Obayy Ibn Ka’b - The Chief of All Muslims
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This is the story of an Ansari man, known as Abul-Munther. This man was Obayy Ibn Ka’b. He was such a respectable and honorable man, that Omar (RA) used to call him the “Chief of all Muslims”. Read on to learn more about the man who loved and lived the Quran by heart.
Background
Obayy Ibn Ka’b was a man from the Khazraj tribe in Medina. He was of the Muslims who accepted Islam during the Pledge of Aqabah and welcomed the Prophet ﷺ in Medina. He attended the Battle of Badr and the battles that followed alongside the Muslims.
Learning the Quran
When the Prophet ﷺ was still alive, Obayy Ibn Ka’b would spend a lot of time with him, learning and studying Islam. One day, the Prophet ﷺ told Obayy, “Oh Obayy Ibn Ka’b! I was ordered [by Allah SWT] to recite the Quran to you.” And this was the truth! The Prophet ﷺ confirmed with Obayy that he was mentioned by name and lineage in the world of the Angels. During the time of the Prophet ﷺ, the Quran was taught and learned orally. It was only after the death of the Prophet ﷺ that the Quran was written down on tablets and collected as a whole. Obayy Ibn Ka’b was a leader among those who wrote down the Quran and Hadith.
Life after the Death of the Prophet ﷺ
After the death of the Prophet ﷺ, Obayy not only collected and scripted the Holy Quran. He also continued to remind people of the exact truth and message that the Prophet ﷺ used to spread. He warned the Muslims of being lax in their Deen or to create divisions amongst each other.
He would often say, “when we were with the Messenger of Allah SWT, we were unanimous in one opinion. But after he died, we became different in opinion.” Obayy was also known for his wisdom and brilliant words. Whenever Obayy spoke and addressed a group of people, the people would raise their heads and pay attention to him. His words were always true and his purpose was always meaningful, which gave him good rapport among the Muslims.
As the Muslim countries continued to expand, he saw changes in the people and the way they approached their leaders. As someone who encouraged a simple and humble life, he frowned when seeing the Muslims praise their leaders with extravagance. He would go out and say, “they have perished! They have perished, by the Lord of the Ka’bah, and have caused others to perish! No doubt, I am not sorry for them. But, I am sorry for those who were caused to perish from the Muslims.” By this, he meant perished in their Deen and lost their true purpose.
His Love for the Quran
Obayy Ibn Ka’b loved the Quran so much that his tears would flow and his heart would tremble each time he recited it or heard another reciting it. Imagine the solid faith of this man who truly understood and loved the Quran! It was said that there was one particular verse that would truly shake him up. This was Surah Al-An’am Ayah 65.
قُلۡ هُوَ ٱلۡقَادِرُ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يَبۡعَثَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ عَذَابٗا مِّن فَوۡقِكُمۡ أَوۡ مِن تَحۡتِ أَرۡجُلِكُمۡ أَوۡ يَلۡبِسَكُمۡ شِيَعٗا وَيُذِيقَ بَعۡضَكُم بَأۡسَ بَعۡضٍۗ ٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ نُصَرِّفُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَفۡقَهُونَ
Say: “He hath power to send calamities on you, from above and below, or to cover you with confusion in party strife, giving you a taste of mutual vengeance – each from the other.” See how We explain the signs by various (symbols); that they may understand.
Obayy was very frightened of a time that would come where the Muslim Ummah was divided, turning their backs on the Truth of Islam, and each group would go out to take vengeance on the other. He used to ask for protection from Allah SWT from this time all the way through his death. He died as he lived, a pious and faithful believer. May Allah SWT grant him Mercy and Khair for all his honest work and love for the Quran.