Part 1

(Among the Companions of the Prophet 48)

By: Mahmood Ahmad Ghadanfar DARUSSALAM

{Among the Companions of the Prophet %)

Translated by Jamila Muhammad Qawi

Edited by Muhammad Ayub Sapra

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful “Muhammad (3) is the Messenger of Allah. And those who

are with him are severe against dishelievers, and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and falling down prostrate (in prayer), seeking Bounty from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure. The mark of them (i.e. of their Faith) is on their faces (foreheads) from the traces of prostration (during prayers). This is their description in the Taurat (Torah). But their description in the Injeel (Gospel) is like a (sown) seed which sends forth its shoot, then makes it strong, and becomes thick and it stands straight on its stem, delighting the sowers, that He may enrage the disbelievers with them. Allah has promised those among

them who believe (ic. all those who follow Islamic Monotheism, the religion of Prophet Muhammad % till the Day of Resurrection) and do righteous good deeds, forgiveness and a mighty reward (i.e. Paradise).” (48:29)

Strength of will and ability to execute...

Mathna bin Harithah Sheebani <2.

Sharjeet bin Hasanah #6... Salamah bin Qais &....

‘Utbah bin Ghazwan #5...

‘Asim bin Thabit .28.... Zaid bin Harithah <.. Jareer bin ‘Abdullah bin Jabir ....

Ja‘far bin Abi Talib <&

Huthaifah bin Yaman -ée... Dharar bin Azwar Asadi &.

Sa’eed bin Al-’Aas 8.

‘Abdullah bin Rawahah 4...

‘Ubadah bin Samit -

All Praises are due to Allah the Almighty, the Lord of all that exists. May Allah’s peace and blessing be upon His final Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad, his family and his Companions.

Darussalam is pleased to present this valuable book, ‘Commanders of the Muslim Army (Among the Companions of the Prophet ##)’ compiled in the Urdu language, by a great scholar and a compiler of Islamic books, Mahmood Ahmad Ghadanfar and translated by our Islamic sister Jamila Muhammad Qawi.

This book is about the life stories of the Prophet’s Companions who led the Muslim army that was trained by the Messenger of Allah 38. Once during the training when the Prophet 3 asked about the strategy to adopt in the battle, one of his Companion, ‘Asim bin Thabit + had stood up with his bow in his hand and replied:

“When the enemy is a hundred yards away, we will use our bows and arrows; when the enemy comes closer, we will fight with our spears; when the spears break, we will have a hand to hand combat with our swords.”

When the Prophet 3% heard this, he said:

“Doubtless this was the way to fight a battle. Whoever wishes to take part in a battle should adopt the strategy of ‘Asim bin Thabat.”

These great martial Commanders improved upon and developed the strategies and principles first enunciated by the Prophet 3. They loved death more than life in their pursuit of the righteous and true

religion, therefore sometimes the opposing forces were ten times larger than the Muslim army and with superior arms, yet most often it were the forces of Islam which were victorious. Therefore the Prophet # gave some of them the title of Saifullah (Sword of Allah) and the title of Lion of Allah.

After the death of the Prophet 3%, the empire of Islam spread over an area of ten hundred thousand square miles. We should have to study inevitably the lives of these remarkable military leaders if we are deeply interested in learning about the Islamic history.

Pray to Allah the Almighty that He grants them all - the writer, translator and editor and everyone else who participated by any means - the best reward in this world and in the Hereafter, for having supported in the completion of such a valuable book. Ameen.

Abdul Malik Mujahid General Manager Darussalam

All Praise is for Allah Almighty and may Allah Bless the Prophet, his family and his Companions.

This book is about the lives of those pre-eminent and noble Companions of the Prophet 3 who led the forces of Islam in the violent and strife-torn arenas of conflict against the Kuffar or disbelievers. These were the warriors who after a vigorous training had turned to pure gold after being trained by the supreme Commander, the mercy to mankind, and the embodiment of goodness, the king of AlMadinah, Muhammad 3%. Experts in the art of war were amazed and overwhelmed when they studied their exploits of bravery and valour. They struck terror in the hearts of the enemy and the stronghold sand palaces of Qaesar and Kisra trembled before their might.

They lived in austerity and simplicity, yet their style was regal. They were not cowed down by the enemy, they did not tremble before him in terror, neither could they be deterred from the pursuit of their objective. They loved death more than life in their pursuit of the righteous and true. Their gaze was modest, their hearts burned with passionate love of Allah Almighty, their arms were powerful and their feet stood surprisingly firm and steady as they fought for what their conscience told them was moral and virtuous. In whichever direction they turned, they conquered region after region. Under the leadership of the Prophet 3% they performed stunning deeds of valor and daring in the battlefields. In no time at all the stories of their great and noble exploits became the assurances of their bravery and the tales of their heroism were guarantees of their fervour and ardour. These epic

stories spread in all directions. The battles fought during the Prophet's time were the most excellent and exemplary in all respects. Many time the forces of Islam faced armies which were much larger. Sometimes the opposing forces were ten times larger than the Prophet's army, and also had a larger number of superior arms and equipment, yet most often it was the forces of Islam which were victorious. Sociologists are amazed by the fact that the Islamic state started off as a small city state and, expanded at an average rate of two hundred square miles per day. Ten years later at the death of the Prophet 3g the empire of Islam was spread over an area of ten hundred thousand square miles.

When one studies the Islamic era spanning the lifetime of the Prophet % from the point of view of conquest and occupation of lands, their organization, management and administration, this amazement subsides. Every stage and step seems to have been patterned according toa well-defined, comprehensive and well thought out plan.

@ Stability of the conquered lands. @ Education, moral and religious training of the conquered peoples.

@ The education and training of the managers and administrators in morals, intellect and skills.

@ An attempt to extend the limits of the Islamic Empire, by training military experts. This training was moral and _ intellectual. Technical know - how was not neglected either. Under their leadership the Islamic army forged their way into new territories in all directions; these were basic, innovative and revolutionary steps that resulted in astounding exploits. As a result within the short span of fifteen years after the passing away of the Prophet 3, most of the areas of the two major continents of Asia and Africa, were under the control of the Muslims.

When a student of Islamic history observes these facts, he is inevitably and deeply interested to learn about the lives of these remarkable military leaders. He would like to study their characters, their code of life and the strategies they employed. He would like to gain enlightenment from these beacons of the past in order to illuminate such fight as make the world of Islam shine in the present, and also to

blaze a trail for future generations.

Human nature and the basic strategies of war normally do not change; it is for this reason that invaluable lessons can be gained even from the battles fought far back in ancient recorded history. With this purpose in mind biographical sketches of these great generals of the early years of Islam are being presented; their incredible and extraordinary military achievements have added many a glorious and golden chapter to the history of mankind.

Doubtless those great personalities who were trained by the greatest Commander of Arab and Ajam, the Sultan of Al-Madinah, the Prophet # himself, had been transformed by personal contact with his radiant personality. Their eyes witnessed his greatness, which had become the axis of their hearts souls and very existence. The only meaning and purpose of their lives was to achieve martyrdom in the cause of Islam.

A study of the enviable lives and characters of these great generals will inspire modern day Mujahideen,’ soldiers and military leaders with the spirit of sacrifice and Jihad.’ The battles fought during the life of the Prophet 38 introduced and made crystal-clear such principles of military strategy as had never been used in human history. The brilliance of the strategies the Prophet 38 used as the Commander-inChief in the battle of Badr cannot be or ignored even in the context of modern day warfare. The very first martial tactics employed by the small Islamic State in its infancy were remarkably well organized and disciplined, for the example:

@ Before leaving for the battlefield a Deputy was appointed in AlMadinah.

@ The Muslim army was divided into different groups or divisions and a commander was appointed for each of these divisions.

@ Qais Al Mazni Ansari was appointed to watch over the rear section of the army.

1 Those who fight in a war for Islam. (plura})

2 Jihad - a holy war for Allah Almighty and the defence of Islam and Muslims.

@ The Muslim army reached the battlefield of Badr first and took control of the stream there, so that the enemy could not face the Muslim army for long without water.

@ Even before the battle started, it was realized that the group formation of the Muslim army should be given a great deal of attention. This was because the opposing army outnumbered them three to one.

@ After the formation the Prophet 3% ordered that no Mujahid should take any step on his own, and must wait for orders from him.

@ He ordered that the Mujahideen should shoot their arrows only when the enemy came within range; if he was beyond their range they should not shoot. This was to avoid wastage of arms and equipment. If the enemy was very close then they should fight with their spears; if they were even closer then they should use their swords to defend themselves.