Mu’aadh ibn Jabal: The Sahabi Prophet called “most learned” 

Prophet Muhammad said “The most learned man of my nation in halal and haram is Mu’aadh ibn Jabal.” [Imam Ahmad 3/184]

Mu’aadh ibn jabal is one of the Ansaar Sahabi who accepted Islam and vowed in the second pledge of Al Aqabah. He is also one of the five Sahabas who compiled the Quran under the supervision of Prophet Muhammad.

He had a raw talent for articulation, when he talked, people were spell-bound. It was his intelligence and apex knowledge of Islamic Jurisprudence that made the Messenger of Allah entitle him as “the most learned man in halal and haram”.

Mu’aadh Ibn Jabal was not only knowledgeable but also held Islamic morals in high esteem. He was disciplined and spoke with such captivating logic that people around him naturally inclined towards him. He would only speak when spoken to and whenever there was an ambiguous meaning, the Sahaba of Prophet Muhammad would turn to seek his legal instruction or judgment. His manner of speech is described by one of the Sahabi “as if light and pearls were emanating from his mouth rather than speech”.

When Prophet Muhammad sent Mu’aadh (May Allah be pleased with him) to Yemen, he asked him, “How will you give a judgment or settle a dispute?” Mu’aadh answered, “I will refer to the Qu’ran.” The Prophet then asked, “What will you do if you do not find the decree you are looking for in the Qu’ran?” Mu’aadh answered, “I will refer to the Prophet’s Sunnah.” The Prophet asked, “But what will you do if you do not find a decree even in the Sunnah?” Mu’aadh readily answered, “I will be judge between mankind by resorting to juristic reasoning (Ijtihad) to the best of my power.” [Tirmidhi 1327]

However, his stay in Madinah was brief. He migrated to Syria afterwards and spent his life among expatriates as a teacher of Fiqh. Mu’aadh advocated seeking true knowledge.

His most ardent belief was to teach people to learn whatever they like to learn, yet he also emphasized that Allah will not make your learning worthwhile unless you practice what you have learned.

Abdullah bin Salama said: A Muslim asked Mu’aadh Ibn Jabal: Teach me. Mu’aadh said: Will you obey me if I teach you? The man answered: I will not disobey you in anything. He said then “Fast, then break your fast. Pray during the night, but you must get some sleep. Earn what is halal and rightfully yours and do not earn sin. Die as a true Muslim. Finally, I warn you against the supplication of those who have been wronged or oppressed.”

He was on close terms with Abu Ubaida and was appointed as the next governor of Syria by Umar bin Khattab after Abu Ubaidah passed away. Unfortunately, after a few months of governorship, he went on to meet his Lord, succumbing to the plague of Amwas in 639 AD.

Legacy

The college for the study of Shariah law, at Mosul University in Iraq, is named after him.

A mosque in the town of Hamtramck, Michigan, is named Masjid Mu’ath bin Jabal. There is also a mosque named Masjid Mu’adh-ibn-Jabal which is conveniently located on the outskirts of Leicester City Centre, UK in the popular Goodwood area of the city.

The Masjid serves the local Muslim community of over 500 Muslim families located in and around Uppingham Road, col Road, Wakerley Road and Spencefield Lane.