How the Sahabi (RA) Exemplified Emotional Intelligence?

How the Sahabi (RA) exemplified Emotional Intelligence?

(Excerpt from the Book - Emotional Intelligence; Reflecting on the Prophet’s Way by Muhammad Javed)

Edited by Fatuma Hirsi

Even though they had faced the toughest of battles with armies ten times their size in the past, what they faced paled in comparison to the biggest calamity to have struck the companions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Their beloved Prophet, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, their guide in worldly affairs and the hereafter, their last resort in good and bad days, more beloved to them than their parents or children or their own selves, had left this world.  He had returned to His Lord, the “The Highest Companion”. The companions’ attachment to the Messenger has no parallel in history. It was a combination of love, awe, respect, adoration and commitment to the extent that one companion said he would rather give up his life than that a hair of Rasoolullah ﷺ gets hurt.

When this news spread, there was commotion in the masjid. People were unable to grasp the reality of what had happened. It felt as though the ground beneath them had shattered and the pillars on which their existence relied upon had crumbled. Umar (RA), the second greatest leader of Islam, known for his sound decision making, lost his cool. He stood up and announced, “Indeed Rasoolullah ﷺ is not dead! He will not die until the hypocrites have been eradicated.” He then unsheathed his sword and warned that “if anybody says he ﷺ is dead, I will kill him.” The companions, in addition to the ordeal, were awestruck, shocked and frozen by his statement.

As soon as the news reached Abu Bakr (RA), he entered the house where Rasoolullah ﷺ lay, kissed his head, cried, and said, “May my father and mother be sacrificed for you; Allah will not make you die twice. Death has been written for you, so you have passed.”

Then, he entered the masjid amidst the commotion and commanded Umar (RA) to sit down; Umar (RA) obeyed. He passed by him and climbed the minbar. The people also gathered around Rasoolullah’s ﷺ best friend, Abu Bakr (RA). They wanted to see what the scholar of the companions and the best Muslim after the prophets had to say. They needed help to get back their footing; to make sense of what had happened. Abu Bakr (RA) declared the shahadah, “I declare that there is no god but Allah, and Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is His Messenger.” He then added, “To proceed, those of you who worshipped Muhammad ﷺ, then indeed Muhammad ﷺ is dead; and those of you who worshipped Allah, then indeed Allah is Ever-living and will not die.” He also reminded them of Allah’s words, “And Muhammad is not but a messenger, and messengers have passed before him. Then if he is dead or is killed, would you turn back on your heels? And who turns back on his heels would not harm Allah at all. And Allah will reward the thankful.” [Qur’an 3:144][1]

Ibn Abbas (RA) commented, “By Allah, it was as though people did not know that Allah revealed this ayah (verse) until Abu Bakr (RA) recited it. And the people settled on it. Then you could not see a single person who was not reciting that verse.”[2]

Umar (RA) realising the truth said, “By Allah! It was not until Abu Bakr recited that verse that the truth dawned upon me. It was as though I had died, and my legs felt weak and the weight of the affair made me collapse on my knees on the floor. And I realized that he ﷺ had indeed died.”[3]

This passing away of Rasoolullah ﷺ was one of the most critical points for the ummah. If the companions could not overcome this ordeal, this incident could have broken the foundation of the religion. Umar (RA), the most successful caliph of Islam, and one of the greatest leaders to have ever lived, completely lost it and found it tough to accept the death of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

It took none other than the wisest companion, the scholar of the companions, the best Muslim, Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq RA), who demonstrated exemplary Emotional Intelligence, and leadership, to calm, the people. He did this by not only maintaining his cool, but also taking charge, ordering Umar (RA) to sit down despite having an unsheathed sword, thereby taking the people’s focus away from Umar. He then took to the minbar and recited the verse, that all companions knew. It was so appropriate for the moment that it was as though Allah had revealed it for this incident to help them realize that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was mortal just like them; he had completed his duty; conveyed the message from Allah; and had returned to his Lord.[4]

Abu Bakr (RA), demonstrated Emotional Intelligence at its best during this incident as he took charge of his emotions and calmly diffused the shock around Umar’s (RA) reaction. He chose the most appropriate ayah from the Qur’an and words to calm the people and bring them back to their senses. This incident also shows the significance of emotions and Emotional Intelligence, as it has the potential to not only change lives, but also change the course of history. We will explore more incidents as we go along.

P.S. If you are interested in improving your emotional intelligence and influencing skills, look out for an announcement today in sha Allah.

[1] (As-Sallabee, 2005, pp. 1985-1987)

[2] Sahih Bukhari (1241, 1242)

[3] Sahih Bukhari, the Book of Al-Maghaazee (4454)

[4] Rawdatun anwaar p 206-207