Part 52

Huthaifah bin Yaman 4 continues, “That night I could have killed Abu Sufyan, but the Prophet % had specifically ordered me not to do anything other than get information. | got out of the enemy ranks as stealthily as 1 had got in and reached the presence of the Prophet 38. I saw that he was praying covered with a small sheet.

After finishing his prayers he beckoned to me. It was extremely cold and he covered me with a corner of his small sheet. When I gave him

the news of the enemy's retreat, he was very happy and started to recite phrases in praise of Allah #.

Throughout his life Huthaifah bin Yaman 4 remained in constant touch with the secrets and military tactics and strategies of the enemy. The Khulfa’ Rashideen always used to turn to him in the matter of the hypocrites. Before leading the funeral prayers of any Muslim who died, ‘Umar Farooq -# would always first inquire if Huthaifah bin Yaman -¢ was present. [f the people said he was present, he would lead the prayers. And if the people said he was not there, then he would become doubtful regarding the dead man’s faith and not lead the prayers.

“1 felt this was because Allah 3 had given him guidance in this matter.”

Few people realise that Huthaifah bin Yaman was the one who had conquered the very important Iranian territories of Nahawind, Deenor, Ree and Hamdan.

Another great exploit of his was that when different copies of the Noble Qur’n began to be circulated during his time; he got one version for all by common consent.

In spite of all his noble qualities and great achievements the awe and majesty of Allah 3 always held sway over his heart. He dreaded the Day of Judgement and the punishment that could follow. When he fell seriously ill and his end was near some Companions came to nurse him. He asked them what time it was. They said it would soon be dawn. He called out,

“I ask protection from the morning which will send me to Jaharnum (Hell).”

He repeated this sentence twice and then asked if his shroud had been prepared. When the Companions replied that it had, he said. “Do not

clothe me in a very expensive shroud. If the verdict of Allah %& is in my favour it will change into the best possible robe. If it is otherwise, then even this shroud will rot and become torn and tattered.” After this he kept on repeating these phrases of supplication to Allah %, “O Lord You know that during my whole life I preferred poverty to wealth, humility to pride and arrogance and the life of the Hereafter to the life of this world.

When his soul departed from his body he said:

“See my beloved has come to receive me eagerly. The one who is disgraced in the Court of Allah % will not be successful.”

May Allah % have Mercy on Huthaifah bin Yaman &; he was a remarkable man of great qualities.

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

Dharar bin Azwar Asadi 2

The Prophet % said:

“O Dharar, it is a fact that your trade did not go to waste.”

Dharar bin Azwar Asadi

Dharar bin Azwar Asadi 4 was a wealthy member of the Banu Asad tribe. Among his herds were a thousand priceless pure bred camels. He was a good-looking, brave and heroic man who was an expert with all kinds of weapons whether it be the sword or the spear or the bow and arrow. He was also an ace rider who inspired terror in the ranks of the Roman army with his audacious tactics. When the Romans saw this terrifying general advancing towards them relentlessly, they fled screaming that a jinn had come to attack them.

He was unmatched in his mode of warfare - sitting bareback on his horse and reciting martial poetry, he would rush boldly into the ranks of the enemy. They would tremble at this warrior’s approach and he would not flinch even if he had to face a thousand enemy soldiers. By reason of his incomparable qualities as a Mujahid his name will glitter on the firmament of Islam for all time.

Besides being famous as one of the greatest Mujahideen of Islam he was also honoured for his poetic skills and especially for his inspiring martial poetry. When he came at the head of his delegation from the Banu Asad tribe to accept Islam and swear allegiance to the Prophet 35 in person, he presented his thousand camels with their shepherds to. the treasury or Baithul Mal for the use of the Muslim Ummah and then recited these beautiful rhythmic verses before the Prophet 3.

1 have stopped drinking wine And broken my goblets And given up futile pursuits -

Those pleasures weaken one’s mind and spirit. Alas my best years have passed

In fighting against Islam

Allah! I have accepted Islam

And traded all my wealth for you

Lord please do not let it go to waste!

When the Prophet 3 heard these words he smiled and told him, “O Dharar, it is a fact that your trade did not go to waste.”

When Dharar bin Azwar Asadi decided to embrace Islam because of the impact that had been made on him by the integrity, truthfulness and sincerity of the Prophet 3s, he spoke to some of the people of his tribe who were like-minded. They all agreed to travel to Al-Madinah to meet the Prophet 3 in person and swear allegiance to [slam in his presence, Before setting out on his journey he decided to dedicate all his wealth which was in the shape of a herd of a thousand pure bred camels to the cause of Islam. When the Prophet 3 heard of this act of sacrifice which showed an absolute disregard for the world and its wealth, he was very pleased. He was overjoyed that a young fearless chieftain of an enemy tribe in all sincerity and using his God-gifted wisdom and intelligence had decided to become a comrade and part of the Muslim Ummah,

Stirred by the dedication and sacrifice of her brother, Khawlah bint Azwar also decided to enter into the fold of Islam She is that great lady who wore a mask and fought the enemy courageously and slew many enemy soldiers with her razor sharp sword. When the enemy witnessed the exploits of her sword, her skill with her spear and the swiftness of her movements in courting martyrdom, they were terrified. Even the Muslims were amazed and wondered who this lightening-like Mujahid might be who was fighting on their side. Some of them thought it must be Khalid bin Waleed who had appeared masked in the battlefield. But they soon realized that Khalid 2: was present and fighting along with them, but with no mask! This

mystified them even more! In fact Khalid bin Waleed # himself was baffled as to the identity of this masked Mujahid. Finally he went near and asked, “Who are you? And from where have you come?”

“O Commander-in-Chief please do not be surprised. 1am Khawlah bint Azwar, the sister of Dharar ts.”

The Mujahideen were proud and surprised to hear this feminine voice and their eyes filled with tears at he thought that if all the Ummah - men and women alike - had this passionate spirit of Jihéd and such martial skills in facing the enemy, then nothing in the whole wide world could defeat the Muslim Ummah or stop them from achieving success.

Taleehah bin Khawaled Asadi was a cunning hypocritical time-server of the Banu Asad tribe. Following in the footsteps of Musailmah Kaththab and Aswad ‘Ansi, he too declared himself to be a prophet in the last days of the Prophet 3s. The Banu ‘Abas, Banu Zeeban, Banu Bakr Banu Thei, the Ghathfan and Badwi tribes became allies of Taleehah, They proclaimed that the false prophet of Banu Asad was dearer to them than the True Prophet 3g of the Quraish, They wished to follow him basically because they did not like the government at AlMadinah. They wanted to get freedom from it in every respect. Besides they thought of Zakét as a penalty being exacted from them. They absolutely hated the idea of paying this ‘penalty’ to the government at Al-Madinah.

At first Taleehah bin Khawaled Asadi had camped at a famous place called Samira’; then he chose to move to Bazakhah, because he thought it was more suitable for conducting a war.

Musailmah Kaththab had declared himself a prophet from Yamamah. Taleehah bin Khawaled of the Banu Asad tribe had staked a claim to prophethood. Aswad ‘Ansi had had made a similar claim from Yemen and suffered an ignominious defeat. The Prophet % sent Dharar bin Azwar < to fight against Taleehah bin Khawaled and instructed him to first form a liaison with the Muslims of the Banu Asad and then launch an attack against him. Dharar % obeyed his orders; he

organised the Muslims before proceeding to attack Taleehah at the place where he was encamped.

But even before the actual fighting started they received news of the passing away of the Prophet 3%. The Mujahideen were of course griefstricken. The new converts were confused and did not wish to fight, but the experienced Mujahideen became even more determined to succeed in their mission. Taleehah’s army had increased numerically and many of the tribes had forgotten their petty rivalries and united with him. But the Muslim soldiers with a renewed spirit and fervour, entered the battlefield under Dharar bin Azwar +. However, because of the increase in the numbers of the enemy, Khalid bin Waleed 4 reached the battlefield and took over the command of the army of Islam.

‘Ainiya bin Hassan was the Commander of Taleehah’s army. Taleehah himself was sitting in his tent covered with a blanket, and in order to deceive people, was apparently waiting for a divine revelation. The two armies came out and the battle commenced. In between the fighting ‘Ainiyah bin Hassan came to Taleehah’s tent to ask if the revelation had come. Taleehah answered, “Not yet.” And ‘Ainiyah went back to resume fighting. He realized that the Muslims were fighting vigorously without caring for their lives. Again he went to Taleehah’s tent and asked, “Has Angel Jibreel brought any message?” He answered, ” Yes, he told me that I would get a task which is like his task. And you will become famous and well known in a way that you will never forget.”