Part 53

‘Ainiyah was very annoyed replied angrily, “That's right! You are going to face a fate which you will certainly never forget!” ‘Ainiyah called out to his people of the Banu Fazarah tribe, ”O loyal people of my tribe who are ready to sacrifice your lives! Stop fighting and run from away from the battlefield to save your lives! Listen to me! And believe me Taleehah is a liar and a cunning imposter.”

Taleehah had made arrangements to flee beforehand. He readied his horse and got on it with his wife, Naweerah, and escaped to Syria. There he found refuge with the tribe of Banu Kalb. Thus all the forces he had united against Abu Bakr Siddiq # were destroyed. When Taleehah came to know that most of the tribes had re-entered the fold

of Islam, he also proclaimed in the court of the Caliph that he had become a Muslim,

Abu Bakr Siddiq , great Muslim that he was, forgave him magnanimously. When ‘Umar bin Khattab became Caliph, Taleehah came to him to swear allegiance to him personally. Amir-ul-Mo'mineen ‘Umar Farooq 4 told him, “You are the murderer of Akashah bin Mohsin and Thabit bin Aqram. Get out of my sight! These two were respectable and brave Arabs.” Taleehah answered, “Amir-ul-Mo'mineen, these people were martyred and have attained very high positions. Why are you angry with me? I have entered the fold of Islam in all sincerity. Please do not deprive me of the privilege of swearing allegiance to you personally.” When he heard this, Amir-ul-Mo'mineen ‘Umar Farooq - accepted his pledge. Then he asked him, “Where have your conjurer’s tricks gone?” He answered, “All kinds of jugglery disappeared after 1 accepted Islam.” Thus Taleehah’s life in his later years became better after he became a Muslim.

The brilliant hero of Islam, Dharar bin Azwar, had been sent on this mission since the person falsely claiming to be a prophet was from his tribe, the Banu Asad. It was the good fortune of Taleehah that he was not caught by the Muslims. Since he had escaped to Syria he lived to take advantage of the opportunity to convert to Islam. Thus, he died a Muslim and his life in the Hereafter would Insha’ Allah be good.

The herald announced, “The bugle for Jihad has been sounded, and all are invited to pick up their arms and belongings and bid farewell to their families and set out from their homes for Jiidd.” The Mujahideen

started to assemble at the office which was at once the centre for Jihad and also the office and centre of the government of Islam - the Prophet’s Mosque at Al-Madinah. Every single person was lit up by the fervour and passion of Jihad and martyrdom. The streets of AlMadinah looked extraordinarily busy with all the comings and goings of the Mujahideen. The soldier-poet of the Banu Asad, Dharar bin Azwar 4, started to get ready and put on his armour and weapons. His sister Khawlah bint Azwar 4 asked him where he was going and which battle he was preparing for. He asked her, “Have you not heard of the announcement regarding Jihad? | am leaving to fight in the Jihad under the banner of our Caliph, Abu Bakr Siddiq +.” Khawlah asked plaintively, “Is it our fate that we should sit at home doing nothing? Dear brother you know that I am an expert archer; please ask Amir-ulMo'mineen Abu Bakr Siddiq % to allow me to take part in Jilidd side by side with you.”

Dharar bin Azwar Asadi # smiled when he heard the brave and courageous tones of his sister, filled with a passionate desire to take part in the Jihdd. He said, “May Allah 3 Bless you with happiness; this is a war and nota game for women. You ought to stay at home, since my presence is enough to represent our family.”

On one occasion her brother, Dharar was imprisoned by the Romans. She astounded people with her experience, courage and daring and inflicted a fatal wound on the enemy in rescuing her brother. When she heard that her brother had been captured by the enemy, she swiftly put on her veil and picking up her sword hurried out of the tent. The other women asked her what she thought she was doing. Without bothering to answer them, she just dashed out of the

tent and into the ranks of the Mujahideen. No one could identify this masked Mujahid, who was creating such confusion among the ranks of the enemy. All the Mujahideen started asking each other who this could possibly be, from which tribe he came and wondered why he was wearing a mask. The Commander-in-Chief, Khalid bin Waleed # finally went near her and asked her, “Who are you and what is your name? Your actions in the cause of the Jihdd and the strength of your arms are truly praiseworthy.” Then Khawlah answered through her veil that she was the sister of Dharar . Khalid bin Waleed was amazed that a woman had performed such feats in the battlefield. He asked her how this idea of entering the battlefield had come to her. She answered, “| was with the other women when I came to hear that my brother had been captured by the enemy. I just could not sit back doing nothing. So in order to rescue him I jumped into the fray.” Khalid bin Waleed .% prayed that Allah % should reward her for her great exploits in the war.

Khalid bin Waleed .#% launched a very powerful attack on the Roman army and killed many of their soldiers, and captured quite a few. But they could not rescue the chieftain of Banu Asad, Dharar 4, neither could they find any trace of him. The whole day passed and night had fallen when a Muslim general came to the tent of Khalid bin Waleed -# and asked him what plans he had made for the rescue of Dharar .

meant that brave warrior who had slain a great Roman General. If this was the man they were talking about, he was very much alive and in the custody of a Roman general, who had sent him to Hamas witha guard of a hundred soldiers.

The army of Islam next marched towards Palestine and camped at the important city of Ajnadain. It was here that the famous Battle of Ajnadain was fought between the Roman and Muslim armies.