Part 19

- His food was pure, his tongue was pure, his conscience was pure.

- He was aman who belonged to Paradise, as the Messenger (PBUH) prophesied.

- He was the horseman on the Day of Badr, the horseman on the Day of Uhud and in every battle he experienced with the Prophet (PBUH).

And another thing, which ‘Umar would not forget nor underestimate the value and importance among the

characteristics which should be present in anyone facing major tasks, was the strength and firmness of his faith.

‘Umar did not forget what happened between Sa‘d and his mother when he converted to Islam and followed the Prophet (PBUH). At that time, all attempts to hinder and obstruct him from the cause of Allah had failed. His mother used a device which none doubted would conquer Sa‘d's soul and drive him back to his people's idols. She announced her abstention from food and drink until Sa‘d returned to his anscestors’ and kins religion. She actually carried on her hunger strike with death defying determination and had almost approached death.

Despite all that, Sa‘d did not care. He would not sell his faith and religion for anything, even if it were his mother's life. Hoping that his heart would yield upon seeing her, some relatives took Sa‘d to his mother, who was almost dying.

Sad went to her. The scene was so impressive, even mountain rocks would yield and melt. However, his belief in Allah and His Messenger proved to be stronger than rocks and iron. He came with his face nearer and shouted so that she could hear him. "You know, by Allah, mother, if you had 100 souls coming out one after the other I wouldn't abandon my faith in return for anything. Then eat if you like or don't eat!"

His mother changed her mind. A divine revelation greeted Sa‘d's position and supported it. < But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not... > (31 : 15).

Is he not, indeed, the Lion in his claws? Therefore the Commander of the Faithful should hand him the standard of AlQaadisiyah and throw him against the Persians, who recruited more than 100,000 trained warriors equipped with the most dangerous

weapons the earth had ever witnessed, led on that day by the most intelligent and cunning warlords.

Indeed, all those horrible legions, will Sa’d meet with his mere 30,000 warriors, equipped only with spears, nothing more. However, their hearts were filled with the will of the new faith with all it represents: belief, vigor, and a rare, dazzling, longing aspiration for death and martyrdom.

The two armies met in combat. No, they did not meet yet.

Sa‘d is still there waiting for the advice and instructions of the Commander of the Faithful. Finally “Umar's message arrives, ordering him to move towards Al-Qaadisiyah, the gate to Persia.

‘Umar's words represented light and guidance: O Sa‘d Ibn Wahiib, do not be deluded if itis said, You are the Prophet's uncle and his Companion. Know that there is no relationship between Allah and anyone except through obedience to Him. All people, the noble ones as well as the lowly, all are equal in front of Allah. Allah is their God and they are His servants. The relationship between them is one of rivalry for preference by means of their wellbeing, whereas they can only get what is in Allah's hands by means of obedience to Him. Remember the Prophet's (PBUH) positions which he stuck to from the time he was sent to us until he left our world. Hold to them; it is an order.

Then he said to him, Send me information about all your circumstances. Where have you reached and how? What is your enemy's position in respect to yours? Let your messages make me as if I am actually seeing you.

Sa*d wrote to the Commander of the Faithful describing everything. He almost showed him each soldier's position and state.

Sa‘d reached Al-Qaadissiyah. The Persians gathered their army as they never had before and appointed as their leader one of the most

famous and dangerous commanders, Rustum.

Sa‘d writes to ‘Umar the Commander of the Faithful, who replies: Don't be upset by what you hear from them, nor what they show you. Seek Allah's help and put your trust in Him. Send them people of insight, good judgment, and patience to call him to follow Allah's path, and write me every day.

Sa*d writes again to the Commander of the Faithful saying, Rustum camped with his troops at Saabaat. He has brought his horses and elephants and marched towards us. ‘Umar replies to calm him.

Sa‘d is a smart, brave horseman, the Prophet's uncle, one of the first converts, and hero of different wars and raids. No sword or lance of his ever failed to reach its target. He stands at the head of his army in one of the greatest historical battles as if he were an ordinary soldier, not deluded by power nor acting arrogantly because of leadership. His self-esteem could tempt him to rely completely on his own capacities, but despite that he always turns to the Commander of the Faithful in Al-Madiinah. Although miles and miles separate them, he sends him a message each day, exchanging viewpoints, advice, and opinions while the great battle is still to come.

That was because Sad knew that ‘Umar in Al-Madiinah never decided alone, but consulted the Muslims and the Prophet's Companions around him. Despite the war circumstances, Sa‘d did not want to deprive himself or his army of the blessings and benefits of public consultation, especially if ‘Umar, a man with great inspiration, was among the consultants.

Sa‘d carried out ~‘Umar's will and sent Rustum, the Persian leader, a number of his companions to call him to follow Islam and

The conversation between them and the Persian leader lasted long. Finally they ended their talk by telling him, "Allah has chosen

us to turn whom He chooses of His creatures from paganism to monotheism, from the narrowness of life to its freedom, from ruler's injustice to Islam's fairness. Whoever accepts our offer, we will leave him alone and will refrain from hurting him. Whoever fights us, we

will fight him until we fulfil Allah's promise."

Then Rustum asked, " What is Allah's promise which He made to you?"

The Companion answered, "Paradise for our martyrs and victory for the living ones."

The delegation returned to Sa‘d, leader of the Muslims, to tell him that it was war. Sa‘d's eyes were hereby filled with tears. He had wished so much that the war would be delayed for some time. On that day his illness became more severe, and he had to suffer its heavy burden. The abscesses spread all over his body, to the extent that he could not sit, let alone ride his horse to take part in an extremely fierce and violent battle.

If the war had just been waged before his illness or had it been delayed till he was cured and healthy again, then he would have proved himself brave. But now. . . No, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) had taught them never to say "If" because "If" means weakness. A strong believer is neither helpless nor weak. Thereupon The Lion's Claws stood up to preach to his soldiers. He began his speech citing the following glorious verse: < And We have written in the Zaboor (given to David) after the Torahe (given to Moses): "My righteous servants shall inherit the earth”> (21 : 105).

Having finished his speech Sa‘d led his troops in the Dhuhr Prayer, then turned towards his soldiers and proclaimed four times, " Allahu akbar (Allah is the Greatest)! Allahu akbar! Allahu akbar! Allahu akbar!"

The echo was to be heard all over the universe. Then he stretched out his arm like an unerring arrow pointing to the enemy

and shouted to his soldiers, "Let's start this battle accompanied by Allah's blessings.”

With pains hard to bear, he ascended to the balcony of his residence, which he used as a dwelling and a headquarters.

On the balcony he sat on a pillow and leaned upon his chest. His door was left open, which meant that by the least Persian attack against his residence he would be captured, alive or dead, but he was far from being afraid or terrified.

His abscesses were bleeding and hurting him severely, but he had something else to think about. Sitting on his balcony, he was shouting, calling, and commanding. First to those in one flank to step forward towards the right, and then to those in another flank to fill out the empty spot on the left... Mughiirah, look forward! Jurair follow them! Nu*maan, hit! Ash‘ath attack and you also, Qa*qaa’. Forward, forward, Prophet's Companions!

His determined and hopeful sound turned each individual soldier into an army of its own. The Persian soldiers fell like flies and with them fell the worship of fire and paganism. After seeing the death of their commander and their best soldiers, the defeated, scattered remnants rapidly escaped.

The Muslim army pursued them until they reached Nahawind then Al-Madaa'in. There they fought to carry with them at the end the emperor's throne and crown as war booty.

At the Battle of Al-Madaa'in, Sa*d could stand the test and prove himself brave. The Battle of Al-Madaa'in took place two years after ater the Battle of Al-Qaadissiyah, a period during which a lot

of continuous armed clashes took place between the Muslims and the Persians. Finally, the scattered remnants of the Persian army gathered at Al-Madaa'in itself, ready for a decisive and final scene.

Sa‘d realized that time was on his enemy's side; therefore, he decided to deprive them of this advantage, but how could he do that? The Tigris River in its flood season stood in the middle between him and Al-Madaa'in.

Thereby, an event took place by which Sa‘d succeeded to prove that he indeed deserved ‘Abd Ar-Rahman Ibn “Awf's description of him as the Lion's Claws. Sa‘d’s faith and determination stood glittering in the face of danger, mocking and making fun of the impossible with admirable bravery.

Sa‘d ordered his army to cross the Tigris River. He ordered them to search for a safe, secure ford in the river which would enable their crossing. Finally they found a place, but the fording was not free of extreme risks.

Before the army started to cross, the leader Sa‘d wisely realized the necessity to safeguard their arrival spot on the opposite bank, where the enemy was camping. Therefore he prepared two detachments, the first of which was called The Detachment of Terror. Its leader was ‘Aasim Ibn “Amr. The second was called The Detachment of the Dumb, led by Al Qa‘qaa* Ibn ~Amr.