The Muslims were busy preparing for the Battle of Uhud when four young men came to Prophet (peace be upon him) and said,
"O rasulullaah (peace be upon him)! All four of us will be taking part in the battle. However, we have an old father who is crippled but insists on joining the battle. What is the ruling about him?"
Prophet (peace be upon him) explained to them that since their father was so old and crippled, he would be excused from taking part. They however, said,
"We have already explained this to him, but he refuses to listen." "Then bring him to me," Prophet (peace be upon him) said.
They quickly returned with the old man who had a white beard. His name was Amr bin Jamooh (may Allaah be pleased with him).
"O Rasulullaah (peace be upon him!)" he said, "May my parents be sacrificed for you! What have you to tell me?"
When Prophet (peace be upon him) explained to him as well that it was not necessary for him to take part in the battle and that he would be rewarded for his intention, he said.
"My sons have also stopped me from marching with you, but I have the desire to be killed in Allaah's path and to drag myself with this crippled leg into Jannah. For the sake of Allaah do not deprive me of this."
Seeing his sincerity, Prophet (peace be upon him) said to his sons,
"Do not prevent him now. Perhaps Allaah has decided that he should have the honor of being a martyr."
Hadhrat Amr bin Jamooh (may Allaah be pleased with him) was extremely happy and when he returned home, he made du'aa saying,
"O Allaah! Do not let me return home." He then marched with the army and although the Muslims were winning the battle, a mistake by some of the Muslim soldiers caused the Kuffaar (non-believers) to start getting the upper hand.
It was then Hadhrat Amr bin Jamooh (may Allaah be pleased with him) and one of his sons fought very bravely as they penetrated the ranks of the Kuffaar soldiers.
However, the Kuffaar managed to surround them and and martyred them both. When Prophet (peace be upon him) saw the body of Hadhrat Amr bin Jamooh (may Allaah be pleased with him) after the battle, he said,
"I can see Amr walking in Jannah with his crippled leg."
Hadhrat Amr bin Jamooh's (may Allaah be pleased with him) wife had a brother called Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Umar bin Haraam (may Allaah be pleased with him) who was also martyred in the battle.
When she was informed that her husband, son and brother had been martyred, all she asked was, "How is Rasulullaah (Peace be upon him)?"
when they told her that Prophet (peace be upon him) was fine, she went before him and said,
"O Rasulullaah (Peace be upon him)! If you are well, then all tragedies are nothing."
Children
Look at this family! The father insisted fighting in the battle even though he did not have to do so.
Then too, he made du'aa never to return home even thought he would have been rewarded if he did return after the battle.He really wanted to be martyred and Allaah fulfilled his wish.
Then look at the mother! Although she had lost her husband, brother and son, she was more concerned about Prophet (Peace be upon him) and was so happy to see him well that everything else did not matter any more.
It is through the blessings of these people that we have Islaam today. When we also hear the talks of Deen and make an effort, we will also have the same eagerness as they had.