Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Some people came to the Prophet (PBUH) and said to him: "Send with us some men who may teach us the Quran and the Sunnah." He (PBUH) sent seventy men from the Ansar. They were called Al-Qurra` (the reciters) and among them was my maternal uncle, Haram. They used to recite the Quran, ponder over its meaning and learn (its wisdom) at night. In the day, they used to bring water and pour it in pitchers in the mosque, then they would collect wood and sell it; and with the sale proceeds, they would buy food for the people of As-Suffah and the needy. The Prophet (PBUH) sent the reciters with these people but these (treacherous people) fell upon them and killed them before they reached their destination. (While dying) they supplicated: "O Allah convey from us the news to our Prophet that we have met You (in a way), that we are pleased with You and You are pleased with us." (The narrator said:) A man attacked Haram from behind and smote him with a spear which pierced him. Whereupon Haram said: "By the Rubb of Ka`bah, I have met with success. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to his Companions, "Your brethren have been slain and they were saying: "O Allah! Convey from us to our Prophet the news that we have met You (in a way) that we are pleased with You and You are pleased with us."[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary:
This Hadith mentions the following three points: 1. Through conspiracy infidels took with them seventy Ansari Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) , who were distinguished for studying and teaching the Noble Qur'an, and martyred them in their region. This tragic incident goes to prove that the Prophet (PBUH) did not have the knowledge of the Unseen. Had he possessed this knowledge, he would not have sent his Companions with the infidels. When the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) realized that they were trapped and there was no chance of their survival, they prayed to Allah to convey their message to the Prophet (PBUH). Their prayer was answered by Allah Who conveyed their message by means of Wahy (Revelation) to the Prophet (PBUH). On learning it through Wahy, he (PBUH) informed this tragic incident to his Companions. 2. "As-Suffah" is a terrace in which people stayed, they had neither any permanent source of income nor any free public kitchen nor was there any arrangement for the supply of their food from individuals. They depended entirely on the Grace of Allah. Every now and then they received some Sadaqah or gift and they all shared it. Some of them would collect firewood and through its sale, raised some money to purchase food for themselves and their Companions. 3. The task of invitation to Islam and dissemination of its teachings is an arduous one. People who undertake this task have to face bitter criticism from their friends and foes, and one has sometimes to lose one's life in this mission. But this is a mission of the Prophets and it should be undertaken by the savants as they are truly worthy of it.
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