To Yemen: The Judge-Teacher
When the Prophet sent Mu’adh to Yemen, he asked him: “How will you judge when a matter comes before you?”
Mu’adh: “I will judge by the Book of Allah.”
Prophet: “And if you don’t find it in the Book of Allah?”
Mu’adh: “Then by the Sunna of the Messenger of Allah.”
Prophet: “And if you don’t find it in the Sunna?”
Mu’adh: “Then I will use my own independent judgment (ijtihad), and I will not fall short.”
The Prophet struck his chest and said: “Praise be to Allah who enabled the messenger of the Messenger of Allah to give the answer that pleases the Messenger of Allah.”
This exchange became the foundational text for the classical Islamic jurisprudential hierarchy: Quran → Sunna → Ijtihad.
The Night Prayer and the Last Warning
When the Prophet saw Mu’adh’s devotion to prayer, he warned him gently: “Do not burden yourself, Mu’adh — do what you are able.” The exchange shows the Prophet’s concern that intense religious practice be sustainable, not burnout-inducing.
The Plague of Amwas
The plague of Amwas (638-639 CE) devastated the Muslim army in Syria, killing thousands including major Companions. When Mu’adh was dying, he was told that the plague was a mercy and martyrdom. He opened his eyes and said: “By Allah, it is a mercy from Allah.” His young son died before him, and then he died — a loss so significant that Umar mourned publicly.
See also: Ilm Al Hadith, Quran Sciences, Fiqh Al Tahara, Seerah Abu Darda, Seerah Umar Ibn Khattab, Seerah Abu Bakr