بِسْمِ ٱللّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
I attend many gatherings where we show respect to the Baal Mubaarak of Prophet Muahammad (peace be upon him). I always wanted to know what is the significance of the Baal Mubarak of Prophet Muhammad and how did we come do have it in our possession? As I have a great respect for it, but do not possess the knowledge in understanding the wisdom behind it. Can you assist in this matter?
Regarding the Sacred Hair of the Beloved Messenger (peace be upon him):
Before going into the details of how great it actually is, one needs for firstly ascertain how is it that people have in their possession the Sacred Hair of our Beloved Prophet (peace be upon him)
Hazrath Anas mentions that during hajj, The Messenger (peace be upon him) stoned the Jamarah, then Shaved his Hair, from the right side, and called for Hazrath Abu Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him). He then shaved the left side, and called for Hazrath Abu Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him) once more, and presented it to him. Thereafter Rasoolullah (peace be upon him) said, “Distribute it to the people”. (Sahih Muslim, Vol.1; Mishkaat)
(A Summary of this hadith can also be found in Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol.1)
Hazrath Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) states, “I saw the Messenger (peace be upon him) getting his hair shaved, and the companions are placing their hands so that his blessed hair does not touch the ground” (Sahih Muslim.Vol.2; Shifa, Vol.2)
The companions had a tremendous amount of respect for his Blessed hair. This was distributed amongst the Companions and has been passed on from generation to generation. Statistics prove that there is an average of between 100,000-200,000 strands of hair on the head of a person. This is why we find many people with the Sacred Hair in their possession today.
So why did they possess this great respect and reverence for the Sacred Hair?
The Qur’an has discussed on many occasions that simple and ordinary objects become extraordinary once they are linked to someone or something which is loved by Allah ta’aala.
The water of Zam Zam is the longest flowing spring / well in the history of mankind. This is due to the fact that the very first drops had touched the blessed feet of Nabi Ismaeel (peace be upon him) similarly, Muslims are commanded in Surah Al-Baqarah to perform Salaah at the Maqaam e Ibraheem (peace be upon him). It was just an ordinary stone, but once the Blessed feet of Nabi Ebrahim (peace be upon him) was placed on it who utilised it as a scaffolding and the image of his foot became imprinted on it, it became extraordinary, to the extent that Muslims from all over the world pay their respect to this Symbol of Allah after every tawaaf by reciting two raka’ats of salaah there.
Why do Muslims today pour water over the Sacred Hair and then drink it?
Ummol Mu’mineen, Hazrath Umme Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) used to keep the Blessed Hair of Rasoolullah (peace be upon him) in her possession. When anyone was ill, they would come to her and she would pour water on it, and then ask them to drink it. (Mishkaath Shareef with reference to Sahih Al-Bukhari)
It was her belief that once water passed through the Sacred hair, then it would become a means of cure for those who are ill. Being the wife of the Beloved Messenger (peace be upon him) I am sure she would have a better insight into the greatness of Rasoolullah (peace be upon him) than most.
Hazrath Khaalid Bin Waleed (may Allah be pleased with him) once during a fierce encounter with a kaafir (disbeliever), he dropped his Turban. Instead of defending his life, his concentration was fixed on the safety of the turban. After killing the Kaafir, he was asked about his reaction to which he replied by saying that he was not defending the Turban, but that which was embedded within it i.e. a few strands of the Blessed Hair of Rasoolullah (peace be upon him).
(Omdatul Qaari, which is a commentary of Sahih Al Bukhari; Shifa Shareef)
Hazrath Khalid Bin Waleed (may Allah be pleased with him) was given the title of “Saifullah” (sword of Allah) due to his excellence in the art of war. He regarded the safety of the Baal Mubaarak as a priority over his own life. This proves that the Companions had a tremendous reverence for the Sacred Hair.
Hazrath Sireen mentioned to Hazrath Ubaidah that he had received the Baal Mubarak from Hazrath Anas (may Allah Be pleased with them), and that he loved it more than the world, and all things within it (Sahih Bukhari, Vol.1)
Subhaanallah! Their love for Baal Mubarak was immense. Since they are our guiding stars in the darkness of the night, we follow in their footsteps and display our love and reverence for the Baal Mubaarak.
Allah and His Rasool know best.
Darul Iftaa
Islamic Lifestyle Solutions
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