By: Shivi Maya
The traces of Muslim figures with disabilities can be seen as a guideline that the Prophet Muhammad brought the teachings of Islam by strongly advocating for the equality of all human beings. Islam strongly condemns discrimination, whether based on race, ethnicity, caste, or in the context of disabled and non-disabled people.
I recall a review by Nyai Nur Rofi’ah during one of the Inclusive Ramadan sessions on how the Nazis treated the birth of people with disabilities. Euthanasia was the mass murder of people with disabilities because they were considered a burden, unable to work and worthless.
If we look back to the era before Islam, the above events were similar to the killing of female babies during the Jahiliyyah period. The Jahiliyyah Arabs did not like female babies because they considered them unable to fight and defend their power. These two events from the past are very wrong and violate human norms.
In short, discriminatory behaviour towards a particular group is a form of preserving Jahiliyyah culture. In this day and age, it is only right that we condemn any form of discrimination. For we never know what blessings God has bestowed upon them to compensate for their shortcomings.
Getting to Know Muslim Figures with Disabilities
Since ancient times, Islam has taught mutual respect for one another, including people with disabilities. Let’s get to know Muslim figures with disabilities who can serve as role models.
Abdullah ibn Ummi Maktum
This name may not be very well known, but his story is very famous among Muslims. Abdullah ibn Ummi Maktum was a blind man who was one of the companions of the Prophet, and even one of the assabiqunal awwalun. He was the blind man mentioned in Qs. ‘Abasa verses 1-6.
At that time, the Prophet was meeting with the leaders of the Quraish tribe, and when Abdullah ibn Ummi Maktum arrived, the Prophet turned his face away and frowned. His arrival was not without reason; he was a person who loved to learn about Islam from the Prophet. The Prophet received a warning from Allah through Surah ‘Abasa and then corrected his attitude towards ibn Maktum.
In addition to being a companion, Ibn Maktum was also a relative of Siti Khadijah, the Prophet’s wife. Thanks to learning directly from the Prophet, Ibn Maktum became a memoriser of the Qur’an and often recited the call to prayer like Bilal Ibn Rabbah. Despite his limitations, although he was permitted not to participate in jihad, Ibn Maktum still joined the jihad until he became a martyr in battle.
Az-Zamakhsyari
Abu al-Qasim Mahmud ibn Umar al-Khawarizmi az-Zamakhsyari was a well-known exegete known as Az-Zamakhsyari. One of his works in the field of exegesis is the Al-Kasyaf exegesis, which is synonymous with az-Zamakhsyari’s ra’yi (opinion).
Imam Az-Zamakhsyari was also an expert in the fields of lughah, ma’ani, and bayan. Not surprisingly, the tafsir al-Kasyaf is full of deep linguistic meanings. Az-Zamakhsyari’s opinions are also widely cited in the books of Ilmu Nahwu and Balaghah as evidence.
His expertise in various fields was certainly the result of great struggle and enthusiasm. In addition to studying the Qur’an with his father, az-Zamakhsyari also sought knowledge from scholars in various countries such as Khurasan, Khawarizm, and Baghdad.
There are several versions of the story behind Az-Zamakhsyari. But what is certain is that he was a cripple who had a disability in his legs until the end of his life. In fact, az-Zamakhsyari never married throughout his life.
Hafsh ibn Umar al-Bashri
His full name was Hafsh ibn Umar ad-Dharir al-Akbar al-Bashri, a hadith scholar from Bashrah. Hafsh al Bashri acquired a great deal of knowledge about Islam, especially in the field of hadith, from teachers in his hometown of Bashrah. In addition to hadith, he was also an expert in astronomy, inheritance, poetry and history.
He was blind from childhood, but this did not prevent him from acquiring knowledge. As a hadith narrator, he needed to have high credibility to ensure the authenticity of the hadith. According to Abu Hatim, Hafsh ibn Umar al-Bashri narrated most of the hadith by memorising them, not by writing them down.
Ali ibn Ahmed ibn Yusuf ibn Al-Khizr Al Amidi
Al ibn Ahmed ibn Yusuf ibn Al-Khizr Al-Amidi was a foreign language expert who was visually impaired. Unfortunately, the name Al-Amidi is rarely known in the realm of Muslim scientists or scientists worldwide, even though he contributed to the invention of Braille.
In 1824, Louis Braille created the Braille method of writing, which is now popular among the general public, especially those with visual impairments. However, long before that, 600 years earlier, Al-Amidi had already thought of a writing system for the blind. Al-Amidi created a writing system for the blind by utilising their ability to touch. In addition to reading, Al-Amidi was also able to determine the spacing between lines and the price of books.
There are not many old stories that record Al-Amidi’s work. In addition, Al-Amidi was also a legal expert and linguist. Although he is not globally recognised as the originator of writing for the visually impaired, his name is well known in the Arabian Peninsula. D
The figures mentioned above illustrate that every human being has potential regardless of their physical limitations. A person with a disability also has the right to demonstrate their potential in various fields like any other human being. That is how true justice should be upheld. []
