad and eliminate him by any means. When we received the letters of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ we felt strengthened in our resolve and each one determined to do what he could.
Planning the Confrontation:
Because of his success, pride took over Al-Aswad al-Ansi, who bragged to the commander of his army, Qays ibn Abd Yaghuth, about how powerful he was.
Al-Aswad’s attitude changed so much that Qays ibn Abd Yaguth felt that he was not safe from the violence and oppression.
Fayruz On His Plan To Get To Al-Aswad Al-Ansi:
Fayruz said: My cousin, Dadhawayh, and I went to Qays and informed him of what the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had told us. He was open to our proposal and regarded us as a Godsend. He told us some of the secrets of al-Aswad. The three of us vowed to confront Al-Aswad al-Ansi from within (his castle) while our other brothers would confront him from outside. We all agreed that our cousin Dadhawayh (the wife of Al-Aswad), should join us. We went to al-Aswad’s castle and met her.
I said to Dadhawayh: O cousin, you know what harm and evil this man has visited upon you and us. He has killed your husband and dishonoured the women of your people. He has massacred their husbands and taken political authority from their hands.
Fayruz Tell His Cousin About The Letter of The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:
Fayruz then told her: This is a letter from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to us in particular and to the people of Yemen in general in which he asks us to put an end to this Fitnah. Would you help us in this matter?
She asked: What can I help you with? Fayruz said: Help me with his (Al-Aswad’s) expulsion. Dadhawayh replied: Rather his assassination.
Fayruz then said: By Allah, I had nothing else in mind, but I was afraid to suggest this to you. By Him Who has sent Muhammad with the Truth as a bringer of good tidings and as a warner, I have not doubted my religion for a moment. Allah has not created a man more hated to me than the devil (al-Aswad). By Allah, from the time I saw him, I have only known him to be a corrupt and sinful person who does not promote any truth and does not stop from committing any abominable deed.
Fayruz asked: How can I go about eliminating him?
Dadhawayh Provides Fayruz With Intel Regarding Al-Aswad Al-Ansi’s Castle:
Dadhawayh replied: He is well-guarded and protected. There is not a place in his castle which is not surrounded by guards. There is one broken down and abandoned room though which opens out into open land. In the evening during the first third of the night, go there. You will find inside weapons and a light. You will find me waiting for you.
Fayruz then said: But getting through to a room in a castle such as this is no easy task. Someone might pass and alert the guards and that will be the end of us.
Dadhawayh replied: You are not far from the truth. But I have a suggestion. Send a man tomorrow whom you trust as one of the workers. I shall tell him to make an opening in the room from the inside so that it should be easy to enter.
The Assassination of Al-Aswad Al-Ansi:
Fayruz and Qays ibn Abd Yaguth then began to prepare for their task and they selected a small group of believers who were assisting them with these preparations. This group were responsible for giving them the signal for when they could move forward towards the castle.
That night, Fayruz went with his companions inside the castle and upon entering Al-Aswad’s room, they found weapons and proceeded to the apartment of Al-Aswad al-Ansi.
Fayruz’ cousin, Dadhawayh was waiting and she pointed out where he was and they entered. As they entered his room, Al-Aswad was asleep.
Fayruz then plunged the blade in Al-Aswad’s neck and he screamed loudly.
When the guards heard this, they ran quickly to his apartment and asked: What is this? Dadhawayh replied: Don’t worry. You can go. The Prophet of Allah (referring to Al-Aswad) is receiving revelation. The guards then left.
Fayruz ad-Daylami After Assassinating Al-Aswad Al-Ansi:
Fayruz stayed in the castle until early hours of the morning. Eventually, he stood on a wall of the castle and shouted: Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!
He continued to recite the Adhan until he reached: ‘Ashhadu anna Muhammadur Rasulullah! (Then, he said Wa ashhadu anna al Aswad al-Ansi kadh-dhab, meaning: I testify that al-Aswad is an imposter.)
That was the sign that the Muslims were waiting for and they converged in the castle from every direction.
The guards were scared when they heard the Adhan and were confronted by the Muslims shouting ’Allahu Akbar’.
Death of the Prophet:
Later that day, Fayruz sent a letter to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ giving him the news of the death of Al-Aswad al-Ansi.
When he reached Madinah they found that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had passed away on that same night.
Fayruz learned that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ received revelation before he passed away, informing him of the death of Al-Aswad al-Ansi the night it took place.
Fayruz ad-Daylami Summoned By Umar ibn Al-Khattab During His Caliph:
Years later, the Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab wrote to Fayruz ad-Daylami, saying: I have heard that you are busy eating white bread and honey (meaning no doubt that he was living an easy life) When this my letter reaches you, come to me with the blessings of Allah so that you may campaign in the path of Allah.
Fayruz did as he was commanded, he went to Madinah and wanted an audience with Umar, who granted him permission.
The Incident With A Young Man From The Quraysh:
There was a crowd waiting to see Umar ibn al-Khattab and a young man from the Quraysh pushed Fayruz.
Fayruz ad-Daylami raised his hand and hit the youth on the nose.
The youth then went back to Umar, who asked: Who did that to you?The youth replied: Fayruz, he is at the door.
Fayruz entered the room and Umar asked: What is this, O Fayruz?
Fayruz replied: O Amir al-Mu’minin, 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.
The Judgement of Al-Qisas:
Umar pronounced: Al-Qisas! This meant that Fayruz had to receive the same blow from the young man in retaliation.
Fayruz reacted to this by saying: Must it be so? Umar replied: Yes, it must be so!
Fayruz then got down on his knees and the young man stood up to exact his retaliation.
Revelation from the Prophet:
Umar ibn al-Khattab then told the young man: Wait a moment, young man, so that I can tell you something which I heard from the Messenger of Allah. I heard the Messenger of Allah say one evening: Tonight, Al-Aswad Al-Ansi the Imposter has been killed and the righteous servant Fayruz ad-Daylami has killed him.
After saying this, Umar ibn al-Khattab asked the young man: Do you see yourself taking retribution on him after you have heard this from the Messenger of Allah?
The young man replied: I forgive him after you have told me this from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Fayruz ad-Daylami’s Generosity;
Fayruz then declared: I testify to you that my sword, my horse and thirty thousand of my money is a gift to him.
Umar ibn al-Khattab was impressed by his generosity and he said: Your forgiveness has paid off and you have become rich.