almuhtada.org Muslims will never run out of sources of role models to follow. The life story of the Prophet Muhammad SAW as the main role model, along with that of his friends, is an important guide for Muslims as they navigate life in this world
The position of the Companions toward the Prophet Muhammad SAW was much like that of soldiers on duty, always awaiting orders from their leader. However, like ordinary human beings, they all had different personalities and behaviors. One of the traits found among the friends was their strong determination to carry out the orders given, to the point that some of them went to extremes and were warned by the Prophet Muhammad SAW
Uthman bin Mazh’un was a friend from among the Muhajirin whose full name was Uthman bin Mazh’un bin Hubaib bin Wahab bin Hudzafah bin Jumah bin Amr bin Husyaish bin Ka’ab Al-Jumahi. His nickname was Abu Saib. In his book, Ad-Dzahabi mentions Uthman bin Mazh’un as one of the leaders of the Muhajirin, a friend of Allah, and among those who attained happiness because the Prophet Muhammad SAW prayed over him upon his death.
مِنْ سَادَةِ المُهَاجِرِيْنَ، وَمِنْ أَوْلِيَاءِ اللهِ المُتَّقِيْنَ، الَّذِيْنَ فَازُوا بِوَفَاتِهِم فِي حَيَاةِ نَبِيِّهِم، فَصَلَّى عَلَيْهِم, وَكَانَ أَبُو السَّائِبِ -رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ- أَوَّلَ مَنْ دُفِنَ بِالبَقِيْعِ
Meaning:
“He was among the leaders of the Muhajirin, one of Allah’s beloved servants, a pious man, and one of the friends who was blessed with death during the Prophet’s lifetime, so that the Prophet led the funeral prayer for him. He was the first person to be buried in Baqi’” (Ad-Dzhabi, Siyaru A’lamin Nubala, [Beirut: Muassasah ar-Risalah], vol. I, p. 153).
According to the story, Uthman bin Mazh’un was known for his devotion to worship. He even once asked the Prophet for permission to divorce his wife so he could focus on worship.
أَنَّهُ قَالَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: لَوْ أَذِنْتَ لِي فَطَلَّقْتُ خَوْلَةَ، وَتَرَهَّبْتُ وَاخْتَصَيْتُ وَحَرَّمْتُ اللَّحْمَ، وَلَا أَنَامُ بِلَيْلٍ أَبَدًا، وَلَا أُفْطِرُ بِنَهَارٍ أَبَدً
Meaning:
“Uthman said (asking permission) to the Prophet Muhammad SAW: ‘If you allow me, I will divorce Khaulah. I will become a monk (remain unmarried), I will devote myself entirely to worship, forbid myself from eating meat, stay awake at night (to worship), and fast during the day forever.’” (Al-Qurtubi, Al-Jami’ li Ahkamil Qur’an, [Cairo, Darul kutub al-Misriyah, 2nd ed., 1964], vol. XVIII, p. 87).
Instead of agreeing with him and praising him, the Prophet Muhammad SAW scolded Uthman and explained that what he had done was not part of his Sunnah and was not part of Islam.
فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: إِنَّ مِنْ سُنَّتِي النِّكَاحَ وَلَا رَهْبَانِيَّةَ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ إِنَّمَا رَهْبَانِيَّةُ أُمَّتِي الْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَخِصَاءُ أُمَّتِي الصَّوْمُ وَلَا تُحَرِّمُوا طَيِّبَاتِ مَا أَحَلَّ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ. وَمِنْ سُنَّتِي أَنَامُ وَأَقُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ وَأَصُومُ فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي
Meaning:
“The Prophet Muhammad SAW, said: ‘Among my Sunnah is marriage; there is no monasticism (in the form of not marrying) in Islam. Monasticism among my people is jihad in the way of Allah, and purifying oneself through fasting. Do not declare unlawful the good things that Allah has made lawful for you. Among my Sunnah is sleeping, waking, breaking the fast, and fasting. Whoever does not like my Sunnah is not part of my community.” (Al-Qurthubi, page 87).
The Moral of the Story In the story above, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) teaches Muslims to always be moderate in all things, including in worship. This is because anything done in excess will ultimately lead to negative consequences. [Fahdina Dean]
