11. DISCIPLES (HAWARI) OF SAYYIDUNA ‘ISA
There were twelve ‘Hawari (disciples)’ of Sayyiduna ‘Isa who embraced Islam by virtue of Sayyiduna ‘Isa and proclaimed their faith (in Islam) openly. They would remain ready all the time to provide physical, monetary and every type of support wholeheartedly to Sayyiduna ‘Isa. Who were these people and why they were called ‘Hawari’? Let’s see answer to these questions. The author of Tafseer Jamal has mentioned, ‘The word ‘Hawari’ has been derived from the word ‘Hur’ that means whiteness. As the clothes of these people would have been brilliant white and very clean, and their hearts and intentions had been extremely pure; so the people used to call them Hawari.’
According to some other commentators, these people adopted the profession of launderette and used to wash cloths in order to earn lawful earnings. That’s why these people were called Hawari. According to another report, these people belonged to a royal family and used to wear very clean and white cloths. Hence, people started calling them Hawari.
Sayyiduna ‘Isa had a bowl in which he used to eat. This bowl would never be empty of food. Someone informed the king about this. Hence he called Sayyiduna ‘Isa in his court and asked, ‘Who are you?’ Sayyiduna ‘Isa replied, ‘I am ‘Isa Bin Maryam, a bondsman and a Prophet of Allah’. The king got inspired by the personality and miracles of Sayyiduna ‘Isa and embraced Islam. He discarded his kingdom and he started to live at the service of Sayyiduna ‘Isa along with his relatives. Since this royal family used to wear white clothes, hence they all became famous as Hawari.
In another report, it is mentioned that it was a group of fishermen that used to wear white clothes. Sayyiduna ‘Isa went to these people and said, ‘You people catch fish. If you people follow my teachings, you will be dealing with human beings thereby blessing them with eternal life.’ These people demanded miracle from Sayyiduna ‘Isa. A fisherman called Sham’oon had already thrown his net in the river. Despite the whole night passing by, not even a single fish was caught in the net. So Sayyiduna ‘Isa said, ‘Throw the net in the river now.’ As soon as he threw the net in the river, instantly so many fish got trapped in the net that the people in the boat could not even lift the net. Therefore, with the help of two boats, the net was lifted and both of the boats filled up with fish. After seeing this miracle, people on both boats, who were twelve in number, recited the Kalimah and embraced Islam. These people were titled as Hawari.
Some religious scholars are of the opinion that the twelve persons put belief in Sayyiduna ‘Isa. Due to their firm belief and righteous intentions, these people were bestowed with a miraculous marvel (Karamat). Whenever they would feel hungry, they used to say: O Ruhullah, we are hungry. So Sayyiduna ‘Isa would tap the earth with his blessed hand and two Rotis (breads) would come out of the earth and come in their hands. When these people would call upon out of thirst, Sayyiduna ‘Isa would tap the earth and extremely sweet and cold water was provided to these people. This is how these people used to eat and drink.
One day, these people asked Sayyiduna ‘Isa, ‘O Ruhullah! Who is the best amongst us the believers?’ He replied, ‘The one who earns sustenance by his own efforts.’ Upon hearing this, with an intention to earn lawful sustenance, these twelve people adopted the occupation of laundrette. As these people used to make cloths white after through washing, therefore these people became famous as Hawari.
There is another opinion that the mother of Sayyiduna ‘Isa got appointed her son in a dyeing shop. One day, the shopkeeper marked few clothes with required colour tags and asked ‘Isa to proceed for dyeing. He himself left away. Sayyiduna ‘Isa put all of the cloths in the tub containing one single colour. Upon return, the shopkeeper became anxious to see that and said, ‘You have dyed all of the clothes with the same colour, although I had marked different colours for different cloths and asked you to dye them accordingly.’ Sayyiduna ‘Isa said, ‘O clothes, by the command of Allah. Be of the colours as desired.’ Therefore, from the same tub, the clothes in red, green, yellow and other desired colours were received. Witnessing this miracle of Sayyiduna ‘Isa, all the twelve persons present over there and wearing white clothes, put belief in Sayyiduna ‘Isa. These people became famous as Hawari.
Sayyiduna Imam Qafaal has mentioned that it is quite possible that among these twelve Hawaris, some might be kings, some fishermen, some launderettes and some might be dyeing clothes. Since all these people were sincere devotees of Sayyiduna ‘Isa and their hearts and intentions were pure; that’s why these twelve individuals with pious and pure souls were blessed with the dignified title of Hawari. This is because the word ‘Hawari’ means ‘a sincere disciple’.However, whilst mentioning about Hawaris in the Glorious Quran, Allah has mentioned:
So when ‘Isa sensed their unbelief, he said, ‘Who will be my helpers towards (in the way of) Allah?’ The disciples said, ‘We are the helpers of (religion of) Allah; we believe in Allah, and you bear witness that we are the Muslims.’
At another place in the Holy Quran, Allah has mentioned:
And when I inspired into the hearts of the disciples, ‘Believe in Me and in My Prophet’; they said, ‘We accept faith, and be witness that we are the Muslims’.
Moral:
Although the number of Hawaris of Sayyiduna ‘Isa was only twelve, but the way they remained steadfast by showing their assistance, determination and bravery against Jews; it contains lesson for every Muslim to remain steadfast in the matters of religion.
Allah grants every Prophet with such kind of sincere companions and devotees. Therefore, on the day of Ghazwah Khandaq (the battle of trench), the Holy Prophet said, ‘Every Prophet has had Hawaris and my Hawari is Zubayr.’ Sayyiduna Qatadah has said that twelve blessed companions from the Quraysh tribe are the Hawaris of the Holy Prophet. Their blessed names are as follows:
1. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr
2. Sayyiduna ‘Umar
3. Sayyiduna ‘Usman
4. Sayyiduna ‘Ali
5. Sayyiduna Hamzah
6. Sayyiduna Ja’far
7. Sayyiduna Abu ‘Ubaydah Bin Al-Jarrah
9. Sayyiduna ‘Abdur Rahman Bin ‘Awf
10. Sayyiduna Sa’d Bin Abi Waqas
11. Sayyiduna Talhah Bin ‘Ubaydullah
12. Sayyiduna Zubayr Bin Al-‘Awwam
This is because these sincere devotees have set unimaginable and unparalleled examples of assistance and support to the Beloved Prophet Muhammad at every occasion.
Source: (QURANIC WONDERS) by ‘ABDUL MUSTAFA A’ZAMI.
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