Part 20

The soldiers of these two detachments had to encounter many horrible situations to clear a safe place on the opposite bank for the army which would subsequently cross. They fulfilled their task with amazing skill. Sa‘d's success on that day will always be a cause for the perplexity of historians.

Sa‘d himself was amazed by his own success. It also amazed his companion and escort Salmaan Al-Faarisiy, who shook his head in astonishment and said, " Islam is indeed new. By Allah, seas have

been subdued by them and the land has been subdued by them. In the name of the One in Whose hands Salmaan's soul lies, they will

leave it ina group, as they entered it ina group.”

Indeed, that is exactly what happened. As they penetrated the

Tigris River in a group, so they left it in a group without losing one single soldier, nor annoying a single horse.

It happened that a wooden cup fell from one of the warriors, who felt sorry to be the only one to lose something. He called his companions to help to get it out and a high wave pushed it to where someone could pick it up!

Some historical sources described the magnificence of such a scene as the fording of the river: Sa‘d ordered the Muslims to say, “Allah is enough for us and He is the best to trust in." Then he penetrated the Tigris with his horse, and the people penetrated behind him. No one stayed behind. They walked as if they were walking on a land surface until they filled the whole area between the two banks. The water surface could not seen due to the numerous troops of cavalry and infantry. People went on talking while walking in the water as if they were on land, as a result of their feeling of security and tranquility, their trust in Allah's judgment and His victory, His promise and His support.

When “Umar appointed him to be Iraq's governor, he set out to build Kufa and established the foundations of Islam in wide broad Jands.

One day the inhabitents of Kufa complained to the Commander of the Faithful about Sa*d. They lost contol over their flimsy, restless temper and made a funny claim saying, " Sa‘d can't pray well." Sa‘d laughed loudly and said, "By Allah, I prayed with them exactly as the Prophet's prayer was. I prolonged the first two rak‘ahs and shortened the last two."

When “Umar ordered him back to Al-Madiinah, he did not get annoyed. On the contrary, he responded to ‘Umar's call immediately. After some time, ‘Umar determined to return him to Kufa, but Sa‘d responded laughing, "Do you order me to return to people who claim that I don't perform my prayers well?” He preferred to stay in Al-Madiinah.

When the Commander of the Faithful ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) was attacked, he chose six of the Prophet's Companions to be responsible for choosing the next caliph. ‘Umar said that he chose six of those with whom the Prophet was pleased before he died. Sa‘d Ibn Abi Waqqaas was one of them.

But it seems from *Umar's last words that if he would have chosen one of the Companions for the caliphate, it would have been Sa’d. He said to his companions, advising and commending, " If Sad is to become caliph, that's good; but if someone else is to be caliph, then he has to seek Sa‘d's help."

Sa‘d lived long. He secluded himself during the period of civil strife following the death of the third Caliph, ‘Uthmaan. Furthermore, he ordered his whole family and children not to tell him any news about what was happening.

Once, everyone was anxious to know his position, when his nephew Haashim Ibn *Utbah Ibn Abi Waqgqaas, said to him, "O uncle, here are 100,000 swords which consider you the more entitled to that matter (i.e. the caliphate)." Sa‘d responded, "I want out of the 100,000 swords, just one sword that if it hits a believer it won't do anything, but if it hits a disbeliever it cuts through."

When the dispute ended in favor of Mu‘aawiyah, who took over the reins of government, he asked Sa‘d, "Why didn't you fight with us?" He answered, "A dark cloud passed over me. I told it, Shoo! Shoo! I stopped my riding camel until it passed away."

Mu‘aawiyah said, "Shoo! Shoo can not be found in the glorious Book of Allah, but Allah said < And if two parties or groups among the believers fall into fighting, then make peace between them both, but if one of them rebels against the other, then fight you (all)

against the one that which rebels till it complies with the Command of Allah > (49:9). And you did not take anyone's side. You weren't with the unjust against the just, nor were you with the just against the unjust." _Hereupon Sa‘d responded, "I wouldn't have fought a man (he meant “Aliy Ibn Abi Taalib) to whom the Prophet (PBUH) said, "You have towards me the same position Haaruun (Aaron) had towards Muusaa (Moses), except that there isn't any Prophet coming after me.'”

One day in A.H. 54, having exceeded the age of 80, he was at his house in Al--Aqiiq preparing to meet Allah.

His son spoke of his final moments: His head was upon my lap, he was passing away. I cried, but he said, "What makes you cry, my son? Allah will never torture me. I belong to Paradise!"

The firmness of his faith could not be weakened even by the quaking fear of death. The Prophet (PBUH) had passed him the good news and he believed firmly in the Prophet's honesty; therefore what was there to be afraid of ? “Allah will never torture me. I belong to Paradise!"

However, he wanted to meet Allah carrying the most magnificent and most wonderful memory, a memory which joined him with his religion and his Prophet (PBUH). Therefore, he pointed to his coffer. They opened it and got out an old, torn, threadbare gown. He ordefed his kin to shroud him in that gown saying, "I met the disbelievers at the Battle of Badr wearing it. I've saved it for this day."

Indeed, this threadbare gown was not just a gown. It was the banner waving over a long great life. Our hero lived it honestly,

The body of the last Muhaajiruun was buried in AlMadiinah, safely laid beside a group of great Companions who preceded him to

Allah. Their exhausted bodies had finally found a secure shelter in the ground of Al-Baqii*.

Farewell, Sa‘d. Farewell Sa‘d, the hero of Al-Qaadissiyah, conquerer of Al-Madaa'in, extinguisher forever of the worshipped fire of Persia !

(7) SUHAIB IBN SINAAN O Abu Yahia! A Successful Purchase !

He was born surrounded by comfort and luxury. His father was the governor of Al Uballah and its ruler on behalf of the Persian king, and was one of the Arabs who emigrated to Iraq long before Islam. In his palace on the bank of Euphrates, next to Mosul, the child lived happily and comfortably.

One day the country was attacked by the Romans (Byzantines) who captured a large number and enslaved the boy Suhaib Ibn Sinaan.

He was taken by slave traders until finally his long journey ended in Makkah. There he was sold to “Abd Allah Ibn Jud*aan, after having spent his childhood and most of his youth in Roman lands, where he adopted their language and dialect.

His master was:so amazed by his intelligence, energy, and sincerity that he emancipated him and set him free, giving him the privilege to trade with him.

One day... let his friend ~Ammaar Ibn Yaasir tell us what happened on that day : I met Suhaib Ibn Sinaan in front of the door of Daar Al-Arqam when the Prophet (PBUH) was there. I asked, "What do you want?" He answered, "And what do you want?" I said, "I want to meet Muhammad (PBUH) to hear what he is saying.” He said, "I want the same." We both entered and met the Prophet (PBUH), who invited us to embrace Islam, and we converted. We stayed as we were till evening. Secretly he went out.

Thereupon, Suhaib got to know his path to Daar AlArqam. He got to know his path to guidance and light, but also to difficult sacrifice and great redemption. Entering through that wooden door, which separated Daar Al-Arqam and what was inside from the outer

world, was not just crossing a threshold, but crossing of a whole world of limitations. An old world, with all that represented it — religion, manners, customs and life — crossing it towards a new world with all that represented it — religion, manners, customs, and life.

Crossing the threshold of Daar Al-Arqam, a threshold not wider than one foot, meant, in reality, to cross an ocean of terror, wide and expanding. Stepping over such an obstacle, such a threshold, meant the beginning of an era full of great responsibilities.

As for the poor, the stranger, the enslaved, stepping over Daar Al-Arqam's threshold meant exceptional, extraordinary sacrifices.

Suhaib, our hero, was a stranger; ‘Ammar Ibn Yaasir, his friend whom he met in front of the door, was a poor man. Why did they go voluntarily to face terror and, moreover, do their best when they met with it in combat?

It was the call of faith, which could not be resisted. It was the good character of Muhammad (PBUH), the scent of which filled the hearts of the reverent with love and guidance. It was his new, shining magnificence. Dazzling minds were fed up with the old, its misguidance and bankruptcy. Above all, it was Allah's mercy, bestowed upon whomever He wishes, His guidance and protection bestowed on whomever turns to Him.

Suhaib holds a position in the ranks of the faithful. He held a great and high position among the persecuted and tortured. He held a high position among the generous and self-sacrificing.

He frankly described his great loyalty to his responsibilities as a Muslim who had pledged allegiance to the Prophet (PBUH) and walked under Islam's standard: I was present in every situation witnessed by the Prophet (PBUH). I was present at every pledge called by him. I was present in every detachment organized by him. The Prophet (PBUH) never took part ina raid, at the beginning of the

period or the end, without my being on his right or left. Whenever the Muslims feared a danger facing them, I was there in the front, and whenever they feared it in the rear, I was there at the back. I never let the Prophet (PBUH) stay in a position between me and the foe until