Part 71

belonging to the first converts to Islam who, at the same time, were the closest and most loyal to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH).

As one of the true sons of Islam, he was nurtured from his first

days by Islam's pure nature without experiencing the murkiness of the pagan period.

Despite his young and tender age, he was a firm believer and a staunch Muslim fulfilling all the duties of his faith with deep loyalty and an unbreakable will. With great intellect and humility, limits to his devotion to Allah and His Prophet (PBUH) could not found.

Furthermore, he represented the victims of all kinds of discrimination who were saved by Islam. How could this darkskinned, snub-nosed fellow attract the heart of the Prophet (PBUH) and Muslims to such an elevated rank! This could only be possible when Islam corrected human norms and values dealing with discrimination against people:< Surely the most honourable of you in the sight of Allah is the most pious of you> (49 : 13).

On the day of the Conquest of Makkah, the Prophet's Companion who was riding behind him on horseback was that darkskinned, snub-nosed Usaamah Ibn Zaid. Among the most victorious days of Islam was the day of the Conquest of Makkah. On that day, on the Prophet's right and left were Bilaal and Usaamah, two darkskinned men; however Allah's word which they carried in their pure, virtuous hearts made them deserving of all kinds of merit and elevated position.

Usaamah had not yet reached the age of 20 when the Prophet (PBUH) ordered him to be head of an army which had among its soldiers Abu Bakr and ‘Umar. A growl spread around among a group of Muslims who were distressed by this matter and who found it too much for a youth such as Usaamah Ibn Zaid to command an army which included a large number of Muhaajiruun and elderly Angaar. Their whispers reached the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), so he ascended the pulpit, thanked and praised Allah and then said, “Some people criticized Usaamah's army command; they criticized his father's command before him. His father deserved to be the commander as well as Usaamah. He is the most beloved to me next to his father, and I hope he is among the virtuous ones. I request you to treat him well."

The Prophet (PBUH) died before the army set off towards its destination; however the Prophet had left his wise testament to his Companions: "Fulfill Usaamah's commission. Fulfil Usaamah's commission."

Despite the new circumstances created by the Prophet's death, Abu Bakr As-Siddiiq, the first caliph, insisted upon fulfilling the Prophet's testament. Usaamah's army set off to its destination; the caliph only requested Usaamah to allow ‘Umar to stay behind to be with him in Al-Madiinah.

At the same time, the Roman (Byzantine) emperor heard the news of the Prophet's death and that an army headed by Usaamah Ibn Zaid was attacking the borders of Syria. He could not hide his astonishment and wonder about the strength of the Muslims, whose plans and potential were not affected by the Prophet's death. Consequently, the Romans abstained from utilizing the Syrian borders as a leaping point upon Islam's center in the Arabian Peninsula, and thereby their power began to shrink. ‘

Usaamah's army returned safely without any casualities so that the Muslims said, " We've never seen a safer army than Usaamah's.”

It was by the Prophet (PBUH) himself that Usaamah had been taught the lesson of his life, a very wise lesson. Usaamah lived according to its wisdom from the Prophet's death until he himself left our world during the latter phase of Mu‘aawiyah's caliphate.

Two years before the Prophet's death, Usaamah was sent by the Prophet (PBUH) to lead a detachment which was meeting some polytheists attacking Islam and its followers. It was the first time for Usaamah to be appointed head of a detachment. He accomplished

his duty successfully and victoriously. News of his victory preceded his arrival and the Prophet (PBUH) was indeed glad.

Let us leave the rest of the story to be narrated by Usaamah himself: When I reached the Prophet (PBUH) the proclamation of good news had already reached him. The Prophet's face beamed jubilantly. He asked me to sit closer to him and said, "Tell me.” | went on telling and narrating. I mentioned to him that at one point the polytheists were defeated and I could reach a man, at whom I pointed my spear. The man said, "There is no god but Allah. Nevertheless I pierced and_ killed him with my lance. The Prophet's attitude changed. He said, "Woe unto you! How dare you do that when he said, There is no god but Allah. Woe unto you! How dare you do that when he said, There is no god but Allah." He continued saying that to such an extent that I wished to rid myself of all my deeds and embrace Islam afresh on that day. No, by Allah, I will never fight anyone saying, There is no god but Allah, after what I have heard from the Prophet (PBUH).

Usaamah was guided by the wisdom of this lesson throughout his life.

What a wise lesson! A lesson revealing the Prophet's humanity, his justice, the eminence of his principles , the greatness of his faith and manners. Despite the fact that it was a polytheist warrior who had been killed by Usaamah, the killing was much regretted by the Prophet (PBUH).

At the same moment this warrior said, "There is no god but Allah," he was holding a sword in his right hand, a sword upon which pieces of Muslim flesh were still hanging. He said it to save his soul or to give himself another chance to change his direction or resume fighting.

Nevertheless, because he said it, his blood became inviolate and his life secure and safe at the same moment and for the same reason, whatever his intention or his inward desire may have been. Usaamah understood the lesson fully. If the Prophet (PBUH) forbids the killing of a man in such a situation for the reason that he said, "There is no

god but Allah," what about the true believers and true Muslims? Therefore, Usaamah held a neutral position during the period of the civil strife between Imam “Aliy with his followers on one hand and Mu‘aawiyah on the other.

He loved “Aliy very much and could see the truth on his side. But after having been blamed by the Prophet (PBUH) for the murder of a polytheist who said, "There is no god but Allah," how could he ever kill a Muslim believing in Allah and His Prophets? Therefore, he sent a message to “Aliy saying, "If you were in a lion's jaw, I would love to enter it with you. But I've never seen a situation like this before."

He kept within doors during the whole period of the fighting and war. When some of his companions came to argue with him over his decision, he simply said, "I will never fight anyone saying, There is no god but Allah."

Once, one cited him the verse < And continue fighting them until there is no more persecution and GOD's Religion prevails > (2:193). He replied," Those are the polytheists and we fought them until there wasn't any persecution and Allah's religion prevailed."

In AH. 54 Usaamah longed to meet with Allah. On that day the gates of Paradise opened to receive one of the most reverent and pious believers.

(48) “ABD ARRAHMAN IBN ABI BAKR A Hero to the End !

He was a clear image and reflection of Arab chivalry in its depth. His father was As-Siddiiq, the first convert, an incomparable believer, one of two who were in the cave. Despite all that, his son “Abd Ar-Rahman stuck persistently and firmly to the pagan religion of his clan and to the idols of the Quraish.

At the Battle of Badr, he fought on the side of the Quraish. During the Battle of Uhud he was in the forefront of the spearmen

recruited by the Quraish to combat the Muslims.

Before any fight there was a traditional dueling round (single combat). “Abd Ar-Rahman stood out asking the Muslims whom they were going to choose to fight with him. His father, Abu Bakr AsSiddiiq (May Allah be pleased with him) rushed out to combat his son. However, the Prophet (PBUH) held him back, hindering him from doing so.

Any true Arab is primarily characterized by his loyalty to his conviction. Being convinced with a faith or an idea means being enslaved by such conviction; there is no way to rid himself of it, unless a new conviction fills his mind and soul without deceit or falsification.

Despite “Abd Ar-Rahman's respect for his father, his trust in his father's rationality, and the greatness of his manners and soul, despite all that, his loyalty to his conviction proved to be superior. His father's conversion to Islam did not tempt him to change his conviction.

He remained unchanged, carrying out the responsibilities of his faith and conviction, defending the idols of the Quraish and fighting under their standard, the way brave warriors do.

As for the noble and powerful men of that type, truth prevails eventually, no matter how long it takes. Their noble essence, the light of their sincerity is soon going to guide them, uniting them with guidance and blessing.

The clock of fate struck to announce a new birth for “Abd ArRahman. Light of guidance lit up sweeping away all murkiness, darkness, and devices inherited from pagan days. He soon could visualize Allah, the One and Only, in all surrounding creatures and things. It was here that guidance deepened its roots within his soul, it was here he became a Muslim.

Without delay he set off towards the Prophet (PBUH). He became one who returns ever to the religion of truth. Abu Bakr's face beamed with happiness and delight seeing his son swearing the oath of allegiance to the Prophet (PBUH).

He had been a true polytheist, but now he was a true Muslim. No greed directed his steps, no fear pushed him, just a rational, rightly-guided conviction blessed by Allah's guidance and success.

Soon he started to replace previous deeds with doing the best, striving in the cause of Allah, His Prophet and the faithful.

During the whole period of the Prophet (PBUH) and the era of caliphs who succeeded him, “Abd Ar-Rahman never missed a battle nor refrained from taking part in any jihaad.

His endeavor and striving on the Day of Al-Yamaamah will never be forgotten. His firm resistance and bravery played a great role in achieving victory against the apostate army of Musailamah. It was he, “Abd Ar-Rahman, who killed Muhkam Ibn At-Tufail,