In the Name of Allāh.
Dear brethren, let me remind you about a man of immense faith, unwavering devotion to Islām, and stalwart determination for excellence. He was a man who braved persecution, one of the first people to accept Islām, and also made Hijrah to Madīnah where he taught the religion to people. This man is ‘Abdullāh Ibn Umm Maktum (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu), a cousin of our mother, Khadījah Bint Khuwaylid (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anha). His mother (Aatikah Bint ‘Abdullāh) was called Umm Maktum (Mother of the Concealed One) because she gave birth to him a blind child.
He was the one for whom Allāh corrected His Messenger (ﷺ) when he frowned at his interruption. The Prophet (ﷺ) was avid about the chiefs of Makkah accepting Islām as this would make those under them also embrace the faith. More so, so that they stop the persecutions of the Muslims. At that very moment, ‘Abdullāh, moved towards him to seek clarification of some issues concerning Islām. The Prophet (ﷺ) disliked his interruption and disregarded him. Thus, Allāh revealed the first sixteen verses of Sūrah Abasa to correct His Messenger. This incident thus serves as a reminder to all of us that every Muslim is worthy of our attention and kindness, regardless of their status or condition.
Ibn Umm Maktum’s courage and steadfastness knew no bounds. Despite being blind, he took part in battles (even when exempted, as contained in Sūrah An-Nisa’ verse 95), proving that true bravery is not in sight but in the heart. He was even assigned to call the Adhān at the Prophet’s Masjid, a role that showcased his devotion to the religion.
Verily, his life is a shining example of the power of faith and determination in the face of adversity. Blind though, he saw the true essence of Islām with his heart, while others saw it with their eyes but did not understand. His story serves as a stirring reminder that true beauty lies in the unseen, and Belief in Allāh is the light that guides us through the darkness of this world.
I beseech Allāh to also grant us the strength of spirit to overcome all challenges and make us worthy of His Mercy. May He equally grant us all the clarity of sight as possessed by ‘Abdullāh Ibn Umm Maktum, a sight that allowed him to see beyond his limitations and embrace the greatness of Islām with all his heart. Aameen.
Picture Credit: Gettyimage
