The Steadfastness of Bilal ibn Rabah
During the early days of Islam, the leaders of Quraysh inflicted severe torture on the vulnerable and enslaved Muslims following their conversion to Islam to deter them from their newfound faith. Among those who suffered immensely was Bilal ibn Rabah. Despite enduring brutal treatment, he refused to concede to his oppressors. Instead, he continuously proclaimed “Ahad, Ahad” (One, One), affirming his belief in the oneness of God. Bilal faced various forms of torment, including being forced to wear a heavy iron shirt and exposed to intense heat to the point of exhaustion. The polytheists would command their youths to bind him between the rocky cliffs of Mecca. He remained steadfast until Allah blessed him with the intervention of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), who ultimately freed him from captivity.
The Martyrdom of Umar ibn al-Khattab
Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), the Caliph of the Muslims and Commander of the Faithful, was assassinated while leading the congregation in the Fajr prayer. As the rows were lined up for prayer, Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) raised the Takbir to begin. In that moment, a man rushed swiftly through the ranks and stabbed Umar, inflicting a fatal wound to his abdomen. The assailant was Abu Loo’loo’ah the Persian, who then fled, attacking anyone he encountered, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals and injuries to eleven others. As he escaped, one of the men draped a cloak over Umar, allowing him to hold on, while Abu Loo’loo’ah ultimately took his own life. Shortly thereafter, Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) succumbed to his injuries.
The Diligence of Abu Dharr al-Ghifari
When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) set out for the Battle of Tabuk, Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) was among the ranks of the army. Unfortunately, his camel lagged behind, causing him to become separated from the other Muslims. Fearing that the animal would impede his path to the Prophet (peace be upon him), he took his belongings off its back and set out to catch up with the Messenger of Allah. One of the companions spotted him and informed the Prophet that there was a man making his way alone. The Prophet (peace be upon him) responded, “That must be Abu Dharr.” As Abu Dharr drew closer, the companions confirmed his identity, leading the Prophet to declare, “May Allah have mercy on Abu Dharr; he walks alone, dies alone, and will be resurrected alone.”