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Home for a Home in Paradise
Abdullah ibn Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with him) was among
those who were the first to accept Islam. When the persecution
of the Quraysh got severe, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and
blessings be upon him) gave permission for his companions
to emigrate to Madinah. Emigrating was not a new experience
for Abdullah. He and some members of his immediate family
had migrated before to Abyssinia. This time, however, his
migration was on a far bigger scale. His family and relatives,
men, women and children, migrated with him. In fact, his whole
clan had become Muslims and accompanied him.
Abdullah's clan were not long gone when the alerted Quraysh
leaders came out and made the rounds of the districts in Makkah
to find out which Muslims had left and who had remained. Among
these leaders were Abu Jahl and Utbah ibn Rabi'ah. Utbah looked
at the houses of the Banu Jahsh through which the dusty winds
were blowing. He banged on the doors and shouted: "The houses
of the Banu Jahsh have become empty and are weeping for its
occupants." Abdullah bin Jahsh had the most beautiful and
expensive house. He sacrificed this house for the pleasure
of Allah. Seeing it abandoned, Abu Jahl entered the house
and took all its contents.
Later, when Abdullah ibn Jahsh heard what Abu Jahl had done
to his house, he mentioned it to the Prophet, peace be upon
him, who said: "Aren't you satisfied, O Abdullah, with what
Allah has given you instead, a house in Paradise?"
"Yes, messenger of Allah," replied Abdullah. From that moment
he never had any regret for that house and became completely
satisfied with the beautiful palaces that are awaiting for
him in Paradise.
Source: Partially taken from "Companions of The Prophet",
Vol.1, By: Abdul Wahid Hamid.
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