Part 24

After gaining control over the whole of Egypt, ‘Amr bin AlAs 2

decided to build a new city. The new city was planned and designed by Zubair bin Awam - and named it Fasthath. When ‘Umar bin Khattab

+ heard this news, he ordered that this city should be the Capital of Egypt, and_he appointed ‘Amr bin Al-’As 4 Governor of Egypt. Egypt had been conquered by ‘Amr bin Al-’As in the year 20 Hijrah.

“Umar bin Khattab # received a letter from ‘Amr bin AL’As 2 informing him of this strange and barbaric tradition. In reply he sent a letter to the river Nile and instructed ‘Amr bin AlAs 4% to throw the letter in the river. In the letter he wrote:

“O river Nile, if you are flowing by your free will, surely you can stop flowing. If you are flowing by the Will of Allah Almighty, then I request that divine All-Powerful being to fill you with water and set you flowing.”

When ‘Amr bin Al-’As .4 gave this letter to the river Nile, within moments its waters started to rise and surge. The Egyptians were struck dumb when they saw this sight.

In recognition of his services he was made Governor of Egypt. He carried out far-reaching reforms during his term as Governor. He built new cities, dug new streams and developed agriculture. This last led to an enormous increase in yields. Since he considered wealth to be a blessing from Allah 3%. He loved good food and good clothes. When he sent a special representative to Egypt to reprimand and chide him, he made an inventory of his assets. He was not quite pleased with this, but since it was the order, so he obeyed it. With this special representative he also sent to Al-Madinah a detailed account of all the developmental work being carried out in Egypt; besides these documents he also sent the plans of works which, were yet to be executed. He also suggested that it was essential to provide funds for agricultural reforms. This was why he had given a special rebate in taxes.

Because of the developmental plans of ‘Amr bin Al-’As - Egypt soon became a prosperous country.

“Umar Farooq & was martyred and ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan -% became Caliph. At that time ‘Amr bin Al-’As 4 was the Governor of the Lower Egypt. He was in charge of both Defence and Treasury portfolios. ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan 4 gave charge of the organisation and administration of the Treasury to ‘Abdullah bin Sa’d Abu Sarh, who was Governor of the Upper Egypt. ‘Amr bin Al-’As -% refused to hand over charge; this led to strained relations between them and finally, ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan % dismissed ‘Amr bin Al-’As .e. But his skill, intelligence and wisdom always remained dedicated to the interests of Muslims. When there was a rebellion against ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan 4 he sent for ‘Amr bin Al-‘As .# to come to Al-Madinak in order to consult with him. This is proof of the fact that he considered hima

A great General, a successful statesman, the personification of courage and valour, a fearless soldier who created a tumult in Iraq, Syria and Palestine, he accomplished remarkable progress in Egypt with his skill in planning and his sense of justice. An ever vigilant and cautious leader, he always gave priority to the security and welfare of the men serving under him. As ambassador of the Muslims, he had given crushing replies to the Emperor of Rome, Harqal and to the King of Egypt, Macaucus. His ready answers and his eloquence silenced even the royal courts of the greatest emperors. He lived in a grand style and passed away in the year 43" of Hijrah on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr.

“Come back to your Lord, well-pleased (yourself) and wellpleasing (unto Him)!” (89:28)

Usamah bin Zaid & The Prophet cs said:

“O my Companions! Usamah is dearer to me than all of you, treat him well.”

Usamah bin Zaid 2

About seven years before migrating to Al-Madinah, the Prophet and his Companion were the target of terrible cruelty and oppression at the hands of the Quraish. In his efforts to preach the new religion the Prophet 3% constantly faced sorrows, troubles and hardships. During this tumultuous period he had one occasion of pure joy which seemed to streak through his life. Someone informed him of the birth of a son to Umm Aiman .. When he heard this news his face lit up with joy. Can you guess who was the fortunate newborn who brought such happiness to the Prophet 38?

All the Companions too were overjoyed at the birth of Usamah bin Zaid +3. They were happy for the simple reason that they believed what gave happiness to the Prophet 38 would prove auspicious for them as well.

The chieftain of the Quraish, Hakim bin Hazzim once gave a very expensive dress to the Prophet 3 as a gift. He had bought it in Yemen for fifty dinars, and this royal robe had been specially made to order for the King of Yemen. This excellent robe he had worn only once ona Friday he gifted to Usamah -#. And he used to wear this robe morning and evening very happily when he went around visiting his Mohajir and Ansar friends.

One day, finally, ‘Abdullah 5 he managed to ask his father, Caliph ‘Umar -#. He said,

"Father, when you distributed the stipends you gave preference to Usamah bin Zaid , though I have taken a greater part in Jihad than him, and supported the Prophet 3 more than him.”

‘Umar Farooq 4% told his son:

“The Prophet # loved Usaémah bin Zaid deeply, and he loved his father also very much. Why should I not then give him preference? I gave him more because I was following the precedent set by the Prophet 3. It is my duty to bear in mind the preferences of the Prophet 3%. Do you not know that his

father was the special servant of the Prophet 3 who did not even bother about his parents and his family. He did not want to part from the Prophet 3% and go with his parents. His father after a very long search and a tortuous journey finally came to the presence of to take him. He requested the Prophet 3 to allow his son to go back with him. The Prophet 38 gave him his freedom and Harithah 4 was very happy because he never expected that he would get his son back so easily. He told his son to get ready to leave as his mother was waiting impatiently for him. He refused saying that he could never leave the house of the Prophet 38.”