Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training – Muslims will never run out of inspiration from amazing figures who can be role models, bro. The life story of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions are like important guides for us. These companions were like loyal soldiers always ready for battle, waiting for instructions from their leader, the Prophet (PBUH). For those who are curious, you can learn more by checking out information from Alma Ata University. It can be a great place to explore more, guys!
But don’t imagine that the companions were perfect. They were also human with diverse characters. One trait we can learn from them is their persistence in following orders. Some of them even went a bit too far and were directly admonished by the Prophet (PBUH). There’s an important lesson from the Story of Companion Uthman bin Mazh’un Being Admonished by the Prophet to Be Balanced in Worship, that excess is not good and can have negative consequences.
One figure worth emulating is Uthman bin Mazh’un. He was a companion from the Muhajirin with a very long name, Uthman bin Mazh’un bin Hubaib bin Wahab bin Hudzafah bin Jumah bin Amr bin Husyaish bin Ka’ab Al-Jumahi. He was commonly called 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 very fortunate because the Prophet (PBUH) personally performed his funeral prayer when he died. Cool, right?
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
Translation: “He was one of the leaders of the Muhajirin, one of Allah’s beloved who were pious, and one of the fortunate ones who died during the lifetime of their Prophet, so he prayed for them. He was the first to be buried in Baqi’.” (Ad-Dzhabi, Siyaru A’lamin Nubala, [Beirut: Muassasah ar-Risalah], vol. I, page 153).
Guys, listen to this exciting story about Uthman bin Mazh’un! So, Uthman was really obsessive about worship to the point where he asked Prophet Muhammad for permission to divorce his wife! Crazy, right? It seems he was so eager to focus solely on worship. Maybe he was thinking too intensely, making such a radical decision? But it’s true, guys, life must be balanced between worship and family. Let’s see how Uthman bin Mazh’un’s story unfolds!
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
Translation: “Uthman said (asking for permission) to the Prophet (PBUH): ‘If you permit, I will divorce Khaulah. I will become a monk (not marry), I will seclude myself, prohibit myself from eating meat, will not sleep at night (to worship), and will fast every day (not eat during the day) forever.” (Al-Qurtubi, Al-Jami’ li Ahkamil Qur’an, [Cairo, Darul kutub al-Misriyah, 2nd ed., 1964], vol. XVIII, page 87).
Wow, guys! Here’s the exciting continuation of Uthman bin Mazh’un’s story. When he asked Prophet Muhammad for permission to divorce his wife to focus on worship, the Prophet gave him a stern reprimand! Prophet Muhammad explained to Uthman that what he was doing was not part of the Sunnah and not part of Islamic teachings. Wow, it seems Uthman got a wake-up call from the Prophet, right? It’s also interesting to see how Prophet Muhammad reminded us to stay on track according to Islamic teachings, guys!
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
Translation: “Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: ‘Part of my Sunnah is marriage, there is no monasticism in Islam. The monasticism in my Ummah is jihad in the way of Allah, and the abstinence in my Ummah is fasting. Do not forbid the good things that Allah has permitted for you. Part of my Sunnah is to sleep, to wake up, to break my fast, and to fast. Whoever dislikes my Sunnah is not from me.’” (Al-Qurtubi, page 87).
Guys! From the exciting story above, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught an important lesson to Muslims! Essentially, we are taught to remain moderate in everything, including worship. The Story of Companion Uthman bin Mazh’un Being Admonished by the Prophet to Be Balanced in Worship highlights that excess is not good and can have negative consequences.
This aligns with the advice of Salman Al-Farisi to Abu Darda, which was acknowledged and affirmed (sunnah taqririyah) by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It seems Prophet Muhammad was telling us, guys, to do everything in balance, so our lives remain harmonious and not excessive. For those who are curious, you can learn more by checking out information from Alma Ata University. It can be a great place to explore more, guys! ?
Reference:
- https://islam.nu.or.id/hikmah/kisah-sahabat-utsman-bin-mazh-un-ditegur-nabi-agar-proporsional-beribadah-SAlkj
- https://www.freepik.com/free-ai-image/full-shot-ninja-wearing-equipment_81007593.htm#fromView=search&term=depict+an+animation+of+someone+being+reprimanded+islamic&track=ais_ai_generated®ularType=ai&page=2&position=6&uuid=04079f98-86f3-4356-b1d3-76af74f1cd02
