Hadhrat Ma'qal bin Yasaar reports a lengthy narration concerning the conquest of Isfahaan which took place under the command of Hadhrat Nu'maan bin Muqarrin. Part of the narration states that when Hadhrat Nu'maan (and his army) arrived (at Isfahan), there was a river separating him from the city. Hadhrat Nu'maan sent Hadhrat Mughiera bin Shu'ba as an envoy.
The Persian ruler of the area was Dhul Haajibayn. He consulted with his courtiers saying, "Do you think that 1 should sit before him in battledress or with the pomp and splendour of a king?" When they advised him to rather sit with the pomp and ceremony of a king, he did so. He sat on his throne, placed his crown upon his head and was surrounded by two rows of his courtiers dressed in velvet and wearing earrings and bangles.
When Hadhrat Mughiera arrived, he walked briskly with his head lowered. He carried a spear and shield with him and started poking holes in the carpet upon which the courtiers stood in their rows. In this way, he tore the carpet so that the people may take it as an ill omen (a foreboding that their kingdom will also be tom apart).
Addressing Hadhrat Mughiera, Dhul Haajibayn said, 'You Arabs have been afflicted with starvation and hardships, because of which you have left your land (and come here). If you please, we shall supply you with grains and you may return to your land."
Hadhrat Mughiera then started to talk. After duly praising Allaah, he said, "We, the Arab people, used to consume carrion and although others wielded power over us, we never wielded power over anyone. Allaah then raised a Nabi from amongst us, who was amongst our most noble people, of the highest lineage and the most truthful. He promised us that these lands will fall to us and we have always found his promises to be true. Now that I have seen the exquisite garments you have here and the fine luxuries, I do not think that any of the people with me will want to leave without them ..." The narration still continues further.
Haakim (Vo1.3 Pg.293).
Tabraani has reported a similar narration from reliable sources as confirmed by Haythami (Vo1.6 pg 217)
The Incidents of Hadhrat Rib'ee, Hadhrat Hudhayfah and Hadhrat Mughiera with Rustam at Qaadisiyyah
Hadhrat Muhammad, Hadrat Talha, Hadhrat Amr and Hadhrat Ziyaad all reports that Hadhrat Sa'd bin Abi Waqqaas sent for Hadhrat Mughiera and few others and said to them, "I intend sending you to those people (the Persians). What have you to say about it?" They all said in one voice, "We shall do as you command and do no more. If a situation arises concerning which there are no directives from you, we shall look for what is best and most beneficial for the people and discuss that with them."
Hadhrat Sa'd then said to them, "Such is the behaviour of intelligent and experienced people. Go and get ready." Hadhrat Rib'ee ibn Aamir then said, 'The non-Arabs have their own peculiar ideas and etiquette and if we all go to them, they will feel that we are placing them on a pedestal. Do not send more than one person." When the other agreed with this, Hadhrat Rib'ee volunteered to go first. Hadhrat Sa'd then sent him and Hadhrat Rib'ee left to meet Rustam in his cantonment.
However, the sentries at the bridge stopped Hadhrat Rib'ee and sent a message to Rustam, informing him of the arrival. Rustam consulted with some leaders of Persia, asking, "What are your opinions? Should we boast only about our military superiority or should we make them feel worthless (by displaying our wealth and riches)?" They were all unanimous about making the Muslims seem worthless, so they made a display of their opulent commodities, they laid out exquisite carpets and cushions and spared nothing in their effort.A golden throne was made for Rustam and he dressed most lavishly. Expensive rugs and cushions woven with gold thread were also laid out.
Hadhrat Rib'ee arrived on his short, long-haired horse, carrying a shining sword. His scabbard was a pouch made of old cloth and his spear was tied with a leather strap. He also carried a shield made of cow's hide, the face of which had round patches of red leather that resembled bread. He also carried his bow and arrows with him. When he came to the court and reached the first of the rugs, he was told to alight from his horse. He however rode the horse on the rug and alighted only when it stood properly on the rug. He then tore up two cushions, pierced the horse's reins through them and tied the horse up.
All this while, the people there were unable to stop him. Hadhrat Rib'ee knew well that they were displaying everything to him to make him feel inferior, so he wished to get the upper hand over them (because of which he did what he did to show them that their wealth held no attraction for him).
The armour Hadhrat Rib'ee was wearing flowed over him like a dam and he wore the hide of a camel over it like a cloak. He had made a hole in the hide, drew it over his head and tied it about his waist with a cord made from plant fibres. Hadhrat Rib'ee was amongst the hairiest of all Arabs and his hair was tied with the leather reins of a camel. His hair was separated into four lock; that stoodlike the horns of a mountain goat.
The people told him to put down his weapons, to which he replied, "I have not come here by my own accord, so you cannot instruct me to drop my weapons. It is you who have sent for me, so if you do not want me to come as I please, I might as well go back." When this was reported to Rustam, he said, "Allow him in. He is but one person."
Hadhrat Rib'ee arrived, leaning on his spear that had a sharp head. He took short steps and tore the rugs and cushions (with the spear) as he walked. There was no cushion or rug that he did not. ruin, leaving them all torn and tattered after him. When he came up to Rustam, the sentries surrounded him. Hadhrat Rib'ee then sat on the ground and stuck his spear into the rug. "What made you do that?" they asked, Hadhrat Rib'ee replied, "We do not like to sit on those decorated places of yours."
Rustam then addressed Hadhrat Rib'ee saying, 'Whatbringsyou here?" "Allaah has sent us," Hadhrat Rib'ee replied, "Allaah has sent us to remove whoever He wills from servitude to man and to lead him to the servitude of Allaah. Allaah has sent us to remove them from the narrowness of this world towards its vastness and from the oppression of other religions towards the justice of Islaam ..."
The narration then continues, as has been quoted in the chapter discussing the Da'wah that the Sahabah gave during the Khilaafah of Hadhrat Umar. The narration proceeds to state that Rustam said to the courtiers (when they criticised Hadhrat Rib'ee's appearance), "Shame on you! Do not look at clothing but rather look at the prudence, the speech and the personality. The Arabs care little for clothing and food but are covetous about their lineage. They do not dress like you and have different tastes."
The Persians then approached Hadhrat Rib'ee to have a look at his weapons, regarding them to be inferior. He said to them, "Do you wish to show me your military prowess and I shall show you mine?" He then drew his sword from his cloth pouch and it flashed like a flame of fire. "Sheath it!" they called out (in terror). He then sheathed his sword. They then fired arrows at his shield while he fired arrows at theirs. Their shield was shattered while his shield remained intact. He then addressed them saying, "0 Persians! While you have given great importance to food and drink, we treat it with little ceremony." He then went back after giving them time (three days) to consider their position.
The following day, the Persians sent a message saying that they wanted the same person sent back to them. Hadhrat Sa'd however sent Hadhrat Hudhayfah bin Mihsin. He also arrived in simple attire as Hadhrat Rib'ee wore. When he also came to the first rug, he was told to alight from his animal. He however said, "That I would have done if 1 had come to you for my own needs. Ask your king whether I have come for his need or for mine. If he says that it is for my own need, he is lying and I shall return and leave you alone. However, if he says that it is for his own need, then I shall come as I please.".
Rustam instructed the sentries to allow Hadhrat Hudhayfah in and he rode up to Rustam who was seated on his throne. "You may get off your animal," Rustam said. "I shall not," Hadhrat Hudhayfah replied. When he saw that Hadhrat Hudhayfah would not get off the animal, Rustam asked, "What is the matter that you have come and not your companion who came yesterday?" Hadhrat Hudhayfah replied, "Our leader wishes to treat us equally in favourable and adverse conditions. It is my turn today."
"What brings you people here?" Rustam asked. Hadhrat Hudhayfah replied, "Allaah has favoured us with His religion and shown us His signs until we realised that it was the truth even though we had been opposed to it. He then commanded us to invite people to one of three options. We shall accept any of the three options they choose. Either you accept Islaam and we shall leave you alone. Otherwise, you may choose to pay the Jizya and we shall stand in your defence whenever the need arises. The next option is battle." "Do we have a few days to enter into an agreement?" Rustam asked. Hadhrat Hudhayfah replied, "You have three days which started yesterday."
When Rustam received from Hadhrat Hudhayfah nothing more than he got from Hadhrat Rib'ee , he sent him away and addressed his companions saying, "Shame on you people! Do you not see what I see? The first man came to us yesterday and defeated us on our premises. He degraded what we were enamoured with, stood his horse on our opulence and even tied his horse to it. He took a good omen from what he did and returned to his people, taking some of our soil with him. That was apart from his superior intelligence. Today this other man arrived and stood over us, also taking a good omen from it by taking our land after expelling us from it." Rustam however infuriated the others and they also infuriated him (by refusing to listen to him).
The following day, the Persians again asked for someone to be sent to them and this time, Hadhrat Mughiera bin Shu'ba ; was sent.
lbn Jareer (Vo1.3 Pg 33)
Another narration continues the narrative, staying that when Hadhrat Mughiera ached the bridge to cross over into Persian territory, he was halted by the sentries who first sought permission from Rustam to allow him in. The Persians, however, did not leave out any of the pomp and ceremony in their effort to make the Arabs feel inferior. Therefore, when Hadhrat Mughiera arrived, the Persians still boasted their opulence. They wore crowns, garments woven from gold threads and carpets were laid out the distance that an arrow travelled. The only way to reach the king was over this length of carpet.
Hadhrat Mughiera who also wore four locks of hair walked up to Rustam and sat with him on his throne and cushion. The courtiers sprang up, grabbed at him and brought him down, even hitting him mildly. Hadhrat Mughiera addressed them saying, "We have always heard that you people were intelligent, but I do not think that there is any nation more foolish than you. We Arabs treat each other as equals and do not make slaves of each other unless circumstances of war demand. I had always thought that you people also practice equality amongst yourselves just as we do. Rather than doing what you just did, it would have been better if you just told me that some of you prevail as masters over others. If sitting beside Rustam was not palatable to you, we will then not do so again. 1 would have not come to you had you not sent for me, but today I can see that your sovereignty is soon to vanish and that you will be vanquished because no power can survive with such a way of life and with such a mentality."
(Hearing this) The common people shouted, "The Arab is right!" To this, the leaders remarked, "By Allaah! He has made a statement towards which our slaves will always be referring us! May Allaah destroy our elders! How foolish were they to regard these people (the Arabs) as insignificant (they should have realised the threat and wiped them out a long time ago) ..." The narration then continues to mention the questions Rustam asked and the replies Hadhrat Mughiera gave him.
Ibn Jareer (Vo1.3 Pg.36)
Hadhrat Sa'd then said to them, "Such is the behaviour of intelligent and experienced people. Go and get ready." Hadhrat Rib'ee ibn Aamir then said, 'The non-Arabs have their own peculiar ideas and etiquette and if we all go to them, they will feel that we are placing them on a pedestal. Do not send more than one person." When the other agreed with this, Hadhrat Rib'ee volunteered to go first. Hadhrat Sa'd then sent him and Hadhrat Rib'ee left to meet Rustam in his cantonment.
However, the sentries at the bridge stopped Hadhrat Rib'ee and sent a message to Rustam, informing him of the arrival. Rustam consulted with some leaders of Persia, asking, "What are your opinions? Should we boast only about our military superiority or should we make them feel worthless (by displaying our wealth and riches)?" They were all unanimous about making the Muslims seem worthless, so they made a display of their opulent commodities, they laid out exquisite carpets and cushions and spared nothing in their effort.A golden throne was made for Rustam and he dressed most lavishly. Expensive rugs and cushions woven with gold thread were also laid out.
Hadhrat Rib'ee arrived on his short, long-haired horse, carrying a shining sword. His scabbard was a pouch made of old cloth and his spear was tied with a leather strap. He also carried a shield made of cow's hide, the face of which had round patches of red leather that resembled bread. He also carried his bow and arrows with him. When he came to the court and reached the first of the rugs, he was told to alight from his horse. He however rode the horse on the rug and alighted only when it stood properly on the rug. He then tore up two cushions, pierced the horse's reins through them and tied the horse up.
All this while, the people there were unable to stop him. Hadhrat Rib'ee knew well that they were displaying everything to him to make him feel inferior, so he wished to get the upper hand over them (because of which he did what he did to show them that their wealth held no attraction for him).
The armour Hadhrat Rib'ee was wearing flowed over him like a dam and he wore the hide of a camel over it like a cloak. He had made a hole in the hide, drew it over his head and tied it about his waist with a cord made from plant fibres. Hadhrat Rib'ee was amongst the hairiest of all Arabs and his hair was tied with the leather reins of a camel. His hair was separated into four lock; that stoodlike the horns of a mountain goat.
The people told him to put down his weapons, to which he replied, "I have not come here by my own accord, so you cannot instruct me to drop my weapons. It is you who have sent for me, so if you do not want me to come as I please, I might as well go back." When this was reported to Rustam, he said, "Allow him in. He is but one person."
Hadhrat Rib'ee arrived, leaning on his spear that had a sharp head. He took short steps and tore the rugs and cushions (with the spear) as he walked. There was no cushion or rug that he did not. ruin, leaving them all torn and tattered after him. When he came up to Rustam, the sentries surrounded him. Hadhrat Rib'ee then sat on the ground and stuck his spear into the rug. "What made you do that?" they asked, Hadhrat Rib'ee replied, "We do not like to sit on those decorated places of yours."
Rustam then addressed Hadhrat Rib'ee saying, 'Whatbringsyou here?" "Allaah has sent us," Hadhrat Rib'ee replied, "Allaah has sent us to remove whoever He wills from servitude to man and to lead him to the servitude of Allaah. Allaah has sent us to remove them from the narrowness of this world towards its vastness and from the oppression of other religions towards the justice of Islaam ..."
The narration then continues, as has been quoted in the chapter discussing the Da'wah that the Sahabah gave during the Khilaafah of Hadhrat Umar. The narration proceeds to state that Rustam said to the courtiers (when they criticised Hadhrat Rib'ee's appearance), "Shame on you! Do not look at clothing but rather look at the prudence, the speech and the personality. The Arabs care little for clothing and food but are covetous about their lineage. They do not dress like you and have different tastes."
The Persians then approached Hadhrat Rib'ee to have a look at his weapons, regarding them to be inferior. He said to them, "Do you wish to show me your military prowess and I shall show you mine?" He then drew his sword from his cloth pouch and it flashed like a flame of fire. "Sheath it!" they called out (in terror). He then sheathed his sword. They then fired arrows at his shield while he fired arrows at theirs. Their shield was shattered while his shield remained intact. He then addressed them saying, "0 Persians! While you have given great importance to food and drink, we treat it with little ceremony." He then went back after giving them time (three days) to consider their position.
The following day, the Persians sent a message saying that they wanted the same person sent back to them. Hadhrat Sa'd however sent Hadhrat Hudhayfah bin Mihsin. He also arrived in simple attire as Hadhrat Rib'ee wore. When he also came to the first rug, he was told to alight from his animal. He however said, "That I would have done if 1 had come to you for my own needs. Ask your king whether I have come for his need or for mine. If he says that it is for my own need, he is lying and I shall return and leave you alone. However, if he says that it is for his own need, then I shall come as I please.".
Rustam instructed the sentries to allow Hadhrat Hudhayfah in and he rode up to Rustam who was seated on his throne. "You may get off your animal," Rustam said. "I shall not," Hadhrat Hudhayfah replied. When he saw that Hadhrat Hudhayfah would not get off the animal, Rustam asked, "What is the matter that you have come and not your companion who came yesterday?" Hadhrat Hudhayfah replied, "Our leader wishes to treat us equally in favourable and adverse conditions. It is my turn today."
"What brings you people here?" Rustam asked. Hadhrat Hudhayfah replied, "Allaah has favoured us with His religion and shown us His signs until we realised that it was the truth even though we had been opposed to it. He then commanded us to invite people to one of three options. We shall accept any of the three options they choose. Either you accept Islaam and we shall leave you alone. Otherwise, you may choose to pay the Jizya and we shall stand in your defence whenever the need arises. The next option is battle." "Do we have a few days to enter into an agreement?" Rustam asked. Hadhrat Hudhayfah replied, "You have three days which started yesterday."
When Rustam received from Hadhrat Hudhayfah nothing more than he got from Hadhrat Rib'ee , he sent him away and addressed his companions saying, "Shame on you people! Do you not see what I see? The first man came to us yesterday and defeated us on our premises. He degraded what we were enamoured with, stood his horse on our opulence and even tied his horse to it. He took a good omen from what he did and returned to his people, taking some of our soil with him. That was apart from his superior intelligence. Today this other man arrived and stood over us, also taking a good omen from it by taking our land after expelling us from it." Rustam however infuriated the others and they also infuriated him (by refusing to listen to him).
The following day, the Persians again asked for someone to be sent to them and this time, Hadhrat Mughiera bin Shu'ba ; was sent.
lbn Jareer (Vo1.3 Pg 33)
Another narration continues the narrative, staying that when Hadhrat Mughiera ached the bridge to cross over into Persian territory, he was halted by the sentries who first sought permission from Rustam to allow him in. The Persians, however, did not leave out any of the pomp and ceremony in their effort to make the Arabs feel inferior. Therefore, when Hadhrat Mughiera arrived, the Persians still boasted their opulence. They wore crowns, garments woven from gold threads and carpets were laid out the distance that an arrow travelled. The only way to reach the king was over this length of carpet.
Hadhrat Mughiera who also wore four locks of hair walked up to Rustam and sat with him on his throne and cushion. The courtiers sprang up, grabbed at him and brought him down, even hitting him mildly. Hadhrat Mughiera addressed them saying, "We have always heard that you people were intelligent, but I do not think that there is any nation more foolish than you. We Arabs treat each other as equals and do not make slaves of each other unless circumstances of war demand. I had always thought that you people also practice equality amongst yourselves just as we do. Rather than doing what you just did, it would have been better if you just told me that some of you prevail as masters over others. If sitting beside Rustam was not palatable to you, we will then not do so again. 1 would have not come to you had you not sent for me, but today I can see that your sovereignty is soon to vanish and that you will be vanquished because no power can survive with such a way of life and with such a mentality."
(Hearing this) The common people shouted, "The Arab is right!" To this, the leaders remarked, "By Allaah! He has made a statement towards which our slaves will always be referring us! May Allaah destroy our elders! How foolish were they to regard these people (the Arabs) as insignificant (they should have realised the threat and wiped them out a long time ago) ..." The narration then continues to mention the questions Rustam asked and the replies Hadhrat Mughiera gave him.
Ibn Jareer (Vo1.3 Pg.36)
Paying no Heed to the Numbers of the Enemy and their Resources
What Hadhrat Thaabit bin Aqram said to Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah about this on the Occasion of the Battle of Mu'ta
I Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah reports, "I participated in the Battle of Mu'ta. When the Mushrikeen arrived, we saw what none'of us could ever hope to match. Their numbers were overwhelming, as were their weapons, their horses, their velvet, silk and gold. The sight actually made my eyes squint. It was then that Thaabit bin Aqram said, '0 Abu Hurayrah! It appears that you are seeing an overwhelming adversary?' 'I certainly am,' I replied. He then said, 'You were not with us at Badr. It is not with large numbers that we are assisted (but by the power of Allaah). [1]
The Letter Hadhrat Abu Bakr Wrote to Hadhrat Arnr bin A1 Aas in this regard
Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Amr bin A1 Aas reports that Hadhrat Abu Bakr wrote the following letter to Hadhrat Arnr bin A1 Aas:
"Salaamun Alayk. Your letter detailing the enormous force that the Romans have gathered has reached me. When we were with Nabi, Allaah never assisted us with large numbers and a large concentration of troops. There were times when we fought with Rasulullaah with only two horses and our condition was so poor that we had to share camels. When we were with Rasulullaah in the Battle of Uhud, we had only one horse, which Rasulullaah rode. Despite this, Allaah granted us victory and assistance against our enemies, 0 Amr! Remember that the one who is most obedient to Allaah is the one who most detests sin. Obey Allaah and command your companions to obey Allaah as well." [2]
The Statement of Hadhrat Khaalid bin Waleed about this on the Occasion of the Battle of Yarmook
Hadhrat Ubaadah and Hadhrat Khaalid both report that a man once said to Hadhrat Khaalid W=, "The Romans are so many and the Muslims so few!" To this, Hadhrat Khaalid marked, "The Muslims are so many and the Romans so few! An army is large only when they receive Allaah's assistance and they are few when Allaah does not assist them. Numbers do not matter. By Allaah! I wish that my (horse) Ashqar recovers from his injury (incurred because of the long and speedy journey from Iraq to Shaam) and that the Romans were double in number." [3]
[1]Bayhaqi, as quoted in Al Bidaayah wan Nihaayah (Vo1.4 Pg.244). Waaqidi has reported a similarnarration in brief, as quoted in Jsaabah (Vol.1 Pg. 190).
[2]Tayaalisi, as quoted in Kanzul Ummaal(Vol.3 Pg. 135). Tabraani has reported a similar narration in his Awsat but Haythami (Vo1.6 Pg. 11 7) has commented on the chain of narrators.
[3]Ibn Jareer (Vol.2 Pg.594)
I Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah reports, "I participated in the Battle of Mu'ta. When the Mushrikeen arrived, we saw what none'of us could ever hope to match. Their numbers were overwhelming, as were their weapons, their horses, their velvet, silk and gold. The sight actually made my eyes squint. It was then that Thaabit bin Aqram said, '0 Abu Hurayrah! It appears that you are seeing an overwhelming adversary?' 'I certainly am,' I replied. He then said, 'You were not with us at Badr. It is not with large numbers that we are assisted (but by the power of Allaah). [1]
The Letter Hadhrat Abu Bakr Wrote to Hadhrat Arnr bin A1 Aas in this regard
Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Amr bin A1 Aas reports that Hadhrat Abu Bakr wrote the following letter to Hadhrat Arnr bin A1 Aas:
"Salaamun Alayk. Your letter detailing the enormous force that the Romans have gathered has reached me. When we were with Nabi, Allaah never assisted us with large numbers and a large concentration of troops. There were times when we fought with Rasulullaah with only two horses and our condition was so poor that we had to share camels. When we were with Rasulullaah in the Battle of Uhud, we had only one horse, which Rasulullaah rode. Despite this, Allaah granted us victory and assistance against our enemies, 0 Amr! Remember that the one who is most obedient to Allaah is the one who most detests sin. Obey Allaah and command your companions to obey Allaah as well." [2]
The Statement of Hadhrat Khaalid bin Waleed about this on the Occasion of the Battle of Yarmook
Hadhrat Ubaadah and Hadhrat Khaalid both report that a man once said to Hadhrat Khaalid W=, "The Romans are so many and the Muslims so few!" To this, Hadhrat Khaalid marked, "The Muslims are so many and the Romans so few! An army is large only when they receive Allaah's assistance and they are few when Allaah does not assist them. Numbers do not matter. By Allaah! I wish that my (horse) Ashqar recovers from his injury (incurred because of the long and speedy journey from Iraq to Shaam) and that the Romans were double in number." [3]
[1]Bayhaqi, as quoted in Al Bidaayah wan Nihaayah (Vo1.4 Pg.244). Waaqidi has reported a similarnarration in brief, as quoted in Jsaabah (Vol.1 Pg. 190).
[2]Tayaalisi, as quoted in Kanzul Ummaal(Vol.3 Pg. 135). Tabraani has reported a similar narration in his Awsat but Haythami (Vo1.6 Pg. 11 7) has commented on the chain of narrators.
[3]Ibn Jareer (Vol.2 Pg.594)
The Statement of one of the Apostates Concerning the Valour of the Sahabah
Hadhrat Zuhri reports that after Hadhrat Abu Bakr assumed the office of Khilaafah, some Arabs left the fold of Islaam. Hadhrat Abu Bakr then personally marched against them, but when he reached a watering place near Baqee, he sensed that the safety of Madinah would be jeopardised. He therefore returned to Madinah and placed Allaah's Sword Hadhrat Khaalid bin Waleed bin Mughiera command of an army. Others were recruited to join him and Hadhrat Abu Bakr instruction to him was to march to the locality of the Mudhar tribe, where he was to wage war against all those who forsook Islaam.
He was then to march to Yamaamah to fight Musaylama Kadhaab (false prophet). Hadhrat Khaalid left and it so happened that he first fought Tulayha Kadhaab Asadi (another false prophet), who was joined by Uyaynah bin Hisn bin Hudhayfah Fazaari. Allaah gave the Muslims victory.' When Tulayha saw how badly defeated his troops were, he exclaimed, "Shame on you! Why are you being defeated so?" One of his men replied saying, "I shall inform you of the reason for our defeat. There is not a single man amongst us who does not want his companion to be killed before him. On he other hand, we are fighting people who would love to be killed before their companions."
Tulayha was a furious fighter and martyred both Hadhrat Ukaasha bin Mihsin and Hadhrat Ibn Aq on that day. However, when the truth dawned on Tulayha, he left the battlefield on foot and went on to accept Islaam and enter into the Ihraam for Umrah.. . The narration still goes on.
Bayhaqi (Vo1.8 Pg.175)
He was then to march to Yamaamah to fight Musaylama Kadhaab (false prophet). Hadhrat Khaalid left and it so happened that he first fought Tulayha Kadhaab Asadi (another false prophet), who was joined by Uyaynah bin Hisn bin Hudhayfah Fazaari. Allaah gave the Muslims victory.' When Tulayha saw how badly defeated his troops were, he exclaimed, "Shame on you! Why are you being defeated so?" One of his men replied saying, "I shall inform you of the reason for our defeat. There is not a single man amongst us who does not want his companion to be killed before him. On he other hand, we are fighting people who would love to be killed before their companions."
Tulayha was a furious fighter and martyred both Hadhrat Ukaasha bin Mihsin and Hadhrat Ibn Aq on that day. However, when the truth dawned on Tulayha, he left the battlefield on foot and went on to accept Islaam and enter into the Ihraam for Umrah.. . The narration still goes on.
Bayhaqi (Vo1.8 Pg.175)
The Statement the King of Alexandria made to Hadhrat Amr bin Al Aas in this regard
Hadhrat Amr bin A1 Aas says, "I was the commander of the Muslim army that marched to Alexandria. The king of the city made a request saying, 'Send out one of your men to me so that I can speak to him and he can speak to me.' 'None but I shall go to him,' I said and I left. Both he and I had a translator and two stages were set up for us. 'Who are you people?' he asked. My reply was: 'We are Arabs. We are people accustomed to thorns and acacia trees (not lush gardens).
We are also the custodians of Allaah's House. We had the most inhospitable of lands, led the harshest of lives, ate carrion and looted each other. We led the worst of lives anyone could ever lead until a man emerged from amongst us. He was not the most prominent of us, neither was he the wealthiest. He told us that he was Allaah's Nabi and commanded us to do things that we did not know about. He also forbade us from doing what we had been doing and what our forefathers had been doing. We therefore opposed him, falsified him and refused to accept his words.
Eventually people from outside came out and said to him, 'We believe in you, we believe what you say, are prepared to follow you and to fight whoever fights you. He therefore went to them. We then went after him and fought him, but he prevailed over us and defeated us. He then turned to the other Arabs around him and defeated them as well. If those behind me know what luxurious lives you people lead, every one of them would come here to you and join you in it.'
The king laughed and said, 'Your prophet told you the truth. Our prophets also came to us with the same message your prophet brought and we remained steadfast on their teachings until kings started to preside over us. Their behaviour with us conformed with their whims rather than with the teachings of the prophets. If you people adhere to the teachings of your prophet, you will prevail over everyone you engage in battle and you will defeat anyone who tries to attack you. However, as soon ayyou do what we did by forsaking the teachings of the prophets and by acting on your desires, you will become just like us. You will then neither be more than us in number nor any stronger."'
Hadhrat Amr bin A1 Aas says, "1 have not spoken to anyone afterwards who gave me any better advice than he."
Tabraani. Haythami (Voi.6 Pg.218) has commented on the chain of narrators.
Abu Ya'la has reported a similar narration, but Haytham~ (Vo1.8 Pg.238) has commented on the chain of narrators.
We are also the custodians of Allaah's House. We had the most inhospitable of lands, led the harshest of lives, ate carrion and looted each other. We led the worst of lives anyone could ever lead until a man emerged from amongst us. He was not the most prominent of us, neither was he the wealthiest. He told us that he was Allaah's Nabi and commanded us to do things that we did not know about. He also forbade us from doing what we had been doing and what our forefathers had been doing. We therefore opposed him, falsified him and refused to accept his words.
Eventually people from outside came out and said to him, 'We believe in you, we believe what you say, are prepared to follow you and to fight whoever fights you. He therefore went to them. We then went after him and fought him, but he prevailed over us and defeated us. He then turned to the other Arabs around him and defeated them as well. If those behind me know what luxurious lives you people lead, every one of them would come here to you and join you in it.'
The king laughed and said, 'Your prophet told you the truth. Our prophets also came to us with the same message your prophet brought and we remained steadfast on their teachings until kings started to preside over us. Their behaviour with us conformed with their whims rather than with the teachings of the prophets. If you people adhere to the teachings of your prophet, you will prevail over everyone you engage in battle and you will defeat anyone who tries to attack you. However, as soon ayyou do what we did by forsaking the teachings of the prophets and by acting on your desires, you will become just like us. You will then neither be more than us in number nor any stronger."'
Hadhrat Amr bin A1 Aas says, "1 have not spoken to anyone afterwards who gave me any better advice than he."
Tabraani. Haythami (Voi.6 Pg.218) has commented on the chain of narrators.
Abu Ya'la has reported a similar narration, but Haytham~ (Vo1.8 Pg.238) has commented on the chain of narrators.
A Roman Leader's Statement to Heraclius concerning the Reasons for Triumphs of the Sahabah
Hadhrat Abu Is'haaq reports that no enemy could stand his ground before any of the Sahabah for even the time it took between two succkssive squeezes of a camel's teats when it is milked. Heraclius was in Antioch at the time when his Roman army returned defeated from a battle (against the Muslims).
"Shame on you!" Heraclius said to them, "Tell me about those people you were fighting against. Are they not humans like you?" "They certainly are," the men replied. "Then were you more in number or were their numbers more?" "On every occasion we were several times more in number than they," came the reply. "Then what is the matter,"
Heraclius asked, "Why were you still defeated?" An elderly leader explained. He said, "It is because they stand in salaah all night, they fast all day, they fulfil their promises, they enjoin good, they forbid from evil and are just towards each other. It is also because we drink wine; we fornicate, we do what is prohibited, we break our promises, we rob, we oppress, we enjoin what is forbidden, prohibit people from acts that please Allaah and we spread anarchy on earth." Heraclius said, "You are telling me the truth."
Ahmad bin Marwaan Maaliki in his Mujaalasa, as quoted in A1 Bidaayah wan Nihaayah (Vo1.7 Pg.15).
Ibn Asaakir (Vol.1 Pg.143) has reported a similar narration.
"Shame on you!" Heraclius said to them, "Tell me about those people you were fighting against. Are they not humans like you?" "They certainly are," the men replied. "Then were you more in number or were their numbers more?" "On every occasion we were several times more in number than they," came the reply. "Then what is the matter,"
Heraclius asked, "Why were you still defeated?" An elderly leader explained. He said, "It is because they stand in salaah all night, they fast all day, they fulfil their promises, they enjoin good, they forbid from evil and are just towards each other. It is also because we drink wine; we fornicate, we do what is prohibited, we break our promises, we rob, we oppress, we enjoin what is forbidden, prohibit people from acts that please Allaah and we spread anarchy on earth." Heraclius said, "You are telling me the truth."
Ahmad bin Marwaan Maaliki in his Mujaalasa, as quoted in A1 Bidaayah wan Nihaayah (Vo1.7 Pg.15).
Ibn Asaakir (Vol.1 Pg.143) has reported a similar narration.
A Christian Arab Describes the Sahabah to the Commander of Damascus
Hadhrat Yahya bin Yahya Ghassaani reports that two men from his tribe reported, "When the Muslims set up camp outside Jordan, we talked amongst ourselves that Damascus would soon be under siege. We therefore went to do our business in Damascus before that happened. We were still there when the commander of Damascus sent for us.
When we came before him, he asked, 'Are you two Arabs?' When we replied in the affirmative, he asked further, 'Are you Christians?' 'Yes,' we replied. He then said, 'One of you will have to spy on them to learn about their intentions. The other will stay behind to look after his companion's belongings.' One of us then went and stayed with the Muslims for some time before returning.
He said, 'I have come to you from people who are thin and who ride fine horses. They are monks by night, brave horsemen by day and can even attach feathers to their arrows, carve them out by themselves and straighten their spears to perfection. If you were to speak to someone sitting beside you, he would be unable to hear you because they were always reciting the Qur'aan and engaging in Dhikr in loud voices."
The commander then turned to his companions and said, "Such people have come to you against whom you can offer no resistance."
A1 Bidaayah wan Nihaayah (Vo1.7 Pg.15).
Ibn Asaakir (Vol. I Pg. 143) has reported a similar narration.
When we came before him, he asked, 'Are you two Arabs?' When we replied in the affirmative, he asked further, 'Are you Christians?' 'Yes,' we replied. He then said, 'One of you will have to spy on them to learn about their intentions. The other will stay behind to look after his companion's belongings.' One of us then went and stayed with the Muslims for some time before returning.
He said, 'I have come to you from people who are thin and who ride fine horses. They are monks by night, brave horsemen by day and can even attach feathers to their arrows, carve them out by themselves and straighten their spears to perfection. If you were to speak to someone sitting beside you, he would be unable to hear you because they were always reciting the Qur'aan and engaging in Dhikr in loud voices."
The commander then turned to his companions and said, "Such people have come to you against whom you can offer no resistance."
A1 Bidaayah wan Nihaayah (Vo1.7 Pg.15).
Ibn Asaakir (Vol. I Pg. 143) has reported a similar narration.
A Christian Arab Describes the Sahabah to Qubuqalaar
Hadhrat Urwa reports that when the two armies confronted each other (during the Battle of Yarmook), Qubuqalaar (the Roman general) sent for an Arab man whom the narrator believes was a man from the Yazeed bin Haydaan family tribe. His was known as Ibn Huzaarif. Qubuqalaar's instruction to the man was, "Infiltrate the ranks of these people, stay with them for a day and a night and then report their condition to me."
Because he was Arab, he blended into the Muslim army undetected and stayed with them for a day and a night. When he then returned, Qubuqalaar asked him what he had found out. He replied, "They are monks by night and valiant horsemen by day. Even if their king's son had to steal, they would amputate his hand and should he commit adultery, he will be stoned so that the law is enforced."
To this, Qubuqalaar remarked, "If what you say is true, then being underground is better than clashing with them above the ground. 1 wish that Allaah would leave me alone with them, without assisting either me against them or them against me (in which case our larger numbers would win the day)."
Ibn Jareer (Vo1.2 Pg.610)
Because he was Arab, he blended into the Muslim army undetected and stayed with them for a day and a night. When he then returned, Qubuqalaar asked him what he had found out. He replied, "They are monks by night and valiant horsemen by day. Even if their king's son had to steal, they would amputate his hand and should he commit adultery, he will be stoned so that the law is enforced."
To this, Qubuqalaar remarked, "If what you say is true, then being underground is better than clashing with them above the ground. 1 wish that Allaah would leave me alone with them, without assisting either me against them or them against me (in which case our larger numbers would win the day)."
Ibn Jareer (Vo1.2 Pg.610)
A Persian Spy Describes the Sahabah to Rustam
Hadhrat Ibn Rufayl narrates that when Rustam camped at Najaf, he sent a spy from there to the Muslim army. The spy infiltrated their ranks so well at Qaadisiyyah that he appeared to be one of them. He saw them brushing with the Miswaak before every salaah, performing salaah and then dispersing to their respective tents. He then returned and informed Rustam about their condition and about the lives they led.
Rustam interrogated him thoroughly, even asking what it was that the Sahabah ate. To this the spy replied, "By Allaah! Although I stayed with them an entire night, I did not see them eat anything. All I saw them do was to suck on some sticks in the evening, when they went to sleep and just before dawn."
Rustam then proceeded and when he camped somewhere between Hisn and Ateeq, he happened to cross paths with the Muslim army. Hadhrat Sa'd Mu'addhin had just called out the Adhaan for the Fajr salaah and Rustam saw them a11 preparing. He then instructed the Persians to mount their animals. When they asked him the reason, he said, "Did you not see that when the announcement was made amongst your enemy, they all started to prepare to fight you." The spy corrected him saying, "They are only preparing for salaah."
Rustam then said the following words in Persian, the translation of which is: "A voice came to me in the morning. It was the voice of Umar, talking to those dogs (the Arabs) and teaching them some wisdom." After they had crossed the river, they again happened to cross paths as Hadhrat Sa'd Muaddhin called out the Adhaan for salaah. Hadhrat Sa'd then led them in salaah. This time, Rustam remarked, "Umar has now eaten my liver."
Ibn Jareer (Vo1.3 Pg.45)
Rustam interrogated him thoroughly, even asking what it was that the Sahabah ate. To this the spy replied, "By Allaah! Although I stayed with them an entire night, I did not see them eat anything. All I saw them do was to suck on some sticks in the evening, when they went to sleep and just before dawn."
Rustam then proceeded and when he camped somewhere between Hisn and Ateeq, he happened to cross paths with the Muslim army. Hadhrat Sa'd Mu'addhin had just called out the Adhaan for the Fajr salaah and Rustam saw them a11 preparing. He then instructed the Persians to mount their animals. When they asked him the reason, he said, "Did you not see that when the announcement was made amongst your enemy, they all started to prepare to fight you." The spy corrected him saying, "They are only preparing for salaah."
Rustam then said the following words in Persian, the translation of which is: "A voice came to me in the morning. It was the voice of Umar, talking to those dogs (the Arabs) and teaching them some wisdom." After they had crossed the river, they again happened to cross paths as Hadhrat Sa'd Muaddhin called out the Adhaan for salaah. Hadhrat Sa'd then led them in salaah. This time, Rustam remarked, "Umar has now eaten my liver."
Ibn Jareer (Vo1.3 Pg.45)
A Roman Describes the Sahabah to Heraclius
Hadhrat Abu Zahraa Qushayri reports from a man of the Qushayr tribe that as Heraclius was leaving for constantinopel, met with a Roman who had been held captive by the Muslims and who had subsequently escaped.
"Tell me about these people," Heraclius asked the man. The man said, "I shall describe them to you as if you are actually looking at them. They are valiant horsemen by day, monks by night and they never take anything from their non-Muslim subjects without paying its full price. They never see anyone without first greeting with Salaam and they remain glued to anyone they meet in combat until the matter is settled."
To this, Heraclius remarked, "If what you say is true, they will certainly be the inheritors of this land beneath my feet."
ibn Jareer (Vo1.3 Pg.99)
"Tell me about these people," Heraclius asked the man. The man said, "I shall describe them to you as if you are actually looking at them. They are valiant horsemen by day, monks by night and they never take anything from their non-Muslim subjects without paying its full price. They never see anyone without first greeting with Salaam and they remain glued to anyone they meet in combat until the matter is settled."
To this, Heraclius remarked, "If what you say is true, they will certainly be the inheritors of this land beneath my feet."
ibn Jareer (Vo1.3 Pg.99)
The Statement that the Emperor of China made about the Sahabah r.hum
(The Emperor of Persia) Yazdgird once wrote to the Emperor of China to seek reinforcements. Addressing the Persian envoy, the Chinese Emperor said, "I know well that it is the duty of any Emperor to assist another against those who are overpowering him. However, I want you to describe to me these people who are driving you out of your lands because I gather from what you said that they are fewer in number than you. From what you have described to me, people as few as them cannot overpower an adversary as many as you unless there is tremendous good in them and rot within you."
"You may ask me whatever you please about them," the envoy said.
The Emperor then asked, "Do they fulfil their promises?"
"Yes," the envoy replied.
The next question was, "What do they tell you before they engage you in combat?"
"They invite us to accept one of three options. We either accept their religion, in which case they treat us as they treat each other. Otherwise, we may accept to pay the Jizya and thus receive their protection. The final option is to face them in battle."
The Emperor then asked, "How obedient are they towards their leaders."
"They are the most obedient of all people towards their leaders," came the reply.
The Emperor further asked, "What do they regard as lawful and what do they regard as unlawful?"
When the envoy gave him a detailed reply, the Emperor asked, "And do they forbid what has been made lawful for them or make lawful what has been forbidden for them?"
"This they do not do," the envoy replied.
The Emperor then said, "Such a nation will never be destroyed as long as they regard what is lawful as lawful and what is unlawful as unlawful."
The next question the Emperor asked was about the clothing the Sahabah r.hum wore. When the envoy described it to him, he then asked about the modes of transport the Sahabah r.hum used. The envoy described the Arab horses that the Sahabah used in detail, after which the Emperor remarked, "Those make excellent fortresses." The envoy then went on to describe the camels that they used and even explained how they sit and then get up with their loads. The Emperor (who had probably never seen a camel before) notes, "That is common with all animals that have long necks."
The Chinese Emperor then wrote back to Yazdgird saying, "It is not ignorance of my duty that prevents me from sending to your aid an army so large that while the first of it is in Marw (the Persian city of), the last is still here in China. However, the description of these people whom your envoy has described to me tells me that if they had to come up against a mountain, they would certainly shatter it. If they are left to advance and retain their qualities, they will soon remove me from my kingship. Enter into a treaty with them and be content to abide by the clauses of the treaty. You should however never attack them as long as they do not attack you."
Ibn Jareer (Vol.3 Pg.249)
"You may ask me whatever you please about them," the envoy said.
The Emperor then asked, "Do they fulfil their promises?"
"Yes," the envoy replied.
The next question was, "What do they tell you before they engage you in combat?"
"They invite us to accept one of three options. We either accept their religion, in which case they treat us as they treat each other. Otherwise, we may accept to pay the Jizya and thus receive their protection. The final option is to face them in battle."
The Emperor then asked, "How obedient are they towards their leaders."
"They are the most obedient of all people towards their leaders," came the reply.
The Emperor further asked, "What do they regard as lawful and what do they regard as unlawful?"
When the envoy gave him a detailed reply, the Emperor asked, "And do they forbid what has been made lawful for them or make lawful what has been forbidden for them?"
"This they do not do," the envoy replied.
The Emperor then said, "Such a nation will never be destroyed as long as they regard what is lawful as lawful and what is unlawful as unlawful."
The next question the Emperor asked was about the clothing the Sahabah r.hum wore. When the envoy described it to him, he then asked about the modes of transport the Sahabah r.hum used. The envoy described the Arab horses that the Sahabah used in detail, after which the Emperor remarked, "Those make excellent fortresses." The envoy then went on to describe the camels that they used and even explained how they sit and then get up with their loads. The Emperor (who had probably never seen a camel before) notes, "That is common with all animals that have long necks."
The Chinese Emperor then wrote back to Yazdgird saying, "It is not ignorance of my duty that prevents me from sending to your aid an army so large that while the first of it is in Marw (the Persian city of), the last is still here in China. However, the description of these people whom your envoy has described to me tells me that if they had to come up against a mountain, they would certainly shatter it. If they are left to advance and retain their qualities, they will soon remove me from my kingship. Enter into a treaty with them and be content to abide by the clauses of the treaty. You should however never attack them as long as they do not attack you."
Ibn Jareer (Vol.3 Pg.249)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
