RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The Quaid-i-Millat-i-Jafariya Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi has announced to observe "Youm-e-Sahabiyat" on Sunday December 16 to mark the death anniversary of great companion of holy Prophet (SAWW), Hazrat Abu Zar Ghaffari (RA).

In a special message issued from headquarters of Maktab-e-Tashayyo, he said honour and respect of faithful companions of holy Prophet (SAWW) is crystal clear. One of these faithful companions is Hazrat Abu Zar whose real name is Jundab bin Junada; his native land was Arab while clan was Bani Ghaffar. He is that great companion about whom it is narrated in authentic books of Fariqayn that holy Prophet (SAWW) said: Allah has not created more truthful than Abu Zar on the earth and under the sky.

One day, on reaching in the respected court of holy Prophet (SAWW) Hazrat Abu Zar saw him busy in talking to Dahiya Kalbi. Abu Zar stepped forward silently because at that time angel Gabriel in figure of Dahiya Kalbi was conversing with the Prophet (SAWW). Gabriel said to the Prophet (SAWW): What did Abu Zarr that he stepped forward without sending Salam while angels recite one of his prayers on heavens. After Gabriel's departure, Risalat Maab said: O Abu Zarr! Why you did so? He replied: O lord, you were busy in talking; I passed away silently thinking that perhaps there is some secret talk. Then Prophet (SAWW) asked him about his prayer which he recite. Therefore Abu Zar read it to him which made clear Abu Zar's knowledge, piety, nobility and excellence.

Abdullah ibne Abbas narrates that one day the Prophet (SAWW) was in Masjid-e-Quba and around him were his companions. He (SAWW) said the one who will enter from this door first, will go in paradise. Briefly all companions started stepping forward to the door but Abu Zar was the first to enter the door. Prophet (SAWW) asked: Abu Zar! Which Roman month is this? He replied: month of Azar is ending. Prophet (SAWW) said: I Know but only desired to tell that Abu Zar is from the people of paradise, and why should he not be??? He will be expelled from Medinah because of his love for my Ahle Bait (AS), and will die in state of loneliness in foreign, people of Iraq will perform his funeral rites considering him alien, they will be with me in that paradise which is promised by Allah to Saliheen (pious people).

Agha Moosavi further quoted an authentic tradition which is reported in many reliable books including Makarim Al-Ikhlaq of Sheikh Abu Ali Tibrisi that Abu Zar Ghaffari told Abul Asad Dilmi when he went to Abu Zar in Rabza that one mourning when he entered Masjid-ur Rasul (Prophet Mosque), find nobody there save a Quran and along with it was Sun of Risalat and beside him there was moon of imamate and wilayat. Considering privacy a blessing, I said: May I ransom you Maula-e-Kaenaat, give me such an advice which is beneficial for me in the two worlds. The Prophet of Allah (SAWW) stared at me and said: O Abu Zar! You are from our Ahle Bait (AS), in my sight you are a special servant of Allah, listen to me and listen to me carefully, keep in mind and follow it because this great advice is comprehensive of all good deeds, o Abu Zar worship Allah in such a way as you are seeing Him, and if you are not seeing Him, consider He is seeing you. This is that great and inclusive part of the hadis which is explained by Maula-e-Kaenaat Hazrat Ali (AS) in this manner. When he was asked: Have you seen that God whose worship you do? He replied: I would never worship Him if I had not seen Him. But I have not seen Him with apparent eye because it cannot perceive Him. I have recognized Him with the eye of heart and reality of faith for He is far from body and materiality.

It is the worth and status of companions of Muhammad (SAWW) and Aal-e-Muhammad (AS), the TNFJ chief said adding that from this one can gauge height of knowledge of Abu Zar. One can get rid of host of problems by practically following his seerat rather the whole world could be made a hub of peace.

On the occasion of "Youm-e-Sahabiyat" marking the death anniversary of Hazrat Abu Zar Ghaffari, Agha Moosavi reiterated his resolve that by following in footsteps of Abu Zar, he will not stay away from uttering truth.

Meanwhile, a TNFJ's central committee to lay programs of "Youm-e-Sahabiyat" has been formed. Masroor Haider Bangash and Ali Furqan Jafri have been nominated its convener and secretary respectively.