Part 34

They came out of the capital, Madyan, and got on to their camels with the basket of soil. On reaching the presence of Sa’d bin Abu Waqs +3, they gave him the good news of victory and said:

“Allah Almighty will conquer for the Muslims the land of Persia. And they will be masters of Iran.”

A. few days later the Battle of Qadissiyah was fought and the trenches of the battlefield of Qadissiyah were filled with dead bodies. But all these bodies were those of the Iranian soldiers.

Though the Iranians faced a humiliating defeat at Qadissiyah, they did not lose courage; on the other hand they conscripted new recruits and organised an army numbering one hundred and fifty thousand soldiers. When the Caliph, ‘Umar Farooq %, heard of this huge army, he himself got ready to face this great danger to the Muslim Ummah. But some important personages of the Ummah prevented him from doing so. They suggested that a commander should be given the responsibility of leading the army on this expedition, and it would be better if he continued to remain in the capital, Al-Madinah.

‘Umar Farooq # asked them to suggest the name of one particular person who would best be able to fulfil the responsibility of leading the Muslim army.

They all replied in chorus that he himself knew the army very well. After considering the matter for a few minutes he said:

“swear by Allah Almighty that J will appoint such a person to lead the Muslim Mujahideen who at the time of action in the battlefield will appear swifter than an arrow; sucha person is Nu’man bin Magqran 2. ”

As soon as they heard this they all exclaimed that in truth he was the ideal person for the position of commander. After gaining the vote of confidence of the members of the Advisory Council and the body of Ministers of Administration and Management, ‘Umar Farooq -# wrote the following letter to Nu’man bin Maqran .

“To Nu’man bin Magqran -# from ‘Umar bin Khattab (<4). Assalamu ‘Alikum twa Rahmathullah, my best wishes to you.

I have received news that the Iranians have gathered a huge

armed force in the city of Nahawind. After you receive my letter, please set out to oppose this Iranian army with the Name of Allah Almighty on your lips and with trust in His Assistance. Please remember that a single Muslim is more precious to me than a hundred thousand dinars. With Salam.”

Nu’man bin Magqran .# prepared his army for combat and sent experience warriors to get information about the prevailing situation. As these riders approached the city of Nahawind, their steeds suddenly stopped. The ace riders tried to spur them on but instead of moving forwards they started to rear up. When the riders got off to check on the problem they were surprised to find that nails had pierced their hooves. They immediately informed their Commander, Nu’man bin Maqran of the situation and asked for his opinion or advice on what to do next.

He asked them to stay put as they were and when the darkness of night fell they should light huge bonfires to enable the enemy to spot them in the bright light produced by them. When the light of the fire spread far and wide, they should pretend to be scared and terrified and swiftly race backwards. The enemy should feel that they were terrified and were retreating. Then the enemy would experience an intense desire to capture them; in order to accomplish this they would chase them and themselves get pierced by the nails and thorns they had spread out for the Mujahideen. Thus when these nails and thorns got embedded in the hooves of their steeds, the way would be cleared for the Muslim soldiers. This ploy worked against the Iranians and when in the glow of the fire they saw that the Muslim soldiers wanted to retreat, they sent their workers to clear the roads. When the roads were cleared the Mujahideen suddenly turned around and advanced towards Nahawind and attacked the enemy.

Nu’man bin Magran %, leading his men, reached the northern borders of Nahawind and addressing Mujahideen, said:

“1 will raise my voice in praising Allah Almighty and say ‘Allaho Akbar’. When I raise my voice the first time, you should all become alert, when | call out the second time get your weapons ready. And when I raise my voice the third time, all of you should attack the enemy with me.”

So, Nu’man bin Maqran .% repeated the phrase three times and exhibiting great daring and courage, rushed into the ranks of the enemy. And under his leadership the Mujahideen, swept the enemy like pieces of straw on a forceful current and moved forward rapidly and relentlessly. A forceful battle ensued, such as has been rarely paralleled in history. The Iranian soldiers were mowed down like a sheaves of grain, and one could only see heaps of bodies tying all over the battlefield. The blood of the sinners was flowing like water and the battlefield had become like a swamp. The horse of the Commander-inChief, Nu‘man bin Magran 4, had become uncontrollable and slipped in the slimy mud. As soon as Nu‘man bin Maqran -# fell from his horse he was martyred. His brother stepped forward, picked up the standard, and threw his sheet over his brother's body, so that the rest of the men did not realise their Commander-in-Chief had been martyred.

“Look, this is your General in the eternal sleep of death; having achieved martyrdom he has entered his name in letters of gold among the people in Paradise.”

The eyes of all the loyal Mujahideen were filled with tears at the sight.

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

Qa‘qa‘ bin ‘Amr At-Tameemi 2

On one occasion, the Prophet 3, asked Qa‘qa‘ bin ‘Amr At-Tameemi #, “What preparations have you made for Jihad?” He answered on hearing this:

“I have love and obedience for the Prophet 3B

and a swift and daring horse. This is what I have made ready.”

Qa‘qa‘ bin ‘Amr At-Tameemi

Qa‘qa’ bin ‘Amr At-Tameemi < was a great General of the Muslim army. He was a picture of disciplined obedience, a well built, handsome and attractive great hero of the Muslim Ummah who was extremely dignified. A brave, and daring soldier, an ace rider - Mujahid. Who was faster than wind, and an exemplary champion and supporter of Islam. He put to good use his experience as a warrior and could be depended upon at the most of crucial times. He did not get many opportunities to display his incomparable qualities of valour and military skills during the time of the Prophet 38, because he joined the circle of the followers of Islam late. Nonetheless, in Qadissiyah, Nahawind and in each of the battles against the apostates, he left lasting impressions of martial expertise and skill which are inscribed in history in golden letters. Abu Bakr Siddiq 4 knew very well his incomparable courage, his lightening speed, his foresight and expertise in assaulting the enemy and paid him the compliment quoted above.

After the Battle of Tabook, in the year 9 Hijrah many tribes entered the fold of Islam. In order to receive in person blessings from the benefactor of Mankind, the Prophet Muhammad 38, many crowds came to delight in his company and see him with their own eyes.

very angry and addressing another trusted Companion, Prophet 3 asked:

“Who will go to accomplish this mission?” ‘Ainiah bin Badr said:

“O Prophet 38 may my mother and my father be sacrificed for you, please give me a chance to serve you. | would love to volunteer myself.”

The benefactor of Mankind, the Prophet 3%, appointed him an officer and placed fifty Mujahideen under him. He attacked the Banu Tameem, defeated them and captured eleven men and women and brought them back to Al-Madinah. Among the prisoners was the Chieftain, ‘Atarad. When these prisoners were brought in, the Prophet % happened to be ina private room next to his mosque. Bilal 4 had given the Adhan for the Dhuhr prayer and the Prophet 3 was a little late in coming out to lead the prayers. The prisoners who were in chains outside the Prophet’s mosque became restless. One blunt outspoken prisoner, Iqr’a bin Habis, called out loudly from outside the room of the Prophet #8:

“Mister, release me from this imprisonment! You should be aware of the fact that I am a famous poet of my tribe. When I write verses praising anyone, the whole world looks at him with envy. And when I decide to become critical of any person, then I sow such seeds of hatred and scorn that the man is not even able to lift up his head and walk upright among his peers. It is better for you O Prophet 3% that you release a man like me who does not care for the world or its material pleasures and attractions. Or else the outcome of your actions will not be good.”

The benefactor of Mankind, the Prophet 38 replied in gentle tones:

“You are speaking lie. Respect or disrespect in the eyes of the world is in the total control of Allah 38.”

After answering to the man’s insolent and rude challenge calmly and softly, he walked into the mosque and led the prayers with full concentration and devotion. Having offered his prayers to his Creature, the Prophet 38 turned his attention towards the prisoners,