5. Would you like to meet him outside the institution? (cont.)

As the time for Fajr began to enter, his eyelids felt heavier and heavier till he slipped into a slumber. They were all very tired, hence they all overslept. Night passed and morning came, whilst they all remained asleep, and were only awoken by the heat of the sun. The Prophet woke up, and so did the people. When they saw the sun they became confused and clamorous. Everyone by now was looking at Bilal. The Prophet looked at Bilal and said, "What have you done to us, O Bilal?" In response, Bilal said briefly, yet explaining what precisely happened, "O Messenger of Allah! My soul was taken by the One Who took your soul." Meaning, I am a human being. I tried to ward off sleep but I wasn't able to. I was overtaken by sleep just as the rest of you were! Do not criticise me! End of story? The Prophet said, "You have spoken the truth", and remained silent. What would the benefit have been in blaming anyone? When the Prophet saw that the people were confused, he said to them, "Let's embark!' They all set off. He then walked for a while and stopped by a place as they all did. They all made ablution for prayer, and the Prophet led the people in prayer. After concluding the prayer, the Prophet turned to the people and said, "If you ever forget to pray then pray as soon as you remember." How excellent he was! How wise he was! He served as a learning centre for every leader, unlike some modern-day leaders who rarely avoid blaming and scolding. The Prophet would place himself in the shoes of those under him, and think from their perspective. He would deal with the hearts, before dealing with the bodies. He knew that they were merely human beings and not machines! In the 9th year of Hijrah, Rome amassed an army and began to approach from the direction of Syria in order to fight the Prophet and his Companions; although it is also said that the Prophet amassed an army himself to initiate a fight with them. So the Prophet began to prepare an army. He incited the people until he managed to gather three thousand fighters.They were then equipped with whatever weaponry and provision that was available. The Prophet said to them, "Your leader is Zayd bin Harith38 Do not criticise me! End of story? ah. If Zayd is struck, then Ja'far bin Abi Talib will lead, and if Ja'far is struck, then 'Abdullah bin Rawahah." The Prophet went out with them in order to bid farewell to the army. So did the people, who said to the army, "May Allah be your companion! May He defend you and return you to us safe!" 'Abdullah bin Rawahah was yearning for martyrdom and to that end he recited his poems. The army then headed for the battle of Mu'tah, until they stopped over a place called Ma'aan, in Syria. There the news reached them that Heraclius the Emperor of Rome had stopped over in Syria with 100,000 Roman troops, and that a further 100,000 of tribal warriors had joined him, making them 200,000 strong altogether. When the Muslims ascertained the news, they stayed over two nights at Ma'aan considering the right course of action. Some of them said, "We should write to the Messenger of Allah informing him of the numbers of our enemy. He would either send us reinforcements or order us with something else, and we will do as he wishes." When too many people began offering their opinions, 'Abdullah bin Rawahah stood up and said, "O people! What you dislike is what you have come out to seek − martyrdom in the path of Allah, yet you are fleeing from it! We do not fight the people with might or numbers. We do not fight them, except with the aid of this religion that Allah has blessed us with. So let us march forth! For there can only be two positive outcomes: either victory or martyrdom!" Do not criticise me! End of story? Hence, the people marched forth, until they approached the Roman Army at a place called Mu'tah, only to find them in great numbers, beyond anyone's military might. Abu Hurayrah said, "I witnessed the day of Mu'tah. When we came close to the pagans, we saw what no one could ever overcome, in terms of number, weaponry, beasts, ornaments, silk and gold. My eyes glistened. "Thabit bin Arqam said to me, 'You did not witness Badr with us. We do not win by our numbers.''' Then the armies met and fought. Zayd bin Harithah fought with the flag of the Messenger of Allah until his body was sliced by numerous spears, due to which he was slain and martyred – may Allah be pleased with him. Ja'far then took the flag with all his valour and attacked the enemy on his fair-haired horse.