Heroic Stands by Shiekh Abu Nizhar Ash Shaami: Abdullah bin Umm Maktum - The Heroism of Overcoming Disability

Our lives are a collection of stands taken. These stands are what will decide our status and value before Allah (swt) on the Day of Judgement. Heroic stands, which changed the course of history, produced events, and greatly influenced all who witnessed them or heard of them. Heroic stands, which we mention while living at a time when most stands, we see are those of humiliation and shame. Heroic stands, we mention them whose heroes are mentioned in the Quran, and the pages of the Seerah and our Ummah's past and recent history are overflowing with them. Heroic stands, which we mention in order to take lessons from. We mention them in order to receive flames of glory, optimism, and expecting good from Allah (swt), and to prove that our Ummah, by the permission of Allah (swt), is capable of bringing back the dignified stands which will fill the world with justice and light after it was filled with injustice and tyranny.

There are stands for which the heavens shake and the angels descend, and the Prophets speak of. Abdullah bin Umm Maktoum (ra) the blind man who competed with those who can see, and beat some of them to the highest of heights. He (ra) could have used his disability as an excuse thus leaving the field for others and living like a nobody among the people. However, he (ra) took Islam which he knew as an ideology for which he dedicated his life and effort with what capability he had.

He (ra) was one of the first to Islam from among the earliest Muslims. Ibn Umm Maktoum (ra) leaves his house, and he is blind, and hurries wanting to attend the class of our Messenger (saw). That dangerous class, about which, Quraysh is searching for the weak like him who attend in order to persecute and torture them. Despite all of this, this blind man does not pay attention or care about the difficulties nor does he hesitate. He (ra) rather attends the class. However, the Messenger (saw) was talking to a group of leaders and notables from Quraysh and was passionately calling them to Islam so that at least one of them embraces Islam and relieves the pressure off the Muslims. The blind man came: "Where is the Messenger (saw)?" "He's busy with the Kuffar of Quraysh calling them". It would have sufficed Abdullah (ra) to sit and wait for the teacher to return from his business. But his thirst for knowledge made him unable to wait. So he went staggering and searching until he grabbed the Messenger (saw) and interrupted him then pulled him: "Teach me, O Messenger of Allah" "Guide me, O Messenger of Allah". The Messenger (saw) looked at him without saying a single word. He just frowned in irritation from his interruption as if to say to him: "O Abdullah, just wait a little for me. Do you not see me busy with these powerful men whom I wish to get their support for the Deen?" Now imagine! Brothers and sisters, the blind man did not see that frown and despite that, the angels are in discord and the revelation comes down to our Messenger (saw):

[عَبَسَ وَتَوَلَّىٰۤ * أَن جَاۤءَهُ ٱلۡأَعۡمَىٰ]

"He [i.e., the Prophet (ﷺ) ] frowned and turned away because there came to him the blind man,[interrupting]". [Surah Abasa: Aya 1-2]

The revelation comes to support the position of Abdullah, reprimanding the master of the creation and categorising people between "But as for he who came to you striving [for knowledge]" and between

[وَأَمَّا مَن جَاۤءَكَ یَسۡعَىٰ]

"As for he who thinks himself without need," [Surah Abasa: Aya 8]  And the Quran commands His Messenger (saw) to completely turn to those who come striving, wanting Islam even if they are weak or less-abled. And to not prefer the powerful whom are shunning Islam. Since, victory will not come at the hands of the arrogant. But do not worry O Muhammad for this great Deen because it is "[Carried] by the hands of messenger-angels, noble and dutiful." What a deep lesson for our Messenger (saw) and for us, His Ummah, after him. Our great Deen is sought out and does not seek out. Those who are willing should come, follow and turn with it and it does not go after them. Sixteen Ayahs gave lessons in dignity and loftiness. The blind man came to the class in order to learn but he ended up teaching. Such that our Messenger (saw) said to him whenever he saw him: "Welcome to the one for whom my lord reprimanded me". Surah 'Abasa also named Surah Al-A'ma (the blind man) not as a definition based on the characteristic of disability but rather to honour a man who overcame blindness thus being an ennobling characteristic for him. The heroic stands of Abdullah bin Umm Maktoum (ra) were not limited to this situation. His life was rather full of its like. And the Ayah "as for he who came to you striving" accompanied him in his entire life. For, he had beaten others in leaving his homeland and migrating to Madinah. He found Mus'ab (ra) calling the people so he helped him and recited the Quran, teaching the Ansar. Since, he was one of the Sahabah (ra) who memorised most of the Quran. He found in his voice sweetness so he partnered with Bilal bin Rabah (ra) in giving the Adhaan. The Messenger (saw) saw in him competency in governing. So Imagine! The Messenger (saw) deputised him over Madinah 13 times! Even when the call to Jihad is made, the blind man came striving while fearing Allah (swt), leaving behind all excuses. "O Abdullah, what will you do in the army alongside us?" He would reply to them: "Stand  between the lines and give me the banner to carry for you." And he (ra) continued to strive until he was martyred at Qadisiya carrying the banner of Islam.

Brothers and sisters whom are healthy, how many times do we hear today excuses and excuses to leave the Dawah or be neglectful in it? The blind man participated in knowledge, Dawah, Adhaan, governing and Jihad. He also taught us that the Dawah carrier and student of knowledge are under the protection of Allah (swt) and have His support. He also taught us not to appease the powerful to seek their support. So, arise and carry the banner which was carried by the blind man and shake off feebleness. And do not be among those who turn away then Allah (swt) turns away from us.

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