Part 61

“Now it is only you who have the capability to bring this ship

out of the whirlpool of grief to safety. Please assume command; in my opinion no one else has God-given skills and abilities than you. All of us unanimously accept you as our Commander.”

‘Abdullah bin Rawahah was a great General of the Muslim forces

and was a poet of the highest rank. His poetry was appreciated and recited by the Prophet 3 himself.

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

“IT am sending a fresh army of four thousand

Mujahideen under four generals to help you. Among these is a general who by himself is equal to a thousand soldiers.”

‘Ubadah bin Samit <6 was a member of the Khazraj tribe of AlMadinah. He was the beloved son of Samit bin Qais Khazrji and Quratul-‘Aain bint ‘Ubadah. He was also the Islamic-brother of Abu Marthad Ghanwi 4%. He had the distinction of coming Makkah before the migration of the Prophet 38 to Al-Madinah in order to accept Islam and swear allegiance to the Prophet 3.

He took part in the Battle of Badr and reached the highest status possible for a human being. He was also among those who swore fealty to the Prophet 3¥ in the Bai’at Ridhwén thus gaining the Pleasure of Allah 3%. He played a very important part in the conquest of Egypt. An experienced, daring and brave General, ‘Ubadah bin Samit 4 was the ambassador of the Muslim army in the court of the King of Egypt, Magoogas. Caliph ‘Umar Faroog appointed him as the first Qadhi of Islam to the state of Palestine. His work in the establishment of courts of law and in the dispensation of justice here was invaluable.

He was forthright and candid in the propagation of Islam when he met with Amir Mu‘awiyah -% in Syria. He was an eloquent orator. He was fortunate enough to be appointed by the Prophet 38 to teach the Noble Quran to the Companions of Suffah. He was a man who practiced abstinence and gave himself to fasting during the day and praying at night, who feared Allah % and prayed for Divine Forgiveness. He tried his utmost to obey the Commands of Allah Almighty and follow the example set by the Prophet 38. He hated disobedience and sin and viewed with disgust worldly attractions, devilish temptations and false idols, which distracted or diverted him from following the injunction laid down by Allah.

He was a Mujihid whose only ambition in life was to attain martyrdom, and whose achievements deserve a golden chapter in the history of Islam. His experience and skill and fervour was elicited the tribute paid by ‘Umar Farooq #, that he was equal toa thousand enemy warriors.

‘Ubadah bin Samit + had the honour of being with the Prophet 3 at all times, in war and peace, in prosperity and adversity. He rode with the Prophet 3% in all the battles that he fought. He was instrumental in making ineffective the plots and machinations of the hypocrites and the Jews who tried their utmost to create rifts between the Muslims. He also played a very prominent role in every sphere in destroying the rebels, traitors and conspirators, who had reared their heads against Islam.

The Prophet 38 appointed him at various times and at various places to collect the money accruing from ‘zakah' and Sadqah (charity). He advised him thus:

“Always fear Allah. Do not ever use anything collected for the Baitul-Mal for your personal needs. Remember! If you do so, these very things will complain and bear witness against you on the Day of Judgment.”

‘Ubadah bin Samit - started trembling, when he heard these words of advice and almost on the verge of tears and said:

“1 do not wish to be appointed leader of even two men and I do not want to bear the responsibility of any material goods or money of the Muslim Ummah.”

During the caliphate of ‘Umar Farooq # the Muslim army was sent to conquer Egypt under the command of ‘Amr bin ‘Aas <. When he reached Egypt he saw that a huge well-armed contingent of the enemy was already in the battlefield. When he realized the critical nature of the situation ‘Amr bin ‘Aas - asked the Caliph for reinforcements.

“IT am sending a fresh army of four thousand Mujahideen under four generals to help you. Among these is a general who by himself is equal to a thousand soldiers.”

The Muslim army was encamped in the field. The King of Egypt, Magoogas, sent some spies to gauge the strength of the enemy and study the actual state of affairs. They disguised themselves and sneaked into the ranks of the Muslims and became friendly with them. After studying their tactics they gave the following report to the King:

“Your Majesty! We have seen a people who love death more than their lives. They prefer modesty and humility to arrogance and pomp. They are indifferent to the world and its trappings. They sit on their haunches when they eat. All of them dress in similar simple robes, and they all look the same. A stranger cannot differentiate between the ruler and the ruled. When they have time to pray, they wash certain parts of their body, and then they form rows to stand in prayer. And when they pray it is as if they have nothing to do with the world at all. It is a sight worth seeing when they prostrate themselves before their

Maker and beg Him and plead with him. The way they stand in prayer, folding their hands across their bosoms is unique. And when they bend low and then prostrate themselves, it is a sight worth seeing. When they stand in communal prayer, one person stands in front and leads the prayers. And all of them stand behind him in rows and follow his lead. When he stands they stand, when he bend they bend and when he prostrates, they prostrate all together! We have never seen this kind of organized discipline and obedience to the leader. Their faces appear radiant; they seem like a new race upon this earth.”

When the Emperor of Egypt heard all this he was stunned. After thinking over the matter for some time he said:

“If these people are in reality such as you have described them to be, then it is certain we cannot oppose them or compare with them. Even the tallest of mountains cannot place obstacles in their path. The best thing for us to do would be to forget about fighting with them and extend the hand of friendship and peace. In my opinion if we lose this chance to make peace, we would have lost a golden opportunity. Once they gain control over the golden lands watered by the Nile, we will never be able to get them back. If they establish themselves in our beloved land, we will never be able to oust them. We should have formal negotiations with them; perhaps this will provide us with a better option.”

Turning to his courtiers he said in his proud regal manner, “Tell me what you think I should do at this moment of crisis. Do you think my appraisal of the risks is well-founded? “The courtiers obediently answered in chorus,” Of course Your Highness, your ideas are always correct. Your will is our command. Please order us and we are just waiting for a sign from you. Every single person among us is with you and will not budge an inch without receiving our orders from you.”

The King of Egypt said:

“Before taking any action I wish to meet a representative delegation from the Muslim army and listen to what they have to say. I also wish to tell them about my power and majesty and

about my resources, powers and military capacity. Maybe our overpowering strength will frighten them and they will give up the idea of going to war with us. Thus we will be saved from falling prey to fresh misadventures and hardships.”

They all agreed with him abjectly, praising him to the heavens.

In a thundering regal tone, the King ordered his messenger to carry his message to the commander of the Muslim forces saying that he wished to meet him. The messenger bowed low and said he would be happy to carry out his orders immediately. When he went to Commander-in-Chief ‘Amr bin ‘Aas .2 he said:

“Their King wished to meet him at once, and he would be grateful if he would accompany him.”

‘Amr bin ‘Aas > arranged for a representative delegation and appointed ‘Ubadah bin Samit - the leader. He told the members of the delegation to accompany the King’s messenger. He told them to obey their leader implicitly and strictly forbade anyone other than the leader to speak to the King.