Part 33

The delegation returned speechless to their leaders and told them what Abu Bakr Siddiq 4 said. On hearing this reply the chieftains were enraged and thought the followers of Islam present in AlMadinah would not be able to oppose them. Thus, this would be an opportune time to assault that city, and they decided that there should

be no delay in implementing this decision. They thought the results of this action would be in their favour. And since they would be in complete control after their successful conquest of Al-Madinah, they could run the administration as they pleased. As soon as they heard of the decision, all the chieftains became greedy for what was yet to fall into their laps! They started dreaming of the power of government and the might that would soon be theirs!

Abu Bakr Siddiq put into operation precautionary measures; he posted strict vigilance posses on all the roads leading into AlMadinah, to cope with all possible dangerous incursions. He had realised from the reactions of the members of the delegation that his very firm uncompromising reply would invoke some reaction, possibly an attack on Al-Madinah itself. The reading of the situation by Abu Bakr Siddig # turned out to be correct; as soon as the sun set, the apostates attacked. But on every road experienced, fearless and brave warriors had been deployed. The Muslims, defending their beloved city, defeated the attackers. Turning around, they fled. The Mujahideen, who were on camel back pursued them for a long distance. When the apostates realised that their lives were at stake, they started beating their drums violently before the camels. The camels reared up so badly that it became difficult to control them; they turned round and raced to Al-Madinah, stopping only when they reached their home ground. But, by the Grace of Allah Almighty, none of the Mujahideen suffered loss of life or property. The apostates, however, became encouraged and more confident since the Mujahideen, on their camels had turned round and gone back to AlMadinah. They planned another attack, but the Caliph Abu Bakr Siddiq @ was well aware of what he was up against.

At night he organised a troop of Mujahideen and decided he would lead them himself. On the right of this army would be Nu’man bin Magqran -#, and on the left would be his brother ‘Abdullah bin Magran 4. At the back of these troops, Suwaid bin Maqran # would be positioned as for purposes of safety. They set out in the latter part of the night and assaulted the enemy led by Abu Bakr Siddig in the early hours of dawn. The attack was so sudden and powerful that the enemy could not withstand it. As the sun rose up in the heavens they

were defeated and fled from the scene. Their leader, Habbal bin Khawaled Asdi was killed. This battle was fought at Dhi-Al-Qassah. Abu Bakr Siddig handed over the organization and administration of the area to the famous and respected chieftain of the Banu Mazeenah, Nu’man bin Maqran -#. He then returned to Al-Madinah.

Soon after this the Caliph, Abu Bakr Siddiq #%, led his army on an expedition to crush the apostasy in the tribes of Banu ‘Abas, Banu Bakr, and Banu Dheeban. He entered the area of strategic importance, Rabathah. Nu’man bin Maqran .% took part in this expedition as the right wing Commander of the Muslim army. The enemy again faced a clear and manifest defeat, and the Muslim forces returned triumphant to Al-Madinah.

“Tt is essential that you stay in Al-Madinah, and Sa’d bin Abu Wagqas +4 would be the most appropriate person to command the Muslim forces.”

“Faith and trust in Allah Almighty should be your strongest defence; before you enter the battlefield you should send a delegation of dignified and imposing persons to the Iranian Empire. Those people who saw them for the first time should be over-awed by their very presence; they should be fearless, eloquent, and learned.”

This delegation reached Madyan to see the Iranian Empire, Yazdajar, and asked for permission to meet with him. The Empire sat in his grand court on his throne in all his splendour and glory and asked that they be presented. Without paying any attention to all the pomp and grandeur, the members of the delegation walked straight up to Empire Yazdajar, seated on the royal throne. The Empire haughtily asked his interpreter to ask these people what they wanted from him. Then displaying the utmost pride and arrogance, he said:

“Tell these people that they are taking advantage of our decency. Do they not know how far is our reach and our power?”

The assembled court quivered in the dead silence that followed the expression of the Empire’s wrath in thunderous tones. The legs of the ministers and courtiers standing subserviently with folded arms trembled in abject fear. The Empire’s face had turned purple with rage and sparks seemed to fly from his eyes that had become like red-hot embers. Each member of the Muslim delegation stood calmly, watching the hysterical outburst of the Empire of Iran. When he had finished giving vent to his immature and childish tantrum, the head of the delegation, Nu’man bin Magqran -%, spoke to him after first reciting Verses in praise of Allah Almighty and the Prophet 3%, he said:

“O King of Iran listen carefully to what we have to say. Allah Almighty has been very Beneficent and Kind to us. He sent his Messenger to guide us; the Prophet 38 urged us to do good and avoid all kinds of evil. He also gave us the glad tidings that if we accept his invitation we will prosper both in this world and in the next. We accepted his invitation and within a few days our lives altered radically for the better. Our hand-to-mouth existence changed to a life of plenty; our shameful life was transformed into a life of respect and honour, and ail our petty jealousies, and rivalries were forgotten in feelings charged with fraternal love. Our Prophet 3 commanded us to teach people to be well wishes and to start this with those closest to us - our neighbours. This is why we are inviting you to enter the fold of Islam. The Islamic way of life lifts up its followers from the bottomless depths of kufr and association of other deities with the One True Allah, to the most exalted and radiant light of True Faith. If you accept this way of life we can leave with you the Book of Allah Almighty, the Noble Qur’an, and you can impose its faws on your people. We will not interfere in any matter of yours, we are not greedy for the material things of this world. If, however, you reject our invitation, then you have to be prepared to pay the Jazia, imposed by us on non-Muslims. If you are not prepared to do even this, then understand that the matter of who will rule over this land will have to be settled in the battlefield.”

The Iranian Empire was infuriated by the speech of Nu’man bin Magran and jumping up he said:

“There is no greater ignoramus than you on the surface of the earth; you do not even know in whose court you are chattering such drivel. We will entrust your matter to chiefs on our borders, and they will see to it. Do not advance even one inch into our territory. We are very capable of destroying you.”

Then calming down a little, he said:

“Yes, an idea has struck me. If some need or necessity has brought you to us, then we can give you enough grains to

provide your homes with food. Not only this, we will also present to your chieftains expensive and grand clothes. We will also appoint a ruler who will always treat you well. Tell me, what you would like to have?”

One of the members of the delegation bravely said:

“We do not care two hoots for your offerings of grains or expensive and grand clothes. You are drunk with the power of your monarchy, and you cannot see the throne wobbling insecurely under you. These courtly followers and sycophants and this worldly wealth and its luxuries will not be of any use in the long run. Our spiritual power will become a whip and a scourge for every Iranian. When we enter the battlefield we leap on our prey like lions and you are our favourite prey.”

He gave the Empire of Iran such a dressing down that he became even more enraged. Seething with fury, he said:

“Tf there had not been an international law regarding the security and safety of diplomats, I would have ordered you to be beheaded. Get out of my sight, I do not have anything for you. And listen! Go and_ tell your Commander-in-Chief that] am sending my General Rustum now towards you, he will bury you in the battlefield of Qadissiyah.”