The Prophet In 'Uthman's time...

The Prophet In 'Uthman's time, Mu'awiyah had some violent encounters with Abu Dharr, the well-known companion of the Prophet and the great upright Muslim, an account of which is too lengthy, so we will describe them briefly here.

Historians say: Abu Dharr, that devout Muslim and true believer of Islam, believed in God even in pagan times, and was wholly averse towards the worship of idols.(107) When he heard the news of the rise of a prophet in Mecca, he traveled to that city, and was the fourth or fifth person to embrace Islam.(108) The day after embracing Islam he went to the mosque of al-Haram and loudly declared his faith amidst Qurayshi infidels.

They rushed upon him from every side and beat him so badly that his whole body was covered with blood, and as a result he fell down unconscious. Had not al- 'Abbas the Prophet's uncle come to his aid, he might have died under the cruel assaults of the Quraysh. An hour later, he rose with a stiff and injured body and went to a corner to wash his wounds and rest his battered body.

Next day he went to the mosque again and loudly exclaimed: "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His Prophet." For, he was never afraid of anything in the way of truth. Once more the people rushed upon him and beat him almost to death, leaving him unconscious again. The following day he emigrated from Mecca to his tribe by the order of the Prophet to invite them to Islam, and stay with them until they were converted.

Abu Dharr returned to his tribe of Ghifar, and made many efforts to convert them to Islam. Many years passed until he heard the news of the Prophet's arrival in Medina and his rise to power and glory. So he set off from his home to stay with his beloved Prophet and feel at peace in his association with him. His emigration to Medina took place after the battle of al-Khandaq.

Thenceforth he never left the Prophet's side, and benefited greatly from his infinite store of knowledge and spirituality, and showed great loyalty and self-sacrifice, and engaged in so many religious acts of devotion and reflection that he became one of the dearest friends of the Prophet. He has been praised greatly in many genuine traditions by the Prophet.

Such as the following: 1-"The blue sky has never thrown its shadow over anyone more honest than Abu Dharr."(109) 2-In the battle of Tabuk, when his old and weak camel could not keep pace with others Abu Dharr was left behind. He had to abandon the camel.