Wehib Abdulwase Kurtu
All praise is due to Allah, the Exalted, who has brought the Quran to us through the best companions of the Messenger! May the mercy and peace of Allah be upon the final Messenger, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), who established Islam’s superiority through the last revelation of Allah.
May Allah be pleased with that unique generation—the followers of the noble Prophet, the pioneers of an extraordinary era—who carried the divine message to the world, along with all those who have followed in their footsteps until the end of time.
Reviving the Sunnah of the Prophet
After the passing of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), Abu Bakr and Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said: “Let us visit Umm Ayman, as the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to do.” When they arrived, she wept. They comforted her, saying: “What is with Allah is better for the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).” She replied: “I know that. But what makes me weep is the cessation of revelation from heaven.” Upon hearing this, they too began to weep. (Sahih Muslim)
In our time, when visiting others for the sake of Allah has largely disappeared, the companions set a profound example by reviving the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), regardless of their status or position.
Who Was Umm Ayman?
Umm Ayman, originally named Barakah, was an Ethiopian slave woman known for her unwavering faith and devotion. She was once a slave maid but played a significant role in the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). When the Prophet was only six years old, his mother passed away, and Umm Ayman took on the responsibility of raising him with love and care.
She had previously left her husband, Ayman’s father, Ubayd ibn Zayd, due to his polytheistic beliefs. Later, she married Zaid bin Harithah and gave birth to Usama bin Zaid (may Allah be pleased with them), who would go on to lead the Muslim army against the Byzantine Empire during the caliphate of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him).
Revelation: The Lifeblood of the Companions
Unlike today’s world, where food, clothing, and shelter dominate our concerns, the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) were most preoccupied with divine revelation.
Though Umm Ayman (may Allah be pleased with her) was neither a scribe of revelation nor among the ten companions promised paradise, she deeply mourned the cessation of divine communication. Even Abu Bakr and Umar (may Allah be pleased with them)—who were often directly addressed in the Quran—did not express their grief in the same way. For her, the end of revelation was like a diligent farmer awaiting the winter rain for his crops.
This generation lived by the Quran, constantly seeking its guidance, just as we today await breaking news updates. Their entire existence was shaped by the revelation they received.
The Quran: Their Ultimate Guide
The noble Quraysh tribe, to which many of the companions belonged, relied on trade with Sham, Yemen, and Abyssinia for economic security. Amid Islam’s expansion, they faced inevitable conflicts with the great empires of Rome and Persia. Yet, Umm Ayman’s greatest concern was not political struggles or trade sanctions—it was the absence of revelation.
How Revelation Was Sent Down
“And it is not for any human being that Allah should speak to him except by revelation or from behind a partition, or that He sends a messenger to reveal, by His permission, what He wills. Indeed, He is Most High and Wise.” (Ash-Shura: 51)
After the first revelation (Iqra …), the Quran continued to descend over 23 years through Angel Jibreel (peace be upon him), addressing the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) at different times and places, in Mecca, Medina, and beyond.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ensured its preservation by appointing scribes to record it on parchment, leather, palm leaves, bones, and stones, while thousands of companions committed it to memory. After his passing, it was compiled into a book that remains unaltered to this day.
This unique generation possessed the ability to answer any question from the Quran. Even when Ja’far and his companions (may Allah be pleased with them) migrated to Abyssinia and were questioned by Negus about Jesus and Mary, they immediately responded with verses from the Quran—without waiting for guidance from Mecca.
The Quran: Their Faith, Our Forgotten Treasure
For the companions, the Quran in their hearts measured their faith, just as a drop of mercury in a thermometer reflects body temperature. It guided every aspect of their lives.
Our Anxiety: A Life Without the Quran
When the remembrance of Allah, particularly the Quran, is removed from our lives, we become vulnerable to worldly anxieties and problems that have no true solution—except through divine guidance.
Today, we recite the Quran for various occasions: to heal the sick, accompany the deceased, welcome a bride, inaugurate an event, or during Friday gatherings and Ramadan. However, beyond these moments, our lives are consumed by material pursuits.
Our greatest concerns today revolve around making a living, following mainstream media as if it were revelation, consuming endless news cycles, spreading unverified information, or even treating football matches as matters of life and death. The digital world has become our new obsession—counting likes and followers as if they were currency. Our homes and communities feel incomplete without Wi-Fi and internet access.
The Great Contrast: Then and Now
When we compare our lives with the generation of Umm Ayman and those who followed in their footsteps, the difference is stark. Their hearts were anchored to Allah by faith, while our generation treats this short worldly life as if it were the Hereafter. We live under the illusion that the man-made satellites orbiting above us determine our fate—endlessly scrolling, browsing, and consuming.
O Allah, help us to remember You, to be grateful to You, and to worship You in the best manner.
-Wehib Abdulwase Kurtu is Ethiopian writer and translator based in Qatar.
