Be Like Tsuuban

There are many love stories from friends to the Prophet Muhammad. Stories that contain valuable values and lessons for us to use as reflection, motivation and enthusiasm in getting closer to the Divine. The question is, can we match the love story of the friends for the Prophet Muhammad?

Or is our love inferior to that of our friends? Perhaps our love is superior to theirs? Or, even more tragically, is our love far from theirs? This certainly deserves our deep reflection.

To assess the quality of the friends' love for the Prophet Muhammad. Let us look at a story from the time of the Prophet Muhammad, a story that has been narrated by the ulama in their books. The story that caused it (asbabun nuzul) the revelation of the verses of the Qur'an Letter An-Nisa'’ verses (69-70)

“"And whoever obeys Allah and (His) Messenger, they will be with those on whom Allah has bestowed favors, namely: the Prophets, the Siddiqin, the dead people martyr, and the pious people.

And they are the best friends. This is a gift from Allah, and Allah knows enough about what we hide and what we reveal."” (An-Nisa': 69-70)

Al-Hafizd Ibn Kathir brings the story of a friend who loved the Prophet Muhammad. This friend, can't wait if he doesn't meet Rasulullah Saw. However, Ibn Kathir did not mention the name of this friend.

Temporary, Imam Al-Qurtubi in his interpretation, Al-Jaami' Liahkamil Qur'an, mentioning the name of the friend named “Tsauban”". This friend of Tsauban, was a servant of the Prophet Muhammad, this friend really loved the Prophet Muhammad, and Tsauban couldn't stand not seeing the Prophet Muhammad for one day.

If Tsauban did not meet Rasulullah SAW, then his face would turn pale, his expression would be unsightly. He was like a miserable and suffering person. His life is empty, lackluster and lackluster. Like, shabby beggars and scavengers who are always gloomy.

And sure enough, one day Tsauban's friend actually did not meet the Prophet SAW. In this condition, Tsauban's friend was confused, confused, to the point that his body was emaciated, his face was pale, he was very sad and very anxious. Just because he didn't see his lover, Rasulullah SAW, for a day. 

Long story short, finally one day Tsauban's friend met Rasulullah Saw, then Rasulullah was very surprised by the condition of his servant. Rasulullah also asked about his condition;

“Maa ghayyaro lau nak ya Tsauban?” 

"O Tsauban, what made you feel like this? Why is your face pale? Why do you look emaciated? You are so sad, you look restless and miserable, O Tsauban, what disease are you suffering from, tell me, O Tsauban?

Then Tsauban answered: 

Yes.. Rasulullah, Maa bi dhurrun wala wajaun, ghairo anni idza lam Arooka, istakhtu Ilaika, was taw hastu wihsyatan shadidah, hatta alqoo 

“O Messenger of Allah, I am not sick, I am not in any danger, I have not been struck by any calamity. However, O Messenger of Allah, if I do not meet you for even one day, I miss you, O Messenger of Allah, I love you and I feel very lonely and alone, until I actually meet you, O Messenger of Allah.”

Then Tsauban continued;

“"“Tsumma dzakartul akhiirota, wa akhofu alla arooka hunakaa, lianni aroftu annaka turfa' Ma'an nabiyyiin, Wa anni indakholtu Jannah, kuntu fii manzilatin yaa Adna manzilatik . Wa illam adkhul, lam arookaabadaa“"“

“"O Messenger of Allah, when I was sad like that, I remembered that in the afterlife, O Rasulullah, you will have a high rank in the afterlife, together with the Prophets, I, O Messenger of Allah, if only I entered heaven, then my rank would be below you, O Messenger of Allah. We will not be able to meet in heaven later.

You are at the highest, while we are at the bottom, that is if I enter heaven. Meanwhile, if I do not enter heaven, O Messenger of Allah, then I will not be able to meet you forever."”

Subhanallah… So beautiful is the story of Tsauban's friend. His longing to meet the Messenger of Allah made him suffer and suffer. That feeling of longing tormented his heart. His longing for being a spy was born from his love for the Prophet Muhammad.

For some, the peak of longing and love may seem excessive, but do we realize that longing and love for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) are born from a pure heart, born from a pure heart, a heart always filled with goodness? Thus, from that goodness of soul, true love is born.  

Hopefully we can emulate Tsauban's friend. We recite more of our prayers to Rasulullah SAW, as proof of our love for him. 

Allahumma sholli wasallim alaa Muhammad.

Extracted from Ustad Abdullah Shaleh Al-Hadrami's lecture