Lessons from Abul Dahdah

Every human being has a role model whom he follows in every step, walking in their footsteps and adhering to their path. The true winner is the one who follows the path of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions, for none who follow them will go astray, and none who oppose them will be rightly guided.

The paths of the righteous are too many to count. Among them is the path of the noble companion Abul Dahdah (may Allah be pleased with him), who realized the true value of this world and exchanged it for his Hereafter. His wife followed his path, sharing in goodness with love and loyalty, offering charity, comforting the needy, and calling to goodness with wisdom and kind exhortation. This is the path of the righteous—so, is there anyone to follow it?

Who Was Abul Dahdah?

Abul Dahdah (may Allah be pleased with him) was a noble companion. His name was Thabit Ibn Al-Dahdah Ibn Nu`aym, and his nickname (kunya) was Abul Dahdah. He witnessed the Battle of Uhud alongside the Prophet (peace be upon him) and was among the companions who remained steadfast when the false rumor of the Prophet’s death spread. At that moment, he uttered his famous words: “O people of the Ansar, if Muhammad has been killed, then Allah is Ever-Living and does not die. So fight for your religion.”

He was a brave, determined man, eager to meet Allah, uninterested in this worldly life and its glitter. He died a martyr at Uhud. Some reports say he also witnessed Al-Hudaybiyyah with the Prophet (peace be upon him) and later died on his bed.

Abul Dahdah and the Garden of Palm Trees

One day Abul Dahdah (may Allah be pleased with him) was sitting with the Prophet (peace be upon him) when a boy came to complain. The boy wanted to build a wall around his orchard, but a palm tree belonging to his neighbor blocked the way. He asked to buy the tree, but the neighbor refused. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to the neighbor: “Give it to him, in return to a palm tree in Paradise.”

It was an unimaginable bargain, yet the man refused, clinging to his palm tree. Abul Dahdah was astonished at his refusal of such a reward. The Prophet (peace be upon him) then said: “Whoever gives in charity will have like it in Paradise.”

Abul Dahdah asked: “O Messenger of Allah, if I give my orchard in charity, will I have its like in Paradise?” He replied: “Yes.” He asked: “And Umm-ul-Dahdah with me?” He said: “Yes.” He asked: “And the children?” He said: “Yes.”

So Abul Dahdah (may Allah be pleased with him) gave away his orchard of 600 palm trees in charity, desiring that single palm tree in Paradise. Allah Multiplied his charity many times over, in accordance with His words: {Who will lend to Allah a good loan which Allah will multiply many times over? It is Allah ˹alone˺ who decreases and increases ˹wealth˺.} [Al-Baqarah 2:245]

The Role of Umm-ul-Dahdah

When Abul Dahdah (may Allah be pleased with him) returned to his orchard, which he had given in charity, he found Umm-ul-Dahdah (may Allah be pleased with her) and their children inside. Standing at the gate, he called: “O Umm-ul-Dahdah.” She replied: “At your service, O Abul Dahdah.” He said: “I have given this garden in charity for us, in exchange for one in Paradise. And you are with me, and the children too.”

This righteous wife set an unforgettable example of piety, cooperation with her husband in righteousness and devotion. She replied: “May Allah bless what you have purchased.” In another narration, she said: “Your trade has profited, O Abul Dahdah.”

They left the orchard, and he handed it over to the Prophet (peace be upon him). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “How many among hanging bunches in the Paradise are meant for Ibn Dahdah?”

Choosing the Hereafter Over the World

This was a man who kept the world in his hand, not his heart. He knew it was only a means to the Hereafter, with no permanence or lasting joy. He raised his household upon this principle, forming a family united upon goodness, husband, wife, and children together.

When the chance came, he did not hesitate to give away his garden of 600 palm trees for the sake of one palm tree in Paradise. He remembered his wife and children and asked the Prophet (peace be upon him): “And my wife and children will be with me in Paradise?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: “Yes.”

Here we also see the righteous Muslim wife: when her husband told her he had given away the orchard and asked her to leave with the children, she did not complain or object. Instead, she said: “Your trade has profited, O Abul Dahdah.” She knew that true profit is in the Hereafter, not in this fleeting world. This is a model for anyone who wishes to build a righteous Islamic family, founded upon piety and love for the Hereafter. So, who will follow?

Also Read:

• The Prophet (PBUH) Mends People's Hearts
• 5 Benefits for Giving Charity to Relatives
• Salim Mawla Abu Hudhayfah: Qur’an Bearer and Hero of Yamama

-------------------------------------------------------------

Resources:

1. Walid Ibn Ahmad Az-Zubayri, Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al Asqalani Hadith Encyclopedia, vol. 4.
2. Muhammad Adib As-Saleh, The Quran Healing: The Building Generation Features of the Society’s Examples.
   
3. https://n9.cl/443sg

Read the Article in Arabic