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Julaybib (ra) is one of the lesser known companions of the
Prophet (aws), but arguably one of the greatest. He was probably born in or near
Medina, but nothing at all is known about his family or tribe. He is believed to
have became a companion of the Prophet (aws) sometime after the
Hijra. His name
means "small grown", being the diminutive form of the word "Jalbab”, indicative
of the fact that Julaybib (ra) was small and short; he was also described as
being "damim" which means ugly or deformed. From these details, it seems
probable that Julaybib (ra) suffered from a life-long medical condition such as
achondroplasia.
In these times, even in a society enlightened by Prophetic light, Julaybib (ra)
could not expect any compassion or help, except from some of the womenfolk. If
he was not reviled and scorned, then he was feared, or perhaps worse, pitied.
Indeed, a man named Abu Barzah of the Aslam tribe went so far as to prohibit
Julaybib from entering his home. He told his wife: "Do not let Julaybib enter
among you. If he does, I shall certainly do (something terrible to him)."
However, the Prophet (aws) of Mercy was aware of the problems experienced by
Julaybib (ra) One day, he went to one of the Ansar and said: "I want to have
your daughter married." "How wonderful and blessed, O Messenger of God and what
a delight to the eye (this would be)," replied the Ansari man with obvious joy
and happiness. "I do not want her for myself," added the Prophet. "Then for
whom, O Messenger of God?" asked the man. "For Julaybib (ra)," said the Prophet.
The Ansari, probably too shocked to answer directly, replied that he would talk
to his wife about the matter and then deliver his response in due course. At
first, his wife was equally thrilled at the idea, until her husband explained
that the Prophet intended their daughter to marry Julaybib (ra). "To Julaybib
(ra)! No, never to Julaybib (ra)! No, by the living God, we shall not marry
(her) to him." She protested.
As the Ansari was about to return to the Prophet (aws) to inform him of what his
wife had said and their decision, the daughter – her name is not recorded -
interjected, having heard some of the discussion: "Who has asked you to marry
me?"
Her mother told her of the Prophet's (aws) request for her hand in marriage to
Julaybib (ra). When she heard that the request had come from the Prophet (aws)
and that her parents was absolutely opposed to the idea, she was greatly
perturbed and said: "Do you refuse the request of the Messenger of God? Send me
to him for he shall certainly not bring ruin to me. I am satisfied and submit
myself to whatever the Messenger of God deems good for me."
The Prophet heard of her reaction and prayed for her: "O Lord, bestow good on
her in abundance and make not her life one of toil and trouble." Julaybib (ra)
was married to the Ansari, and they remained married until he was killed.
The death of Julaybib (ra) is another story. It is said he went on an expedition
with the Prophet (aws) and an encounter with some mushrikun ensued. When the
battle was over, the Prophet asked his companions: "Have you lost anyone?" They
replied giving the names of their relatives of close friends who were killed.
Another group answered that they had lost no close relative whereupon the
Prophet said:
"But I have lost Julaybib (ra) . Search for him in the battlefield." They
searched and found him beside seven mushrikun whom he had struck before meeting
his end. The Prophet (aws) went straight to the spot where Julaybib (ra) lay.
Standing over him, he said: "He killed seven and then was killed? This (man) is
of me and I am of him."
He repeated this two or three times. The Prophet (aws) then took him in his arms
saying that Julaybib (ra) had no better bed besides the forearms of the
messenger of God. Then the Prophet (aws) dug his grave and placed his noble
companion in it.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. |