There was a Sahaabi by the name of Sayyiduna ‘Amr bin Jamooh (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). This Sahaabi, although severely crippled, did not allow his handicap to prevent his heartfelt desire to serve and strive in the path of Allah Ta‘ala.

When the announcement to enlist for the expedition of Badr was made, he too eagerly prepared to march out and fight for the cause of Islam. However, to his utter disappointment, his sons refused to allow him to join the expedition, as Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had excused him from participating, and they cared for him and were concerned over his physical disabilities. Sayyiduna ‘Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was patient and resolved that come what may, the next expedition would not leave without him.

He did not have long to wait for his wish to be fulfilled. The news soon arrived that the disbelievers of Makkah Mukarramah had prepared an army and were marching on Madeenah Munawwarah, seeking revenge for their defeat in Badr. When the news reached Sayyiduna ‘Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), he immediately expressed his determination to enlist and fight but was again held back by his sons. Desperate not to be left behind a second time, he took his case to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) begging permission to join.

His sons addressed the Nabi of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) saying that their father was severely crippled and so absolved from the obligation of fighting. Sayyiduna ‘Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) presented his case, pleading the following, “My sons wish to hold me back from joining you on this campaign. By the oath of Allah! It is my hope to limp in Jannah in my crippled state.” 

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) heard both sides and then addressed Sayyiduna ‘Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) saying, “As for you, Allah Ta‘ala has excused you. Jihaad is not incumbent on you.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) thereafter turned to the sons and said, “Why don’t you allow him to go? Perhaps Allah Ta‘ala will bless him with martyrdom.”

The sons relented and Sayyiduna ‘Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) elatedly began preparations. As he was packing his armour, his wife heard him making the following du‘aa, “Oh Allah! Bless me with martyrdom and do not send me back to my family as a failure.”

During the battle, Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) went in search of Sayyiduna ‘Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and found that not only was he present on the battlefield but he was bravely fighting in the first line! Sayyiduna ‘Amr and his son Sayyiduna Khallaad (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) later launched an attack against a group of disbelievers and both were killed. Sayyiduna ‘Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was finally blessed with the martyrdom he so coveted. When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) passed by his body, he remarked, “I can see you walking in Jannah with your leg now completely cured.”  

When the battle was over, his wife placed his body on a camel together with those of her son and brother and began proceeding to Madeenah Munawwarah to bury them. To her surprise, the camel would not budge. It willingly walked in every direction – but the direction of Madeenah Munawwarah. This was due to her husband’s du‘aa, “Oh Allah! Bless me with martyrdom and do not send me back to my family as a failure.”

Allah Ta‘ala had accepted his du‘aa to the extent of not only granting him martyrdom, but even preventing his body from leaving the battlefield. He was thus buried at Uhud in a grave he shared with his brother-in-law, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Haraam (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), the father of Jaabir (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).

(Seerah Ibni Hishaam vol. 3 pg. 90, Siyaru Aa’laamin Nubalaa vol. 1 pg. 254, Usdul Ghaabah vol. 3 pg. 360, Musnad Ahmad #22553 and Subulul Hudaa war Rashaad vol. 4 pg. 214)

Lesson:

Sayyiduna ‘Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) did not allow his disability to hinder or hold him back in his effort to earn Jannah. He limped and fought – despite it not being compulsory on him – rather than lagging behind and being deprived of the rewards.

Let us not allow trifling, petty matters such as a small headache or even worse – laziness – to “cripple” us, rendering us so “handicapped” that we lie paralyzed when it’s time to stand up to fulfil the commands of Allah Ta‘ala. Remember! You are only as handicapped as you think you are. If we pluck up the courage, give laziness the boot and build determination, there will be no limit to the degree of proximity to Allah Ta‘ala that we can attain.