Part 22

‘Amr bin Al-’As # left the court. Jeefer read the letter again and again. When he came to a particular sentence, he would stop.

“If both you brothers accept Islam, you will continue to rule over your land.”

This sentence was instrumental in turning him around completely. When ‘Amr bin Al-’As went to his court the following day, he adopted a harsh tone, but gradually he softened. Jeefer understood the delicate situation in which he found himself and agreed to accept Islam. He swore the oath of allegiance and entered the fold of Islam. When his subjects heard that he had accepted Islam, all of the inhabitants of ‘Oman also rapidly entered the fold of Islam. Thus, without any opposition, ‘Amr bin Al-’As .4 with his political sagacity played a pivotal role in making the people of ‘Oman lovers of Islam.

When the reinforcements reached their destination the question arose as to who would command the combined forces. ‘Amr bin Al-’As was of the opinion that he should be the Commander-in-Chief as the reinforcements had been sent at his request. Abu ‘Ubaidah bin AlJarrah - held the view that by rights he should be the Commanderin-Chief as noble Companions were in his army. But ‘Amr bin Al-’As 2

was a very determined man of strong will. It is a virtue in a successful general that once he adopts a position he does not agree to compromise on it. When Abu ‘Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah % saw that ‘Amr bin Al-'As was inflexible he accepted his command. He remembered the exhortation and advice of the Prophet 3 to avoid mutual conflicts in the battlefield.

‘Amr bin AlAs was very sensitive to the fact that the Prophet # had chosen him to command the Muslim army on this military expedition, and hence this honour was priceless. The other army had come at his request to help him, hence they should take part in the battle under him. And as the Commander-in-Chief, he felt it was also his responsibility to lead the prayers.

When ‘Amr bin AlAs 4s, commanding the Mujahideen, reached the battlefield where the enemy was encamped to oppose them, he immediately launched a massive attack; it was as if they did not know what had hit them. They had no time to organise themselves. Many of them were slain and the rest were forced to run for their lives. He warned the Mujahideen strictly not to chase the fleeing enemy.

It was a bitter winter, but Amr bin Al-’As 4% did not allow his men to light any fires to warm themselves. He issued strict orders that no fires were to be lit. ‘Umar bin Khattab -43 was furious at these restrictions, but Abu Bakr Siddiq calmed him down saying that the Prophet 38 must have had his own reasons for appointing ‘Amr bin Al-‘As 4 as Commander-in-Chief. He must have seen some virtue in him to honour him thus.

The Mujahideen insisted that the victorious army have the right to chase the enemy and completely decimate him and finish him off. But the Commander-in-Chief announced that anyone who disobeyed his orders would be severely punished. He issued a serious warning to the troops against pursuing the enemy. After ‘Amr bin Al-’As accepted Islam, this was his first expedition as Commander and he returned after gaining a major triumph. When ‘Amr bin Al-’As 6 gave the Prophet 3 an account of the Battle he expressed great happiness. Then he asked him affectionately why he had prevented the Mujahideen from chasing the fleeing enemy. He answered that he

had feared that the Mujahideen, while chasing the enemy might have gone too far into enemy territory and got killed. Since some precious lives could have been destroyed he had issued strict orders against pursuing the enemy. In fact it is the duty of a good general to look after the security and safety of his men.

Then the Prophet 38 asked him why he did not allow his men to warm themselves in the cold by lighting fires. ‘Amr bin Al-‘As answered that he had forbidden them because the enemy by the light of the fires would have come to know that their numbers were much smaller in comparison. If they had come to know this they could possibly have attacked again. He said that it was certainly very cold and he too felt liked lighting a fire, but he felt it was too risky to do so. The Prophet 38 was happy to hear his logical reasons.

In modern ages too, during war there are official announcements forbidding people to light fires. This concept of a blackout was first introduced by ‘Amr bin Al-’As 4 who was known for his military sagacity and foresight. Nobody can question the benefits of this procedure during war. And ’Amr bin Al-’As 4 fulfilled his duty as Commander to perfection in this first expedition of his after accepting Islam.

Another duty of a successful commander is to gauge the strength of the enemy and compare their respective numbers. If necessary he can call up reinforcements without any hesitation. As soon as ‘Amr bin Al- ‘As -% realised that he was outnumbered he got in touch with the capital, Al-Madinah, and asked for additional troops.

An excellent Commander also understands the responsibilities of his position towards the lives of the men under his command; he should do his utmost for their safety and security. That was the reason why ‘Amr bin AlAs 4 during this military expedition was very cautious in all the steps that he took. He would travel in darkness at night and would rest his army during the daylight hours in some obscure place; thus none could know that he was on the move or even guess his whereabouts. ‘Amr bin Al-’As e had the qualities of political insight, courage, bravery, firmness of resolve, farsightedness and an ability to make quick decisions without faltering. And all these qualities he

possessed to a very high degree of excellence. It was because of these virtues that in the Battle of Salasal he gained resounding victory. The Prophet 38 was so pleased with his triumph that he said:

“O ‘Amr! get ready for further victories.”

Doubtless these words uttered by the blessed tongue of the Prophet %, were treasured with pride to the end of life of ‘Amr bin Al-’As as they acknowledged wholeheartedly the military services rendered by him.

The Prophet 3 lived a full life and at the age of sixty-three he passed away to meet his Creator. His closest Companions, the respected Companions who were willing to give their lives for him, were totally devastated by grief. A death pall of silence overshadowed the life of all around him.

Overcome by his deep love for the Prophet 38, ‘Umar Farooq # raged and said that if anyone said the Prophet 4 had died he would chop off their head. Abu Bakr Siddiq < in order to control the volatile situation displayed exemplary restraint and in grief-stricken tines told the Companions:

“For those who worshipped the Prophet 38, he is dead, but for those who worship the One True Allah, doubtless He is alive and He will never die. Please be patient, for panic will not help or benefit us. We will move forward on the path shown to us by the Prophet 3. And the system given to us by him will continue.”

It was a very critical and testing moment in time for the Companions. Those tribes who had newly entered into the fold of Islam were turning, against it, and each one started to move in different directions with contrary viewpoints. Some said that the Prophet 38 was not a true prophet; if he had been a true prophet he would not have died. Some said they would pray but would'not pay zakah, Thus each tried to go

'! Man's love of worldly wealth! Zakét is one of the five pillars of Islam, and anyone who goes against the basic teachings will be considered an apostate. (Translator’s note).

his owned way. Some people tried to take advantage of the situation and declared themselves to be prophets. Perfidy, mischief, revolt apostasy - all raised their heads and it seemed as If there was a sudden assault from all sides. In order to and crush these multifarious evils, Abu Bakr Siddig # displayed great courage and determination. He organised eleven different armies of Muslims, each with its own banner and with its own commander and sent them in different directions to cut off the heads of this many-headed monster of rebellion and discord.

Khalid bin Waleed was sent to conquer Talihah bin Khawaled to the area of Bazakhah. After defeating him he had orders to proceed to the area of Bataéh to crush Malik bin Naweera who was creating problems there. ‘Ikrimah bin Abu Jahl 4 was sent to war against Musailmah Kaththab and ‘Amr bin Al-’As 46 had to deal with the tribe of Qadha’ah. Sharjeel bin Hasanah was told to first meet up with ‘Ikrimah bin Abu Jahl 4 and crush Musailmah Kaththab. When he was free of that problem he had to proceed to Hadhramaut, to attack the Kundah tribe who were creating trouble there. Suwaid bin Mugran was told to fight against the Tahamah people who settled in Yemen.