Part 13

When Abu ‘Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah # read the letter he said sorrowfully that he knew what was the urgent and important work that ‘Umar Farooq 8 had for me. He wanted to keep alive a man who was not born to live in this world forever. Then he wrote a letter to the Caliph ‘Umar Farooq -%. After greeting him he said he knew what work he had for me. He was in the Muslim army and at that time the Muslims were involved in severe problems; he could not leave them alone at that critical phase, nor could he separate himself from them, unless it was Allah Almighty’s Will to decide about their fate and his. He appealed to the Caliph to consider him helpless to obey his commands in this matter and requested him to give him permission to stay with the Mujahideen of Islam.

When ‘Umar Farooq # received this letter and read it his eyes brimmed with tears. The Companions sitting around him were surprised to see this and asked him if here was some tragic news, and if the Commander of the Muslim forces, Abu ‘Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah 4& had died. He answered:

“No, but death is very near him now.”

And his guess turned out to be correct. A few days later Abu ‘Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah 3 was struck by the deadly plague.

In his last days he made the following dying statement to his armed forces:

“Today I am giving you some advice; if you accept you it will find peace and security to be your companions:

Establish Salét, be regular in your prayers.

Fast during the month of Ramadan.

Give sacrifices and be charitable often,

Encourage and instruct each other to do good actions. Wish your rulers well and be loyal to them.

Never deceive your rulers.

Be careful that you perform your duties and are not lost in worldly pursuits.

@ Listen carefully to what I have to say next. Even if a man gets to live to be a thousand years old, one day he will be in the same position in which you see me today. No one can escape death.

My greetings of peace to all of you; may there be countless Blessings of Allah the Merciful on you all.”

Then he turned to Mu’adh bin Jabl 8 and said: “Lead the men well in prayers. Allah Hafiz.”

And with these words on his lips he passed away. “To Allah we belong and to Him we return.”

Mu’adh bin Jabl 4 stood up and told the people with quivering lips and a trembling voice:

“Brothers in Islam! You are sunk in grief today for a man who was a more good hearted than any of us. He had a pure heart free from malice or envy; and he was a man who loved the Hereafter and was the well-wisher of each one of us. He was a man who was given the title of ‘Amin-ul-Ummah’ and during his very lifetime on this earth he was given the glad tidings that he would go to Paradise by no less a person than the Prophet 3 himself. He was a very lucky man indeed! Let us all pray that his position in Paradise ever exalted. May Allah 3% shower his Blessings on Him.”

Sa‘d bin Abi Waqas Messenger of Allah # said:

“Sa‘d! shoot your arrows, May my mother and

father be sacrificed for you.”

Sa‘d bin Abi Waqas

A tall tanned sturdily built youth with broad shoulders and curly hair he was a picture of devotion to Allah Almighty. He led a austere and pure life, kept awake at nights in worship, and was courageous and yet forbearing. A God-fearing man he was generous, humble and selfsacrificing. This fortunate Companion had received the glad tidings that he would go to Paradise, from the lips of the Prophet 38 himself. He had also prayed to Allah Almighty that the supplications of Sa’d bin Abi Wagas should be answered and that his arrow should always find its mark. Sa’d bin Abi Waqas had been a member of the group of Companion who had pledged [loyalty to Allah 3 and His Prophet 3 at what came to be known as_ the Bai‘at-Rizwan. These Companions are mentioned in the Noble Quran, and Sa‘d bin Abi Wagas 3% was one of them. He was one of those brave soldiers who took part in the Battle of Uhud and were known for their fearlessness. In this battle this experienced archer had rained his arrows on the enemy and the Prophet 3% had been so pleased with him that he said to him:

“Sa'd shoot your arrows; May my mother and father be

Sa‘d bin Abi Waqas .# became a Muslim at the age of seventeen. He was educated and trained in the Dar Argam' and was with the Prophet 38

' Argaam was the name of a Companion. The newly converted Muslims used o meet secretly at his house to study the teachings of Islam. They were forced to meet in secret because of their persecution by the Quraish. (Translator’s note}

at the Shi‘ab Abi Talib,' bearing with patience and fortitude the difficulties and hardship of the siege. The whole of his life was spent displaying his prowess and achieving amazing exploits in the battlefield. Every moment of his life deserves study by the Muslims of today and especially the youth in the military.

In the famous place called Jasr in Iraq he opposed the Iraqi army. They came on to the battlefield looking very warlike and arrogantly clapping their breasts. There was very heavy fighting and the attack of the enemy was so very forceful and severe that four thousand Mujahideen were martyred ina single day. The Caliph, ‘Umar Farooq - was very sad to hear this tragic news, and decided to go to Iraq and lead the Muslim army himself. He ordered that ‘Ali # be putin charge of affairs at the capital, Al-Madinah, and with some Mujahideen reinforcements set out for Iraq. When ‘Abdur-Rahman_ bin ‘Auf 4 came to know that ‘Umar Farooq was on his way to Iraq, he was very upset and set out to stop him. He caught up with him just a short distance from Al-Madinah and persuaded him not to leave the capital, as the situation was critical. He tried to convince him that his presence was essential in the capital, as the Muslims were facing a difficult and delicate situation. The Muslim Ummali needed his services very badly, and there were plenty of experienced strategists, and courageous lions, who could be sent to crush the kuffar. He suggested it would be better to entrust the military leadership to an experienced and fearless General. These arguments convinced ‘Umar Farooq + and he summoned ‘Ali 4 and some other prominent Companion to a meeting; they all agreed that ‘Umar Farooq -# should return to the capital, and an experienced commander be chosen to lead the Muslim forces in Iraq. Giving in to the collective opinion of the Companions, ‘Umar Farooq # returned to Al-Madinah. Once there he called another meeting of the Companion to advise him on the choice of a General. He asked them to suggest he name of a heroic general who

* The Muslims (men, women and children) were besieged in the house of Abi Talib in Makkah. It was a very difficult time and the siege lasted three years.

Sa‘d bin Abi Waqas -, the great General, was the cousin brother of the Prophet's mother, Aminah. Once when he came with some of his companions into the presence of the Prophet 38, he very proudly told those present that he was his uncle and asked if anybody had a better uncle, they should introduce him.

After pledging allegiance to Islam in the flower of his youth and receiving his education and training in Dar-ul-Arqam, he had the privilege of being among the first distinguished Companion to accept Islam. Among those to be influenced by the teachings of Abu Bakr Siddiq > were ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan, Zubair bin ‘Awam, ‘AbdurRahman bin ‘Auf, Talhah bin ‘Abdullah and Sa‘d bin Abi Wags 4 2, -+—. These first Companion, in order to escape the persecution of the Quraish used to hide in the deserted areas near Makkah to pray. On one occasion he was in a secret hiding place with some of his companions absorbed in meditation and prayer, when some mischievous and rowdy elements spotted them. They started to scornfully jeer at them. Sa’d bin Abi Waqas -# picked up the bone of a camel lying nearby and threw it forcefully like an arrow. It hit one of the boys on his forehead and blood spurted out. Panic-stricken they all fled, stumbling and tumbling against each other. This was the first courageous step taken by Sa‘d bin Abi Waqs - in support of Islam to cow down its enemies, and it was a very effective step.

Sa’d bin Abi Waqas # was a man who possessed many great qualities, but there are two special traits of his character which make

him stand out among the others. The first one is that when the Prophet 3 saw his marksmanship in the battle of Uhud, he was so impressed and so happy that he wished him to continue his good work and said even his parents could be sacrificed for him. It is certainly a great honour which distinguishes him from others. Another good quality was that he was blessed with the ability to pray to Allah 38 and have his supplications answered. The Prophet 3% had prayed to Allah 3% that He should grant acceptance to the entreaties of Sa’d bin Abi Waqas 3. After this whenever Sa‘d bin Abi Waqas prayed to Allah Almighty, his prayers and supplications would be answered. All other Companion used to value him highly.