Ibn ‘Asaakir, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

“Abu-Qaasim ‘Alee bin Ibraaheem informed us that Rasha bin Nadheef said: Al-Hasan bin Ismaa’eel bin Muhammad informed us that Abu Bakr al-Maalikee narrated to us that Yusuf bin ‘Abdillah al-Hulwaanee narrated to us that ‘Uthmaan bin Al-Haitham said:

There was a man in Al-Basrah from Banee Sa‘d who was a commander (of the army) of ‘Ubaidullah bin Ziyaad and he fell from a roof and his legs broke. Then (the scholar) Abu Qilaabah entered upon him and said to him:

‘I hope this activity of yours (falling and breaking your legs) will be a blessing.’

So, he (the commander) said to him:

‘O’ Abu Qilaabah, and what blessing is there in both my legs being broken?

So he (Abu Qilaabah) said to him:

‘That which Allah has protected you from is greater (in blessing).’

So, after three days there came to him (the commander) the message of Ibn Ziyaad asking him to come out and fight (the grandson of the Prophet [sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam]) Al-Hussain bin ‘Alee…

So he (the commander) said to him (the messenger):

‘Indeed, that which has afflicted me (from the broken legs) has afflicted me!’

He said that to the messenger. And it was not but seven days until the news of the killing of Al-Hussain appeared. So, the man (the commander) said:

‘May Allah have mercy on Abu Qilaabah, for indeed he spoke the truth. Indeed, it was a blessing for me.

Taareekh-Madeenati-Dimishq, Vol.28, Pp 307-308, Daar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, 1415/1995. Translated by Abu Yusuf Sagheer bin ‘Abdir-Rasheed al-Kashmeeree.

Download article in pdf format

Remember to spread the word with family & friends…

The Prophet ﷺ said:
❝Whoever invites to guidance will be rewarded like those who follow him in guidance are rewarded, and that will not decrease the reward of those who have followed him❞. [Muslim]