Part 22

First, the pious Abu Bakr would not take from Mu‘aadh one penny unless he was absolutely positive that he had earned it in a lawful halaal way. Second, ‘Umar was not trying to accuse or cast suspicion on Mu‘aadh. In the final analysis, this epitomizes the era of ideals which was filled with people who were in perpetual competition to climb their way up to the apex of perfection allowed to human beings. Thus some of them soared up to the sky with their good deeds. Some were foremost and the rest followed a middle course. Yet, all of them were travelers on a caravan of goodness.

After a while, Mu’aadh emigrated to Syria, where he lived among its people and the expatriates as a teacher and a scholar of figh. When Abu “Ubaidah, the governor of Syria and a close friend of Mu‘aadh, died, the Commander of the Faithful “Umar Ibn AlKhattaab assigned Mu‘aadh to take his place as a ruler. Only a few months had elapsed after his taking over when he died, humble and repentant to Allah. “Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) used to say, "If I were to grant Mu‘aadh Ibn Jabal succession and Allah asked me, ‘Why did you make him your successor?’ I would readily answer, 'I heard Your Prophet (PBUH) say that when those who have knowledge stand before Almighty Allah, Mu*aadh will be among them!"

The succession that ‘Umar meant here was not merely over a country or a governorship but over all the Muslim lands. When ‘Umar was asked before his death, “If you choose your successor now, we will give him our allegiance," he answered, "If Mu*aadh Ibn Jabal were alive and I made him my successor to the caliphate, then I died and met Allah Who asked me, ‘Whom did you assign to rule Muhammad's nation?’ I would answer, ‘I assigned Mu‘aadh Ibn Jabal to rule it after I heard the Prophet (PBUH) say Mu‘aadh Ibn Jabal is the Imam of those who have knowledge of Judgment Day.'”

The Prophet (PBUH) said one day, "O Mu‘aadh, by Allah I love you dearly, so do not forget to recite after every prayer, ‘Allahhelp me in remembering You, in offering thanks to You, and in worshiping You properly.'"

Indeed, the Prophet (PBUH) supplicated Allah to help him to remember Him. The Prophet (PBUH) persevered in stressing this great fact that tells people that authority belongs to Allah, He has the power over all, and there is no power or any might except with His permission, for He is Most High and Most Great.

Definitely, Mu‘aadh had learned and fully grasped this fact. He did his utmost to cherish and apply this fundamental basis in his

life from that moment onwards.

One day, the Prophet (PBUH) ran into him so he asked him, “How are you this morning Mu‘aadh?" He answered, "This morning I woke up as a true believer." The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Every truth has its manifestations, so what are the manifestations of your true belief ?" Mu‘aadh readily answered, "I have never woken up without believing that I might die before nightfall. I have never slept without believing that I might die before the morning and have never taken a step without believing that I might die before taking the next. It always seems to me that I can see each nation humbled to its knees and each nation called to its record of deeds. It always seems to me that I can see the dwellers of Paradise, wherein are delights everlasting, and the dwellers of Hell, wherein they are in disgracing torment." The Prophet (PBUH ) commented, "Now you know, so stick to the truth as long as you live." Indeed Mu*aadh had submitted himself and his destiny to Allah, for Allah was all that mattered to him. It was just that Ibn Mas‘uud described him as “an ummah, a leader having all the good and righteous qualities, obedient to Allah and haniifan , who worshipped none but Allah. We used to liken him to Ibraahiim (Abraham) (PBUH).”

Mu’aadh advocated knowledge and the remembrance of Allah. Moreover, he invited mankind to seek the useful and true knowledge saying, "I warn you against the deviation of wise men. You will know the truth when you see it, for it has a distinctive light!" He believed that worship was an end and a means to reach justice. One day a Muslim asked him, "Teach me." Mu‘aadh asked him, "Will you obey me if I teach you?" The man answered, “I will not disobey you in anything." He said then, "Fast, then break your fast. Pray during the night but you must get some sleep. Earn what is halaal and what is rightfully yours and do not earn sin . Die as a true Muslim. Finally, I warn you against the supplication of those who have been wronged or oppressed." He believed that education meant knowledge and practice; therefore, he said, "Learn whatever you like to learn, yet Allah will not make your learning worthwhile unless you practice what you have learned.” He believed that belief and remembrance of Allah meant the perpetual calling to mind of His greatness and the

perpetual calling of oneself to account for deeds before Allah does so.

Al-Aswad Ibn Hilaal reported, As we were walking with Muraadh one day, he said, "Let us sit down for a while to meditate

Perhaps the reason behind his discrete silence was his unremitting meditation and contemplation.

Likewise, his once telling the Prophet (PBUH) that he never took a step without believing that he might die before taking the next was due to his engrossment in the remembrance of Allah and in calling himself to account for his deeds.

At the end, death summoned Mu‘aadh. It was time to meet Allah. When the stupor of death creeps upon someone, his subconscious takes the reins and spurs the tongue — if it is able to — to disclose the reality of all mankind in concise words that summarize his life story. In those blessed moments, Mu‘aadh faintly uttered great words that revealed a great believer, for he gazed up into the sky and humbly supplicated Allah, the Most Merciful, saying, “Allah I used to fear You but now I implore You. Allah, You know that I did not devote my life to travel in the lands or to earn money or property

but rather consecrated it to knowledge, faith and obedience, notwithstanding intense heat or hardships.”

He stretched his hand as if he were shaking death and went into a coma. His last words were, "O Death, welcome! You area long-awaited beloved."

At last Mu*aadh ascended to Allah's Paradise.

(9) ALMIQDAAD IBN “AMR The First Muslim Cavalryman

His companions said about him, "The first cavalryman to strive in the way of Allah was Al-Miqdaad Ibn Al-Aswad, our hero, and Al-Miqdaad Ibn ~Amr was one and the same person.”

The story behind this was that Al-Miqdaad Ibn “Amr was in alliance with Al-Aswad Ibn ‘Abd Yaghuuth, who therefore adopted Al-Miqdaad. Thus, he was called Al-Miqdaad Ibn Al-Aswad until the glorious verse which abrogated adoption descended, and he restored his father's name, “Amr Ibn Saad. Al-Miqdaad was one of the foremost Muslims and the seventh of the seven men who announced their Islam openly and in public. Therefore, he had his share of the Quraish's abuse and atrocities. He tolerated them with the courageousness and satisfaction of a devoted disciple.

His attitude during the Battle of Badr will retain its immortal glory. It was an honorable attitude that impressed all those who witnessed it and made each and every one of them wish it were he who had adopted such an attitude. “Abd Allah Ibn Mas*uud, the Companion of Allah's Prophet (PBUH) said, "I have seen AlMiqdaad (May Allah be pleased with him) maintain a firm attitude and I was overtaken by a vicarious feeling to be in his place. This feeling enveloped me to the extent that I wished more than anything in the world that it would come true.”

The Day of Badr was a crucial one as the Quraish marched with all their might, stubborn persistence, and haughtiness against the Muslims. On that day, the Muslims were not only few, but also untried and inexperienced in jihaad. Their hearts had not been tested in action. Besides, the Battle of Badr was the dawn of their conquests. The Prophet stood there to strengthen the faith of his Companions and test their combat readiness to break through the enemy infantry and cavalry.

Afterwards, the Prophet (PBUH) began to consult them on war tactics. Surely, the Prophet's Companions knew that when he asked their opinion, he demanded their individual free and courageous expression, even if it happened to contradict the majority. He who expressed his opinion would not be reproached or criticized.

Al-Miqdaad was afraid lest one of the Muslims should have reservations about the imminent battle. Therefore, he was careful to have precedence in speech. His concise and decisive words coined the slogan of the battle, yet before he had the chance to open his mouth, Abu Bakr As-Siddiiq started talking and by the time he finished his words, Al - Miqdaad's apprehensions had vanished, for Abu Bakr spoke with remarkable eloquence. “Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab spoke next and followed suit. Finally Al-Miqdaad stepped forward and said, "O Prophet of Allah, go ahead with what Allah has inspired you to do. We will stand by you. By Allah, we will never say as the Children of Israel said, ‘So go you and your Lord and fight you two, we are sitting right here.’ Instead, we will say, 'Go you and your Lord and we will fight with you.’ By Allah, Who has sent you with the truth, if you take us to the end of the world, we will tolerate all hardships until we reach it with you. We will fight on your left, your right, in front of you and behind you until Allah bestows victory on you." His decisive words were like bullets that made the righteous believers with them fired up with enthusiasm.

The Prophet's face brightened as he uttered a pious supplication for Al-Miqdaad, whose words were so strong and decisive that they drew the pattern that would be followed by anyone who spoke afterwards. Indeed, Al-Miqdaad's words left their impact on the hearts of the believers. Consequently, Sad Ibn Mu‘aadh, a leader of the Angaar, rose and said, "O Prophet of Allah, we have believed in you and witnessed that what has descended on you is the truth. We gave you our allegiance, so go ahead with what you intend to do, and we will stand by you. By Allah Who has sent you with the truth, if you attempt to cross the sea, we will cross it hand in hand with you. None of us will lag behind or turn his back on you. We are not afraid to meet our enemy tomorrow, for we are given to terrible warfare and we are faithful in our desire to meet