Children's Corner

Zaid’s erudition grew by each day and he would learn every minute detail about the relevance of each and every verse, from the Prophet (Pbuh).


The young Zaid bin Sabith was keen to join the Islamic forces even while he was just 13. He stood among the aspirants while his sword followed him as a trail. The Prophet (Pbuh) refused him entry due to his youth. Zaid was crestfallen. So was his mother Nawar bint Maalik.


Zaid thought out another stratagem. He sought out the company of the holy Prophet, peace be upon him, through his mastery over the Quran. His memory was fresh and he would commit to memory the revealed text within a jiffy. Zaid’s mom advised the Prophet (Pbuh) to allow her son to stand close to his side as a ready reckoner on the holy Quran. The Prophet called out Zaid and heard him recite the verses, which Zaid read out verbatim with a delivery that was astoundingly clear and impeccable. To boot, his wisdom impressed the Prophet to no end. Moreover, Zaid was still better in writing Arabic.


The Prophet took him as the private secretary and advised him to even learn Hebrew, the language used by the Jews as he rarely trusted the individuals he employed for correspondence in Hebrew. Zaid learnt Hebrew and developed a rare command over it. Thus the Prophet had a trusted lieutenant to carry out his secretarial work in Hebrew. The Prophet then asked Zaid to learn Syriac and Zaid was not found wanting even there. He developed mastery even over Syriac.


Once the Prophet was convinced of Zaid’s linguistic skills, he appointed him as the ‘Writer of the divine revelation’ (katib-e-wahi). Zaid’s erudition grew by each day and he would learn every minute detail about the relevance of each and every verse from the Prophet. After the Prophet’s death, Zaid emerged as the major interpreter of the holy Quran and the holy companions would turn to him for all kinds of explanations. During the reign of Caliph Abu Bakr, he was taken as the major compiler of the Quran. Again during the tenure of the Caliph Usman, when he ordered committing the Quran to written script, Zaid was appointed what could be known today as ‘chief editor’.


When the holy Prophet died, the question of succession became a bone of contention between the Ansar and Muhajirin. Both laid claim to a member of their group succeeding the Prophet. A few Ansar came out with the proposal that the caliphate be alternated between the two groups. The rivalry became intense as the Prophet’s body lay wrapped in the burial clothes.


At the crucial moment, it was Zaid bin Sabith who resolved the crisis. Zaid said, since the Prophet was a Muhajir (emigrant), the caliphate should naturally go to a Muhajir and since the Prophet was assisted by an Ansar, the Muhajir caliph too will be aided by the Ansar. He then extended his hand towards Abu Bakr for bayt (expression of allegiance).


Zaid used to extend his services as the interpreter of the holy Quran to all the caliphs inasmuch as the second Caliph Umar counseled the people to approach Zaid bin Sabith for interpretation of the Quran and approach Muaz bin Jabal in jurisprudential affairs.


When Zaid died, several scholars wept inconsolably. They feared that a treasure trove of Quranic knowledge would be buried under the earth. Abu Hurairah prayed to Allah that Abdullah bin Abbas should develop as his alternative.

The Arabic word ‘amanath’ is derived from the root ‘amuna’ which means to be faithful, reliable, trustworthy or loyal. Amanath assumes special significance in Arabic-in that it refers to money, goods or property entrusted to a person for safe custody and for upkeeping, to be returned to the rightful owner at the right time.


In English, the word ‘trust’ means a firm belief or full confidence in someone or something (Oxford Dictionary).


The importance of amanath is emphasised in the holy Quran and in the Traditions of the Prophet (Pbuh).


Here is an incident relating to al-amanath, narrated by the Prophet (Pbuh).


Long ago, there lived a businessman who engaged workers for his business on daily wages. He used to pay the wages promptly to these workers on completion of their work. Among them, was a worker who after completing his work left the place all of a sudden, without receiving his wages.
The businessman who engaged the worker was very honest and kind. He did not wish to keep that worker’s wages himself and to make any benefit from it. So he set apart this wages and invested the amount in his business. The business flourished, with it, the worker’s wages increased and multiplied in due course of time.


After a period, the worker became poorer and was badly in need of money. He then remembered of his work for which he had not received his wages. He wanted to meet the businessman for whom he worked in order to get his wages back. The worker wondered if the person could recollect the incident or recognize him. He also had the fear that the businessman would turn him back empty handed. The worker picked up courage and made up his mind. He approached the businessman with the hope that he would get atleast a few dirhams that was then due to him. He recalled the incident to that man and requested him to pay the wages. The businessman could easily recognize the worker. He pointed to the worker: “ Look there, whatever you see there-the camels, the cows, the sheep and the slaves are yours and from your wages.” The worker could not believe his ears and eyes. He was astonished and puzzled. He thought that the man was joking. The businessman then confirmed that what the worker could see before him-the camels, the cows, the sheep and the slaves were for him and were his only. The man further convinced the worker that the wages due to him was set apart and was invested in his business that yielded this huge wealth. The worker was very pleased with the conduct of his master and took with him all his camels, cows, sheep and slaves.


Allah was also pleased with the conduct of this honest businessman.


Days passed. One day, this businessman was caught in a cave in which a huge piece of rock fell close to the cave and closed the cave. He did not lose heart. He recalled his good gesture to the worker and prayed to Almighty Allah: “ O Allah, If what I had done to the worker was out of fear for You and for Your sake, let this rock give way for me!”


Allah, readily answered his prayer. The rock moved slowly and the man came out of the cave, heaving a sigh of reliefachieved.