Hazrat Zul-Bajaadain (R.A)

Hazrat Zul-Bajaadain (R.A) was a man from the Mazina tribe. His father passed away when he was a small boy and he did not leave any inheritance for him. He (R.A) was cared for by his paternal uncle.

After becoming mature and learning the teachings of Islam, he (R.A) began to reject idol-worship and wanted to become a Muslim, but couldn’t as his uncle was a devoted Kaafir.

When Makkah was conquered, crowds of people began to accept Islam. He (R.A) advised his uncle to do the same and said, “I personally yearn to accept Islam”. This action caused his uncle to disown him. Hazrat Zul-Bajaadain (R.A) then migrated to Madina Shareef wearing an upper and lower garment made from tearing the blanket which was given to him by his mother. When he (R.A) saw the Noor emanating from Rasoolullah (S.A.W)’s blessed Face at Fajr Salah, Hazrat Zul-Bajaadain (R.A) read the Kalima and entered into the fold of Islam.

Rasoolullah (S.A.W) asked of his name and was told that it was Abdul-Uzza. His name was then changed to Abdullah and was granted the title of ‘Zul-Bajaadain’ (the person of two blankets). Hazrat Zul-Bajaadain (R.A) was indeed favoured by Rasoolullah (S.A.W). He would recite the Holy Quran very loudly.

When the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) was leaving for Tabuk, he (R.A) enthusiastically joined the army and requested Rasoolullah (S.A.W) to make Dua for him to receive Martyrdom in the path of Allah (S.W.T). Rasoolullah (S.A.W) then told him to bring a bark of a tree to him, resulting in a piece of a mimosa tree being brought. It was tied to the shoulders of Hazrat Zul-Bajaadain (R.A) and the following Dua was then made by Rasoolullah (S.A.W) for him, “O Allah (S.W.T) I make his blood sacred on the Kuffaar.”

Hazrat Zul-Bajaadain (R.A) then submitted, “Ya Rasoolullah (S.A.W)! I intend becoming a Shaheed”, to which the Prophet (S.A.W) responded, “If a person comes out for Jihad (Holy War) and dies from any sickness, he shall be regarded as a Shaheed!”. It was later the Taqdeer (fate) of Hazrat Zul-Bajaadain (R.A) that when he arrived at Tabuk, he became sick and passed away as a result of it.

Hazrat Bilaal bin Haarith (R.A) narrates that his burial was a unique one; Hazrat Bilaal (R.A) the Muazzin of Islam, held in his hand a lamp while Rasoolullah (S.A.W) proceeded to his (R.A) grave and instructed Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) and Hazrat Umar (R.A) to both lift the body of their Muslim brother into it. Rasoolullah (S.A.W) himself laid him to rest and also shaped his (R.A) Qabr (grave), making the following Dua afterwards, “Ya Allah (S.W.T) I am pleased with Zul-Bajaadain, be pleased with him as well.”

Witnessing this glorious burial, Hazrat Abdullah bin Masud (R.A) wished that he could have been in place of Hazrat Zul-Bajaadain (R.A). (Madaarijun-Nubuwwah, Vol. 2, Pg. 350-1)