During the year 4 A.H., a few members of the ‘Ad-hal and Qaarah clans approached Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and informed him that their clans had accepted Islam. They then requested Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to send a few Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) with them to teach the Quraan Majeed and the injunctions of Deen to them.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) thus deputed a group of ten Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) with them, appointing Sayyiduna ‘Aasim bin Thaabit (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) as their ameer (leader). However, the reality was that these people had not actually accepted Islam, but had pretended to do so in order to deceive and betray the Muslims.
When they arrived at a place named Rajee’, they summoned the Banu Lihyaan clan who arrived with an army of two hundred men to attack the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum). Realizing that they had been betrayed, Sayyiduna ‘Aasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and his companions fled and eventually climbed up a hill for protection.
The Banu Lihyaan clan pursued these ten Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) and surrounded them. They ordered them to surrender, promising that they would enjoy amnesty and would not be harmed if they did so. However, Sayyiduna ‘Aasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) declared that he would never accept the amnesty of a disbeliever, and then made du‘aa saying, “O Allah! Inform Your Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) of our condition!” Allah Ta‘ala accepted his du‘aa, and through wahi (revelation), Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was informed of their plight.
During his life, Sayyiduna ‘Aasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had taken an oath that he would never touch a disbeliever, nor allow a disbeliever to touch him. He therefore made this du‘aa as well, “O Allah! I am protecting Your Deen, so You protect my body (after I am martyred)!”
Thereafter, Sayyiduna ‘Aasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was martyred with six of his companions, while the remaining three Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) surrendered.
Previously, during the Battle of Uhud, Sayyiduna ‘Aasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had killed the two sons of Sallaafah bintu Sa‘eed. To avenge their deaths, she had taken an oath that she would drink wine from the skull of Sayyiduna ‘Aasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and had thus promised the reward of one hundred camels for the person who brought her the skull of Sayyiduna ‘Aasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).
To claim this reward, a few members of the Huzail clan set out to collect the head of Sayyiduna ‘Aasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). However, owing to the du‘aa that he had made, Allah Ta‘ala sent a swarm of wasps which surrounded his body, preventing anyone from drawing near. Seeing the wasps, they decided to wait until the night hoping the wasps would disperse as night sets in. Allah Ta‘ala however, then sent a flood of water which swept the body of Sayyiduna ‘Aasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) away, protecting it from the disbelievers. In this way, his body was safeguarded.
Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) would remark regarding Sayyiduna ‘Aasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), “(Sometimes,) Allah Ta‘ala protects a true believer after his death as well, just as He would protect him during his lifetime.”
(Saheeh Bukhaari #4086, Fat-hul Baari and Sharhuz Zurqaani vol. 2, pg. 477)
Lessons:
1. Sayyiduna ‘Aasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had a deep love for Allah Ta‘ala and Islam. It was due to this deep love for Islam and a deep hatred for the enemies of Islam. Thus, he did not even want his skin to touch that of a disbeliever. Sadly, there are many Muslims today who idolize the disbelievers, emulate their dressing and fashions, follow their traditions and customs and identify with their lifestyle and way of thinking. As Muslims, we must only have love for Islam and the blessed way of life of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
2. When a Muslim remains loyal and faithful to Allah Ta‘ala throughout his life, then Allah Ta‘ala will most certainly reward him during his lifetime as well as after his death. When Sayyiduna ‘Aasim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) took his oath, he remained faithful to Allah Ta‘ala and protected his body from disbelievers throughout his life. Therefore, Allah Ta‘ala accepted his du‘aa and protected his body from them after his death as well.
3. The Quraan Majeed has commanded justice and even kindness towards every living being. If one feeds a hungry person or clothes someone in need, he will be greatly rewarded even if the recipient is a disbeliever. However, there should NEVER be any compromise in our Deen and way of life when dealing with disbelievers.