Islamic Exemplary Stories

The story of Itban Bin Malik RA and Amir Bin Akwa RA.

Itban Bin Malik RA's

Itban bin Malik RA was one of the companions of Ahlul Badr, and he was assigned by the Prophet SAW to be an imam in the prayer of worshipers in the mosque of his people, Bani Salim. To get to the mosque/mushalla his people, Itban must go through a valley. If it rains, he has difficulty passing through the valley, but still he did it to get to the mosque and carry out the duties given by the Prophet Muhammad to him.

As he got older and his eyesight began to diminish, he really found it difficult to go to the Bani Salim mosque, especially when it was raining, he said, because usually there is a flood or a lot of water in the valley that must be passed. Therefore he intended to ask for leniency to the Prophet SAW for the task he gave him. Especially in the Bani Salim mosque there have been several other people who can replace their duties to worship worship worship worship.

Itban bin Malik came to Medina to meet the Prophet SAW, and conveyed his intention. The Prophet understood the difficulty of Itban and fulfilled his request. Then Itban said again, "O Messenger of Allah, I beg you to come to my house, I want to make part of my house for prayer…"

Once again the Prophet SAW fulfilled Itban's request, and promised to come to his house the next day. The next day, when the day was not so hot again, the Prophet SAW with Abu Bakr came to the house of Itban. After being invited in, he did not sit down but instead said, "Where do you expect me to pray?"

Itban delivered the Prophet SAW at the place prepared for prayer, he stood and stood, he and Abu Bakr stood behind him to pray as well. He prayed the sunnah of two rakaats, after praying, Itban invited his two noble guests to eat the wheat porridge that he had prepared.

The people of Itban village who heard the news of the presence of the Prophet SAW and Abu Bakr, flocked to the house of Itban to meet him. But there was one of the citizens who said, "What is Ibn Malik doing..??"

Another said, "He is a hypocrite, who does not love Allah and His Messenger…!!"

The Prophet of the Holy Spirit said, "Do not you say that, do you know, he (Itban) said that Laa ilaaha illallaah with the aim of expecting the pleasure of Allah?"

"God and His Messenger know better.." Said one of them, but then he said again, "As for us, by Allah, we do not know his talk and love but lean towards hypocrites..!!"

Seeing such prejudices, he said, "Allah forbids the fire of hell to those who say: Laa ilaaha illallaah Muhammadur the apostle of Allah, with the aim of gaining the pleasure of Allah…!!"

Amir Bin Akwa RA's

The Prophet SAW was told by the Companions about the hymn. He asked who the driver was.

"Amir bin Akwa…!!" Says the friends.

"May Allah forgive Amir!!" Said the Prophet SAW, a sign that he was happy with what he did.

But the friends also caught the omens. If he were to devote prayer to someone in a battle, he would surely find martyrdom. Amir understood this too, and he became very happy and eager to attack the enemy.

As the battle raged fiercely, Marhab emerged, a Jewish hero who was well known in the Khaibar area and surrounding areas for his courage and skill in gunfights. Without much deliberation, Amir leapt before Marhab while saying the words to compensate for Marhab's arrogance, "The inhabitants of Khaibar know, I am Amir, the mighty war hero, attack the enemy alone without fear of anything…!!"

These two people were fighting with excitement, it seemed that their strength was in balance. On one occasion, Amir's position was above the wind and very profitable, he was ready to deliver the final blow with his sword to finish off the resistance of his enemy. But without realizing it, his sword bent and the tip of his sword turned around to hit the crown of his own head until he died instantly. The Muslim forces who saw the incident spontaneously said, "Pity of Amir, he was hindered from martyrdom…!!"

Salamah bin Akwa, who was not far from his brother, was disappointed and regretted the incident that happened to Amir. He assumed, like most of his friends, that Amir died by suicide, even though it was done accidentally. Of course he lost the reward of jihad and death as a martyr.

When the war on that day was over, Salamah recounted the events that befell Amir to the Prophet PBUH weeping, and he asked, "O Messenger of Allah, is it true that the reward of Amir died because of his death?"

The Prophet gave a reassuring answer, "He fell as a warrior (i.e., martyr), even he earned two kinds of rewards. And now he is swimming in the rivers of heaven…!!!"

Heart of Salamah became pleased with the explanation of the Prophet SAW, even his ‘view of his martyr brother increased his spirit to continue fighting for the banner of the religion of God.