Miqdad ibn Aswad
| al-Miqdad Arabic: المقداد | |
|---|---|
| Title: al-Kindi | |
| Birthplace | Hadhramaut, Yemen |
| Ethnicity | Yemeni Arab |
| Known For | Not worshiping the idols pre-Islamic Arabia. |
| Influences | Allah, Muhammad, Ali |
| Burial Place | Madinah |
| Father | Amr al-Bahrani |
| Religion | Islam |
| Denomination | Sunn'ah |
| Opponents | Enemies of Allah, Islam, Muhammad, Ali and the Ahl al-Bayt |
al-Miqdad ibn Amr al-Bahrani (Arabic: المقداد بن عمرو البهراني), better known as al-Miqdad ibn al-Aswad al-Kindi (Arabic: المقداد بن الأسود الكندي) or just Miqdad, was one of the Sahabah of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Miqdad ibn Aswad is among Muslims was regarded as one of the most respected Sahaba and was one of the Emigrants.
Origin
Miqdad belonged to an Arabian tribe named Bahra' originally from Hadhramaut, Yemen. He escaped from his tribe after injuring someone and moved to Mecca. In Mecca, Miqdad belonged to a man named al-Aswad al-Kindi. Miqdad was a very brave young man when he went to Mecca. In Arabia people loved brave and strong men and Aswad al-Kindi did not have any children, so one day he stood amongst all tribes of Quraish and said "I am declaring that from this day on that Miqdad is my son, and his name is now al-Miqdad ibn al-Aswad al-Kindi. After I die he will inherit from me." So people started calling him al-Miqdad ibn Aswad al-Kindi rather than al-Miqdad ibn Amr. It was the way Arabs showed their love towards someone. When Islam was revealed at Mount Hira, al-Miqdad ibn Aswad al-Kindi was twenty-four years old and when heard about Muhammad’s mission. He hastened to believe in the new religion. He kept his belief in Islam a secret, and was part of the Emigrants who fled from the oppression of the Pagans of Quraish. He met Muhammad secretly, thus, he was among the earlier Muslims.
Madinah
Muhammad ordered his companions to immigrate to Medina. They immigrated one by one or group by group. After some time, he received orders from Allah to immigrate to Medina also. When he reached Medina, Miqdad ibn Aswad Al-Kindi rejoiced by seeing him reaching Medina safely.
His loyalty towards Muhammad could be seen at the battle of Badr, when Miqdad ibn Aswad Al-Kindi stood up and said: "Allah's Apostle, go on and obey Allah's Order! We'll support you! By Allah, we won't say as the Jews had said to their prophet: You and your Lord, go and fight! We'll stay here! We say: you have come to us with the truth, and we obeyed and followed. We will show you we are real men. We will not back off.
Happy expression appeared on the Islamic Prophet Muhammad’s face. Then Muhammad said to the Ansars: "What shall I do"?
Saad ibn Maadh answered: "Allah's Apostle, we've believed in you, we've believed you. We've confessed to what to have said as the truth. We've promised to hear and obey! Then, Allah's Apostle, go on what you've wanted! By Allah! If you asked us to cross the Red Sea, we would do"!
It was the first battle against the unbelievers, it was named the battle of Badr, when the tribes of Quraish came out to fight Muhammad 1400 against 313 followers of Prophet Muhammad.The Muslims were full of enthusiasm. They got ready to face the polytheists with hearts filled with faith.
Attempted destruction
The polytheists tried to kill the Prophet Muhammad to destroy the religion of Islam, but the sincere companions such as Ali bin Abi Talib and The Four Companions, including al-Miqdad, fought the polytheists relentlessly and successfully defended Muhammad against them.
Teaching
Miqdad ibn Aswad Al-Kindi deeply believed in Allah and teachings of Muhammad and Ali. One day, Muhammad said: "Allah has ordered me to love four (persons), and He has told me that He loves them. These persons are Ali, al-Miqdad, Abu Dharr al-Ghifari and Salman al-Farsi."
Miqdad taught people the Qurʾan. His reading became famous throughout Damascus. Miqdad stayed loyal to Allah, Muhammad and Ali, passing away at the age of ninety.