Part 32

After reaching a safe spot, he sent ‘Arwah bin Zaid to Al-Madinah to inform the Caliph, ‘Umar Farooq <# about the defeat suffered by the Muslim forces. The whole of Al-Madinah was shaken by the news of the defeat and Ma’adh bin Jabl .3 was moved to tears. ‘Umar Farooq 4 consoled the people asking them not to panic, as such things were very important part of war. Where there are expectations of victory one should fortify oneself to bear up with the news of a tragic defeat.

In Arabic word ‘Jassr’ means a bridge across a river or a stream. Since the bridge on the river Euphrates was important in saving the tives of the defeated survivors, this encounter came to be known as the Battle of Jassr. The wrong strategy adopted by the Commander-in-Chief, Abu ‘Ubaid bin Mas‘ood 4 had resulted in a heavy loss of both men and arms.

The practical and wise move would have been to ask the enemy to cross over the bridge, thus the Muslim army would have been at an advantage. They could have beheaded the Iranian army as they crossed the river. But because of the tough and hard-headed stance adopted by the Commander-in-Chief this great opportunity was lost, and the consequent tragic repercussions had to be borne by all the army.

The Iranians divided their army into three divisions each of which had elephants. Mathna + addressed the Mujahideen and said that he would shout out ‘Allaho Akbar’ thrice. They should get ready for the battle echoing his cry. When he called out ‘Allaho Akbar’ the fourth time, they should all together assault the enemy. Mathna # had hardly given the battle-cry once when the Iranians launched their first attack. Intense fighting broke out. Mathna bin Harithah shouted out encouragement to the Mujahideen.

“O Mujahideen advance! We should not be disgraced on this day. We have a golden opportunity today to avenge the defeat of the Battle of Jassr. Do not worry about your lives and make a deadly attack on the enemy. The eyes of the people of AlMadinah are on you. I am fully confident that heroes such as

you will stand firm and steadfast in the battle!”

After this the Mujahideen performed astounding feats in the battlefield against the Iranians, who suffered an ignominious defeat; thus the Battle of Jassr was avenged. And this great victory at Boyab delighted the people of Al-Madinah.

After the Battle of Boyab, the wound suffered by Mathna # at Jassr started to fester and deepen and he succumbed to it. Finally, he went on to meet his Creatéie, Allah Almighty. May He make the grave of Mathna - one of the gardens of Paradise!

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

Nu‘man bin Maqran 2

“Nu'man bin Maqran # is a_ great contemporary of the Prophet %, who because of his statesmanlike and wise invitation, influenced his whole tribe to enter the fold of Islam.” (Historians)

Mazeenah is that lucky tribe of the Arabian peninsula, who are held up as an example of firm faith and strong belief. The tribe lived near Al-Madinah on the road which, linked up with Makkah. After the passing away of the Prophet 3, many tribes turned apostate of Islam. They very bluntly refused to pay Zakét, but it is an honour to the tribe of Mazeenah that they remained as firm as a mountain in their faith and belief in the tenets which are the five pillars of Islam. They continued to pay Zakét, observed the obligatory prayers five times a day and adhered faithfully to the Sunnah of the Prophet 3%. They neither panicked nor faltered in their steadfastness; doubt and disbelief did not enter their hearts even fora moment. In fact they effected even the manner of their conversion to Islam in a right royal manner.

“Brothers, 1 have made a firm decision to set out for AlMadinah early in the morning and those of you who wish to accompany me on this auspicious journey is welcome to join me.”

At dawn, Nu’man bin Magran was pleasantly amazed to find all his nine brothers and_ the four hundred warriors ready to embark on the journey with him. There had been no rains and a famine in the region, and the means of income had dwindled and were very limited, yet in spite of all these problems, the chieftain, Nu’man bin Maqran collected many very expensive gifts to express his sincere love and regard for the Prophet 3.

When this caravan, under the leadership of their chieftain, reached AlMadinah they caused a very unusual stir in the city. The streets of the city seemed to be bustling with activity, and the Prophet 38 who had already learnt of their arrival, came out to greet them.

“And of the bedauins there are some who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and look upon what they spend in Allah’s Cause as means of nearness to Allah, and a cause of receiving the Messenger’s invocations. Indeed these (spendings in Allah’s Cause) are a means of nearness for them. Allah will admit them to His Mercy. Certainly Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (9:99)

Nu’man bin Magqran , after entering the fold of Islam, took a very active part in each ffdd fought for the spread of Islam. He took part in the battle of Trenches; in the conquest of Makkah, his entry as the Commander of his tribal army with the flag held aloft in his hand was

Historians and commentators write that Nu’man bin Maqran @ was a great personality, a contemporary of the Prophet 3%, who played a pivotal role in converting to Islam his whole tribe. His statesmanlike conduct, his wise leadership came to the forefront in a clear and vivid manner during the battles fought against the apostates.

After the death of the Prophet 3, this was an extremely tempestuous and critical time in the history of Islam. There were rebellions and uprisings. Asserting their independence, Banu Ghatfan, the Banu Asad and the Banu Thay came out on the battiefields. The Banu Tha‘lbah bin Sa‘d, Banu Marrah and Banu ‘Abas also gathered in the open area, Abraq, near Al-Madinah. These people had gathered in such huge numbers in order to put pressure on the new Caliph, Abu Bakr Siddiq 4 that gain some advantages by revising some of the basic tenets and conditions of Islam. If they failed to do so, they planned to turn apostate give up Islam and attack Al-Madinah. These tribes united and by common consent formed a delegation. This panel of representatives would meet with the new Caliph Abu Bakr Siddiq and request him to free them from the obligation of paying Zakét, if this was not done, their tribes would turn against Islam itself. When the delegation presented their demands to Abu Bakr Siddiq -%, he was infuriated, and gave a very firm and unequivocal answer.

“I swear by Allah, if these people refuse to give me so much as piece of rope which they used to pay during the time of the Prophet 3%, I will wage war against them.”