Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud (ra) Climbed The Tree
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (ra) said that once he was cutting miswak (tooth sticks) from an (Arak) tree and due to his thin [weak] shins the wind began to sway him. The Sahabah (ra) began to laugh.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ enquired the reason for their laughter to which they replied: ‘O Messenger Of Allah ﷺ, because of his thin shins.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘By the oath of Allah, they will be more heavier on the scales than mount Uhud [on the day of Qiyamah].’
(Musnad Ahmad)
Indeed Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud was a humble, hired shepherd boy. Short in stature, he was hardly visible in the crowds of life, too humble in his beginnings when compared to those who possessed wealth, power, and social status that moved around him.
Financially poor, not endowed with great physical strength, and socially ‘a nobody’. Yet by Islam’s measure, the Prophet’s ﷺ oath shows how this youth was so prized in his eyes.
Not for the way he looked, or dressed or for his popularity - measures by which some youth are often elevated among their peers today (something that all too often fades with time).
Instead he was prized for something more profound, a more meaningful existence. He was the 6th person to enter Islam. He had a life that was well spent; one of sacrifice, dedication and commitment. He is a role model for the youth in his firmness and obedience to Islam, as he stood beside the Prophet ﷺ resolutely. In return, he was compensated for whatever he was perceived to lack in.
During a period when the Muslims saw much wealth come their way, his mind was never obsessed by such matters. Islam compensated him for his lack of physical strength with a strong will that overcame the oppression of the Quraysh. Islam compensated his humble social status by granting him honour, and an elevated rank. Through his transmission of Islamic knowledge and Quran he was given an eminent place among the most learned and prominent of historical figures of Islam.🌙
𝑴𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 of 𝗦.𝗡.𝗝𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗹𝗶 ✍🏼 (𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 of 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗯𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, Islamic chapter books for kids📚)
