Alhassanain (p) Network for Islamic Heritage and Thought
The Companions of the Holy Prophet
Author: Ansariyan Foundation
www.alhassanain.org/english
Table of Contents
The Publishers Word 7
Abu-Talib the Supporter of the Prophet 8
The Year of the Elephant 8
Abdul-Muttalib 8
The Guardian 8
The Good News 9
The Blessed Boy 9
The Supporter of the Persecuted 10
The Alliance of Fodhool 10
The Happy Marriage 10
Jibreel 11
In the Prophet's House 11
The Supporter 12
The Light of Islam 13
The Ban 14
The Good News 15
The Demise 16
The Year of Sadness 17
Ja'far al-Tayyar 18
The Beginning 18
The Immigration to Habasha 18
In Makkah 19
In al-Najashy's Presence 19
Another Plot 21
The Good Stay 22
A letter to al-Najashy 22
The Conquest of Khaibar 23
The Battle of Mautah 24
In Madina 25
The Owner of the two wings 26
Hamza b. Abdul Muttalib 27
With Abu Jahal 27
The Birthday 28
The Ninth Year after the Mission 28
The Migration 29
The Sacrifice 29
In Makkah 30
With Our Master Muhammad 31
The Revenge 32
The Master of Martyrs 33
Musab al-Khair 35
Mus'ab becomes Muslim 35
The Prison 36
Freedom 36
To Habasha 37
Al-Najashy 37
The Return 37
A Meeting in Makkah 38
Al-Akaba First Homage 38
The First Immigrant 38
The Spread of Islam 38
Saad bin Maadh becomes Muslim 39
Al-Akaba Second Homage 40
The Prophet's Migration 41
The Battle of Badr 41
The Battle of Uhud 42
The Facing 42
The Withdrawal 43
Abu Dhar al-Ghifari 45
The Sunrise 45
Anees 45
To Makkah 46
The Meeting 46
Belief 46
The Return 47
The Migration 48
On the Way to Tabook 49
The Prophet's Traditions 51
To Madina 53
Al-Rabathah 54
Al-Mikdad 56
The Migration 57
In Makkah 57
In al-Madina al-Munawwara 57
Battle of Badr 58
The Battle of Uhud 58
The Great Lesson 59
Hamraa al-Asad 60
Allah loves Him 60
The End 61
Salman the son of Islam 62
The Migration 62
Freedom 63
Madina Defense 64
The Trench 64
The Rock 64
The Siege 65
The Victory 65
In the Prophet's Mosque 66
Jihad 66
The Prophet's Demise 67
The Homage 67
Al-Madain 67
Kufa 68
The Jihad Again 68
The Coming Back 68
His Shrine 69
Ammar bin Yasir 70
Al Arqam's House 70
Yasir's Family 71
Ammar 71
The Revenge 71
The Belief in the Heart 72
The Migration 72
The Battle of Badr 73
Ammar was with Truth 74
Jihad 74
Deviation 75
The Word of Truth 76
Uthman Banishes Abu Dhar 76
The Revolution 76
Justice 77
The Unjust Group will kill You 77
The Trial 78
The End 79
Malik al-Ashtar 80
Al-Rabathah 80
Al-Ashtar 80
The Delegation 81
The Revolution 82
The Battle of the Camel 83
The Victory 84
In Kufa 84
The Battle of Siffeen 85
Mu'awiyah 86
Ammar's Martyrdom 87
A New Trick 87
The Arbitration 88
Egypt 88
The Poison and the Honey 89
Martyrdom 89
Habeeb bin Muazhir 90
I am Habib 90
In Karbala 91
The Siege 91
Tasu'a 92
For Prayers 92
The Prisoner of War 93
Zaynab's Tent 93
Dream 94
Ashoora 94
The Battle 94
Muslim dies a Martyr 94
Happiness 95
Final Prayers 95
The End 95
In the Believers' Hearts 95
Maitham al-Tammar 97
Maitham's Origin 97
The Real Name 97
In the Desert 97
At al-Tammar's Shop 97
The Nation's Scholar 98
Amru bin Huraith 98
The Market 98
A Meeting on the Road 99
The Caravan 99
The Prison 99
Faith 100
The End 100
The Neighbour 100
Maitham's Body 101
Al-Mukhtar al-Thaqafy 102
Kufa 102
Al-Mukhtar al-Thaqafy 103
Taua's House 103
The Battle of Karbala 104
Al-Husain's Head 104
Maitham al-Tammar 104
Safyyah 105
Abdullah bin al-Zubair 105
Al-Mukhtar defends Allah's House 105
Al-Mukhtar comes back to Kufa 106
Sulaiman bin Sird 106
Al-Mukhtar sends a Message 107
Al-Mukhtar announces Revolution 107
The Revolution breaks out 107
The Revenge 107
In Kufa Mosque 108
The Victory 108
The Rumours 108
Al-Mukhtar thanks To Allah 108
The Battle of al-Khazar 109
Abid al-Malik bin Marwan 109
Musab bin al-Zubair 110
The End 110
The Believing Women 110
Kumail bin Zyyad 111
The Beginning 111
Al-Khidr's Supplication 111
Al-Hajjaj 112
The Revolution 112
Abid al-Rahman bin al-Ashath 113
The Fights 113
The Battle of Deer al-Jamajum 113
The End 113
Kumail's Memories 114
Before Al-Hajjaj 114
Kumail Shrine 114
Saeed bin Jubayr 115
The Beginning 115
Saeed bin Jubayr 115
Saeed loves Prayer 115
Abid al-Malik bin Marwan 115
Al-Hajjaj 116
The Mad Man 116
The Revolution 116
The Qur'an Readers Battalion 117
The Battle of Deer al-Jamajum 117
To Makkah 117
In the Valley 118
The Ka'aba 118
Wasit 119
Al-Hajjaj's End 120
The Publishers Word
In the Name of God the Merciful the Compassionate
Ansariyan Foundation has already published a series about Ahlul-Bait (peace be upon them), whom Allah has kept away the uncleanness from them and purified them thoroughly.
The young of Islam have admired the series. This has encouraged us to issue another series about a group of the Companions who supported the Prophet (PB.U.H.). Really they were loyal men.
Ansariyan Foundation has published this series for Moslem young men, hoping that they will follow those great men who made the glory of Islam, hoisted its flag very high, and illuminated the way for generations.
Ansariyan Foundation
Abu-Talib the Supporter of the Prophet
The Year of the Elephant
In 570 A.D, the Abyssinian Armies under the leadership of Abraha attacked the Holy Mecca to demolish the Kaaba.
Abdul-Muttalib, our Master Muhammad's grandfather, the Master of Mecca, went round the Kaaba praying for Allah, the Almighty, to prevent the invaders from demolishing the House which Ibraheem al-khalil and his son Ishmael built for people to worship Allah only.
Allah, the Almighty, accepted Abdul-Muttalib's prayer. So, when the elephants and the soldiers advanced to demolish the Kaaba, Ababil birds carrying stones in their beaks appeared in the horizon. They began dropping the stones. So, the invaders around the Kaaba were defeated.
Consequently, Allah's power and Abdul-Muttalib's importance appeared! That year was named the Year of the Elephant.
Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) was born in that year. Abu-Talib was thirty years of age.
Allah, the Almighty, has mentioned this event in the Holy Koran:
"In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Have you not considered how your Lord dealt with the possessors of the elephant?
Did He not cause their war to end in confusion?
And send down (to prey) upon them birds in docks,
Casting them against stones of backed clay
So, he rendered them like straw eaten up?"
Abdul-Muttalib
Abdul-Muttalib, who dug Zamzam well, had ten sons. Abdullah, the Prophets father, was one of them. Abu-Talib, the Prophet's uncle, was one of them, too.
Our Master Muhammad (PB.U.H.), was an orphan. His father Abdullah died while he was a baby. When his mother died, he was six years of age.
So, his grandfather Abdul-Muttalib took care of him. He liked him very much. He thought that Muhammad would be a Prophet.
Abdul-Muttalib was righteous. He followed Ibraheem and Ishmael's religion. He advised his sons to follow good manners.
In the bed of death, Abdul-Muttalib said to his sons:
"A grandson of mine will be a Prophet. So, he who will be present at his time must believe in him."
Then he turned to his son, Abu-Talib, and whispered in his ear:
"Abu-Talib, Mohammed will be of great importance. So, support him with your hand and tongue."
The Guardian
Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) was 8 years of age when his grandfather Abdul-Muttalib died. So, his uncle, Abu-Talib took care of him.
Abu-Talib's name was Abdu-Munaf. His mother's name was Fatima binte Amru. She belonged to bani-Makhzum. Abu-Talib was named Sheikh al-Bat-ha.
Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) lived with his uncle. His uncle treated him kindly. Fatima binte Asad, his uncle's wife, treated him kindly, too. She preferred him to all of her sons. So, our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) grew with a good family.
Abu-Talib's love for his nephew increased day by day because of his good manners and great politeness.
For example, when the food was ready, the Orphan Boy reached it politely. He said: "In the Name of Allah!"
When he finished, he said: "Thank Allah!"
One day, Abu-Talib missed his nephew Muhammad. So, he raised his hand from the food and said: "Till my son comes!"
When Muhammad came, Abu-Talib gave him a cup of yoghurt. Mohammed drank out of the cup. Abu-Talib's sons drank out of it one by one, too. They were all full. The uncle admired that. So, he said to his nephew: "Muhammad you are blessed!"
The Good News
Abu-Talib had heard good news from the people of the Book (the Jews and the Christians). The good news was that a Prophet would appear very soon. So, he took care of his nephew very much. He thought that he would be a Prophet. So, he didn't leave him alone.
When Abu-Talib wanted to go on a trade journey to Sham (Syria), he took our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) with him. Muhammad was nine years of age then.
In Basra, a city situated on the road of the trade caravans, there was an abbey. A monk lived in the abbey. The monk's name was Buhaira. He was always looking forward to the appearance of a new Prophet whose time approached.
When the monk looked at Muhammad, he realised that he would be the promised Prophet because he had the personality and expression of a Prophet.
The monk began looking at the Meccan Boy's face very carefully. Meanwhile, the good news about Jesus Christ sounded in his mind. The monk asked Abu-Talib about the Boy's name. So, Abu-Talib said: "His name's Muhammad."
The monk became very humble at his holy name. So, he said to Abu-Talib:
"Go back to Mecca. Protect your nephew from the Jews because he will be of great importance!"
Abu-Talib came back to Mecca. He adored Muhammad. He was very careful of his safety.
The Blessed Boy
The years passed. Mecca and its villages dried up because there was no rain.
The people came to Sheikh al-Bat-ha. They asked him to pray to Allah for rain. They said:
"Abu-Talib, the valley's become rainless. Our families are without food So come on and pray to Allah for rain."
Abu-Talib went out. He had great confidence in Allah. He took his nephew, Muhammad with him.
Abu-Talib and Muhammad stood beside the Kaaba. The boy's heart took a pity on the people. Abu-Talib asked Ibraheem's and Ishmael's Lord to send down heavy rain.
Muhammad looked at the sky.
Only a little time passed. The sky was full of clouds. Lighting flashed. Thunder sounded. The rain came down heavily.
The rainwater flowed in the villages. The people came back pleased thanking Allah for the blessing of the rain. Abu-Talib also came back. His love for his nephew increased very much.
The years passed. Muhammad became a young man. He was extremely polite. So, people called him the Truthful, the Trusty One.
The Supporter of the Persecuted
Abu-Talib disliked persecution very much. In the meantime, he liked the persecuted a lot. So, our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) liked Abu-Talib very much.
One day, a battle took place between the tribe of Kinana and the tribe of Qais. The tribe of Qais was the aggressor.
A man from the tribe of Kinana came to Abu-Talib and said: "Son of the bird feeder and pilgrim water-giver, don't be absent from us. We get victory in your presence."
Abu-Talib answered: "I don't be absent from you when you avoid persecution, enmity, rudeness, and falsehood."
So, they promised him to do that.
Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) stood by his uncle against Kinana.
The Alliance of Fodhool
Some people from Mecca attacked the pilgrims of Allah's House.
A man and his daughter belonging to the tribe of Khathaam came to visit Allah's House. A young man from Mecca took the young girl by force.
The Khathaamian man shouted: "Help! Help! Help!"
A passer-by said to him: "Go to the Alliance of Fodhool
The man went to Abu-Talib.
Abu-Talib founded the Alliance of Fodhool. It was an agreement signed by the Meccan leaders. According to the agreement they decided to help the persecuted and to punish the unjust.
When the Khathaamian man got there and asked them for help, some men took their swords and went to the young man's house. They threatened him and brought back the girl to her father.
Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) was a member of the Alliance of Fodhool.
The Happy Marriage
Abu-Talib had a big family. He spent a lot of money on the poor. So, he became poor, too. Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) felt that he had to help his uncle. So, he decided to take Khadijah's goods to Sham (Syria).
The task was successful. Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) gave the trusts to their owners. This made Khadijah think of him. So, she asked him to marry her.
Abu-Talib was very pleased with that suggestion. So, he, a group of banu-Hashim, and Hamza bin Abdul-Muttalib, our Master Muhammad's uncle, went to ask Khadijah's hands from her family. Abu-Talib said:
"Praise be to Allah who has made us of Ibraheem's and Ishmael's sons, made a protected house and a safe sanctuary for us, and made our country blessed."
Then he added:
"My nephew Muhammad bin Abdullah is the best and greatest man of all the Quraysh. Besides, he's better than money because money's perishable. He likes Khadijah and she likes him. By Allah, he will be of great importance. Khadijah's dowry is of my money."
Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) and Khadijah got married.
The years passed. Allah gave Abu-Talib a new baby. The baby's name was Ali.
Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) wanted to relieve his uncle's worries. So, he went to his uncle's house to take Ali to his house.
Jibreel
The years passed. Abu-Talib became seventy years of age. Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) was forty years of age. Muhammad went to Hira Cave every day. In that year, Jibreel came down from the sky. Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) heard him saying:
"Read in the name of your Lord who created.
He created man from a clot.
Read and your Lord is most Honourable,
Who taught (to write) with the pen,
Taught man what he knew not."
Then Jibreel said:
"Muhammad, you are Allah's Messenger and I am Jibreel."
Muhammad came back from Hira Cave holding the Mission of the Sky.
His wife, Khadijah, believed in him. His cousin Ali bin Abu-Talib believed in him, too.
One day, while our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) was praying and Ali was behind him, Abu-Talib came and said kindly:
"My nephew, what are you doing?"
The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said:
"We're praying for Allah according to the religion of Islam."
Abu-Talib said happily:
"There's no harm in what you are doing."
Then he said to his son Ali:
"Ali support your cousin. He does nothing but good."
In the Prophet's House
After a while, Jibreel came down holding Allah's Order:
"And warn your nearest relations, and be kind to him who follows you of the believers."
Allah's Messenger ordered Ali aged ten to invite his tribe, namely banu-Hashim. Abu-Talib, Abu-Lahab, and others came to the Prophet's house.
When they all had the food, our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) said:
"No Arab young man had brought his people like what I've brought you. I've brought you the good of here and of the hereafter."
Then, he asked them to believe in Islam. Abu-Lahab stood up and said with spite:
"Muhammad's put a spell on you."
Abu-Talib said angrily:
"Shut up! It's none of your business!"
Abu-Talib turned to our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) and said:
"Get up and say whatever you like. Spread Your Lord's Mission, for you're the Truthful, the Trusty one."
So, our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) got up and said:
"My Lord's ordered me to ask you to believe in Him. So, who will support me in this matter? Who wants to be my brother, my regent, and my successor after me?"
They kept silent.
So, Ali said eagerly:
"Allah's Apostle, I."
The Prophet rejoiced and embraced his young cousin while he was weeping.
Banu-Hashim stood up. Abu-Lahab was laughing and saying sarcastically to Abu-Talib:
"Mohammed's ordered you to hear and obey your son."
But Abu-Talib did not pay attention to him. Rather, he looked angrily at him.
Abu-Talib kindly said to his nephew:
"Go on what Allah's ordered you. By Allah, I will support and protect you."
Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) looked at his uncle respectfully. He felt strong as long as the Master of Mecca was with him.
The Supporter
Although Abu-Talib was an old man, he strongly stood by Muhammad's Mission. He was always protecting him from the Quraysh's polytheists.
A big number of the Meccans believed in Allah's religion paying no attention to the worship of the idols and to the threats of the Quraysh's tyrants.
One day, the Quraysh leaders came to Abu-Talib though he was confined to bed. They said angrily:
"Abu-Talib! Prevent your nephew from us because he's weakened our thoughts and insulted our gods."
Abu-Talib became sad because his people did not want to listen to the sound of truth.
So, he said to them:
"Give me time to speak to him."
Abu-Talib told our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) the words of the Quraysh leaders.
The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said respectfully:
"Uncle! I can't disobey, my Lord's Order."
Abu-Jahal, the most spiteful man, said:
"We'll give him whatever he wants of our money. Rather, well make him king over us if he wants."
The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said:
"I want nothing but one word."
Abu-Jahal said:
"What's the word? We will give you as ten times as it!"
Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) said:
"Say there's no god but Allah."
So, Abu-Jahal was filled with anger:
"Ask another word instead!"
Allah's Apostle (P.B.U.H.) said:
"If you brought me the sun and put it in my hand I'd not ask a word instead."
Tension happened. The polytheists stood up. They were threatening our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.).
Abu-Talib said to our Master Muhammad:
"Save your soul and don't overburden me."
The Prophets' eyes shed tears when he answered:
"Uncle, by Allah, if they put the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left hand to leave this matter, I will not leave it till Allah supports it or I perish for it."
The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) stood up rubbing his tears. So, Abu-Talib called him kindly and said:
"Nephew, draw near."
Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) drew near. His uncle kissed him and said:
"Nephew, go and say whatever you like. By Allah, I'll never leave you alone."
Then he began singing to confront the Quraysh might:
"By Allah, they all won't reach you.
Till a pillow of dust will be put under my head.
And till I will be buried."
The Light of Islam
Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) went on preaching the new religion to bring out people from darkness into fight.
Again the Quraysh tyrants came to Abu-Talib. They used another style:
"Abu-Talib, this is Amarah bin al- Waleed (Khalid bin Waleed's brother). He's the strongest and the most handsome young man of all the Quraysh. So, take him and give us Muhammad to kill."
Abu-Talib was sorry to hear that idea. He answered them angrily:
"Do you give me your son to feed him for you, while I give you my son to kill him? Have you ever seen a she-camel take a pity on other than its young?"
The polytheists harm became intense. They began torturing them. Abu-Talib thought that their harm would include our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.). So, he sent for banu-Hashim. He asked them to protect and save the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). They accepted but Abu-Lahab.
Abu-Talib heard that Abu-Jahal and other polytheists tried to kill our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.),
So, he and his son Ja'far went to the hills of Mecca to look for him. They looked for him here and there.
Finally, they found him praying to Allah. In the meantime, Ali was praying on his right hand. They were sad to see that there was no one with our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) but Ali. Thus Abu-Talib wanted to encourage his nephew. He turned to his son Ja'far and said:
"Complete your cousin's wing."
Namely, pray on his left hand to feel determination, strength, and confidence. Ja'far stood with our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) and his brother Ali to pray to Allah, the Creator of the skies and the earth, the Lord of the Worlds.
Again, Abu-Talib missed our Master Muharnmad (P.B.U.H.). He waited for his return. But he did not come back. So, he went to look for him. He went to the place where our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) went frequently. But he did not find him.
So, Abu-Talib came back, gathered banu-Hashim together and said to them:
"Each one of you must take a strong iron bar. Now follow me. When I enter the mosque, each one of you must sit beside a Quraysh leader. He must kill him if we knew that Muhammad had been killed."
The young men of Banu Hashim obeyed Abu-Talib. Each one of them sat beside a polytheist.
Abu-Talib sat waiting for our Master Muhammad (PB.U.H.). Meanwhile Zaid bin Harith came and told him that the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) was safe.
Then, Abu-Talib announced his plan to punish those who tried to hurt the Prophet (P.B.U.H.).
The polytheists were abase. Abu-Jahal kept silent. His face became yellow with fear.
Some of the polytheists urged their boys and slaves to hurt our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.).
One day, the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) was praying. A young man came and threw the wastes at him. The polytheists began laughing loudly. Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) was very unhappy. So, he went to his uncle and told him about the young man's bad behaviour.
Abu-Talib became very angry. He took out his sword and came to the polytheists. He ordered his boy to throw the wastes at their faces.
They said: "Abu-Talib, that's enough!"
The Ban
When the polytheists knew that Abu-Talib would not leave our Master Muharnmad (P.B.U.H.) alone and that he was ready to die for him, they decide to announce an economic and social ban on banu Hashim. At the same time, they cut off all relations with them.
In the month of Muharram, the seventh year after the Prophetic Mission, 40 Quraysh leaders signed the ban and fixed it to the wall in the Kaaba.
The Quraysh expected Abu-Talib to surrender. But Sheikh al-Bat-ha had another attitude.
Abu-Talib took his tribe to a valley between two mountains, to protect our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) from assassination. He was always visiting the valley to close the openings where the enemies might pass through to kill our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) at night.
Abu-Talib, though old man, his brother Hamza, and some men of banu-Hashim were always guarding the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) one by one at night. Abu-Talib was always moving the Prophet's bed from one place to another to keep it a secret.
Days and months passed. The besieged were in perfect isolation. They suffered from the pains of hunger and deprivation. When the time of pilgrimage came, they got out to buy some food and clothes.
The richest Quraysh tyrants in Mecca were always buying all kinds of food to prevent the besieged from buying it.
During that bitter period of time, Abu-Talib was as solid as the mountain. He was always standing by our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.). He was fearless, resolute believer.
Abu-Talib loved our Master Muharnmad (P.B.U.H.) more than his sons. He was sometimes looking at him, weeping and saying:
"When I look at him, I remember my brother Abdullah."
One night, Abu-Talib came and woke our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.). He said to his son Ali aged eighteen:
"My son, sleep in his bed."
To know his father's loyalty to Muhammad, Ali said:
"But, Ill be killed."
His father said:
"Be patient!"
Eagerly Ali said:
"I'm not afraid of death. But I want you to know my support."
Abu-Talib patted Ali's back. He took our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) to a safe place to sleep in.
When our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) went to bed, Abu-Talib went to bed, too.
Months after months passed. The patience and hunger of the besieged increased. They ate the leaves of the trees. The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) took a pity on the hungry children.
The Good News
One day, our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) came to his uncle. He was filled with happiness. He said to him:
"Uncle, My Lord ordered the white ant to eat the Ban Page. So, it's eaten it all but Allah's Name."
Abu-Talib said happily:
"Has your Lord told you about that"?"
Muhammed (P.B.U.H.) answered:
"Yes, Uncle."
Abu-Talib's heart was filled with belief. So, Abu-Talib stood up and went to Darul-Nadwa, at the Kaaba, where the Quraysh leaders sat.
Abu-Talib addressed the sitting persons: "Quraysh!"
They got up for the respectful, old man. They listened to his words. They expected his surrender and defeat because of the ban.
But Sheikh al-Bat-ha said:
"Quraysh, my nephew Mohammed's told me that Allah ordered the white ant to eat your Ban Page. So, it's eaten it all but His Name. If he's right, then end the ban."
Abu-Jahal said:
"And, if he was a Liar?"
Abu-Talib answered with confidence and belief.
"I'll hand you my nephew."
The Quraysh leaders said: "Okay."
They opened the door of the Kaaba. They found that the white ant had eaten every thing but Allah's Name.
The besieged got out of Abu-Talib's valley. Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) and his companions began preaching Islam to the pilgrims of Allah's Holy House.
The Demise
Abu-Talib was over eighty years of age. He became very invalid. So, he was confined to bed. He thought about nothing but our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.). He knew that if he died, the Quraysh would fear no one and they would kill his nephew.
The Quraysh leaders came to visit Sheikh al-Bat-ha. They said:
"Abu- Talib, you are our Sheikh and Master. You're about to die. So, put an end to the enmity between your nephew and us. Tell him to stop hurting us. We will stop hurting him. Tell him to leave us with our religion and we will leave him with his religion."
Abu-Talib looked at Abu-Jahal, Abu-Sufyan, and other Quraysh leaders. He said to them faintly:
"If you hear Muhammad's words and obey his orders, you'll be happy. So, obey him and get happiness in here and hereafter."
The atheists stood up. Abu-Jahal said with spite:
"Do you want us to make the gods one god?"
Abu-Talib was sad at the Quraysh stand. He was very anxious about our Master Muhammad's safety. So, he invited banu-Hashim and asked them to support our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) at any cost. They all obeyed him. Then Abu-Talib closed his eyes to die soundly. Sheikh al-Bat-ha kept silent. He became a motionless body.
His son Ali wept bitter tears. Sad cries spread all over Mecca. The atheists rejoiced at his death.
Abu-Jahal angrily said: "It's time to get my revenge on Muhammad."
Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) came to say farewell. He kissed Abu-Talib's bright forehead and murmured sadly:
"Uncle, May Allah have mercy, on you. You educated me when I was small, looked after me when I became an orphan, and supported me when I became a grown-up. So may Allah reward you a lot."
Then he burst into tears. He began recalling the days of his childhood with his kind uncle. He embraced his cousin Ali. They began weeping together.
The Year of Sadness
Only a few weeks passed. Khadijah, Muharnmad's wife, died, too. So, our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) named that year the Year of Sadness.
The Quraysh increased their harm against Muhammad and those who believed in him.
One day, a foolish person threw some dust at him. His head was covered with dust. So, he went home.
While Fatima, Muhammad's daughter, was washing his head, she began weeping. So, he patted her head and said:
"Daughter, don't weep. Allah will save your father. He'll protect your father from the enemies of His religion and Mission."
Jibreel came down from the sky holding Allah's Order. He said:
"Muhammad, go out of Mecca. Your supporter has died."
When the Quraysh plotted to kill our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.), Ali, Abu-Talib's young son, came to sleep in his bed. He was ready to die for him.
Our Master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) went towards Yathrib (al-Madina al-Monawwara). From there the light of Islam started to illuminate the world.
When the Muslims go to visit Allah's Holy House every year, they remember the attitudes of Sheikh al-Bat-ha when he was always defending Allah's religion.
"Muhammad is Allah's Apostle, and those with him are firm of heart against the unbelievers, compassionate, among each other."
Ja'far al-Tayyar
The Beginning
Abu Talib, Shaikh al-Bat-ha, missed his nephew our Master Muhammad [s]. So, he went to look for him. He was not alone. His son Ja'far aged twenty was with him. Shaikh al-Bat-ha and his son went to the hills near Makkah. They found him there.
Our Master Muhammad [s] was praying humbly. Ali, the young man of Islam, was praying on his right. They were not afraid of anyone but Allah. They were praying for Allah, the Creator of the skies and the earth, the Creator of creatures.
While they were praying, their number was a pitiful sight. Abu Talib turned to his son and said: Join your cousin's wing
Namely, stand on his left hand, for Ali has stood on his right hand. The bird can't fly but with two wings. This means that Abu Talib, the Prophet's uncle, did not want our Master Muhammad [s] to stay with one wing. Since then, Ja'far's name has appeared in the bright history of Islam.
Ja'far bin Abu Talib was born about 25 years after the Year of the Elephant. He was 10 years older than his brother Ali. He was about 20 years younger than our Master Muhammad [s].
Ja'far bin Abu Talib looked like our Master Muhammad [s]. He lived with his cousin al-Abbas. Abu Talib had a big family. Our Master Muhammad [s] wanted to relieve his worries. So, he took Ali to his house. Al-Abbas took Ja'far to his house.
The light of Islam illuminated the sky of Makkah. Our Master Muhammad [s] invited the bewildered to the New Light. He invited the defeated and the oppressed to the religion of salvation and freedom. He invited the drowning in the darkness of ignorance to the light of Islam.
But the Quraishi tyrants did not listen to the voice of Islam and the Call of the Sky. So, they began fighting our Master Muhammad [s] and those who believed in him. They wreaked their wrath upon the weak Muslims. They whipped Bilal al-Habashy, Summayya, Yasir, and other Muslims. They whipped them for no sin but because they said: Our Lord is Allah.
The Immigration to Habasha
One night the Muslims met Allah's Apostle. He was sad to hear that the Muslims were suffering from torture So, he said to them: There's a just King in Habasha. Immigrate to his country. Stay there till Allah drives away your worries.
The idea of immigration shone in the believers' hearts as the sun shone to fill the earth with light and warmth.
At midnight, a small group crept into the land of Habasha (Ethiopia), via the Red Sea. The Muslim immigrants stayed there.
In the meantime, the Quraish increased their torture against the Muslims who stayed in Makkah. So, they were in a fix.
At that critical time, our Master Muhammad [s] ordered his cousin Ja'far to lead a bigger group of Muslims to Habasha.
The number of the new group was over 80 Muslims. Ja'far began leading the immigrating caravan towards the coasts of the sea.
The sea was calm. The wind was gentle. The immigrants reached the coasts of the sea. Allah, the Almighty, wanted a ship to pass by them. The ship was going from Jeddah to Habasha. Ja'far asked her Captain to take them there. The Captain accepted.
The ship set out plowing the sea. The Muslims thanked Allah, who turned their fear into safety to worship Him only.
Ja'far himself was visiting the immigrants, especially the children. His wife Asmaa bint Umayys was visiting the women.
Days and nights passed. The ship anchored at the coasts of Habasha. The Muslims reached the land where our Master Muhammad [s] had ordered them to immigrate.
The Muslims were always praying to Allah freely. No one prevented them from that. During their prayers, they were always asking Allah to grant our Master Muhammad [s] and his Muslim brothers victory over the unjust Quraishi tyrants.
But the news that reached them was sorrowful. Yasir and Summayyah became martyrs under torture, They were in pain to hear about the torture that was happening to their brothers. But they firmly increased their belief.
In Makkah
Abu Jahal, who had a spite against our Master Muhammad [s], was always planning to destroy Allah's religion. He wanted to put out the candle of Islam so that people would live in darkness and ignorance.
But Allah's religion spread as the scent of roses did. It made happiness enter hearts as spring did.
One day, the Quraishi leaders held a meeting in Darul Nadwa. They were thinking about a way to extinguish the light of Islam. Umayyah said: I'll make Bilal a lesson for slaves so that they'll not think about entering Muhammad's religion.
Abu Jahal said: We'll go on banning Bani Hashim till they die of hunger or they give us Muhammad to kill him.
Abu Sufyan said: But what shall we do for those who escape from Makkah and go to Habasha?
Abu Jahal said: We'll bring them back.
How?
We'll send our friend al-Najashy lots of gifts. So, he'll accept our request.
Who will go?
We'll send a clever man to negotiate with al-Najashy.
After several weeks, they decided to send a delegation to bring back the runaway persons.
In al-Najashy's Presence
In the morning, Amru bin al-Ass and Amarah bin al-Waleed headed for the sea holding gifts to al-Najashy, the King of Habasha.
The delegates crossed the sea with a ship. They reached the land of Habasha. They came to the King's palace.
Amru bin al-Ass said to the guards of the palace: We're the Quraishi delegates holding gifts to the King.
Al-Najashy greeted the delegates and accepted the gifts of the Quraish. The priests received their gifts, too. The King asked them about the purpose of their visit.
The delegates said: Some foolish persons have taken refuge in the land of Habasha. They've abandoned their fathers' and grandfathers' religion. They haven't accepted the King's religion. Rather; they've brought a new religion. Neither you nor we have known it. We, the Quraishi noblemen, have come to bring them back and to educate them.
The King of Habasha was just and wise man. So, he said: How can I hand you the people who have chosen my country and asked me for help? But I'll ask them some questions. If their thoughts are corrupt; if they are deviated, I'd hand them to you. Otherwise, I'd leave them to live in my country.
Al-Najashy sent for the immigrants. They came. Ja'far bin Abu Talib was in advance. They came into the palace and stood in front of the King.
The Habashian people bowed when they met the King. So the Habashian and the delegates bowed to the King. The Muslims did not bow; their heads remained high raised.
Al-Najashy asked the Muslims: Why don't you bow to me?
Ja'far answered: We don't bow to anyone but Allah.
The King said: What do you mean?
Ja'far answered: Your Majesty; the King, Allah has sent us an Apostle. The Apostle has ordered us not to bow to anyone but Allah. He has also ordered us to pray and to pay zakat.
Amru bin al-Ass said evilly: They're breaking the King's religion!
Al-Najashy asked him to keep silent; and asked Ja'far to go on. Ja'far politely said:
Your Majesty, the King, we were ignorant people. We worshipped the idols. We ate dead animals. We did bad actions and abandoned our relatives. We mistreated our neighbors. The strong oppressed the weak. So Allah has sent us an Apostle. We know his ancestors and his truthfulness. We know that he is pure and trustworthy So, he has invited us to worship the Only Allah. He has ordered us to avoid what we and our fathers had worshipped. He has ordered us to be truthful and to give the trusts to their owners. He has ordered us to visit our relatives, to be good neighbors, to stop bad actions and shedding blood. He has prevented us from atrocities, falsehood taking the orphan's money and speaking evil of the married women. He has ordered us to worship Allah only and not to be polytheists. He has ordered us to pray, to give alms, and to fast.
Your majesty; the king, we've believed him and followed what he has brought from Allah. So, we've worshipped Allah only- we're not polytheists.
But our people have aggressed against us. They've tortured us. They've prevented us from our religion to worship the idols again.
After they had persecuted us, we came to your country. We've preferred you to others. We want to live in your country. Thus, your majesty, the king, we ask you to treat us justly.
Al-Najashy said politely: Have you anything of what your Prophet has brought?
Ja'far politely said: Yes.
Al-Najashy said: Read me something.
Ja'far began reading some verses of the Chapter of Maryam:
And mention Maryam in the Book when she drew aside from her family to an eastern place. So, she took a veil (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our Spirit, and there appeared to her a well-made man. She said: Surely I fly for refuge from you to the Beneficent God, if you are one guarding (against evil). He said: I am only a messenger of your Lord: That I will give you a pure boy. She said: When shall I have a boy and no mortal has yet touched me, nor have I been unchaste? He said: Even so; your lord says: It is easy to me: and that We may make him a sign to men and a mercy from us; and it is a matter which has been decreed. So, she conceived him; then withdrew herself with a remote place and the throes (of childbirth) compelled her to take herself to the trunk of a palm tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died before this, and had been a thing quite forgotten! Then (the child called out to her from beneath her): Grieve not, surely your lord has made a stream to flow beneath you. And shake towards you the trunk of the palm tree, it will drop on you fresh ripe dates. So, eat and drink and refresh the eye. Then if you see any mortal, say: Surely I have vowed a fast to the Beneficent God, so I shall not speak to any man today and she came to her people with him, carrying him (with her). They said: 0 Maryam! Surely you have done a strange thing. O Sister of Haroon! Your father was not a bad man, nor was your mother an unchaste woman.
Al-Najashy wept. His tears flowed on his cheeks. The priests and the monks wept humbly, too. Ja'far's voice was flowing humbly:
But she pointed to him. They said: How should we speak to one who was a child in the cradle? He said: Surely I am Allah's servant; he has given me the Book and made me a prophet, and has made me blessed wherever I may be, and he has enjoined on me prayer and poor-rate so long as I live and dutiful to my mother; and he has not made me insolent, unblessed and peace be on me on the day I was born, and on the day I die, and on the day I am raised to life .
Al-Najashy stood up for Allah's Words and said humbly: Certainly this and what 'Isa had brought come out of one niche.
He turned to the Quraishi delegates and said angrily: I won't hand them to you and I'll defend them.
Then he ordered his soldiers to dismiss the delegation and to return the gifts to them. He said: They are bribes. I don't want to be bribed.
He turned to Ja'far and his Muslim group and said: You're welcome; Your Prophet is welcome. I admit that he is the Apostle whom 'Isa bin Maryam had given good news about. Live wherever you like in my country.
Al-Najashy wanted to know something about the manners of Islam. He asked Ja'far: How do you greet each other?
Our greeting is to say Assalamu Alaikum.
Another Plot
On the following day Amru bin al-Ass and Amarah decided to go to the King's Palace. On their way, Amru bin al-Ass said to Amarah: This time, I,ll get my revenge on Ja'far. I'll tell the kings that the Muslims have another idea about 'Isa.
Again the delegates came to al-Najashy and said: Your majesty; the king, the Muslims say that 'Isa is a slave.
Al-Najashy kept silent for a while then he said to the guard:Go to Ja'far to hear his point of view
Ja'far came and greeted the King and said: Assalamu Alaikum.
The King asked him: What's your point of view about 'Isa?
Ja'far answered calmly: We say as Allah and His Apostle have said about him.
The King asked him: What's your Prophet said?
Ja'far answered calmly: He's Allah's slave, His Apostle, His Spirit, His Word that He has given to the chaste, virgin Maryam.
Al-Najashy kept silent for a while, then he drew a line on the ground with his stick. So, he said: Go to your friends. You're safe in my country.
Again the delegates' plot came to nothing. The delegates hopelessly came back to Makkah. Since that meeting, the Muslims had been happy in the land of the just King.
Our Master Muhammad [s] and the Muslims rejoiced at Ja'far's victory and his stay in Habasha.
The Good Stay
Days, months, and years passed.
Ja'far and the Muslims heard news. When they heard good news, they became happy. When they heard bad news, they became sad.
They became happy when the ban the Quraish imposed on Banu Hashim was over.
They became sad when they heard about the death of Abu Talib, the protector of the Prophet [s] and Khadijah's death, our Master Muhammad's wife, who stood by him and spent her wealth for Islam.
The Muslims in Habasha heard about our Master Muhammad's migration to Madina and the establishment of the first Islamic State, where the flag of monotheism was hoisted. They were filled with happiness.
The news of the decisive Battle of Badr, and the victory of Islam over polytheism and idols arrived to them. They heard about the news of the Battle of Uhud. They were sad to hear about the Prophet's wounds in the battle.
They were happy to hear the news of the Muslims' victories over the polytheists and the Jews. Their happiness was great when they heard about the Prophet's letters to the Kings all over the world.
The Prophet [s] sent letters to Hercules, the Emperor of Rome, Kossra, the King of Iran, and al-Mokawkas, the Pharaoh of Egypt.
A letter to al-Najashy
Amru bin Umayyah al-Dhimry our Master Muhammad's delegate, arrived in Habasha carrying the letter of the Prophet of Islam.
The letter read:
From Muhammad, Allah's Apostle
To al-Najashy the King of Habasha
You are safe.
I thank Allah. There is no god but Him, the King, the Holy, the Peace, the Believer; the Almighty.
I bear witness that 'Isa is Allah's Spirit, and His word He has given to Maryam, the Virgin, the good, and the chaste. Allah created him with His power as He created Adam before.
I am inviting you to worship Allah only, to obey Him, to follow me, and to believe in what has come to me. I am Allah's Apostle. I am inviting you and your soldiers to worship Allah, the Almighty. I have told and advised you. So, accept my advice.
And peace upon him who follows guidance.
Ja'far accompanied our Master Muhammad's delegate on his going to al-Najashy's palace. First they greeted the King of Habasha. Then he received the Prophet's letter respectfully.
Al-Najashy read the letter. He came down the throne and sat on the ground to show his humbleness and respect for Allah's Apostle, our Master Muhammad [s].
Al-Najashy put the letter on his eye to show his great respect. Then he ordered his guards to get him an ivory box to put the letter in. He said:
Habasha will be prosperous as long as its people keeps this letter.
The Prophet's delegate gave the King another letter. The letter asked the King to allow the immigrants headed by Ja'far bin Abu Talib to come back to their country.
The Muslims were very happy to hear about their repatriation to their homeland. In the meantime, they thanked al-Najashy for his good hospitality.
Al-Najashy ordered his guards to prepare some ships to bring back the immigrants to the land of al-Hejaz. He sent his representative with them.
The representative was carrying gifts and a letter of greetings to our Master Muhammad [s].
The sails of the ships were raised to start journey, the Muslims set off. They rejoiced at Allah's victory.
The Conquest of Khaibar
In al-Madina al-Munawwara, the army of Islam was getting ready to advance towards the strongholds of the Jewish Khaibar.
The Jews of Khaibar were always plotting to put out the light of Islam. They were always encouraging the Arab tribes to invade Madina to destroy the new Muslim State.
So, our Master Muhammad [s] decided to uproot the danger of the Jews so that people would live in peace. The Muslim forces reached the road that joined the tribes of Ghatfan and the strongholds of Khaibar to surprise the enemy there.
The number of the Muslim Army amounted to one thousand and four-hundred fighters. Two hundred horse riders were with them. The Muslim women took part in the battle, too.
The Muslims advanced towards the strongholds. At dawn, they surprised the Jews and besieged them completely.
Some Companions launched strong attacks against the Jews. But they were in vain because the Jews faced them with a lot of arrows. The Jews were sneering at our Master Muhammad [s] and his soldiers.
So, the Prophet [s] said: Tomorrow; I'll give the banner to a man. The man loves Allah and his Apostle; Allah and His Apostle love him.
In the morning, some companions wished that the banner would be for them. But our Master Muhammad [s] asked Ali, Ja'far's brother.
Ali shook the banner strongly and advanced towards the strongholds of the Jews. When Ali killed Marhab, the hero of the Jews, they felt fear. Quickly, the Muslims occupied the strongholds of Khaibar, one by one.
Our Master Muhammad [s] and the Muslims were filled with happiness. So, they thanked Allah for the victory over their enemies.
In the meantime, the immigrants of Habasha headed by Ja'far bin Abu Talib arrived. Our Master Muhammad's happiness doubled. So, he said with a bright smile on his face:
I don't know which event is more cheerful - Ja'far's coming or the Conquest of Khaibar!
Our Master Muhammad [s] embraced his cousin Ja'far and kissed his forehead and said:
Certainly Ja'far and his friends have two immigrations - an immigration to Habasha and an immigration to al-Madina al-Munawwara.
The Battle of Mautah
Our Master Muhammad [s] had sent a messenger to the ruler of Busra, a town in Sham. But the messenger was captured and executed in the land of Mautah. This action was against the humanitarian morals.
The Prophet [s] felt sadness. So, he ordered the Muslims to get ready to make an attack to punish the killers.
In the month of Jamadil-Ula, the second year after the blessed immigration, three thousand fighters went to take part in the battle. The Prophet's advice was lightening their way:
I advise you to fear Allah. Invade in the Name of Allah. So, fight Allah's enemy and your enemy. You'll find lonely men in the cells. So, don't fight them. Don't kill a woman or a child. Don't cut down a tree. Don't demolish a building.
Our Master Muhammad [s] appointed Zaid bin Haritha leader to the Muslim Army. The Prophet said:
If Zaid was martyred, the leader would be Ja'far bin Abu Talib. If Ja'far was martyred, the leader would be Abdulah bin Rawaha.
The news of the Muslims' attack reached the Romans. So, they established an army. The army was composed of the Romans and the allied Arab tribes. The number of their forces was two hundred thousand soldiers. The armies gathered at the land of al-Balqaa.
The first clash took place between the two armies at the Village of Masharif near al-Balqaa. The mastery of the Romans appeared in the battle because they had a big army. Hercules, the Emperor of Rome, gave the general leadership to his brother Tyodor.
The Muslim Army, though few in number, chose the land of Mautah to be the theater for the war operations because the elevations of the land were suitable for the Muslims to protect themselves against the Roman Colossal Army.
Zaid bin Haritha got ready for the start of the battle. He strongly shook the banner of the Muslim Army and rushed towards the core of the enemy. His rushing made the Muslim forces start the battle with enthusiasm.
Strong fights took place. Spears tore Zaid's body. So, he fell on to the ground dyeing it red. Before the banner dropped from Zaid's hand, Ja'far bin Abu Talib had rushed and caught it strongly. He began fighting severely. His voice became loud in the middle of the noise of the fights. He announced the good news about victory or martyrdom which each believer hoped.
Ja'far bin Abu Talib jumped off his horse to show his insistence on fighting. He was the first to do that in the history of Islam. He was like the mountain. He was facing the enemies hits. His firmness astonished them.
So, the enemies intensified their attacks against him. A sword hit his right hand. So, it flew in the wind.
Ja'far took the banner of Islam with his left hand and began fighting. Another sword hit his hand and cut it off. Ja'far pressed the banner to his bosom with his upper arm so that the fight would go on.
During those terrible moments, Ja'far was hit again. He fell over the ground and became a martyr.
Abdullah bin Rawaha, the third leader, rushed towards the banner to wave again in the sky of the battle.
The new leader fought bravely to stop the attacks of the Romans who were moving like waves.
Abdullah fell over the ground and became a martyr. So, Thabit bin al-Arqam took the banner and asked the Muslims to elect a new leader.
The Muslims elected Khalid bin al-Waleed.
Very quickly, the new leader decided to withdraw his forces. So, he did some tactic operations to cheat the enemy.
When it got dark, the Muslim Army withdrew with peace and disappeared in the core of the desert.
In the morning, the Romans were surprised to hear about the Muslims' withdrawal. They were afraid to go further into the desert.
At the same time, the brave Muslims, though few in number, dismayed them.
So, the Romans preferred coming back to stay.
In Madina
Jibreel came down from the sky to tell our Master Muhammad [s] about the news of the battle. So, Allah's Apostle went up the pulpit and addressed the Muslims:
Zaid took the banner. He fought till he was killed and became a martyr. Then Ja'far took it and fought till he was killed and became a martyr. Then Abdullah took it and fought till he was killed and became a martyr.
Finally, our Master Muhammad [s] began condoling Asmaa, the great Martyr's wife.
The Holy Prophet [s] came into Ja'far's house. He found his children sitting. His wife had just finished doing her hair.
The Prophet [s] kissed Ja'far's children and held them on his lap. He shed tears. Asmaa felt that something had happened to her husband. So, she asked the Prophet [s]:
Allah's Apostle, have you heard anything about Ja'far and his companions?
Yes, they've been martyred!
The Prophet [s] left the house. He asked his daughter Fatima al-Zahra to fix some food for them, for a disaster had befallen them.
The Owner of the two wings
When the soldiers of Islam came back to their homeland, they began telling their families about Ja'far's heroic actions and those who were martyred.
One of them said: We've seen 90 wounds in Ja'far's body.
Another said: I've seen him when his right hand had been cut off.
The third said: I've seen him when his left hand had been cut off. He had fallen over the ground and his wounds bled.
Our Master Muhammad [s] said: Jibreel has told me that Allah has granted Ja'far two wings to fly with in the Paradise.
That night, Ja'far's children lay on their beds. They were looking at the sky full of stars. In the meantime, they imagined that their father was flying with his wings like angels.
Hamza b. Abdul Muttalib
With Abu Jahal
Al-Hamza set off for the hills overlooking Makkah. His strong horse was going up the sand hills. It was galloping along the valleys. Al-Hamza was looking carefully at the lovely scenery.
The sky was blue and clear. The hills were covered with sunshine. So the grains of sand were glittering in the sun.
Al-Hamza was thinking about our Master Muhammad's mission. His heart was with Allah's Apostle. He was repeating to himself:
Really there's no god but Allah. Al-Lat, al-Uzza and Munat are rocks. Man has made them with his hand. So why does he worship them?
The horse was roaming through the desert. The horse ran away when it saw a man holding a bow and looking for the lions.
Our Master Muhammad [s] sat on a rock on the road to al-Masa between al-Safa Mount and al-Marwa Mount. As usual, he was absorbed in thinking.
He was always thinking about his people and those who disbelieved in him and Allah's mission.
There was a house near the road to al-Masa. The house had a balcony overlooking the road. Two young girls were sitting in the balcony. They saw our Master Muhammad [s] thinking and looking at the sky and the mountains.
At that moment, Abu Jahal and some foolish persons from Makkah appeared. They were laughing loudly.
Abu Jahal looked at our Master Muhammad [s]. His eyes glittered out of spite. He wanted to sneer at him. So, he shouted:
Look at this magician! Look at this madman! He doesn't laugh as we do! He's silent!
The foolish persons laughed. Their satanic laughter filled the space.
Ha, Ha, Ha!
The two girls sadly watched what was happening. They saw Abu Jahal going round and round our Master Muhammad [s] laughing and being silly.
Abu Jahal took a handful of dust. He put the dust on the Prophet's head. The dust fell on the Prophet's face and clothing.
Abu Jahal and his foolish friends laughed. But our Master Muhammad [s] kept silent. He was sad.
The two young girls felt pain and sadness for our Master Muhammad [s]. Abu Jahal and his foolish friends went away. So, our Master Muhammad [s] stood up. He dusted is head and face and clothing. Then he went home.
The two girls decided to tell al-Hamza. So, they waited for him.
In the distance, al-Hamza appeared. He was coming down the hills riding his horse.
The girl shouted: Hamza, come back!
The girl said to her sister: Come on! Let's tell him!
The girl shouted: Aba Amara!
Al-Hamza stopped and looked at the girl. The girl sadly said: Aba Amara, Abu Jahal mistreated your nephew Muhammad.
Al-Hamza asked: Did he mistreated him?
The girl said: He came across him on the road. He abused him and put some dust on his head.
Al-Hamza was filled with anger. He hit his horse with the bow. The horse jumped angrily. Al-Hamza headed for the Ka'aba. He used to pass by the men and greet them when he came back from hunting. This time, he was angry for our Master Muhammad [s]. So, he did not greet anyone and went directly to Abu Jahal.
Al-Hamza jumped off his horse like the lion. He raised his bow and hit Abu Jahal on the head. Abu Jahal was afraid when he saw al-Hamza angry. So, he said humbly: Aba Amara, he has abused our gods and stultified our thoughts.
Al-Hamza shouted angrily: Answer me if you can!
The outcry of truth sounded in the yard of the Ka'aba. Al-Hamza said loudly: I confess that there's no god but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah's Apostle.
Al-Hamza angrily looked at Abu Jahal and said: Why did you abuse him? Don't you know that I follow his religion.
Abu Jahal bent his head humbly and kept silent. The foolish persons escaped with alarm.
While al-Hamza was in tears, he embraced our Master Muhammad [s]. Our Master Muhammad [s] became happy when his uncle al-Hamza became Muslim.
So, he named him the Lion of Allah and the Lion of His Apostle.
The Birthday
Al-Hamza was born in 570 AD., namely in the year of the Elephant. He was our Master Muhammad's foster brother, for a woman called Thwaibah suckled them.
Al-Hamza was brave and strong. He became Muslim in the second year of our Master Muhammad's mission.
The men knew that al-Hamza believed in Islam. So, the Muslims became happy. But the polytheists became sad.
Some Muslims hid their belief in Islam because they were afraid of Quraish. When al-Hamza became Muslim, a new time began - our Master Muhammad's followers became strong, so the Quraish were afraid of them and had a thousand apprehensions about them.
The Ninth Year after the Mission
Nine years after our Master Muhammad's mission passed. The number of the Muslims increased.
Umar bin al-Khattab was very sensitive.
One day, he took his sword to kill our Master Muhammad [s]. He asked about him. It was said to him: He's with his Companions in a house near al-Safa Mount.
So, Umar headed for him. On the way to al-Safa Mount, a man belonging to the tribe of Umar named Naeem came across and asked him: Umar, where are you going?
Umar rudely answered: I want to kill Muhammad because this boy has abused our religion.
Naeem believed in Islam secretly So, he said to him: If you hurt Muhammad, Bani Hashim won't leave you alive. Besides your sister and her husband have believed in Islam.
Umar shouted angrily: What? My sister Fatimah?
Umar went to his sister's house. when he stopped at the door, he heard a man reading the Qur'an.
The Divine Words were impressive:
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Taha, we have not revealed the Qur'an to you so that you may be unsuccessful.
Umar knocked at the door and entered. His sister hid the page of the Qur'an for he wanted to tear it up. He hit his sister. So, blood flowed out of her face.
Umar felt regret, So, he went out.
Our Master Muhammad [s] and some Companions were in a house near al-Safa Mount. He was teaching them the Qur'an and wisdom. He was reading to them of the Divine verses.
In the meantime, they heard a man knocking loudly at the door. One of the Muslims got up. He looked through a hole in the door.
Al-Hamza asked: Who is it?
The Muslim answered It's Umar holding a sword.
Al-Hamza said: Do not be afraid. Open the door. If he wants good we'll give it to him. If he wants evil, we'll kill him with his sword!
Al-Hamza stood up to receive the newcomer. He opened the door and asked: Bin al-Khattab, what do you want?
Umar answered: I've come to confess that there's no god but Allah and Muhammad is Allah's Apostle!
Our Master Muhammad [s] said: Allah is great!
The Migration
The people of Yathrib belonged to the tribe of al-Khazraj and the tribe of al-Aus. They promised our Master Muhammad [s] to support Islam with their lives and money.
When the Quraish harmed the Muslims severely, our Master Muhammad [s] ordered them to immigrate Yathrib.
So, the Muslims began leaving Makkah secretly, one by one, or group by group. Al-Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib immigrated, too.
The immigrants and the supporters in Yathrib were eagerly waiting for our Master Muhammad's immigration. They were looking forward to his arrival.
The Sacrifice
The polytheists decided to kill our Master Muhammad [s]. Jibreel came down from the sky to tell him about the plot of the polytheists.
So, Allah's Apostle asked his cousin Ali bin Abu Talib [a] to sleep in his bed so that he would be able to immigrate to Yathrib safely.
Ali asked our Master Muhammad [s]: Allah's Apostle, will you be safe?
Our Master Muhammad [s] answered: Yes
Ali rejoiced when the Prophet [s] immigrated safely. He was not thinking about himself when the polytheists attacked our Master Muhammad's house.
Jibreel came down from the heavens reading the following holy verse:
And among them men is he who sells himself to seek the pleasure of Allah.
This verse meant there was a person who sacrificed his life to please Allah, the Glorified. Besides this verse has praised the attitude of Imam Ali [a] and his sacrifice.
Our Master Muhammad [s] arrived in Yathrib. After the Prophet [s] arrived, the Muslims named it al-Madina al-Munawwara (the Illuminated City).
In Makkah
The polytheists in Makkah attacked the Muslims houses and robbed them. The immigrants were sad to hear that.
So, our Master Muhammad [s] decided to send some groups of the Muslims to face the Quraishi trading caravans to punish them.
In Ramadhan, the first year after Hijra, our Master Muhammad [s] called al-Hamza, the Lion of Allah, and gave him the first banner in the history of Islam.
Our Master Muhammad [s] ordered al-Hamza to take his group, thirty immigrants, to the seaside were the caravans passed.
Al-Hamza found Abu Jahal at a district called al-Ais.
Three hundred fighters went with Abu Jahal, namely, ten times as many as the Muslims.
But al-Hamza, may Allah be pleased with him, and his group were not afraid of the Quraish. They were ready to clash with them.
But Majdy bin Amru al_Jahny, who had good with the Quraish and the Muslims, came between them to prevent them from clashing.
Al-Hamza was proud that he was the first to receive the banner of Islam from Allah's Apostle. Concerning this, he said pretty lines of poetry (the meaning only):
By the order of Allah's Apostle, a banner waved over me.
It had not waved before me.
The banner has victory from the owner of dignity,
The dear Allah whose action is the best action.
Then he referred to his clashing with Abu Jahal:
On the night when they (the polytheists marched, they were many.
And we all were his boilers that boiled because of the anger of his friends.
And when we saw one another, they made their camels kneel down and fettered them.
And we understood the range of the arrows target.
And we said to them:
Our supporter is the robe of Allah. But you have not any robe but misguidance.
There Abu Jahal became stirred up unjustly.
So, he became unsuccessful.
And Allah drove back Abu Jahal's plot.
We were only thirty riders,
And they were over three hundred.
With Our Master Muhammad
In the Assault of al-Asheera, our Master Muhammad [s] led, Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib was holding the banner.
The Muslim Army's companies and patrols succeeded to threaten the trade of the Quraish.
The Quraish announced the economic war against the Muslims. So, they attacked the Muslims' houses who immigrated from Makkah to Madina. They intensified their war against the Muslims everywhere.
In the meantime, the Quraish urged the Arab tribes to attack Yathrib.
Our Master Muhammad [s] wanted to punish the Quraish. He thought that the best way to punish them was to threaten their trading caravans going to Sham.
Al-Hamza went with our Master Muhammad [s] on each assault.
Our Master Muhammad [s] heard that a trading caravan headed by Abu Sufyan was coming back from Sham to Makkah. So, our Master Muhammad [s] asked the Muslims to face the caravan.
On Ramadhan 12th 2 AH., our Master Muhammad with 313 immigrants and supporters went outside Madina.
Abu Sufayn heard about the movement and the aim of the Muslims who wanted to face the caravan. So, he quickly sent man to the Quraish to tell them about the dangerous situation.
Abu Jahal found that action a suitable chance to destroy Islam and the Muslims. So he began urging the Quraish to fight the Muslims. He and the Quraishi leaders called up nine hundred and fifty fighters. Abu Jahal headed the fighters and marched towards the springs of Badr, where the Muslims had camped.
On Ramadhan 17th, the two armies came together. The polytheists were beating the war drums. But the Muslims were remembering and glorifying Allah.
Jibreel came down from the heavens. He read him this verse: And if they incline to peace, then incline to it
The Prophet [s] asked the Quraish to make peace but Abu Jahal refused. He thought that he would destroy Islam, for his army was three times as many as the Muslim Army.
The two armies got ready to clash. One of the polytheists shouted: Muhammad, let your brave men come out to fight us!
So, our Master Muhammad [s] said: Ubaidah bin al-Harith, al-Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib, and Ali bin Abu Talib, stand up.
They moved briskly. They were ready to die for Allah's way.
Ubaidah stood before his opponent Utbah bin Rabeeah.
Ali stood before al-Waleed bin Utbah.
Hamza stood before Shaiba bin Rabeeah.
So, the first battle in the history of Islam broke out.
Immediately, al-Hamza hit and knocked down his opponent. Ali hit the enemy of Islam and killed him.
Ubaidah hit his opponent, but his opponent hit him too. He fell to the ground. Al-Hamza and Ali killed Utbah. Then they took Ubaidah to the camp to tend to him.
When the polytheistic heroes fell over the ground one by one, Abu Jahal ordered his fighters to launch a general attack.
The Muslims faced the attack with spirits filled with belief confidence in Allah. So, Allah granted the Muslims a victory.
Abu Jahal and the polytheistic leaders fell over the ground. So, the other polytheists escaped with alarm.
The Revenge
The people of Makkah heard about the news of the defeat. So, the women wept over the killed polytheists. But Hind, Abu Sufyan's wife, kept silent.
The people said to Hind: Why don't you weep over your brother, your father and your uncle?
She said: I don't weep over them lest Muhammad and his companions rejoice at our misfortune!
Hind thought about a way to get her revenge on our Master Muhammad [s] or Ali bin Abu Talib [a] or al-Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib.
Hind urged the polytheists to get their revenge on them. Three thousand polytheistic fighters got ready. Hind bint Utbah, Abu Sufyan's wife, was with them. There were fourteen women around her. They were beating drums.
In Makkah there was a strong slave called Wahshy. Hind went to him. She promised to give him a lot of gold and money if he killed our Master Muhammad [s] or Ali bin Abu Talib [a] or al-Hamza (May Allah be pleased with him).
Wahshy said: I can't hit Muhammad because his companions surround him.
I can't kill Ali because he is very alert.
I may kill al-Hamza because anger makes him see nothing.
Hind gave Wahshy some gold before hand. She was always looking at the spear Wahshy prepared to kill al-Hamza.
The polytheistic army arrived at al-Abwaa (an area near Madina where Aminah, our Master Muhammad's mother was buried fifty years ago).
Hind wanted to dig up Aminah and insisted on that. But the Quraishi leaders refused her action so that the Arabs would not dig out their dead.
Our Master Muhammad [s] headed the Muslims. Abu Sufyan headed the polytheists.
Our Master Muhammad [s] ordered fifty skilled bow men to stay at the foot of al-Ainain Mount to protect the Muslims' back troops. He ordered them not to leave their places under any circumstance.
The polytheists began attacking the Muslims. Uthman bin Abi-Talha, the banner holder, was in advance.
Hind and some women were surrounding him. They were beating the drums, and encouraging the fighters to fight.
They were singing the following lines of poetry (the meaning only):
We, Tariq's daughters, walk on the cushions.
Like the walking of bright sand grouse,
Musk is in the partings.
The pearls are round the necks.
If you advance, we'll embrace you.
And if you escape, we'll abandon you.
And the abandonment will be sorrowful.
Hamza shouted with enthusiasm: I'm the son of the water carriers of pilgrims!
He attacked the banner holder. He hit him and cut off his hand. So the banner holder retreated. Then, his brother took the banner.
The Muslims were attacking them intensely. The banner holders were falling over the ground one by one.
When the banner fell to the ground, the polytheists became dismayed. So, they ran away. The great idol, which they took to grant them a victory fell off the camel!
The Muslims chased the runaway. The archers forgot the Prophet's orders and left the foot of the mountain to collect booty. So, the lines of the Muslim Army was subjected to being surrounded and attacked.
Khalid bin al-Waleed, a polytheist then, took the Muslims aback. The surprise left the Muslim Army in chaos.
Wahshy, a slave from Makkah, was holding a long spear and looking for al-Hamza. He was thinking about nothing but to kill al-Hamza.
During the strong clashes, Wahshy was behind a big rock looking at al-Hamza.
While al-Hamza was busy fighting, Wahshy aimed his spear and threw it at the Prophet's uncle. The spear hit al-Hamza on the belly.
Al-Hamza tried to attack Wahshy. But he fell to the ground and became a martyr.
Wahshy ran fast to tell Hind about his action.
Hind rejoiced. She took off her gold and gave it to Wahshy and said: I'll give you ten Dinars when we go back to Makkah.
Hind hurried to al-Hamza's body. She cut off his ears and nose to make a necklace. Then she drew a dagger and cut open the martyr's belly She took out his liver savagely and bit it like the dog.
Then Abu Sufyan came and tore al-Hamza's body with his spear.
The Master of Martyrs
The polytheists withdrew from the battlefield. Our Master Muhammad [s] and his companions came down the mountain to bury the martyrs.
The Prophet [s] asked his companions about the place of al-Hamza.
Al-Harith said: I know his place.
Our Master Muhammad [s] asked al-Harith to show him al-Hamza's body.
The man went about looking for him. He found his body torn. So, he hated to tell the Prophet [s] about it.
Our Master Muhammad [s] ordered Ali to look for al-Hamza's body. He found him. He did not tell the Prophet because he did not want to hurt him.
So, our Master Muhammad [s] himself went to look for him. He found him in a sorrowful condition.
Our Master Muhammad [s] wept very much when he saw what they had done to al-Hamza's body.
The wolves did not do what Hind and Abu Sufyan did.
Our Master Muhammad [s] was very angry. So, he said: Uncle, may Allah have mercy upon you. You had done good deeds and maintained close relations with your relatives!
If Allah grants me a victory, I'll maim seventy persons of the Quraish.
The Muslims swore by Allah to do that. So, Jibreel came down and read this verse: And if you take your turn, then retaliate with the like of that which you were afflicted; but if you are patient it will certainly be best for those who are patient.
So Allah's Apostle forgave them. He was patient. And he prevented the Muslims from maiming.
Our Master Muhammad [s] took off his gown and covered the martyr and said to him: Uncle, The Lion of Allah, the Lion of His Apostle, doer of good deeds, remover of worries, defender of Allah's Apostle, and saver of his face.
Safiyah, al-Hamza's sister and our Master Muhammad's aunt, went with Fatima aI-Zahra to make sure of the Prophet's safety.
Ali bin Abi Talib [s] came across Safiyah and said to her: Aunt, come back!
He did not want her to see her brother in that condition. But she said: I won't came back till I see Allah's Apostle.
In the distance, the Prophet [s] saw her. So, he ordered her son al-Zubair not to allow her to see her martyred brother.
Al-Zubair received her and said: Mother, come back.
She said: Till I see Allah's Apostle.
When she saw our Master Muhammad [s] and made sure of his safety, she asked him about al-Hamza: Where's my brother?
The Prophet [s] kept silent. So, Safiyah knew that her brother became a martyr. So, she and Fatima al-Zahra wept over their martyred brother and uncle.
So, our Master Muhammad [s] condoled them: Be cheerful! Jibreel told me that Hamza has been regarded as the Lion of Allah and the Lion of His Apostle in the Heavens!
Uhud Mount stands as evidence for al-Hamza's bravery, the Master of the Martyrs, and the polytheists' savageness.
Musab al-Khair
Mus'ab wore his best clothes, combed his hair, put perfume on his body, and went out. The perfume spread through the lane. Some women whispered about that rich young man. They hoped that Mus'ab would marry one of their daughters.
Mus'ab amused himself with his friends. One day he heard about a new event happening in Makkah At that time, our Master Muhammad [s] began inviting people to Islam.
Mus'ab decided to meet our Master Muhammad [s] and to listen to his words. So, he went to al-Arqam's house. He intended to spend only a few minutes with our Master Muhammad [s] because he had promised his friends to go for amusement.
When Mus'ab sat down before our Master Muhammad [s] he realized something new. He realized mercy, true love and good manners. Thus, he listened to Muhammad's words. Immediately, he said: I confess that there's no god but Allah and that Muhammad is his Apostle.
At that moment Mus'ab became a believing man. He began looking at the sky and feeling the pain of the poor. Then who was Mus'ab?
His full name was Mus'ab bin Umair bin Hashim bin Abd Munaf. He belonged to Abduldaar, who belonged to the Quraish. His epithet was Abdullah. He was one of the good companions.
He became a Muslim early. He kept his Islam a secret. When the polytheists knew about his Islam, they imprisoned him in his house. He immigrated to Habasha (Ethiopia) and came back to Makkah after the al-Akaba First Homage.
The Prophet [s] sent him to Madina to teach people the Holy Qur'an. So, he was the first immigrant. Allah's Apostle [s] named him Mus'ab al-Khair.
He took part in the Battle of Badr. He became a martyr in the Battle of Uhud and he was carrying the Prophet's banner.
Mus'ab becomes Muslim
In the evening, Mus'ab went home. He had his supper silently. He ate only one kind of food. His father was looking at him. His mother was astonished at his new behaviour. She asked him about that. "Nothing," he answered.
When it was time to sleep, Mus'ab lay on the bed and began looking at the starry sky. So, he was full of awe for Allah, the Creator of the skies and of the earth, the Lord of the worlds.
All slept. But Mus'ab stayed up. He got up and performed the ritual ablution carefully so as no one would see him. He came into his room and began praying to Allah, the Glorified.
On the following morning, Mus'ab's mother was astonished at his new behaviour. He did not stop before the mirror to comb his hair. He did not put perfume on his body. He did not dress up; he wore normal clothes. Besides, his mother saw him treating his parents politely.
One day, the mother heard about her son's frequent visits to al-Arqam's house. She got crazy. She waited for his return impatiently.
Mus'ab came back in the evening and greeted his mother. But the mother strongly slapped his cheek and shouted at him stormily:
Why have you left your ancestor's religion and followed Muhammad's?
Mother, because it's the best religion!
The mother was about to lose her mind because everyone obeyed her, even her husband. She did not control herself. Thus, she slapped his cheek again.
Mus'ab sadly sat down. The mother sat down, too. She began thinking about a way to return her son to his ancestor's religion.
The mother kindly said to her son:
Don't you see the Muslims suffering from torture? Islam is slaves religion! It suits Bilal, Suhaib and Ammar. You belong to the Quraish.
Mus'ab looked at his mother and said kindly:
No, mother! Islam is people's religion. There's no difference between a Quraishi and non-Quraishi, and between the black and the white. The difference between them is piety. Mother, please follow Allah's religion and leave the idols because they're useless!
The mother kept silent. She thought of another way to drive her son away from Muhammad's religion.
The sun rose in the morning. It filled Makkah's houses and mountains with its rays. The house was empty. Mus'ab said to himself: "Where's my mother gone?"
Mus'ab wanted to go out. He headed for the door, tried to open it but found it locked. Mus'ab was waiting for his mother's return. An hour passed. The door was opened. His mother and a veiled man appeared from behind the door. The man was carrying a sword in one hand and chains in the other.
The Prison
The mother said to her son: Do you want to go to al-Arqam's house?
Mus'ab kept silent. The mother went on: This room will be your prison till you leave Muhammad's religion.
Mus'ab firmly said: I prefer death to that!
The man chained Mus'ab, and his mother pushed him towards the room that became his prison. Days passed.
Mus'ab suffered from hunger and loneliness in prison. He was always weeping.
The Prophet [s] and the Muslims heard about Mus'ab's sufferings. They took pity on him. They were filled with admiration because he preferred prison to all his amusements.
Freedom
Mus'ab was always worshipping Allah in prison. He was pleased with his faith. But, he felt that freedom was the most beautiful thing in life and that faith in Allah was the way to freedom. Mus'ab felt the sufferings of the slaves of Makkah.
Days and weeks passed. Mus'ab was still in prison. Allah wished to save him from those sufferings.
There was a just king in al-Habasha. The Prophet [s] told the Muslims to immigrate there.
A Muslim secretly came into Mus'ab's prison. He told him about the Muslims immigration.
Mus'ab became happy and was full of hope. The Muslim released him. He was pleased to go with them. They covered the desert towards the Red Sea.
To Habasha
The caravan reached Jeddah port. They were fifteen Muslims. They escaped from the polytheists to save their religion. A ship anchored at the port. The ship was heading for al-Habasha.
The immigrants went abroad. They were thanking Allah for faith and safety.
The wind was soft and seat was calm. The ship began heading for Habasha. After some days and nights, the ship reached Habasha.
Al-Najashy
Al-Najashy, the emperor of Habasha was a just man. He welcomed the Muslims to his country.
Among the immigrants were Abd al-Rahman bin Auf, al-Zubair bin al-Awam, Uthman bin Mazun, Abdullah bin Masoud, Uthman bin Affan and his wife Rukkayah (the Prophet's step-daughter), Um Ayman, Abu Salama and his wife Um Salama and Mus'ab bin Umair.
The immigrants worshipped Allah safely. They were looking forward to hearing news about the Prophet [s] and about those who believed in him. They asked Allah to grant them a victory over the polytheists.
The polytheists planned to bring back the Muslims by force. They went to Jeddah port. They did not find the ship, for it had left for al-Habasha. So, they thought of another way to bring back the Muslims.
The Return
The polytheists wanted to make peace with our Master Muhammad [s], for Islam spread quickly.
For example, Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib became Muslim because Abu Jahal mistreated the Prophet [s]. Then Umar bin al-Khattab, the bitter enemy of Islam, became Muslim, too. For this reason, the Muslims were certain of their big power.
During that time, the Emperor welcomed the Muslim immigrants to his country. So, his people revolted against him.
The Muslims thought of coming back to Makkah so as not to put al-Najashy in a critical situation. In the meantime, they heard about the truce between the Muslims and the polytheists.
After three months in Habasha, the Muslims decided to come back to Makkah. The Muslims were seen off by the Habashian people. They were pleased with the emperor. So, they wished him victory over his enemies. Before the Muslims reached Makkah, they had heard bad news. The news was that the Quraish were still unjust. They went on persecuting and torturing the Muslims.
Thus, the immigrants had two choices - either going back to al-Habasha or entering Makkah and suffering torture. Some immigrants preferred going to al-Habasha, and some preferred entering Makkah.
Mus'ab preferred entering Makkah and suffering torture.
Mus'ab went home to know his mother's opinion. His mother was still stubborn. She tried to imprison him again, but he left the house. His eyes were filled with tears.
Mus'ab wanted his mother to become a Muslim. He wanted her to open her eyes to see the light of faith. But her final answer was: I don't want the people to say that I've preferred my son's religion to my father's one.
A Meeting in Makkah
Our Master Muhammad [s] was waiting for the time of Hajj (pilgrimage) to invite the pilgrims to Islam. Six persons from Yathrib came to Makkah. The Prophet [s] asked them: Where are you from?
They answered: We're from Yathrib. We belong to al-Khazraj tribe.
Our Master Muhammad [s] said to them: Are you supporters of the Jew?
Yes.
The Prophet [s] sat down with them. He read them some verses of the Qur'an and invited them to Islam.
The people of Yathrib heard from the Jews that a prophet would appear very soon. For this reason, they said to each other: By Allah, he's the Prophet whom the Jews have given good news about.
Immediately, they became Muslims and said: The enmity between the tribe of al-Aws and the tribe of al-Khazraj is very intense - may Allah bring them together through you!
They went to Yathrib and began inviting its people to Muhammad's religion.
Al-Akaba First Homage
When the time of Hajj started, twelve persons from Yathrib came and met the Prophet [s] in a place called al-Akaba. The twelve persons promised him that they would not be polytheists, not steal, not fornicate, not kill their daughters and not tell lies.
The First Immigrant
The Muslims in Habasha asked our Master Muhammad [s] to send them a man to teach Islam.
Our Master Muhammad [s] found Mus'ab the best man to carry out that task. Therefore, he ordered him to get ready to immigrate to al-Habasha.
Mus'ab bin Umair obeyed the Prophet [s] and went with his Muslim brothers to al-Habasha.
Thus, Mus'ab was the first to immigrate to Habasha for Allah. He stayed with Saad bin Zarara, who was among the earlier Muslims.
Days passed. Mus'ab was with his Muslim brothers teaching them Islam and reading them the Qur'an.
The Spread of Islam
Saad bin Zarara wanted to spread Islam all over Makkah. He asked Mus'ab to go with him to Bani al-Ashal's and Bani Zafar's houses.
Saad bin Maadh and Usaid bin Khuzair were Bani al-Ashal's leaders. They were polytheists.
Saad bin Maadh said to Uzair bin Khuzair: Go and scold those two men! Then dismiss them from our houses. Saad bin Zarara is my cousin. I'm shy of him.
Usaid bin Khuzair took his sword and headed for them. There were a group of people from Yathrib around them. They were listening to the verses of the Qur'an.
Saad bin Zarara saw Usaid coming towards them. He said to Mus'ab: This is Usaid. He's the chief of the tribe. If he becomes Muslim, his tribe will become Muslim, too.
Usaid stopped near them. He said threateningly: If you like life, then go away!
Mus'ab politely answered: Please sit down for only a few minutes. Do listen to what we're reading. If you don't accept it, we'll go away.
Usaid said: You have treated me with justice.
Usaid rammed his sword into the ground and sat down.
Mus'ab began reading some verses of the Holy Qur'an. Usaid felt faith began entering his heart.
His expression changed quickly. His anger disappeared. So, he said with a smile: How sweet this is!
Mus'ab said: It's the best religion. The truthful, trustworthy Prophet has brought it.
Usaid said: What shall I do if I want to be a Muslim.
Mus'ab said: Wash your body, perform the ritual ablution, say I confess that there's no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Apostle and His slave. Then pray two Raka'as.
Usaid got up and went home. He washed his body, performed the ritual ablution, came back to them and became Muslim. Then he said: There's a man, who is my friend. If he becomes a Muslim, all his tribe will become Muslims, too. I'll send him to you.
Saad bin Maadh becomes Muslim
Usaid came back to his friend Saad. When Saad bin Maadh saw him in the distance, he said to his friends: By Allah, Usaid has come to you with another face.
Namely, Usaid has changed.
Saad said to Usaid: What have you done?
Usaid said: I ordered them to go away.
They said: "We'll do what you like."
Saad said Where are they now?
Usaid said: At their place.
Saad said angrily: You haven't done anything!
Saad stood up, took the sword from Usaid and headed for Mus'ab bin Umair.
When he arrived there, he cried stormily: By whose permission have you come here?
Mus'ab smiled. He asked him to sit down and to listen. Then he said: If our words annoy you, then we'll leave!
After Saad had rammed the sword into the ground, he sat down.
Mus'ab read him some verses of the Qur'an. Then, he told him about the Islamic good manners, friendship and brotherhood.
Saad felt that his heart inclined to Islam. So he said: I confess that there's no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Apostle and His slave.
Saad kept his Islam a secret for he intended to do something.
Saad was Bani al-Ashal's chief and leader. They were waiting for his return. He and Mus'ab bin Umair came back to them. When Saad approached them, he stopped and said: Bani al-Ashal, what am I?
They all answered: Our leader and master!
Saad bin Maadh said: I ask you to believe in Allah and His Apostle.
All Bani al-Ashal believed in Islam. Therefore, Mus'ab bin Umair began teaching them the principals of Islam.
Al-Akaba Second Homage
The time of the new pilgrimage started. Mus'ab bin Umair and a group of the Muslims went to Makkah. A group of the polytheists went there, too. The polytheists visited Makkah and had special ceremonies.
Mus'ab wanted to meet the Prophet [s] and tell him about spreading Islam in Yathrib.
A group of Muslims secretly visited our Master Muhammad [s]. They asked him to meet them at al-Akaba valley at night. They did not want the Quraish to know about their meeting.
When the polytheists slept, the Muslims went secretly to al-Akaba valley. The Muslims were seventy-three. Two of them were women. The first was Naseeba bint Kaab. She belonged to Bani al-Najjar. The second was Asmaa bint Amru. She belonged to Bani Salama.
Our Master Muhammad [s] came. His uncle al-Abbas, who kept his Islam a secret because he was afraid of the Quraish, came with him, too.
The Muslims paid homage to our Master Muhammad [s]. They assured him that they would defend Islam.
Besides they showed him their stand against all his enemies. The Muslims said to Allah's Apostle [s]: We've paid our homage! We'll be loyal to you. Then what will be our reward?
Our Master Muhammad [s] said: The Paradise!
Munat, the Idol
The delegation came back to Madina. Mus'ab bin Umair came back, too. He was glad at the victory of Islam.
Islam spread. Its light illuminated Yathrib city. Most people of Yathrib became Muslims, but only a few persons insisted on polytheism and worshipping idols.
Amru bin al-Jumah made an idol of wood. He named it Munat. He put it in the house yard. He worshipped it everyday.
Maadh thought about a way to convince his father about the uselessness of the idols. He agreed with his Muslim brothers about taking the idols.
It was time to sleep. Amru in al-Jamuh went to bed. His son stayed up waiting for his friends.
At the fixed hour, the friends came. Maadh opened the door carefully. His friends came into the house. They tied the idols with ropes and drew it outside the house. They went outside the city. They threw the idol into a rubbish pit. Maadh came back home calmly. He went to bed.
In the morning, Amru bin al-Jamuh woke. He did not find Munat. He began looking for his idol through the lanes. He was shouting: Who has stolen my god?
Amru bin al-Jamuh searched everywhere for the idol. Finally he found it in the rubbish pit. He took it out of the pit and brought it home again. He gave it a good clean and perfumed it. Then he kneeled and apologised to it.
At the following night, Maadh's friends came. They drew the idol, took it outside the city and threw it into the same pit.
Amru bin al-Jamuh woke. He did not find the idol. So, he went outside the city. He brought it home and gave it a good clean. That time, he was annoyed. Thus he tied a sword to the neck of Munat. He said to it: If you're a real god, then defend yourself!
It got dark. Maadh's friends came. They took the idol to another place. They tied it to a dead dog and threw it into a pit.
On the following day, Amru bin al-Jamuh looked for his idol everywhere. Then he found it tied to the dead dog. So, he took his sword and kicked the idol with his leg. He said: What a bad god you are!
At that moment, Amru bin al-Jamuh believed in the Muslim Mission. Maadh was happy when his father became Muslim.
The Prophet's Migration
The polytheists harmed the Muslims intensely. So, the Prophet [s] ordered his companions to immigrate to Madina.
The Muslims began leaving Makkah secretly. They went there one by one or group by group. The Quraish knew about the Muslims immigration. Thus, they began capturing and torturing some of them.
Thirteen years passed after the Prophetic Mission. Abu Jahal urged the Quraish to kill our Master Muhammad [s]. Jibreel came down from the sky to tell Allah's Apostle [s] about the Quraishi plot. He ordered him to immigrate to Madina.
The Prophet [s] decided to leave Madina secretly. Therefore, he asked his cousin Ali to sleep in his bed. Ali accepted the Prophet's request with pleasure.
The polytheists broke into the Prophet's house. They saw Ali sleeping in his bed. They admired Ali's bravery and sacrifice.
Our Master Muhammad [s] arrived in Madina. It's people received him with songs. On that day, Yathrib was named al-Madina al-Munawarra.
Our Master Muhammad [s] began building a new society.
First, our Master Muhammad [s] built a mosque. The mosque was a symbol for monotheism. Then, he made brotherhood between Muhajireen and Ansar.
The Battle of Badr
The polytheists in Makkah attacked and robbed the Muslim's houses.
Our Master Muhammad [s] wanted to punish the Quraish. He heard about their trade caravan coming from Sham. He ordered the Muslims to get ready to attack the caravan.
Abu Sufyan, the leader of the caravan, heard about the Muslim's plan. So, he sent a man to the Quraishi leaders to send him urgent supplies. In the meantime, he changed the direction of the caravan.
The polytheists got ready to face the Muslims. They called up 950 fighters and headed for Madina.
The Prophet [s] formed an army. The number of the army was 313 fighters. He gave Mus'ab bin Umair the Muhajireen's banner. He gave Saad bin Maadh the Ansar's banner. And he gave his banner, called al-Ikaab, to Ali bin Abu Talib [a].
The two armies met near Badr wells.
The battle took place. The Muslims fought bravely. Allah granted them a victory. The Muslims killed many polytheists. They killed Abu Sufyan and Umayyah bin Khulaif. Besides, they captured many polytheists such as al-Nadhar bin al-Harith.
Al-Nadhar bin al-Harith said to Mus'ab bin Umair: Tell your friend (our Master Muhammad [s] ) to regard me as a prisoner of war!
Mus'ab said to him: You tortured his companions.
Al-Nadhar bin al-Harith tried to remind him of the pre-Islamic fanaticism, he said to him: If the Quraish captured you, I would prevent them from killing you.
Mus'ab said: I'm against your opinion. Islam is against fanaticism.
Mus'ab thought of nothing but Islam and obeyed none but Allah and his Messenger [s].
The Battle of Uhud
The Quraish were getting ready to take revenge on the Muslims. A year passed after the Battle of Badr.
The polytheists formed a big army. The number of the army was three thousand fighters. Abu Sufyan headed it.
The polytheist army advanced towards Madina.
The Jews in Madina were worried, for the Muslims won victory at the Battle of Badr. So, they were full of spite. Kaad bin al-Ashraf, a Jew belonging to Bani al-Nadheer, went to Makkah. He urged the polytheists to take revenge on the Muslims.
Abu Sufyan said to Kaab: Which religion is better - Muhammad's or ours?
Kaab said with a smile: Yours!
Thus, the Jews succeeded in urging the polytheists. For this reason, the polytheist army headed for al-Madina al-Munawwara.
The Facing
After many talks in the Prophet's Mosque, the Muslims were agreed on facing the polytheists near Uhud Mount outside Madina. Our Master Muhammad [s] formed an army. The number of the army was seven hundred fighters. The Prophet [s] gave the banner to the brave companion Mus'ab bin Umair.
Our Master Muhammad [s] ordered the best fifty bow men to stay on al-Ainain Mount. Their duty was to defend the Muslims against any surprising attack. Thus, the Prophet [s] ordered them not to leave their places at any rate - he said to them:
Protect us from the back. Don't leave your places when you see us collecting booty or when we are killed.
When the fight started, the Muslims won great victory. They began chasing the polytheists. The bow men on the mountain forgot the Prophet's order. They saw their Muslim brothers collecting booty. So, they left their places.
Khalid bin al-Waleed headed the polytheist army. He launches a surprising attack. The bow men on the mountain could not resist the attack. So, some of them became martyrs. The attack left the Muslims in chaos.
Our Master Muhammad [s] and some of his companions such as Ali bin Abu Talib [a], Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib, and Mus'ab bin Umair faced the attack.
Mus'ab was carrying the Muslims' banner. He was among those who fought bravely to protect Allah's Apostle [s].
The polytheists attacked Mus'ab strongly to drop banner, for dropping the banner meant defeat. For this reason, Mus'ab bin Umair was fighting bravely. After heroic resistance, he fell to the ground and was martyred.
Our Master Muhammad [s] ordered Ali bin Abu Talib [a] to raise the banner high. The fight continued. Then Hamza became a martyr. Some companions fought bravely. Abu Dajana al-Ansary and Sahal bin Hunaifa were two of them.
Our Master Muhammad [s] was badly wounded. The polytheists launched intense attacks against him. Each time, the Prophet [s] said to Ali [a]: Fight these polytheists!
Ali was fighting with his sword called Dhul Fiqar. He did not pay attention to his wounds. Jibreel came down from the sky. He said to our Master Muhammad [s]: Muhammad, the angels of the sky have admired your resistance.
Some companions heard an angel calling the sky: There's no sword but Dhul Fiqar and no youth like Ali.
The Withdrawal
Although the situation was critical, our Master Muhammad [s] decided to withdraw his troops to refresh them. He called: I'm Allah's Apostle [s]. come near to me!
The Prophet [s] took his companions to Uhud Mount.
Abu Sufyan stood at the foot of the mountain and said: A day for a day!
Then he said: Hubal is great!
The Prophet [s] ordered a companion of his to say: Allah is greater!
Abu Sufyan said: The supporter is for us, but you've no supporter!
The Prophet [s] said: Allah is our supporter, but you've no supporter!
The battle was over. The Muslims took an unforgettable lesson from it. The lesson was about obeying our Master Muhammad [s] at any rate.
The Muslims lost seventy fighters. The polytheists lost twenty eight fighters.
Our Master Muhammad [s] arrived in Madina. The Muslims rejoiced at his return.
Our Master Muhammad [s] condoled Hamna bint Jahash on her uncle's martyrdom. She said: We belong to Allah and we shall come back to Him! May Allah forgive and have mercy on him!
He condoled her on her brother Abdullah's martyrdom.
She said: We belong to Allah and we shall come back to Him! May Allah forgive and have mercy on him!
Then he condoled her on her husband Mus'ab's martyrdom. She burst into tears and said: What great sadness!
She wept bitter tears. Our Master Muhammad [s] knew that Hamna loved her brave husband very much. So, he did not tell her directly.
That believing woman went home weeping. For this reason our Master Muhammad [s] said: The woman loves her husband more than others.
Thus the bright page of jihad was folded. Mus'ab's name was on its first lines.
The Muslims always remember this brave hero, who suffered persecution for Islam. Mus'ab al-Khair's name has been in the generations memory!
Abu Dhar al-Ghifari
The tribe of Ghifar was one of the Arab Pagan tribes. It lived near al-Madina al-Munawwara (Yathrib), where the Makkan trading caravans passed.
The members of the tribe of Ghifar worshipped an idol named Munat. They thought that Munat decided predestination and chance. They visited and sacrificed sheep for it.
One day, a poor young man belonging to the tribe of Ghifar went to Munat. He gave Munat some yogurt and began looking at it. But Munat was motionless and did not drink the yogurt. He waited.
A fox passed by Jundub but did not see him. The fox drank the yogurt and, in addition, it raised its leg and urinated in the ear of Munat. Still Munat was motionless. The young man laughed. He sneered at Munat. Then he criticized himself because he worshipped a dumb rock, which did not understand anything.
While Jundab was going back home, he remembered the words of Qais bin Saydah. He said to them in Ukadh market:
People, hear and understand!
He who lives will die!
And he who dies will perish.
Future things will happen.
Why do I see people go and not come back?
Are they satisfied with the stay there?
Or have they left anything there, so they have slept?
Jundub looked at the blue, clear sky and at the wide desert. Then he remembered what the fox did to Munat. He believed that the world had a God greater than Munat, Hubal, al-Lat and all idols.
Since then Jundab bin Jundah had deeply believed in the Creator of the sky and the earth.
The Sunrise
The people of the Book (Christians and Jews) gave good news of the appearance of a new prophet whose time was about to come.
The Arab tribes reported the news. Those who sneered at the idols longed for the coming of the new prophet.
One day, a man came from Makkah and said to Jundub: There's a man in Makkah who says that there is no god but Allah and claims that he is a prophet.
Jundub asked: Which tribe does he belong to?
The man answered: He belongs to the Quraish.
Jundub asked: Which tribe of the Quraish does he belong to?
The man answered: He belongs to Bani Hashim.
What have the Quraish done? They've accused him of lying. They say that he's a magician and an insane.
The man went away, but Jundub thought again and again.
Anees
Jundub thought to send his brother Anees to Makkah to get him some news about the new Prophet. Anees set off to Makkah.
Anees covered hundreds of miles.
Anees quickly came back to tell his brother: I've seen a man. The man orders people to do good and avoid doing evil. He invites them to worship Allah. I've seen him praying near the Ka'aba. I've seen a young man, his cousin Ali, praying besides him. And I've seen a woman, his wife Khadijah, praying behind them.
Jundub asked: Then what have you seen?
Anees answered: This is what I've seen. But I didn't dare to approach him because I was afraid of the Quraishi leaders.
To Makkah
Jundub was dissatisfied with what he heard. So, he set out for Makkah to know the Prophet.
When the Gheffarian young man arrived in Makkah, the sun was about to set. He went round the Ka'aba, then he sat in a corner of the Holy shrine to take rest and to think about a way to meet the Prophet [s].
It got dark. The Ka'aba became empty of people.
In the meantime, a young man came into the yard of the Holy Mosque. He began going round the Ka'aba.
The young man saw a stranger. He came and asked him politely: You're a stranger, aren't you?
The Gheffarian answered: Yes.
The young man said: Let's go home.
Jundub was following the young man silently.
In the morning, Jundub thanked the young man for his good hospitality. He saw him off and set out to the Zam Zam well to see the Prophet [s].
The hours passed. Jundub waited till it got dark.
The Meeting
Again the young man came and went round the Ka'aba. He saw the foreign man at his place.
The young man said to Jundub: Isn't it time to know your house?
"No!" Jundub said.
The young man said to Jundub: Come with me to the house.
Jundub stood up and went with him to the house, silently. The young man said: I can see you're thinking, what's your need?
Jundub said carefully: I'll tell you if you keep it a secret.
I'll keep it a secret if Allah pleases.
Jundub was relieved when he heard Allah's Name. So, he said slowly: I've heard about the appearance of a Prophet in Makkah and I want to see him.
The young man said with a smile: Allah has guided you. I'll show you his house. Follow me at a distance. When I see a suspicious person, I'll stop as if to repair my slippers. Then don't stop just go on your way.
The young man went on walking to our Master Muhammad's [s] house. At the same time Jundub was following him.
Belief
Jundub came into the Prophet's house and met our Master Muhammad [s]. He was before a man embodying all good manners.
Our Master Muhammad [s] asked his guest: Where's the man from?
Jundub answered: From the tribe of Ghifar.
The Prophet [s] asked: What's your need?
Jundub said: How shall I become a Muslim?
The Prophet [s] said: Islam is to say there is no god but Allah and I am Allah's Apostle.
What else?
Avoid doing evil actions. Follow good manners. Stop worshipping the idols. Worship Allah only. Don't waste your money. Don't oppress people.
The young man believed in Allah and His Apostle very much. He said: I confess that there's no god but Allah and that you're Allah's Apostle. I am satisfied with Allah as my Lord and with you as my Prophet.
At that moment, another great personality was born. It was the personality of the great companion Abu Dhar al-Ghifari whose full name was Jundub bin Junadah.
Abu Dhar stood up and said with enthusiasm: By Allah, I'll spread Islam.
Before he left the house, Abu Dhar had asked our Master Muhammad [s]: Who was the young man who showed me your house?
The Prophet [s] answered proudly: He was my cousin Ali.
Our Master Muhammad [s] advised him: Abu Dhar, keep your Islam a secret and go back to your homeland.
Abu Dhar realized that Allah's Apostle was worried about him because the Quraish would kill him.
By Allah, I'll spread Islam among the Quraish whatever may be.
In the morning, Abu Dhar set off for Ka'aba, Allah's Holy House. The idols were motionless at their places. Abu Dhar was finding his way while the Quraishi tyrants were thinking about the new religion.
At those moments, a bold yell sounded: Quraish, I confess that there's no god but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah's Apostle.
The idols and the hearts of the polytheists shook.
One of the Quraish said loudly: Who is abusing our gods?
They rushed towards Abu Dhar hitting him a lot, until he was unconscious. Blood flowed out of his body. Al-Abbas, our Master Muhammad's cousin, came in between and saved him and said: Woe unto you! Do you want to kill a man who belongs to the tribe of Ghifar? Don't you know that your trading caravans pass by his tribe?
Abu Dhar recovered and went to Zam Zam well. He drank water and washed the blood off his body.
Again Abu Dhar wanted to face the Quraish with his belief. He headed for the Ka'aba. He said loudly: I confess that there's no god but Allah; there's no partner with him. And I confess that Muhammad is Allah's Apostle.
The Quraish attacked him like a pack of wolves. They hit him a lot. He fell to the ground unconscious and al-Abbas saved him again.
The Return
Abu Dhar went to our Master Muhammad [s]. The Prophet [s] looked at him sorrowfully and then said to him kindly: Go back to your people and invite them to Islam.
Abu Dhar said: I'll go back to my people and I won't forget what the Quraish have done to me!
Abu Dhar came back to his tribe and began inviting them to the light of Islam. His brother Anees, his mother and a half of his tribe believed in Islam.
The second half of his tribe said: We won't believe in Islam till the Prophet comes.
The Migration
Days, months and years passed. Our Master Muhammad [s] immigrated from Makkah to Madina. The news reached Abu Dhar and so, he and his tribe went outside the town to receive the Prophet [s] on the road.
In the distance, our Master Muhammad [s] appeared on the back of his she-camel, al-Qaswaa. So, Abu Dhar hurried and took the reins of the she-camel and gave good news: Allah's Apostle, my brother, my mother and a lot of my tribe have believed in Islam.
Our Master Muhammad [s] became happy when he saw crowds of people. One of them said: Allah's Apostle, Abu Dhar has taught us what you've taught him. We've believed in Islam and we've confessed that you're Allah's Apostle.
The second half of the tribe of Ghifar believed in Islam, too. Another tribe near the tribe of Ghifar named Aslam came, believed in Islam and confessed: We confess that there's no god but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah's Apostle.
Our Master Muhammad [s] said: May Allah forgive Ghifar; may Allah save Islam.
Allah's Apostle went on his travel to Madina (Yathrib). Abu Dhar came back to his tribe, some of them asked him: Has Allah's Apostle told you anything?
Yes, he has ordered me to do seven things.
He has ordered me to love the poor and to approach them. He has ordered me to look to those who are lower than me not to those who are higher than me. He has ordered me to maintain close relations with my relatives even if they turn their backs on me. He has ordered me not to ask anyone anything. He has ordered me to say the truth even if it is bitter. He has ordered me not to fear anyone in Allah's way.
And he has ordered me to say often: There's neither might nor power but with Allah, because they're the treasure under the Throne.
Abu Dhar went on guiding and teaching his tribe. He was a model Muslim believer.
Recommend Me!
One day, Abu Dhar came into the mosque. He found our Master Muhammad [s] alone. He sat beside him. Our Master Muhammad [s] said: Abu Dhar, the mosque has greetings. They're two raka'as.
Abu Dhar stood up and said two raka'as.
Then he came back and sat beside the Prophet and said: Allah's Apostle, which act is the best?
To believe in Allah, the Almighty and to strive in His way.
Which believer is most perfect?
The most polite one.
Allah's Apostle, which believer is safest?
He, from whose tongue and hand Muslims are safe.
Allah's Apostle, which immigration is the best?
To immigrate from sins.
Allah's Apostle, which alms is the best?
The alms of the poor.
Allah's Apostle, which verse is the best?
The verse of al-Kursi.
Allah's Apostle, how many are the prophets? One hundred and twenty four thousand Prophets. Abu Dhar, four prophets are Assyrian. They're: Adam, Sheth, Idrees-the first to write with pen and Noah. And four prophets are Arab. They're Hud, Salih, Shuaib and your Prophet.
Allah's Apostle, how many books has Allah, the Almighty?
One hundred and four books. Fifty scriptures were sent down to Sheth. Thirty scriptures were sent down to Idrees. Ten scriptures were sent down to Ibrahim. Ten scriptures were sent down to Musa before the Torah. The Torah, the Bible, the Zaboor and the Furqaan (Qur'an) were sent down, too.
Allah's Apostle, what were the scriptures of Ibrahim [a]?
They are all proverbs: "Authorized, hit, Conceited King, I've not sent you to put together the things of the world. I've sent you to meet the request of the oppressed. I don't refuse it even if it is unbelievers request."
Allah's Apostle, what about Musa's scriptures?
They're all lessons:
"I wonder at the person who believes in death then he disbelieves.
I wonder at the person who believes in fire then he laughs.
I wonder at the person who believes in predestination then he becomes tired.
I wonder at the person who sees the world and its changes then he trusts it.
And I wonder at the person who believes in the Day of Resurrection then he doesn't act."
Abu Dhar wept humbly and said: Allah's Apostle, recommend me!
I recommend you to fear Allah, for it is the head of all religion.
Allah's Apostle, increase me!
Read the Holy Qur'an. It is light for you in the earth and remembrance for you in the sky.
Allah's Apostle, increase me!
Love the poor and sit with them.
On the Way to Tabook
Many years passed.
The Muslims became one nation. They had a government. They gained victory over the atheists and the Jewish enemies. The Arab tribes entered Allah's religion in groups.
Our Master Muhammad [s] was Allah's Apostle for all men. So, he wanted Islam to cross the Arab Peninsula to spread all over the world.
Our Master Muhammad [s] announced Jihad and ordered Muslims to get ready for Tabook, in the northern part of the Arab Peninsula.
The Muslims were surprised to hear about the Prophet's announcement and his challenge to the greatest power in the world at that time.
The hypocrites said: Hercules will defeat them with his enormous armies.
The hypocrites were always holding meeting in the house of the Jewish Suailim. They were always discouraging the Muslims from going to Tabook.
The Prophet [s] wanted to leave Madina. He knew that the hypocrites would stay there. So, he decided to appoint his cousin Ali bin Abu Talib [a], the hero of Islam, successor over Madina to foil the hypocrites' plots.
The hypocrites were displeased with Ali and so, they spread among the people: The Prophet has appointed Ali to stay behind because he dislikes him.
To show the truth to people, Ali took his sword and followed the Prophet. He found him in an area called al-Juruf outside Madina. He told him about the hypocrites' words: Allah's Apostle, the hypocrites claim that you've appointed me to stay back because you dislike me.
Our Master Muhammad [s] smiled and said: The hypocrites have told you lies. I've appointed you successor to protect Madina from their cunning plots. Ali don't you accept to be my brother as Harun was Musa's brother, but there will be no prophet after me.
Ali answered: Yes, I accept, Allah's Apostle.
Ali was pleased with the Prophet's words. So, he came back to Madina.
Be Abu Dhar!
The Prophet [s] went on leading the Muslim army across the desert. Some Muslims with weak belief stayed behind and came back to Madina.
Some of them said to our Master Muhammad [s]: A person has stayed behind.
But Allah's Apostle was always saying: Leave him. If he does good, Allah will bring him to you.
At the midway, a Muslim said: Allah's Apostle, Abu Dhar has stayed behind.
So the Prophet [s] said: Leave him. If he does good, Allah will guide him to you.
The Muslim army went on covering the desert.
Abu Dhar was riding a weak camel. The camel was unable to walk. So, Abu Dhar was gradually staying behind the Muslim army. The camel kneeled. It was unable to walk even a step.
Abu Dhar sat sadly. He was thinking about a way to follow the Prophet [s], then he asked himself some questions: Shall I go to Madina or shall I go on walking?
But Abu Dhar was not thinking about coming back to Madina. He was a good believer. He loved our Master Muhammad [s]. Therefore, he decided to follow the traces of the Muslim army on foot.
Abu Dhar began covering the hot desert. He used up his food and water. Still he went on walking. His firm belief in Allah and his love for the Prophet [s] were pushing him to do that.
He was thirsty. He saw water in a pit in a rock. He tasted it. As he found it fresh, he wanted to drink some water. But he prevented himself from drinking. He said: I won't drink till my beloved Allah's Apostle drinks.
He filled his water-skin with water and went on covering the desert on foot.
Abu Dhar was walking day and night to reach the Muslim army.
The Muslims army camped at strategic areas to rest at night. Then it would go on advancing towards Tabook.
When the sun rose on the following day, some Muslims saw a man coming in the distance. They wondered and said to the Prophet [s]: Allah's Apostle, that man is walking alone.
Our Master Muhammad [s] said: Be Abu Dhar!
The Muslims were looking carefully. When he came nearer to them, they shouted: By Allah, he's Abu Dhar!
The Prophet [s] saw the marks of tiredness and thirst on his face. So, he said: Save him with water because he is thirsty.
But Abu Dhar headed for the Prophet [s] holding the water-skin in order to pour water for Allah's Apostle.
The Prophet [s] asked him: Abu Dhar, why are you thirsty while you have water?
Abu Dhar said: Allah's Apostle, I saw rain water in a pit in a rock. I tasted it. It was cool, fresh water, but I said I would not drink till Allah's Apostle drank.
The Prophet [s] said kindly: Abu Dhar, may Allah have mercy upon you! You'll live alone, die alone and enter Paradise alone. Some Iraqis will be happy on account of you - they'll wash your body, shroud it, pray on it and bury it.
The Prophet's Traditions
Our Master Muhammad [s] died. The Muslims were sad. But Abu Dhar was sadder then them. He was loyal to Allah's Apostle. So, he memorized his traditions and made them a lamp to lighten his way.
Abu Dhar deeply believed in Caliphate as he believed in Prophecy. He regarded it as a Divine right.
Allah, the Glorified, chose the most worthy ones of his righteous slaves. In the meantime he heard the Prophet [s] saying to Ali: Ali, don't you accept to be my brother as Harun was Musa's brother, but there will be no prophet after me.
At Ghadeer Khum, Abu Dhar heard the Prophet [s] saying to all Muslims: He whose leader is I, so Ali is his leader. Allah support him who supports Ali...
And he heard the prophet saying: Ali is with justice and justice is with Ali.
We regret that some Muslims had forgotten such traditions when the prophet [s] the Prophet [s] died.
While his cousin and regent Ali bin Abu Talib [a] was busy with that disaster, the Muslims held a meeting and elected Abu Bakr.
Many companions opposed that. Salman al-Farsi, about whom the Prophet [s] said: Salman is one of us Ahlul Bait, was one of them.
Abadah bin al-Saamit, Abu al-Haitham al Taihan, Huthaifa, Ammar bin Yasir were of them, too. Fatima al-Zahra, the mistress of all women of the world, was dissatisfied with that. She was angry.
After only few months, Imam Ali [a] was forced to accept Abu Bakr as caliph in the interest of Islam. So, Abu Dhar, the companion, accepted him too.
Abu Dhar was always thinking about the interest of Islam and Muslims. So, he went to the fields of jihad to defend the Muslim government.
In the meantime, the Romans were launching military attacks against the borders of the Muslim State. So Abu Dhar went with many companions to the war fronts to strive for Allah.
The first Caliph was Abu Bakr. The Caliph Umar bin al-Khattab succeeded him. Abu Dhar was in Shaam (Syria). He and his Muslim brothers were striving there.
Umar bin al-Khattab died. The Caliph Uthman succeeded him.
But the third Caliph did not follow the Prophet's and the companions manners. He brought his relatives and appointed them in offices of the government. He began filling their pockets with the Muslims' money. He brought Marwan bin al-Hakam, whom our Master Muhammad [s] dismissed and made him real ruler for the state.
People complained of Uthman's policy. A delegation from Kufa went to the Caliph. They told him that their ruler was always drinking alcohol and that he was always going to the mosque drunk and vomiting in the prayer niche.
But the Caliph did not do anything. Rather, Marwan abused the delegation and dismissed them. Some of the Prophet's companions were with them.
One day Abu Dhar advised Uthman: At least follow your predecessors' way. So, no one will speak against you.
But Uthman scolded Abu Dhar and said in the presence of the attendees: Advise me! What shall I do for this lying Shaikh? Shall I hit, imprison, kill or banish him from the land of Islam?
Abu Dhar and the Muslims felt pain. They remembered our Master Muhammad's tradition: There's no one under the sky or in the earth more truthful than Abu Dhar.
But the Caliph accused Abu Dhar of lying and said: The lying Shaikh!
Abu Dhar sadly went out of the Caliph's meeting. He remembered what had happened to him for over twenty years. He remembered the day when Allah's Apostle entered the mosque and found him sleeping. He woke him and said: Never sleep in the mosque again.
Then he said to him: What will you do if they send you out of the mosque one day?
Abu Dhar said: I'll go to Shaam, the land of Jihad.
The Prophet [s] said: If they dismiss you from it?
Abu Dhar said: I'll come back to the mosque.
Then the Prophet [s] said: If they send you out of it?
Abu Dhar said: I'll take my sword and hit them with it.
The Prophet [s] said: Shall I direct you to a better thing?
Yes, Allah's Apostle.
The Prophet [s] said: Listen and obey.
To Shaam (Syria)
The third Caliph decided to banish Abu Dhar to Shaam. Abu Dhar arrived in Shaam. Mu'awiyah ordered his soldiers to banish him to an area in the southern part of Lebanon, now called Jabal Amil.
Abu Dhar began teaching people the Prophet's traditions and his behaviour. He condemned the rulers' corruption, their oppression towards people, their luxury.
He was always reading Allah's words: And as for those who hoard gold and silver and so not spend it in Allah's way, announce to them a painful punishment.
Mu'awiyah wanted to tempt Abu Dhar with money to make him keep silent. So, he ordered his soldiers to bring him to Damascus. In the meantime, he sent him a lot of gifts. But the great companion gave them to the poor. Then he was always passing by Mu'awiyah palace and saying:
Allah curse those who enjoy good, but don't apply it. Allah curse those who prevent people from committing abominable actions, but they commit them.
So, Mu'awiyah ordered his guards to arrest Abu Dhar. The guards brought him chained before Mu'awiyah. Mu'awiyah said to him with spite: Allah's enemy, and enemy of Allah's Apostle, everyday you pass by our palace and shout. I'll ask Amirul Mumineen, Uthman for permission to kill you.
Then Mu'awiyah turned to his guards and said: Take him to prison.
To Madina
Mu'awiyah send the Caliph a letter. In the letter, he told him about Abu Dhar's action and about the gathering of the people around him.
The Caliph ordered Mu'awiyah to send back Abu Dhar to Madina and to mistreat him.
The Muslims heard the news. So, they crowded to see of the companion of Allah's Apostle.
Abu Dhar rode his she-camel. Some rude persons were leading the she-camel. They were not respecting his old age and weakness and this made him tired during his travel.
Abu Dhar arrived in Madina in a bad condition. He went to the Caliph. He was about to fall over the ground because of intense weakness and tiredness.
Abu Dhar said: Woe unto you! Haven't you seen Allah's Apostle? Are your actions like his? You attack me violently as tyrants do!
Uthman intensely said: Get out of our homeland.
So, Abu Dhar sadly said: Where?
The Caliph said: Wherever you want.
Abu Dhar said: Shall I go to Shaam, the land of Jihad?
Uthman cried: No! I won't return you to Shaam!
Abu Dhar said: Shall I go to Iraq?
No!
Shall I go to Egypt?
No!
Abu Dhar said sadly: So, where shall I go?
To the desert!
Shall I go to Najd desert?
No! to the far-east, to al-Rabathah!
Abu Dhar shouted: Allah is great! Allah's Apostle was truthful when he told me about that!
Uthman asked: What did he say to you?
The old companion answered: He told me that I would be prevented from staying in Makkah and Madina and that I would die in al-Rabathah and that some Iraqis, on their way to al-Hejaz, would bury me.
Al-Rabathah
Al-Rabathah is an area at the eastern part of al-Madina al Munawarra.
Abu Dhar disliked al-Rabathah because he worshipped the idols there during the pre-Islamic period.
Abu Dhar liked Madina because the Prophet's Holy Shrine and Mosque were there. He liked Makkah because Allah's Holy House was there. He liked Shaam because it was the land of Jihad.
Abu Dhar disliked al-Rabathah because it would remind him of worshipping the idols. But the Caliph banished him to that area. In the meantime, the Caliph ordered Marwan to take him and prevent the Muslims from seeing him off.
The Muslims were afraid of the Caliph's power. So, only a few companions saw him off. They were Ali bin Abu Talib [a], his brother Aqeel, al-Hasan and al-Husain (the Prophet's grandsons), and the great companion Ammar bin Yasir.
Imam Ali [a] advanced to see him off. He said: Abu Dhar, you've become very angry for Allah. The people are worried about their religion, and you are worried about your religion. So, leave what they are worried about in your hands and escape from them with what you're worried about. They're in need of what you've prevented them from. And you're in no need of what they've prevented you from. Tomorrow you'll know who will be the winner. Abu Dhar, nothing amuses you but the truth and nothing annoys you but the untruth.
Aqeel advanced and said: You know we like you, and you like us. Fear Allah because the fear of Allah is salvation. And be patient because patience is generosity.
The Prophet's grandson, al-Hasan bin Ali advanced and said: Uncle, be patient till you meet your Prophet [s]. He will be pleased with you.
Al-Husain advanced and said: Uncle, ask Allah to grant you patience and victory.
While Ammar bin Yasir was in tears, he advanced and said: May not Allah amuse those who annoy you. And He may not make safe those who have dismayed you. By Allah! If you want their world, they'll make you safe. And if you're pleased with their actions, they'll love you.
Abu Dhar wept and said: People of the House of Mercy, may Allah have mercy upon you all. When I see you, I remember Allah's Apostle.
Abu Dhar, his wife and his daughter went to al-Rabathah Desert. He was recalling our Master Muhammad's words: Abu Dhar, may Allah have mercy upon you. You'll live alone, die alone, rise from the dead alone and enter Paradise alone.
Al-Mikdad
In Ramadan, 2 A.H., 313 Muslim fighters went outside Madina to attack a Quraishi trade caravan coming from Shaam. The caravan was very big. It had one thousand camels. Abu Sufyan, the enemy of Islam, led it.
When the Muslims immigrated from Makkah to Madina, the polytheists attacked and robbed their houses.
For this reason, the Prophet [s] wanted to bring back the Muslims' money. Besides he wanted to punish the Quraish. So, he began threatening their trade caravans.
The Muslims camped near Badr wells. They were waiting for the arrival of the caravan. After a period of time, they heard bad news. The news was that Abu Sufyan changed the course of the caravan.
Meanwhile, the Quraish were preparing a big army with good weapons to save the caravan from the Muslims.
The Muslims went out to control the trade caravan. They were not thinking about facing the big army.
Our Master Muhammad [s] asked his companions' opinions.
Umar bin al-Khattab stood up and said: It's Quraish and its disloyalty (i.e. the Quraish are always disloyal). By Allah! It (the Quraish) has not become abase since it became strong. And it has not believed (in Allah) since it disbelieved (in him).
The Muslims were very worried when they heard Umar's words. Moreover, some of them thought about coming back to Madina.
During those sensitive moments, al-Miqdad bin al-Aswad al-Kindy stood up and said with enthusiasm:
Allah's Apostle, go on obeying Allah's order! We'll support you! By Allah, we won't say as the Jews had said to their prophet: You and your lord, go and fight! We'll stay here! We say: You and your lord, go and fight! We'll fight with you.
Happy expression appeared on our Master Muhammad's face. Then the Prophet [s] said to al-Ansar: What shall I do?
Saad bin Maadh answered: Allah's Apostle, we've believed in you, we've believed you. We've confessed that which you you've brought is true. We've promised to hear and obey! Then, Allah's Apostle, go on what you've wanted! By Allah! If you asked us to cross the Red Sea, we would do!
The Muslims were full of enthusiasm. They got ready to face the polytheists with hearts filled with faith.
The fight started. The Muslims won it. Then they came back and remembered al-Miqdad's words.
Who was al-Miqdad?
Al-Miqdad belonged to Kunda's tribe. He escaped from his tribe and inhabited Makkah.
There he belonged to a man called al-Aswad bin Abid Yaqut al-Zuhry. So, people called him al-Miqdad bin al-Aswad. In connection with al-Miqdad, this verse came down from the sky: Call them with their fathers' names
For this reason, people called him al-Miqdad bin al-Aswad.
Islam rose from the top of the Hiraa Mount.
Al-Miqdad became twenty-four years old. He heard about our Master Muhammad's mission. He hurried to believe in the new religion.
He kept his Islam a secret. He met our Master Muhammad [s] secretly. Thus, he was among the earlier Muslims. He always felt the Muslims' sufferings.
The Migration
Our Master Muhammad [s] ordered his companions to immigrate to Madina. They immigrated one by one or group by group.
Then Allah, the Glorified, ordered His Apostle to immigrate to Madina.
Al-Miqdad rejoiced at the safety of Allah's Apostle. He admired the Muslim young man Ali bin Abu-Talib [a] who sacrificed his life to save our Master Muhammad [s] from polytheists' swords.
When our Master Muhammad [s] immigrated to Madina, the polytheists attacked and robbed the Muslims' houses. So, our Master Muhammad [s] thought about threatening the Quraishi trade caravan as a punishment.
Hamza bin Abdul-Muttalib headed the first company and went towards al-Ays area near the Red Sea. There he met the polytheistic troops headed by Abu Jahal.
No fight took place because some Arab leaders mediated between the two parties.
In Shawwal, 1 A.H., another company went out. The number of the company was sixty fighters. Its aim was to get to Rabgh Valley to threaten the Quraishi trade road between Makkah and Shaam.
In Makkah
Al Miqdad decided to join the polytheistic troops. He took advantage of the condition to immigrate to Madina.
Utbah bin Ghazwan became Muslim secretly. Al-Miqdad headed for him. They agreed on joining the polytheistic troops.
Abu Sufyan led two hundred fighters and headed for Rabgh Valley. There, the polytheists met the Muslim company. The two sides reciprocated arrows.
In the meantime, the polytheists were surprised to see two of their fighters running towards the Muslim company. Besides, they heard the Muslims' yells sounding in the desert: Allah is great! Allah is great!
Then Abu-Sufyan knew the runaways' names. They were al-Miqdad and Utbah bin Ghazwan.
Abu-Sufyan was full of spite. He ordered his fighters to come back to Makkah. He was afraid that there might be secret Muslims among his fighters.
In al-Madina al-Munawwara
Al-Miqdad lived happily in Madina The Muslims were full of faith, for the Prophet [s] treated them all kindly.
Our Master Muhammad [s] was very careful of the Muslims. He was always thinking about their security and future in here and hereafter.
Al-Miqdad was deeply believing. He loved Allah's Apostle. He was always going with him to wage holy war against the polytheists.
One day, the polytheists attacked Madina pastures and robbed them of their cattle. So, our Master Muhammad [s] asked the Muslims to chase them.
Al-Miqdad was among the first Muslims who obeyed the order of Allah's Apostle. Our Master Muhammad [s] led two hundred horsemen to chase the attackers, but they ran away.
After the Prophet [s] had dismayed the polytheists, he came back to Madina. That raid was named Badr Minor Battle.
Battle of Badr
Near Badr wells, the Muslims heard that the polytheists would form an army. Besides Abu Jahal led the army.
Our Master Muhammad [s] asked his companions' opinions. Some companions advised him to come back to Madina. Meanwhile the Muslims were very worried.
During those moments, al-Miqdad stood up and said enthusiastic words. The words made the Muslims full of faith.
When the fight broke out, the Muslims fought bravely. In the meantime, our Master Muhammad [s] asked Allah to grant His believing slaves a victory. After only a few hours, the Muslims could defeat the polytheists.
Allah took revenge on Abu Jahal and Umayyah bin Khulaif, for they had tortured the Muslims. Besides, the Muslims captured some polytheists, such as al-Nadhar bin al-Harith, Akabah bin Abu-Myad, and others.
Al-Miqdad captured al-Nadhar bin al-Harith. The Muslims took the prisoners of war and headed for Madina. When they reached al-Atheel area, the Prophet [s] ordered a Muslim to kill al-Nadhar bin al-Harith.
Al-Nadhar bin al-Harith had tortured the Muslims in Makkah. So, the Muslims prayed for Allah to save them from him.
For this reason, Allah's Apostle ordered Ali bin Abu Talib [a], the hero of Islam, to kill al-Nadhar bin al-Harith to save the deprived Muslims from his torture.
Al-Miqdad said: Allah's Apostle, he's my prisoner!
The Prophet [s] knew that al-Miqdad wanted ransom. So, he raised his hands towards the sky and said: Allah make al-Miqdad rich with your favour!
Al-Miqdad became satisfied with the prophet's prayers. So, he handed the enemy of Islam and of humanity to the Muslims to punish him.
The Prophet [s] asked his companions to treat the prisoners of war kindly. Besides he released some prisoners without ransom because they were poor. And he asked the prisoners who could read and write to teach the Muslims' children as ransom.
The Battle of Uhud
After their defeat at the Battle of Badr, the polytheists decided to take revenge on the Muslims. So, they formed a big army. The number of the army was three thousand fighters.
The polytheists advanced towards Madina. When they reached it, they left their camels and horses to graze on its pastures. They did that to challenge the Muslims.
The Prophet [s] asked the advice of his companions. Some companions advised him to stay at Madina, and some advised him to go out of it. The Muslim young men were eager to start the battle outside Madina. So, the Prophet [s] decided to go out of Madina.
The Muslim army got to Uhud Mount. There, the Prophet [s] prepared his troops to start the battle.
The Prophet [s] ordered the best fifty bow men to stay on al-Ainain Mount, a small mountain, to guard the Muslims from the back.
When the battle broke out, the polytheists horsemen tried to attack the Muslims from the back.
So, the bow men faced them, stopped their attack, and forced them to withdraw. The polytheists tried three times, but they failed because the Muslim horsemen headed by al-Miqdad faced their attack and fought them bravely.
The polytheists headed by Khalid bin al-Waleed came back to their positions.
During those moments, the Prophet [s] ordered the Muslims to launch an opposite attack to drop the polytheists' banner to weaken their spirits.
Strong fights took place around the banner. When the banner dropped from a fighter's hand, another raised it.
Finally, the banner dropped. So, the Muslims defeated the polytheists. The polytheists ran away. Their idol fell off the camel.
The bow men saw the polytheists running away. And they saw their Muslim brothers chasing them and collecting booty. They came down the mountain. Their leader reminded them of our Master Muhammad's advice, but they said: The polytheists have run away There's no need to stay
During that moment Khalid bin al-Waleed and his horsemen launched a severe attack. So, the remaining bow men could not resist the attack.
The polytheist horsemen took the Muslims by surprise. Hence, the Muslims were in chaos. In the meantime, some Muslims were killed and others were wounded.
When the polytheists saw the Muslims' chaotic condition, they came back and carried their banner. So, the Muslim Army was between two forces. The horsemen were at their back, and the infantry were in front of them.
The polytheists tried to kill our Master Muhammad [s] to destroy Islam totally. But the sincere companions such as Ali bin Abu-Talib [a], al-Miqdad, al-Zubair, Mus'ab bin Umair, Abu-Dujana al-Ansary, Sahal bin Hunaif and others resisted the polytheists bravely. They defended the Prophet [s] against them.
Our Master Muhammad [s] decided to withdraw his troops to Uhud Mount to defend themselves against the polytheists easily. While the Prophet [s] and his troops were withdrawing, they fought the polytheists till they reached Uhud heights. So, after a while, the polytheists stopped their attacks.
The Great Lesson
The Battle of Uhud was a lesson for the Muslims. They learnt a lot from it.
They learnt how to obey the Prophet [s] at any rate, for obedience to him meant victory, and disobedience meant defeat.
Our Master Muhammad [s] was badly wounded. The reason was that he ordered the bow men not to leave their place on al-Ainain Mount at any rate, but they forgot his order.
The Arab tribes scorned the Muslims' shaken reputation. Meanwhile, the hypocrites and the Jews rejoiced at their misfortune.
For this reason, our Master Muhammad [s] wanted to restore Islam to its reputation. So, he reorganized his troops to chase the polytheists.
Hamraa al-Asad
Though wounded, the Muslims obeyed and supported the great Prophet [s]. So, he took them and headed for a place called Hamraa al-Asad.
The Jews were surprised to see the Muslims going with enthusiasm to face the polytheists army a day after the battle of Uhud.
The polytheists thought about attacking Madina again to destroy Islam completely. So, Abu-Sufyan had camped at al- Rouhaa.
Abu-Sufyan heard about the Muslim Army's coming. He was worried, for he knew that the Muslims' defeat was because of the bow men's neglect. So, he withdrew his fighters to Makkah. He tried to frighten the Muslims. Thus, he sent them his threats to Hamraa al-Asad.
The Muslims did not pay attention to his threats. They went on camping at Hamraa al-Asad for three days. They were burning fire at night to challenge the polytheists.
Abu-Sufyan was afraid. So, he ordered his troops to withdraw to Makkah.
Thus, our Master Muhammad [a] could restore Islam to its former reputation in the Arab Peninsula.
Allah loves Him
Al Miqdad deeply believed in Allah and His Apostle. So, our Master Muhammad [s] said about him and about some of his companions: Allah has ordered me to love four (persons), and He has told me that He loves them. The persons are Ali, al-Miqdad, Abu-Dhar and Salman.
Our Master Muhammad [s] passed away. Some companions were certain that his successor would be Ali bin Abu-Talib [a].
Still some Muhajireen and Ansar held a meeting in Bani Saaida's Saqifa (Shelter). There was a serious competition for the Caliphate. Finally, Abu-Bakr was appointed caliph.
Al-Miqdad, Salman, Ammar, Abu-Dhar, Abu-Ayoob al-Ansary, al-Abbas bin Abdul-Muttalib, and others were surprised at that appointment. So, they stood by Imam Ali bin Abu Talib [a].
The Imam insisted on his attitude. His wife Fatima al-Zahra, our Master Muhammad's daughter, supported him.
Fatima al-Zahra was displeased with what had happened after her great father's passing away. She passed away six months after Abu-Bakr's Caliphate.
Imam Ali [a] was forced to acknowledge Abu Bakr to avoid disunity Then the other companions acknowledged him, too.
Al-Miqdad paid homage and began waging holy war. He taught people the Qur'an. His reading became famous all over Shaam.
Al-Miqdad stayed loyal to Allah and His Apostle. He did not change his opinion.
The Second Caliph appointed six persons. They were Ali bin Abu-Talib [a] Uthman bin Affan, Abdul-Rahman bin Auf, Saad bin Abi-Wakkas, al-Zubair bin al-Awam, and Talha bin Abdullah. The appointed persons held a meeting to elect one of them caliph.
Some Companions hoped that Imam Ali [a] would be elected. Thus al-Miqdad shouted to make the appointed person hear: If you appoint Ali caliph, we'll hear and obey.
Ammar bin Yasir supported al-Miqdad. But the ambitious persons played an important role. So, Uthman was appointed caliph.
The End
Al-Miqdad saw Uthman deviating from the Prophet's behaviour. However, he stayed loyal to his religion. He became ninety years old. Then he passed away.
Salman the son of Islam
It was before noon. Some Muslims sat in Prophet's Mosque waiting for Azan (call to prayer) to say noon prayer.
Salman entered mosque and greeted his believing brothers.
The Muslims wanted to know the Persian man's tribe. They mentioned their tribes loudly to let Salman hear them.
One of them said: I belong to Tamim's tribe.
Another said: I belong to the Quraish.
A third said: I belong to al-Aus tribe.
And so on.
But Salman was silent. They wanted to know his tribe. So they asked him: Salman, where are you from?
To teach them the meaning of Islam, Salman answered: I'm the son on Islam! I was lost! So, Allah's guided me with Muhammad. I was poor! So, Allah's made me rich with Muhammad. I was a slave! So, Allah's released me with Muhammad. This is my tribe!
The Muslims in mosque kept silent because Salman taught them a lesson of Islam.
Who was Salman?
How did he believe in Islam?
His name was Roozbah. It means "Happy". He was born at a village in Isfahan. His father was the head of the village. He was a rich man.
At that time, the Persian people worshipped fire because it was the symbol of light. So, fire was sacred to them. Thus, they had temples where fire was made to blaze forever. And there were holy men. They continued its burning day and night.
When Roozbah grew up, his father wanted him to be of great importance. So, he asked him to manage the temple and to go on burning the fire.
Roozbah thought about fire. He refused it as a god, for man takes care of it so as not to put out.
One day, the young man roamed through the distant green fields. In the distance, he saw a pretty building. He headed for it.
The building was a church. The church was built by some monks to worship Allah.
At that time, Christianity was Allah's real religion. The young man talked with the monks. The love of
Allah's religion entered his heart. He asked them: Where's the religion from?
It's from Shaam.
The Migration
Roozbah decided to go to Shaam. He waited for a caravan The traders of the caravan accepted to take him to their homeland.
The young man lived in a priest's house. He wanted to learn the principles of the religion, good behaviour, and the teachings of the Bible.
After a time, the priest died. So, Roozbah immigrated to Mousal ( a city in the northern part of Iraq). There he lived in a church. From Mousal, he moved to Naseebeen. Then he moved to Ammuriyah.
Roozbah lived at Ammuriyah for a time. The priest of Ammuriyah was a good man. Before his death, he said to Roozbah:
During this time, Allah will send a Prophet. The Prophet will bring the religion of Ibrahim al-Khalil. And he'll immigrate to a land with a lot of date palms.
Roozbah asked him: What are his marks?
Some of his marks are:
He'll accept the gift but he won't accept the alms. And the mark of prophecy will be between his shoulders.
The good priest died and Roozbah was by himself. He thought of the immigration to the Arab Peninsula.
One day, a caravan passed by him. The caravan wanted to come back to Hejaz. He gave them all his money to travel to Makkah.
The traders took his money and deprived him of his freedom. They sold him to a Jew as a slave. Roozbah was sad because of that disloyalty, but he was patient. He sincerely began working on the Jewish man's farm.
Days passed. One morning a man belonged to Bani Quraidha came to visit his cousin. He saw Roozbah working very hard. The man said to his cousin: Please sell me that slave.
Roozbah became happy because Bani Quraidha lived in Yathrib full of date-palms. In the meantime, the priest of Ammuriyah told him that the promised Prophet would appear in it. Roozbah was always counting the days. He looked forward to the Prophet's appearance.
One day, while he was working on the farm, he heard his master saying to a friend of his:
Muhammad's arrived at Quba. And some people of Yathrib have received him.
Roozbah rejoiced at the news, for it was time to get his freedom. He waited till evening. When it became dark, he took some dates and left his master's house secretly.
The distance between Yathrib and Quba was about two miles. Roozbah covered them quickly. When he arrived at Quba, he went to our Master Muhammad [s] and said: These dates as alms.
Our Master Muhammad [s] distributed the dates to his companions, but he did not eat any. Roozbah said to himself: This is the first mark
On the following day, he came again. He had some dates, too. He said to our Master Muhammad [s]: These are gifts.
The Prophet [s] took the dates gratefully. He distributed them to his companions and ate some. Roozbah said to himself: And this is the second mark
For this reason, Roozbah was certain that Muhammad was the promised Prophet. He embraced him and believed in Islam. For this reason, our Master Muhammad [s] named him Salman.
Freedom
Islam has come to free person from control of another person. Allah has given man freedom. Thus our Master Muhammad [s] said to his companions: Help Salman to get his freedom.
The Jewish man accepted to free Salman provided that he should plant him three thousand date-palms.
His brothers collected him the palm shootings. And our Master Muhammad [s] began planting them. They all lived.
In this way, Allah granted Salman freedom. Therefore, he lived happily with our Master Muhammad [s].
Madina Defense
In Ramadan, 5 A.H., the Muslims heard about the polytheists' intention to invade Madina.
The Jews were always planning and urging the Quraish and the Arab tribes to invade Madina and destroy Islam. The Jews spent a lot of money to call up ten thousand fighters.
Our Master Muhammad [s] was always asking the advice of his companions to solve the problems the Muslims faced. The Muslims held a meeting in the Prophet's Mosque to exchange views.
The new invasion was full of danger, for the Muslim troops were about 1,000 fighters, while the invaders were ten thousand fighters. Besides, they had different kinds of weapons.
The Muslims were in a fix. Some of them were afraid. And the hypocrites were always scaring the people and spreading rumours.
While the Muslims were exchanging views to face the coming danger, Salman stood up and said: Allah's Apostle [s], in Persia, we dug a trench when an enemy attacked us.
Salman's opinion surprised the Muslims. The Prophet [s] and the Muslims were all happy.
The Trench
The northern border of Madina was weak. Our Master Muhammad [s] wanted the trench to be about five thousand meters long, nine meters wide, and seven meters deep.
On the following day, the Muslims went out carrying their digging tools.
To end the trench accurately and quickly, our Master Muhammad [s] ordered each ten fighters to dig forty meters.
It was winter. The wind was very cold. The Muslims were fasting. Still they were working with enthusiasm. And they were not paying attention to the Jews' and the hypocrites' rumours.
Our Master Muhammad [s] was working actively, encouraging his companions, and saying some prayers to Abdullah bin Rawaha, a companions of his:
Allah, You've made us guided! And made us give alms and pray! Then grant us patience! And make us steady when we meet (our enemy)!
The Rock
Salman was working with his brothers, the Muhajireen (immigrants) and the Ansar (supporters).
One day, they found a hard, white rock. Salman tried to smash it with his pick-axe. His companions tried to smash it but they were unable, too. Whenever they hit the rock, it gave sparks.
Therefore, the Muslims asked Salman's opinion. Salman went to tell the Prophet [s] about the rock and to allow them to change the direction of the trench.
The Prophet [s] came to the trench and took the pick-axe from Salman. He came into the trench. And he asked the Muslims to get him some water.
The Prophet [s] poured the water on the rock, held the pick-axe, and said: By the Name of Allah.
He hit the rock and split one-third.
The Prophet [s] said: Allah's great! I've been given the keys of Shaam! By Allah, I can see its palaces!
The Prophet [s] hit the rock again, split another one-third, and said: Allah's great! I've been given the keys of Persia! By Allah, I can see the palaces of al-Madain!
Then he made a third hit, smashed the rock, and said: Allah's great! I've been given the keys of Yemen! By Allah, I can see gates of Sanaa!
The Muslims rejoiced at Allah's victory.
But the hypocrites began sneering at the believers: How will you conquer Persia, Rome, and Yemen while you're digging a trench in Yathrib?
But the believers had no doubt about Allah's victory, for Allah grants his sincere slaves a victory.
The Muslims went on digging the trench day and night for a month.
During that time, the Muslims were moving the agricultural crops into Madina to live on them in the siege and to prevent the enemy from making use of them.
The Siege
The Armies of the Allies headed by Abu Sufyan arrived in Madina. Seeing the trench, they wondered and said: The Arabs don't know this trick!
And the polytheists knew that it was Salman's idea. They besieged Madina. Abu-Sufyan was looking in vain for an opening to pass through the trench.
During the siege, the Muslims and the polytheists reciprocated arrows.
One day, the polytheists' horsemen could pass through the trench and arrived at the front of the Muslims.
Our Master Muhammad [s] ordered his fighters to hinder the polytheists. Thus Ali Bin Abu Talib stood up to fight Amru bin Abdi-Wud, a hero of the polytheists'.
When Imam Ali [a] began fighting the enemy of Islam, our Master Muhammad [s] prayed to Allah to grant them all a victory. Then he said: Today, all belief has begun fighting all atheism.
The young man of Islam gained a victory over his enemy, and the Muslims shouted: Allah's great! Allah's great!
When the polytheists escaped towards the trench, the Muslims pursued and killed some of them.
The Victory
The polytheists were unsuccessful to cross the trench. The siege became long. Allah granted his Apostle and the believers a victory.
The strong winds were blowing against the Allies' Armies. They uprooted their tents and dismayed them.
One night, the polytheists were tired of the siege. Therefore, Abu Sufyan decided to withdraw his fighters.
In the morning, our Master Muhammad [s] sent Hudhayfa to the enemy front to get him some information.
Hudhayfa told Allah's Apostle [s] about the defeat of the enemy armies.
The Muslims were filled with happiness. They thanked Allah for granting them a victory over the enemies of the religion and of the humanity.
After a month's siege, the Muslims happily came back home.
In the Prophet's Mosque
The Muslims came together in the Prophet's Mosque. They were thanking Allah, the Glorified. They were looking at Salman, the great companion, with love and respect because he saved Madina and Islam from the invaders with his plan.
For this reason, the Ansar from Madina said: Salman is one of us!
And the Muhajireen shouted: Salman is one of us!
And the Muslims listened to the Prophet [s] to hear his view about Salman: Salman is a member of my family!
Then the Prophet [s] said: Don't say Salman al-Farsi, but say Salman al-Muhammadi!
Since that day, the Muslims had looked gratefully and respectfully at Salman.
Jihad
Salman was always going with our Master Muhammad [s] to defend the Muslim Mission against the enemies.
Salman took part in all Muslim battles: the Battle of Bani Quraidha, the Battle of Khaibar, the Conquest of Makkah, the Battle of Hunain, and the Battle of Tabook.
Salman was one of the first persons who paid homage to Allah's Apostle [s] under the tree. That homage was called al-Ridhwan.
Salman was a truthful believer and a loyal Mujahid.
For this reason, the Muslims heard our Master Muhammad [s] saying: The Paradise is longing for three persons. They're Ali, Ammar, and Salman.
They were a pretty sight because they were from three countries. Islam had gathered them together. So, they became brothers.
In the meantime, Abu Sufyan passed by and look laughingly at them because he was always behaving according to the behaviour of the pre-lslamic people. And because he thought that Arabs were better than other nations.
But our Master Muhammad said: There's no difference between an Arab and a foreigner but in the fear of Allah.
Salman, Bilal, and Suhaib wanted to teach Abu Sufyan a lesson and to remind him of the mercy of Islam.
So, they said: The swords haven't taken anything from Allah's enemy!
Abu-Bakr heard their words and said with anger: Why have you said these words to the Shaikh of the Quraish and their leader.
Abu-Bakr went to our Master Muhammad [s] to tell him about their words.
But our Master Muhammad [s] said: Abu Bakr, have you made them angry? If you have made them angry, then you have made Allah angry.
Abu Bakr felt sorry because he made them angry. Thus he went to them quickly and said: Brothers, I may have made you angry!
They answered with Muslim kindness:No, Abu Bakr, may Allah forgive you!
The Prophet's Demise
On Monday, 28th Safar, the Prophet [s] passed away The Muslims became sad. Salman wept over him.
Salman loved our Master Muhammad [s] very much. He followed his behaviour and memorized his words.
For this reason, Salman loved Ali, for Allah and his Apostle loved him.
And he heard the Prophet [s] saying again and again:
Ali is with justice and justice is with Ali.
You are in the same position with respect to me as Harun was to Musa except that there is no Prophet after me.
Whomsoever I'm the authority over, Ali is also the authority over.
Salman had heard those traditions and others.
For this reason, he believed in Ali's Imamate and in his Caliphate after our Master Muhammad [s].
The Homage
Many Companions of the Prophet [s] were surprised at that homage. And they opposed it because they thought that the true Caliph was Ali [a].
For this reason, Salman, Abu-Dharr, al-Miqdad, Ammar bin Yasir, Abdullah bin Abbas, al-Zubair bin al-Awam, Qais bin Saad, Usama bin Zaid, Abu Ayyoob al-Ansary, Abdullah bin Masoud and so on, did not pay homage to Abu-Bakr.
Imam Ali [a] kept on his attitude towards the homage till his wife, Fatima al-Zahra, our Master Muhammad's daughter, died.
Imam Ali [a] paid homage to Abu Bakr to save the Muslims from division. Salman was waiting to pay homage. The Imam said to him: Aba Abdullah, pay homage.
Salman obeyed Allah, Allah's Apostle [s] and the Imam. So, he paid homage.
Imam Ali [a] loved Salman and said about him: Salman is a member of the Prophet's family. He is like Luqman al-Hakim He has read the first Book and the last Book, namely, the Holy Bible and the Holy Qur'an.
Al-Madain
Salman took part in the battles of Persia. He was in the advance of the fighters. And he was fighting bravely.
Saad bin Abi-Wakkas was the leader of the campaign against al-Madain. Salman was beside him. He crossed the river with his horse.
Salman was a translator between the Muslims and the Persian people. Thus the city surrendered without shedding blood.
Caliph Umar bin al-Khattab appointed him ruler over al-Madain. He was a model for the just, Muslim ruler.
His salary was five thousand Dirhams. But he divided them all among the poor.
He lived a simple life. He bought palm-leaves by a Dirham. He made baskets and sold them for three
Dirhams. He spent a Dirham on his family, gave a Dirham to the poor, and saved the third Dirham to buy palm-leaves.
His clothing were simple. When the travellers and the strangers saw him, they regarded him as a poor man from al-Madain.
One day, while Salman was walking in the market, a traveller ordered him to carry his baggage. Salman carried the baggage and began walking after the man.
In the street, the people were greeting Salman respectfully. The traveller wondered and asked the people around him: Who's that poor man?
They answered: He's Salman al-Farsi, the companion of Allah's Apostle [s], and the Emir of al-Madain
The traveller was surprised. He apologised to Salman and asked him to put down the baggage.
Salman refused that and said: Till I see you off.
The traveller felt sorry and knew that Salman was Allah's supporter.
Kufa
After the Conquest of al-Madain, the Muslims began looking for a suitable place to inhabit.
So, Salman and Hudhayfa bin al-Yamman went looking for a suitable land to match the Muslims' customs.
They chose the land of Kufa and said some prayers there. On that day Kufa was founded. Then it became the capital of the Muslim government and a center for science and knowledge.
The Jihad Again
Uthman became the Caliph of Muslims. But the Muslims removed him from his office.
Salman became happy. He set out for Madina to visit our Master Muhammad's Holy Shrine, and to say prayers in his mosque.
Salman liked Jihad and sacrificing his life to defend the Muslim government against its enemies. So, he joined the fighters to conquer Balengerd City in Turkey. And he had many brave attitudes there.
The Coming Back
Salman became very old. Then he was invalid. The Muslims visited him and asked Allah to recover him from his illness. The Muslims were looking at Salman lovingly because he loved Allah and people and did a lot of good.
One morning Salman asked his wife to get him the parcel he had kept for years. His wife asked him about the parcel. Salman said: Dear Allah's Apostle [s] has said to me:
If death comes to you, some people will come to you. They like perfume but they don't eat food.
The Shaikh untied the parcel and splashed it with water. A sweet smell spread and filled the space of the room. Salman asked his wife to open the door.
Only a few moments passed, the Shaikh shut his eves and passed away.
His Shrine
The visitor can find a big shrine, named Salman Paak including the tomb of the great Companion Salman al-Muhammadi, the loyal son of Islam, in the area which tourists visit to see the ruins of al-Madain where Kossra Arch stands.
Salman was a young man when he left the Iranian land. He visited many cities and towns in Turkey, Shaam, Iraq, and Hijaz. After a long life of Jihad and of worship, he died at al-Madain.
Worth mentioning, the people of Madain called him Salman Paak. "Paak" is a Persian word meaning clean. Yes! Salman was clean-hearted. And, he was a member of the Prophet's family.
Ammar bin Yasir
The people in Makkah lived in ignorance and darkness. The strong persecuted the weak and deprived them of their rights. No one supported the weak.
The Quraishi leaders were traders. Each year, they had two trade journeys.
In summer, their caravans went to Shaam. In winter they went to Yemen.
The people in Makkah were of two classes: one class was rich, the other was poor. The rich persecuted the poor. Some poor people were slaves. They had nothing, not even their freedom.
Our Master Muhammad [s] lived in that time. He went to Mount Hira. There he thought of his people. He felt pain for them because they worshipped idols.
Our Master Muhammad [s] became forty years old.
One day, Jibreel came down from the sky. He told Muhammad [s] about Islam.
Our Master Muhammad [s] came down the mountain. He was carrying the Mission of Islam. He intended to spread it among people to live peacefully.
The poor and the persecuted listened to the Mission of Islam. They believed in it. So their hearts were filled with love for Islam.
The traders and the rich of Quraish heard about Islam. Thus, they had spite against our Master Muhammad [s]. in the meantime, they plotted against Islam and the Muslims.
Abu Jahal was the most spiteful polytheist. He mistreated our Master Muhammad [s] very much.
Al Arqam's House
Our Master Muhammad [s] met the believers secretly in al-Arqam's house. He wanted to keep his religion a secret so that Abu Jahal, Abu Sufyan and other polytheists would not hurt the Muslims.
One day Ammar bin Yasir came and saw a man standing at the door. The man's name was Suhaib. Ammar said to him:
Suhaib, what are you doing here?
Suhaib answered:
I've come to hear Muhammad's words. And what are you doing?
I've come to hear his words, too.
Then Ammar and Suhaib came into al-Arqam's house. They humbly began listening to Allah's words and to the Verses of the Holy Qur'an. Ammar's heart was full of belief as streams are full of rain water.
When Ammar and Suhaib wanted to leave al-Arqam's house, our Master Muhammad [s] said to them:
Stay here till evening.
Allah's Apostle [s] was afraid that Quraish would hurt them. Ammar waited until it got dark. Then he left al-Arqam's house and hurried towards his house. His mother and father were waiting for him anxiously.
When Ammar entered, the little house was full of happiness. He began telling his parents about Islam, Allah's religion.
Yasir's Family
Ammar belonged to Yemen's tribes, but how did he come to Makkah?
Yasir, Ammar's father, and his two brothers al-Harith and Malik looked for their missing brother everywhere. But they did not find him. Therefore, they decided to go to Makkah to look for him. They did not find him there, too.
Al-Harith and Malik wanted to come back to Yemen, but Yasir decided to stay in Makkah to live near Allah's Holy House.
Yasir joined the tribe of Bani Makhzoom. Then he became one of its members. He married a female slave. Her name was Summayya.
Days passed. Summayya gave birth to a baby. His father named him Ammar.
Ammar
Ammar was born four years before the year of the elephant. Our Master Muhammad [s] was born in that year.
When Ammar became a young man, he made friendship with our Master Muhammad [s]. then he became his companion.
Ammar loved our Master Muhammad [s] because of his good behaviour.
Ammar was twenty-nine years old. Meanwhile our Master Muhammad [s] was twenty-five years old.
One day, while Ammar was walking with our Master Muhammad [s] between al-Safa Mount and al-Marwah Mount, Hala, Khadijah bint Khuwailid's sister came.
Hala took Ammar aside and said to him:
Ask Muhammad to marry my sister, Khadijah.
Our Master Muhammad [s] accepted her. Then the blessed marriage took place.
When Allah appointed our Master Muhammad [s] as Prophet, Ammar, his father Yasir and his mother Summayya believed in him.
The Revenge
Abu Jahal heard that Ammar became a Muslim. So, he got crazy.
Abu Jahal led a group of polytheists and went to Yasir's house. Torches were in their hands. They burnt the house and took Yasir, Ammar and Summayya to a desert outside Makkah.
They chained and began torturing them. First, they whipped them till blood flowed out. Then they brought torches and began burning their bodies. But that small family went on their firm belief.
Abu Jahal brought rocks and put them on their chests. They were breathing hard. Still they were believers.
It was noon. The heat was intense. Abu Jahal and the polytheists came back to Makkah. They left Yasir's family in the intense heat of the sun.
In the meantime, our Master Muhammad [s] passed by the family. When he saw them he wept and said:
Yasir's family, be patient! Your reward will be Paradise!
Summayya said with belief:
I confess that you're Allah's Apostle. And your promise is true.
The criminals came back. Abu Jahal was in advance. There was a long spear in his hand. He began torturing them savagely.
Ammar, Yasir and Summayya were unconscious. So the criminals showered them with water. When they got well again, Abu Jahal shouted at Summayya stormily:
Praise our gods; dispraise Muhammad!
Summayya spat in his face and said:
How bad you and your gods are!
Abu Jahal boiled in anger. Thus, he raised his spear high and it Summayya on the belly. Then he began stabbing her body with his spear until she died. For this reason, Summayya became the first martyr in the history of Islam.
Then Abu Jahal began kicking Yasir on the belly savagely until he died.
Ammar saw what happened to his parents and he wept. Then Abu Jahal shouted angrily:
If you don't praise our gods, I'll kill you!
Ammar could not endure that cruel torture. So he reluctantly said:
Hubal (an idol) is great!
Ammar praised their idols to save himself from torture. So they unchained and left him.
The Belief in the Heart
Ammar went weeping to our Master Muhammad [s]. He did not weep for his parents or for himself or for the torture he had suffered - he wept because he praised the polytheists' idols.
Allah's Apostle consoled Ammar on his parents martyrdom. Ammar went on weeping. Then he said:
Allah's Apostle, the polytheists did not release me until they forced me to praise their gods!
Our Master Muhammad [s] said kindly:
Ammar, what about your heart?
Ammar answered:
Allah's Apostle, my heart's certain of faith.
The Prophet [s] said:
Don't worry! Allah sent down a verse concerning you:
"Not, he who is compelled while his heart is at rest because of his faith."
The Migration
The condition of the Muslims in Makkah became critical. So, our Master Muhammad [s] ordered his companions to immigrate to Yathrib.
Ammar was one of those who migrated for Allah.
When our Master Muhammad [s] immigrated too, happiness covered al-Madina al-Munawwara. And the immigrants lived peacefully with their brothers in Yathrib.
First, Allah's Apostle [s] thought of building a mosque so that the Muslims would worship Allah alone. In the meantime it would be a symbol for the Muslims strength and a castle for the Muslim nation.
With enthusiasm, the Muslims began building the Prophet's Mosque.
Some Muslims were carrying dust. Some were making bricks and some were carrying the dried bricks to make the walls.
Our Master Muhammad [s] was working with his companions. Ammar, though covered with dust, was working actively.
Each Muslim was carrying a brick. But Ammar was carrying two bricks. For this reason, our Master Muhammad [s] said to him:
They (the Muslims) will get a reward; you'll get two rewards.
To encourage his Muslim brothers, Ammar repeated the following enthusiastic words:
Those who build the mosque do not equal those who avoid dust.
Some companions were avoiding dust. They became displeased with Ammar's words. Uthman came to Ammar and said threateningly:
I'll hit you on the nose with this stick!
Ammar looked at Uthman but did not say a word.
Our Master Muhammad [s] heard about Uthman's threat. He felt pain. Then he came to Ammar and said:
You're dear to me!
Our Master Muhammad [s] rubbed the dust from Ammar's face. Thus the great companions heart was filled with love for the Holy Prophet.
Jihad (Holy War)
Days and months passed. Allah, the Glorified, wanted to punish those who persecuted the Muslims in Makkah and robbed them of their money.
The Battle of Badr took place. Ammar was one of the fighters who went to hinder the Quraishi caravan coming from Shaam. The Muslims heard that the polytheists had formed an army. Abu Jahal headed the army. He was heading for al-Madina al-Munawwara.
The Prophet asked the advice of his companions. Finally, he took a decision to face the polytheists. Our Master Muhammad [s] sent Ammar bin Yasir and Abdullah bin Masoud to get him information about the polytheists' army.
Ammar was brave. He approached the polytheists caravans and went round their camp to collect information.
Ammar and his friend came back to our Master Muhammad [s]. Ammar said:
The army is afraid. The horse wants to neigh. But its owner hits it on the face. And its raining heavily. Therefore, they can't move easily. Generally speaking, the polytheists are in low spirits.
In the morning, when the polytheists woke, they found strange footprints. Munbih bin al-Hajjaj had a good knowledge of footprints. He said:
By al-Lat and al-Uzza, these are Ammar's and Abdullah's footprints.
The Battle of Badr
On the morning of 17th Ramadan, 2 A.H., the great Battle of Badr, the first battle in the history of Islam, took place. At that battle, Allah granted the believers victory over the polytheists.
Ammar was fighting with enthusiasm. When the polytheists escaped, Ammar saw Abu Jahal. So, he remembered those days when Abu Jahal tortured the Muslims and tortured his parents. Now, the swords of the persecuted got revenge on the unjust. Ammar looked at the sky and thanked Allah, the Glorified, for his victory.
Ammar was with Truth
Ammar was sixty years old. However, he was more eager than the young men to strive for Allah. Ammar deeply believed in Allah. He loved the Apostle of humanity, our Master Muhammad [s]. The Prophet [s] also loved his old friend, Ammar. He praised him on several occasions:
Ammar is with truth and truth is with Ammar. Truth is always with him.
Ammar is full of faith. Blessed is Ammar, the unjust group will kill you. Your last food in this world will be a cup of yoghurt.
Days, months and years passed. Ammar was always with our Master Muhammad [s] he was always striving for Allah against the enemies of Islam and humanity.
In 11 A.H., our Master Muhammad [s] passed away. On that occasion, all Muslims became sad. Ammar wept over his old friend, Allah's Apostle. He remembered the days of his youth in Makkah and the days of Jihad.
Ammar (may Allah be pleased with him) stayed loyal to his Islam. He was always striving for the religion and saying the word of truth. He was not afraid of anyone but Allah.
Ammar loved Ali bin Abu Talib because he heard our Master Muhammad [s] always saying:
Ali, no one loves you but a believer and no one hates you but a hypocrite.
Ali, you are in the same position with respect to me as Harun was to Musa except there is no Prophet after me.
On the farewell pilgrimage, Ammar saw our Master Muhammad [s] taking both arms of Ali and raising them high, he said:
Whoever, I am the master of, this man, Ali is his master. Allah, befriend whoever befriends him, be hostile to whoever opposes him. Support whoever supports him and desert whoever deserts him.
For this reason, Ammar thought that Ali bin Abu Talib would be the Caliph after our Master Muhammad [s]. Anyhow, Abu Bakr al-Sidiq became the Caliph after the Prophet. But some companions opposed his Caliphate. Ammar opposed his Caliphate too. And he stood by Ali bin Abu Talib and Fatima al-Zahra, our Master Muhammad's daughter.
After a short while, Fatima al-Zahra, the mistress of the women of the world, died.
Jihad
Ammar devoted most of his time to the life of Jihad. He took part in the Muslims conquest battles. He also fought bravely against the apostasy in Yemen.
When Umar bin al-Khattab became the Caliph after Abu Bakr, he appointed Ammar to rule over Kufa.
There Ammar treated people according to Allah's law. And the people were pleased with his just, merciful and humble treatment.
Al-Shura (Consultation)
In 23 A.H., Umar bin al-Khattab was assassinated. Some Muslims had come to Umar, earlier, and asked him to appoint a Caliph after him.
The Caliph decided that the Caliphate had to be shura (consultation). So, he elected six persons. They were Ali bin Abu Talib [a], Uthman bin Affan, Talha, Zubair, Abdul Rahman bin Auf and Saad bin Abi Wakkas.
Umar ordered the persons to hold a meeting in one of their houses to appoint one of them caliph within three days.
Ammar hoped that they would elect Ali because of his long jihad, his blood relation to our Master Muhammad [s], his knowledge, his outstanding merits and his priority in Islam.
One day passed. Then two days passed. But there was no result. There was serious competition between Ali bin Abu Talib [a] and Uthman bin Affan for the Caliphate.
Some companions such as al-Miqdad, Ammar bin Yasir, al-Abbas, and others stood by the house.
They hoped that Ali would be elected. Banu Ummayyah stood by the house, too. They hoped that Uthman would be elected.
To make Abdul Rahman bin Auf hear, Ammar loudly said:
If you want to see the Muslims in agreement then appoint Ali.
To support Ammar, al-Miqdad said:
Ammar has told the truth. If you appoint Ali, we'll hear and obey him.
AbdulRahman's ambition was to be a caliph. He refused to appoint Ali because Ali would not hand him the Caliphate later on.
So, Abdul Rahman appointed Uthman to hand him the Caliphate after his death.
Thus Uthman became the third Caliph.
Imam Ali went out after he had said to Abdul Rahman:
This is not the first day when you support each other against us! But patience is good and Allah is whose help is sought for against what you describe.
By Allah, you have appointed Uthman caliph to hand you the Caliphate.
Ammar was very unhappy for the Ahlul Bait because they were worthier of Caliphate than other people and because Allah kept away uncleanness from them and purified them thoroughly.
Deviation
Six years passed after Uthman's Caliphate.
Gradually, the Caliph deviated from Islam and from our Master Muhammad's behaviour.
Uthman appointed his blood relatives rulers over the cities. They were bad, unjust persons.
For example, Uthman appointed al-Waleed bin Utbah, his half brother, ruler over Kufa. Al-Waleed drank alcohol and went drunk to the mosque.
Uthman made Marwan bin Hakam the real ruler of the Muslim government. He appointed the rulers and dismissed them. He dismissed the great companion Salman al-Farsi from Mada-inn and appointed one of his blood relatives over it.
Uthman also dismissed Saad bin Abi Wakkas from Kufa and appointed al-Waleed bin Akabah over it.
Uthman spent the Muslims' money on his blood relatives from Bani Ummayyah and left the poor to live in pain.
The Word of Truth
There were jewels in the Muslim public treasury. Uthman divided the jewels among his daughters and wives. The Muslims became angry. They began talking against Uthman's bad behaviour.
Uthman went on with his corrupt policy. One day, he went up the pulpit and addressed the people:
We'll take whatever we need from the Public Treasury in spite of all people.
Imam Ali bin Abu Talib became sad when he heard Uthman's words. Ammar bin Yasir aged 90 stood up and said the word of truth:
By Allah, I'm the first man to prevent you from that.
The Caliph became annoyed and said:
Bin Yasir, how dare you say these words before me!
Uthman ordered his guards to arrest Ammar. The guards respected neither Ammar's old age nor his friendship to Allah's Apostle [s]. They drew him into Uthman's room. They chained his hands and legs.
Then the Caliph came and began hitting Ammar on the belly till he became unconscious. Some Muslims came and carried him to our Master Muhammad's wife, Umm Salama's house.
Ammar remembered the days of torture in Makkah. He could endure as many times as what Uthman did because he was a young man. But today he was unable to endure Uthman's torture because he became an old man.
Umm Salama felt pain when she saw Ammar in that bad condition. Yet Ammar said:
This is not the first day when we suffer from torture for Allah.
Uthman Banishes Abu Dhar
Uthman banished Abu Dhar to al-Rabatha Desert which is uninhabited because of its bad climate.
Besides Uthman prevented the Muslims from seeing off Abu Dhar. Any how, some Companions of the Prophet went out to see off the great companion Abu-Dhar.
Ali Bin Abu-Talib, our Master Muhammad's grandsons, al-Hasan and al-Husain, and Ammar went out to see off Abu-Dhar.
Then Imam Ali [a] said:
May not Allah amuse those who annoy you. And He may not make safe those who have dismayed you. By Allah, if you want their world, they'll make you safe. And if you are pleased with their actions, they'll love you.
Abu Dhar, his wife, and his daughter went to al-Rabatha Desert. He remembered the tradition of our our Master Muhammad [s]:
Abu-Dhar, you'll live alone, and die alone!
The Revolution
The Muslims' anger increased because of Uthman's and his rulers' behaviour. The Prophet's Companion's in Madina wrote to people every where:
If you want Jihad, then come to it. Because your Caliph has corrupted Muhammad's religion.
For this reason, the delegates from Kufa, Egypt, Basra, and the like came to Madina and went to the Caliph to ask him to change his based policy. But he dismissed them. So, they went to Ali Bin Abu-Talib, our Master Muhammad's cousin and his successor.
Imam Ali [a] hoped that Uthman would come back to the laws of Islam. Thus he went to advise him:
Don't be a tool in Marwan's hand. Don't let him direct you to whatever he likes. Don't forget your position with respect to Allah's Apostle [s].
Uthman agreed to announce his repentance before people. So, he went out and apologized to people for his bad behaviour. Besides he promised them to follow a new policy Allah and his Apostle accepted. But Marwan, who was cunning, said to him:
Don't be weak before people. Threaten them!
Nayylah, Uthman's wife, knew that Marwan was a bad man and that he disliked Muslims. For this reason, she said to her husband:
Listen to Ali because people love and obey him: don't listen to Marwan because people hate him.
Uthman did not listen to those who advised him. So, people revolted and killed him in his palace.
Imam Ali [A]
The Muslim masses headed for Imam Ali's house. They asked him to be the Caliph. The Imam refused that and said:
Look for another man.
But people realized that the Imam was the only man who deserved the Caliphate. Therefore, they insisted on their attitude. Finally, the Imam agreed to shoulder this responsibility to deprive the ambitious of it.
Justice
The Muslims revolted for justice. They were angry at persecution. Imam Ali [a] was the symbol of justice.
The Imam did not sadden the Muslims. On the first day, he dismissed all the bad rulers Uthman had appointed. Then he appointed good rulers.
The Imam dismissed Mu'awiyah from Sham. But Mu'awiyah was always planning to control Sham first. Then he planned to control the Muslim lands in general. So, he rebelled and announced that he would get revenge on Uthman's killers. For this reason, the Battle of Siffeen took place on the borders between Syria and Iraq.
Imam Ali's army included many companions of Allah's Apostle [s]. Ammar bin Yasir, Malik al-Ashter, Abdullah bin Abbas, and others were among them.
Mu'awiyah's army included the enemies of Islam such as Marwan bin Al-Hakam, Amru bin al-Ass, bin Abi-Maayad, and those who escaped from Ali's Justice to Mu'awiyah's world.
The Unjust Group will kill You
The Muslims in both armies were always repeating our Master Muhammad [s] tradition:
Ammar, the unjust group will kill you.
Ammar was in Imam Ali's Army. He was over ninety years old. Nevertheless, he fought as bravely as the believing young man did.
He looked at the sky and said:
Allah, if I know that you are pleased with throwing myself into the Euphrates, I'll do! Allah, I know that you are pleased to see me striving those corrupt people!
Ammar was with truth, and truth was always with him. So, he said:
By Allah, if they (Mu'awiyah's Army) defeat and chase us to the Hajar date-palms, I'll say that we're right and they're wrong.
When the battle broke out, Ammar addressed the fighters:
Who wants Allah's satisfaction?
Some believers accepted his words. So, Ammar led them towards the enemy. When the companions saw him passing through the enemy army, they followed him.
Although Ammar was fasting, he was fighting with great enthusiasm. In the middle of the battle, Ammar saw Amru bin al-Ass and said to him:
Amru, Woe on you! You've sold your religion for Egypt!
Namely, Mu'awiyah promised to give Egypt to Amru bin Al-Ass if the latter stood by him.
Amru bin al-Ass said with trick:
No, I'm requesting Uthman's blood!
Ammar said:
I firmly believe that your action is not for Allah.
Then Ammar advised him:
If you won't be killed today, you'll die tomorrow. And actions are according to intentions. So, correct your intentions because Allah will reward people according to their intentions.
The Trial
The Muslims were in a fix. They did not distinguish right from wrong. Their guide was Ammar because our Master Muhammad [s] said:
The unjust group will kill Ammar.
Amru bin al-Ass deceived the people of Sham when he said to them:
Be patient! Ammar will come to your front!
The days of the war passed, but Ammar was fighting at the front of right. He was always standing by Ali.
One day, Ammar and a believing group launched an attack. Ammar was fighting bravely. He remembered the days when he fought beside our Master Muhammad [s] He remembered the Battles of Badr, Uhud and the other Muslims battles.
Though Ammar was fasting, he went on fighting. When the sun set, Ammar asked some water because he was thirsty. A fighter brought him a cup full of yogurt. Ammar smiled. Then he cheerfully said:
Tonight, I may die a martyr.
Some fighters asked him about the secret. He said:
My dear Allah's Apostle [a] has told me:
The unjust group will kill you. And your final food in this world will be a cup of yogurt.
Ammar (May Allah be pleased with him) drank the cup of yoghurt. Then he continued fighting till he fell over the ground and became a martyr.
Mu'awiyah was about to fly because of happiness. Imam Ali [a] was full of sadness and sorrow. During those moments all Muslims knew the unjust group.
Some soldiers in Mu'awiyah's Army were waiting for Ammar's coming to their front. But they saw him fighting bravely beside Imam Ali [a] till he became a martyr. So, they sneered at Amru bin al-Ass' claim. In the meantime, they took advantage of the dark and began coming to join the Imam's Army. They knew that it was the front of right.
The End
Ammar's martyrdom sounded at both fronts. Imam Ali's Army was in high spirits, but Mu'awiyah's Army was in low spirits.
At that night, the Imam's Army launched a wide attack against Mu'awiyah's Army. The Imam's Army was about to win victory. But Amru bin al-Ass created a new trick. He ordered the army of Sham to raise the Koran. They were demanding the Imam's Army to turn to Allah's Book.
The fights stopped. Both armies withdrew from the Valley of Siffeen. The martyrs' bodies stayed on the battlefield. The body of Ammar, aged ninety six, stayed there too.
Nowadays, when the Muslims visit that area, they can see the big shrine of that great companion, who spent all his life in striving for Islam. When Ammar became a martyr, the Muslims knew the right front during that bitter war.
Malik al-Ashtar
Al-Rabathah
Al-Rabathah is a desert between Makkah and Madina. It is a barren land. No one inhabits it. But in the year 30 A.H., there was only one tent. In the tent there were an old man, an old woman, and their daughter.
Why did the old man inhabit that distant area in the middle of the desert?
He did not inhabit it of his on accord - the Caliph banished him to die there.
The old man was ill. And his wife was always in tears. So, he said to her: Dhar's mother; why do you weep?
The old woman said: Why shouldn't I weep and you're dying in this desert?
The old man said: One day, my friends and I were sitting with Allah's Apostle [s]. And he said to us:
"One of you will die in the desert. And a group of believers will attend his death."
All my friends passed away in their houses. And no one has remained but I. A person will come to your aid.
The old woman said: The time of Hajj (Pilgrimage) is over. And no one has passed through this desert.
The old man said: Don't worry! Go up the hill and look at the road of caravans.
The old woman went up the hill and looked.
A long time passed, in the distance, the old woman saw a caravan coming towards her.
The old woman waved a piece of cloth. The riders wondered and asked each other about that lonely old woman in the desert.
They approached and asked about her condition. She said: My husband is dying. And no one is beside him.
And who's your husband?
While the old woman was weeping, she said: Abu Dhar, the companion of Allah's Apostle!
The owners of the caravan were surprised. So, they said: Abu Dhar! The Prophet's companion! Come on! Let's see him!
The men went to the tent. When they came into it, they saw Abu Dhar sleeping in his bed. They said: Assalamu Alaik, companion of Allah's Apostle!
Wa Alaikum al-Salam, who are you?
One of them said: Malik bin al-Haarth al-Ashtar. And there are some men with me from Iraq. We're going to Madina to tell the Caliph about the persecution we suffer from.
Abu Dhar said: My brothers, be cheerfull! Allah's Apostle [s] has told me that I'll die in the desert and that some believers will attend my death.
Malik and his friends rejoiced at that Prophetic good news. They sat down in Abu Dhar's tent. Malik al-Ashtar felt sorry for him. And he was sad to hear that the Umayyads mistreated the great companion, Abu Dhar.
Al-Ashtar
Malik bin al-Haarth al-Nakhay belonged to an old Yemeni tribe. He became a Muslim in the time of the Prophet [s]. He was loyal to his Islam.
He took part and fought bravely in the Battle of Yarmook. He had brave attitudes in stopping the Romans' attacks against the Muslim Army. So, his eye was split by a sword, namely, its lower lid was split. Thus, he was called al-Ashtar.
In 30 A.H., the Muslims in Kufa and other Muslim cities were angry with their rulers' behaviour. For example, al-Waleed bin Akabah, the Caliph Uthman's brother, the ruler of Kufa, behaved contrary to Islam - he drank alcohol and spent his time in amusements.
One day, al-Waleed entered mosque drunk. He prayed four Raka'as during the morning prayers. Then he turned to the worshipers and said sarcastically: Shall I increase my prayers?
People were displeased with his behaviour. They criticized him in markets, houses and mosques.
People asked each other: Has not the Caliph found a good ruler to replace this bad one?
He drank alcohol openly. He violated the teachings of the religion and the Muslims' rights.
So, people thought about a way to solve the problem. Finally, they decided to ask the advice of the good people. So, they went to Malik al-Ashtar. Malik al-Ashtar said to them:
First we'd better advise him. Then we'll tell the Caliph about his bad behaviour.
Malik and some good people went to the ruler's palace. When they got into the palace, they saw him drinking as usual. They advised him to behave well. But he scolded and dismissed them.
So, they decided to go to al-Madina al-Munawwara to meet the Caliph and to tell him about the problem.
The delegation met the Caliph and told him about his ruler's bad behaviour. It was unfortunate that he scolded and dismissed them. Besides, he refused to hear their complaints. So, they became disappointed.
They thought about going to Ali bin Abu-Talib, our Master Muhammad's cousin, because he was the only hope to reform the situation.
The Delegation
In the meantime, all people all over the Muslim cities complained of the rulers' bad behaviour.
The companions went to Imam Ali's house. They told him about the rulers' persecution and corruption.
Imam Ali [a] was sad to hear that. So, he went to the Caliph's palace. He met Uthman and advised him:
Uthman, the Muslims are complaining of the rulers' persecution. And you know that very well I've heard Allah's Apostle [s] saying:
"On the Day of Judgement, the unjust imam will be brought to hell. And no one will support or excuse him. Then, he will be thrown into hell. He'll go round and round it till he gets into its intense heat."
Uthman thought for a while. He bent his head sadly. He admitted his mistakes. And he promised that he would ask Allah for forgiveness and that he would apologise to the Muslims.
Imam Ali [a] went out to give the Muslims good news. They were all happy.
But Marwan, the hypocrite, said to the Caliph: You'd better threaten the people so as no one would dare to say bad words against the Caliph.
The Revolution
Uthman broke his promise. He did not behave well and did not change the rulers. In the meantime, he used strict policy against people. Mu'awiyah, the ruler of Shaam, advised the Caliph to banish some companions from the land.
So, the Caliph banished Abu Dhar, the great companion, to al-Rabathah Desert where he died alone. He hit the companion Ammar bin Yasir, the son of the first two martyrs in Islam.
The Caliph whipped the companion Abdullah bin Masoud, too. So, people grumbled about Uthman's and his rulers' policy.
Our Master Muhammad's companions sent many letters to all Muslim cities. The letters read as follows:
Muslims, come to us. And save the Caliphate. Allah's Book has been changed. And the Prophet's Sunnah has been changed. So, come to us if you believe in Allah and the Day of Judgement.
The Muslim streamed into al-Madina al-Munawwara from everywhere. Malik al-Ashtar represented the revolutionaries. So, he held a meeting with Uthman to reform the affairs of the Muslim State.
The revolutionaries asked Uthman to leave power. But the Caliph refused that. Imam Ali [a] tried to reform the matters. But all his efforts were in vain.
The reason was that the Muslims were displeased with Uthman's and his rulers' persecution. In the meantime, Uthman stubbornly insisted on his policy.
The revolutionaries besieged Uthman's palace.
The revolutionaries climbed the walls of the palace. They broke into the Caliph's room and killed him. Marwan and other hypocrites ran away.
Talha and Zubair were ambitious to get the Caliphate. So, they helped the revolutionaries. But the people were thinking about only one person to be a Caliph. And the person was Imam Ali [a].
Streams of people came into Imam Ali's house. They asked him to be a Caliph. But the Imam refused.
Malik al-Ashtar and other companions insisted on Imam Ali's Caliphate. Malik addressed the people with enthusiasm:
People, this is the Prophet's Regent. He has learnt the Prophet's knowledge. Allah's Book has mentioned his belief. Allah's Apostle [s] has told him that he will enter al-Ridhwan Garden. His personality is perfect The people in the past and present are certain of his behaviour and knowledge.
Thus Malik al-Ashtar was the first to appoint Ali bin Abu-Talib as a Caliph. Then the Muslims followed him.
When Imam Ali [a] became the Caliph, a new time began. He dismissed all the unjust rulers. And he appointed good persons.
The Battle of the Camel
Some people were ambitious for the Caliphate. Talha and Zubair were two of them. They went to Makkah and urged A'isha, Abu Bakr's daughter, to revolt against Imam Ali [a]. Marwan took advantage of that situation. He began spending the Muslims' money, which he had stolen, to form a big army. He announced that he would revenge himself on Uthman's killers.
The army headed for Basrah. There they uprooted the ruler's beard and dismissed him. They robbed the Public Treasury.
Amirul Mu'mineen, Ali bin Abu Talib, was facing that mutiny strongly. He advanced towards Basrah to invite its people to strive against the rebels.
The ruler of Kufa was Abu Musa al-Ashary. He discouraged people from striving against the rebels. In the meantime, he ordered people to disobey Amirul Mu'mineen, Ali bin Abu Talib.
Days passed. But al-Hasan and Ammar bin Yasir did not come back. So, the Imam sent Malik al-Ashtar after them.
Malik al-Ashtar was a brave, determined man. He realized that the people of Kufa were always supporting the Imam against his enemies. And he understood that only Abu Musa al-Ashary obstructed them.
Malik al-Ashtar arrived in Kufa and began inviting its people to follow him. A numerous army obeyed him. So, he could attack the ruler's palace and to dismiss the guards from it.
At that time, Abu Musa al-Ashary was in the mosque asking the people to stay in their houses and to disobey Amirul Mu'mineen orders. The guards came and told him that Malik al-Ashtar occupied the palace.
Abu Musa al-Ashary asked Malik al-Ashtar for a day's time to leave Kufa. So, Malik accepted that. On the same day, Malik al-Ashtar hurried to the mosque to encourage the people to support Imam Ali [a].
Hence, Malik could form a big army. The army was more than eighteen thousand fighters. Al-Hasan headed nine thousand fighters. They marched by land. The others crossed by river. The purpose of all was to join Imam Ali's army at Dhiqaar in the southern part of Iraq.
Imam Ali [a] headed the army and advanced towards Basrah, where he met A'isha's army. The leaders of the A'isha's army were Talha, Zubair and Marwan bin al-Hakam.
Malik al-Ashtar was the leader of the right wing. Ammar leader of the left wing. Imam Ali [a] stood in the middle of the army. And Muhammad bin al-Hanafiyah, Imam Ali's son, carried the banner.
A'isha's Army began attacking Imam Ali's army. They showered the Imam's Army with arrows. So, some fighters were killed and others were wounded.
The Imam's Army wanted to return like for like. But the Imam stopped them and said:
Who can take this Qur'an and go to them to appeal to it? Surely they will kill him.
A young man said: Amirul Mu'mineen, I'll take it.
A Muslim headed for the Army of the Camel raising the Qur'an. A'isha shouted: Throw arrows at him.
So, the bow men threw arrows at him. He fell over the ground and became a martyr.
During those moments, Amirul Mu'mineen raised his hands towards the sky. He prayed for Allah, the Almighty, to grant them a victory. Then he said:
Allah, the eyes are gazing at you! And the hands are extended! Our lord, judge between our nation and us with justice! And you're the best judge!
Then the Imam ordered his fighters to launch a general attack. Malik al-Ashtar advanced. He was fighting bravely. Violent clashes took place around the camel.
The Imam realized that killing the camel would end bloodshed and that it would end the fighting between the two parties.
Malik al-Ashtar launched a violent attack towards the camel. He was fighting bravely and honestly. He did not kill the wounded. He did not chase the runaway.
Malik al-Ashtar copied Imam Ali's good behaviour. He loved the Regent of Allah's Apostle [s]. The Imam loved Malik too, for he was God-fearing. And Allah loves those who fear him.
The Victory
After violent fights, the Imam's Army could kill the camel So, the facing army was in low spirits and its fighters began escaping from the battlefield.
The Imam ordered his fighters to stop the war operations. And he ordered them to treat A'isha kindly and to bring her back to Madina.
The Imam released the prisoners of war. He ordered his fighters to cure the wounded. And he forgave them all.
Malik al-Ashtar and Ammar bin Yasir visited A'isha. She said: Malik, you were about to kill my nephew.
Malik answered: Yes. I wanted to relieve Muhammad's nation from him. But I did not kill him because I was fasting for three days. And I'm an old man.
In Kufa
After some days stay in Basrah, the Imam headed for Kufa.
Malik al-Ashtar fought as bravely as a lion. So, the enemies were afraid of him.
But on the normal days, he looked a poor man. He wore simple clothing. He walked humbly. Thus most people did not know him.
One day, while Malik al-Ashtar was walking was walking in the street, a foolish person was eating some dates and throwing the stones about.
Malik al-Ashtar passed before the foolish person. He threw a stone at Malik. The stone hit him on the back. The foolish person began laughing at him.
A man saw the foolish person. He said to him: What are you doing? Do you know that man?
The foolish person answered: No, who is he?
He's Malik al-Ashtar!
Malik went on walking. He did not pay attention to the foolish person. He remembered how the polytheists treated our Master Muhammad [s] in Makkah. They threw dust and rubbish at him but he kept silent.
Malik came into mosque. He began praying for Allah to forgive the foolish person. The man ran quickly. He came into the mosque. He embraced Malik apologizing and saying:
I want to apologize to you for my bad behavior! So, accept my apology.
Malik answered with a smile: Brother, don't worry. By Allah, I've entered the mosque to pray for Allah to forgive you.
The Battle of Siffeen
The Imam chose the good persons to rule the cities. So, he appointed Malik al Ashtar ruler over Mousal, Sinjar, Naseebeen, Heet, and Anat. They are areas on the borders of Shaam.
Mu'awiyah disobeyed the Caliph. He became a dictator in Shaam.
The Imam tried to persuade Mu'awiyah to obey him. He sent him several letters, sent some delegates to talk with him. But all the Imam's efforts were in vain.
Thus the Imam formed an army and gave its leadership to Malik al-Ashtar.
The army advanced towards Shaam. It arrived in Kirkeesya, where it clashed with the Shamian Army headed by Abi al-Awar al-Salmy.
Malik al-Ashtar tried to persuade the leader of the army to end the mutiny and to obey Amirul Mu'mineen, but he refused.
At night, the Shamian Army took advantage of time and launched a surprise attack. That action was contrary to the religion and politeness because the two parties were in negotiations.
The Caliph's Army resisted the surprising attack. It killed and wounded many attackers and forced the others to withdraw to their original places.
Again Malik al-Ashtar showed his bravery. He sent a man to Abi al-Awar to invite him to duel with swords.
The man said: Abi al-Awar, Malik al-Ashtar is inviting you to duel with him!
The leader of Mu'awiyah's Army became afraid and with cowardice said: I don't want to duel with him!
Mu'awiyah headed a big army to join the Shamian Army.
The two armies met in the plain of Siffeen on the banks of the Euphrates.
Some units of Mu'awiyah's Army occupied the banks and besieged the river.
That action was also contrary to the laws of Islam and the laws of war.
The Imam sent Sasaah bin Suhan, one of the companions of the Prophet [s], to Mu'awiyah to talk with him.
Sasaah came into Mu'awiyah's tent and said: Mu'awiyah, Ali says:
"Let's take some water. Then we'll decide what's between you and us, otherwise we will fight each other till the victor drinks."
Mu'awiyah kept silent and said: I'll answer you later on.
The Imam's representative went out. Mu'awiyah asked the advice of some men. So al-Waleed said with spite:
Prevent them from drinking water to force them to surrender.
They agreed on this opinion.
Mu'awiyah gathered all the evil persons around him. They violated the laws of Islam and of human rights.
Malik al-Ashtar was watching the military movements on the river banks. He saw military supplies. So, he realized that Mu'awiyah would tighten the siege.
The Imam's soldiers became thirsty. Malik became thirsty, too. So, a soldier said to him: There's only little water in my water-skin, please drink it.
Malik refused that and said: I won't drink till all soldiers drink!
Malik went to the Imam and said: Amirul Mu'mineen, our soldiers are very thirsty. We've nothing but fighting.
The Imam answered: Yes.
The Imam gave the soldiers a speech and urged them to fight bravely.
Then he said: Death is that man is pleased with abasement. And life is that man who dies and becomes a martyr.
Malik led the first attack at the Battle of Siffeen. And he began fighting bravely. So, he advanced towards the banks of the Euphrates.
After violent clashes, Malik could recapture the river banks and force Mu'awiyah's Army to withdraw.
Mu'awiyah's Army became far from water. So, they thought of a trick to recapture its places on the River Euphrates.
On the following day, an arrow fell among the Imam's soldiers. There was a letter tied to the arrow. The soldiers read the letter carefully. They passed on the news quickly to each other. The news was:
From a loyal brother in the Shamian Army, Mu'awiyah is going to open the river to drown you. So, be careful!
The soldiers believed the news and withdrew. The Shamian Army took advantage of the situation and recaptured the river banks.
But the Imam's Army launched a general attack and dismissed the Shamian Army from the region.
Mu'awiyah was so worried that he asked Amru bin al-Aas: Do you think Ali will prevent us from drinking water?
Amru bin al-Aas answered: Ali doesn't do as you do!
The Shamian soldiers were worried, too. Immediately, the soldiers heard that Imam Ali [a] allowed them to come to the river to drink water.
Some people from Shaam realized the difference between Mu'awiyah and Ali. Mu'awiyah did every evil action for victory. But Ali did not think about that at all. He conformed to the human, good, ideal behaviour.
Thus, the soldiers of the Shamian Army left Mu'awiyah's front secretly at night. They joined Ali's front because it was always representing truth and humanity.
Mu'awiyah
Mu'awiyah was displeased with Malik al-Ashtar, for his bravery made Ali's Army fight with enthusiasm. In the meantime it dismayed the Shamian soldiers.
So, Mu'awiyah decide to kill Malik in a face-to-face duel with swords. He ordered Marwan to duel with him. But Marwan was afraid of Malik. Thus he apologised to Mu'awiyah and said: Let bin al-Aas duel with him because he's your right arm.
Then Mu'awiyah ordered Amru bin al-Aas to duel Malik. He reluctantly agreed to Mu'awiyah's plan.
Ibn al-Aas invited Malik to duel with him. Malik advanced towards him holding his spear. He hit him violently on the face. So, Amru bin al-Aas escaped with alarm.
Ammar's Martyrdom
The clashes became intense. Ammar was leading the left wing of the Imam's Army. He, though an old man, was fighting bravely.
When the sun was about to set, Ammar, may Allah be pleased with him, requested some food to break the fast.
A soldier brought him a cup full of yoghurt. Ammar became cheerful and said: Tonight, I may he martyred because Allah's Apostle [s] has said to me:
Ammar, the unjust group will kill you, and your final drink in the world will be a cup of yoghurt.
The companion broke his fast and advanced towards the battlefield. He fought bravely. Then he fell over the ground and became a martyr.
The Imam came and sat near Ammar's head and said sadly:
May Allah have mercy on Ammar on the day when he became a Muslim, may Allah have mercy on Ammar on the day when he became a martyr, may Allah have mercy on Ammar on the day when he will be raised from the dead! Ammar enjoy your garden!
Ammar's martyrdom in the battlefield affected the course of the battle very much. The Imam's Army was in high spirits. In the meantime, Mu'awiyah's Army was in low spirits.
All Muslims memorized the tradition our Master Muhammad [s] said to Ammar bin Yasir. The tradition is as follows: Ammar the unjust group will kill you.
All understood that Mu'awiyah and his soldiers were wrong and that Ali and his companions were right.
Thus the Imam's Army attacked Mu'awiyah's Army increasingly. Therefore, Mu'awiyah and his army were getting ready to escape.
A New Trick
Mu'awiyah thought about a new trick to cheat the Imam's Army. So, he asked the advice of Amru bin al-Aas. Amru bin al-Aas said: I'm sure we can cheat them with the Qur'an.
Mu'awiyah rejoiced at the trick and ordered his soldiers to raise the Qur'an on their spears.
When the Imam's soldiers saw the Qur'an, they thought about stopping the battle. Thus Mu'awiyah cheated many soldiers.
The Imam said: It's a trick! I was the first to invite them to Allah's Book. And I was the first to believe in It. They've disobeyed Allah and broken His promise.
But twenty thousand soldiers disobeyed the Imam's order and said:
Stop fighting and order al-Ashtar to withdraw!
The Imam sent a soldier to al-Ashtar to stop fighting.
But Malik al-Ashtar went on fighting. Then he said: We'll get the final victory within few moments.
The soldier said: But twenty thousand rebels are besieging the Imam. If you go on fighting they'll kill him.
Malik al-Ashtar was forced to withdraw. So, he said: There's neither might nor power but with Allah.
The Arbitration
Malik al-Ashtar knew that Mu'awiyah's action was only a trick. But he obeyed the Imam's order so as no disaster would happen. He was a brave leader and an obedient soldier.
The fights stopped. And the two parties agreed to the arbitration according to Allah's Book.
Mu'awiyah sent Amru bin al-Aas to represent him in the negotiations. And the Imam wanted to choose an alert, wise man. A man who had a good knowledge of Allah's Book. So, he chose Abdullah bin Abbas, the religious scholar of the nation.
But the rebels refused him and said: We'll choose Abu Musa al-Ashary.
So, the Imam advised them and said: I disagree with you on him. And Abdullah bin Abbas is better than he.
Again the rebels refused him. So, the Imam said: I'll choose al-Ashtar.
They refused him too. They insisted on Abu Musa al-Ashary.
To avoid a disaster, the Imam said: Do whatever you like!
Thus the two representatives met to talk. Amru bin al-Aas thought about a way to deceive al-Ashary. He said to him: Abu Musa, Mu'awiyah and Ali have caused all these troubles. So, lets dispose them and elect another man.
Abu Musa al-Ashary did not like Amirul Mu'mineen, Ali bin Abu-Talib. So, he agreed to the plan. He said before the people:
I'm removing Ali from the Caliphate as I'm removing my ring from my finger. Then he removed his ring.
But Amru bin al-Aas said spitefully:
I'm fixing Mu'awwiyah to the Caliphate as I'm fixing my ring to my finger Then he wore his ring.
The rebels repented of their wrongdoing. But they insisted on disobeying the Imam. In the meantime, they asked him to turn to Allah in repentance and to announce war again.
But the Imam respected the promise and the covenant.
He agreed with Mu'awiyah on the truce and stopping the battle for a year.
The Imam asked his fighters to be patient for the year. But they disobeyed him, too. So, they were called the Kharijities
Egypt
Mu'awiyah thought about a way to control Egypt. So, he sent a big army to occupy it.
The ruler of Egypt was Muhammad bin Abu-Bakr (the first Caliph's son). He asked Imam Ali [a] to send him urgent military supplies to prevent the invaders from occupying Egypt.
So, the Imam said to Malik al-Ashtar:
Malik, may Allah have mercy on you, go to Egypt. I've absolute trust in you. Rely on Allah! Use gentleness in its places and intensity in its place.
Malik al-Ashtar set out for Egypt.
The Poison and the Honey
Mu'awiyah was worried about Malik's going to Egypt, for he knew that Malik would save it. So, Mu'awiyah thought about a way to kill him.
Mu'awiyah used to mix honey with poison to kill his enemies. Mu'awiyah imported poisons from Rome. The Romans allowed Mu'awiyah to import them because they knew that he would use them to kill the Muslims.
Amru bin al-Aas said: I know a man. The man lives in al-Qilzim City on the borders of Egypt. He has vast lands. Certainly Malik al-Ashtar will pass through the city and stop in it to rest.
Mu'awiyah said: Let's send a man to tell him to kill al-Ashtar and we won't tax him for life.
Thus Mu'awiyah's delegate quickly set out for Egypt taking the poisoned honey to persuade the man to kill Malik al-Ashtar.
Martyrdom
The man agreed to Mu'awiyah's plan. He took the poisoned honey. He was looking forward to Malik's arrival.
After only a few days, Malik arrived in al-Qilzim City. The man invited the new ruler of Egypt for lunch in his house. Malik al-Ashtar accepted the invitation thankfully.
The man put the cup of the poisoned honey on the table. The guest took one spoon of the poisoned honey. He felt a severe pain in his stomach. He realized the plot. So, he put his hand on his belly and said:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
We belong to Allah, and we'll come back to Him!
Malik al-Ashtar received death with the bravery of the certain believer, who knew that his way was Islam and the Paradise.
When Malik al-Ashtar became a martyr, Mu'awiyah was about to fly because of happiness. So, he said:
Ali bin Abu Talib had two hands. I cut off one of them on the day of Siffeen. It was Ammar bin Yasir. And today I've cut off the other hand. It is Malik al-Ashtar.
But Amirul Mu'mineen was very sad. So, he expressed his sorrow: May Allah have mercy on Malik! He loved and obeyed me as I loved and obeyed Allah's Apostle [s].
Thus, Malik al-Ashtar ended his life in Jihad. His bright behavior will remain as a model for the Muslim young men everywhere!
Habeeb bin Muazhir
The desert was very vast. The sky was full of stars. An old man aged seventy-five left his tent. The old man jumped on his horse and rode away. The old man heard a wolf howling. He was afraid of nothing. He intended to get to Mudharib (Bani Asad's tribe) near the Euphrates.
When the old man got there, some dogs barked at him. Some men of Bani Asad's tribe were sitting in a big tent. They were chatting with one another at night.
The old man greeted them. They stood up for him. He looked dignified, but they did not know him.
The old man sat down. He had a beard. His beard was as white as cotton. The men began looking at his calm expression and his white beard.
I am Habib
The old man introduced himself to the men in the tent.
I'm Habib bin Mudhahir: I belong to Bani Asad's tribe.
One of the men was very old. He was acquainted with ancestry. So, he knew Habib and said:
Habib is telling you the truth.
Then the old man added:
He's bin Riaab bin al-Ashtar bin Fakas bin Tareef bin Qais bin al-Harith bin Thalaba bin Doodad bin Asad.
Another man added:
This is the companion of Allah's Apostle. He has lived in Kufa since Imam Ali's Caliphate. He stood by him at the Battle of Camel, the Battle of Siffeen, and the Battle of Nihrawan.
One of the men asked Habib:
Bani Asad's Shaikh, what have you brought?
Habib quietly answered:
I've brought you good no leader has brought to his people.
The men listened to him attentively. Then he added:
Al-Husayn, Ali and Fatima's son is around. A group of the believers has accompanied him. His enemies have surrounded him. They want to kill him. So, I've come to you. I ask you to defend him against his enemies to save the dignity of Allah's Apostle. By Allah! If you support him, Allah will give you honour in here and hereafter.
One of the men stood up. His name was Abdullah bin Bashher al-Asady. He said:
May Allah thank you for your effort. You've brought us a good deed. I'm the first to defend al-Husayn against his enemies.
The number of the volunteers became ninety fighters. Habib took them and headed for an area called Karbala. Their Imam Husayn [a], his family, and his believing supporters had camped there.
A man belonging to Bani Asad was a traitor. He took advantage of the darkness and hurried to tell Umar bin Saad, the leader of Yazeed's Army, about Habib and his friends.
Yazeed's Army had besieged Imam Husayn's caravan and prevented them from drinking water.
Umar bin Saad formed a division. The number of the division was five hundred horsemen. Al-Azraq headed them.
The horsemen hindered Bani Asad. Al-Azraq asked them to come back, but they refused. A fight took place between the two sides. So, some men of Bani Asad were killed and some were wounded.
The volunteers knew that there was a big army before them. And there were big supplies behind the army. For this reason, they decided to come back.
When the volunteers got to their tribe Mudharib, they warned it of staying at that area.
The men quickly collected their tents and moved to another place in the desert.
Habib came back by himself. He was sad. He told Imam Husayn [a] about Bani Asad's attitude. Imam Husayn [s] said:
There's neither might nor power but with Allah!
In Karbala
Mu'awiyah died. His son Yazeed succeeded him. So, the Caliphate became a kingdom.
Yazeed was a bad man. He drank alcohol. He committed illegal actions. He amused himself with his dogs and monkeys. Thus Imam Husayn [s] refused to pay him homage.
The people in many Muslim cities suffered from Mu'awiyah's unjust policy. They wanted him to die to get rid of his bad behaviour. When the Muslims knew that Yazeed would be the Caliph, they felt pain and were full of anger. They opposed his rule because he did not respect Islam and Muslims.
The people in Kufa liked Imam Ali [a] because he was just and merciful. Besides they knew al-Husayn's good behaviour and his kind treatment towards his Muslim brothers. Therefore, they sent him many letters.
In Makkah, Imam Husayn [s] received the Muslims messengers. In their signed letters, the Muslims said to Imam Husayn [a]:
Come to us! You are our leader only!
Imam Husayn [a] accepted the Muslims request. He decided to revolt against Yazeed bin Mu'awiyah. He took his family and supporters and left for Kufa.
The Siege
Ubaidullah bin Ziyad had sent a military division. The number of the division was one thousand horsemen. Its aim was to hinder Imam Husayn's caravan.
It was very hot. Ubaidullah's horsemen used up their water. Imam Husayn [a] took a pity on them, and ordered his companions to give them water.
Imam Husayn [a] camped near River Euphrates. Ubaidullah appointed Umar bin Saad over the division. Umar bin Saad occupied the riverbanks. He prevented Imam Husayn [a] and his companions from drinking water.
Umar bin Saad sent a man called Qurra bin Qais to Imam Husayn [a]. He ordered him to ask the Imam: Why have you come to Kufa?
When Qurra went to Imam Husayn [a], the Imam asked Habib bin Mudhahir about him: Do you know him?
Habib answered: Yes, this is Qurra bin Qais. I know his good opinion. I don't think he'll fight you.
Qurra came and greeted the Imam. He told him about Umar bin Saad's letter. The Imam said:
The people of Kufa have asked me to come. If they hate me, I'll leave them.
Qurra bin Qais kept silent. He wanted to come back to Umar bin Saad. So Habib said to him:
Qurra, woe unto you! Don't come back to the unjust people! Support Imam Husayn!
Qurra said: I'll tell Umar about Imam Husayn's answer. Then I'll consider your request.
Tasu'a
On Muharram 9th, 61 A.H. Umar bin Saad started his attack at night. He advanced towards Imam Husayn's camp. Zaynab, Imam Ali's daughter, heard the enemy's voice. She said to her brother al-Husayn:
The enemies have approached!
Imam Husayn [a] ordered his brother al-Abbas to ask them. Al-Abbas, Habib bin Muzahair, and twenty persons jumped on their horses and rode away. Al-Abbas asked them about their aim. They said:
Obey Ubaidullah bin Ziyad, otherwise we'll attack you!
Al-Abbas came back to Imam Husayn [a] to tell him about the enemy's attitude.
Habib stayed behind. He began advising the enemy army:
By Allah, tomorrow, Allah will regard you as bad people! How will you meet Him while you are going to kill Imam Husayn and his family? Don't you know that they're the Prophet's grandsons? Don't you know that they pray to Allah after midnight and remember Him very much?
An enemy person called Uzrah said: Habib, you're praising yourself!
Zuhair answered: Allah has praised and guided him. Uzrah I advise you to fear Allah!
For Prayers
Al-Abbas went to Imam Husayn [a] to tell him about the enemies' attitude. The Imam said to him:
Go back and ask them for time to pray. We want to pray to Allah tonight. We want to ask Him to forgive us. Allah knows that I love prayers, reading the Qur'an, and asking forgiveness.
Al-Abbas came back and asked them for some time. Umar bin Saad thought for a while. He thought that Imam Husayn [a] would change his mind. So, he agreed on Imam Husayn's request and said:
We'll give you a chance till tomorrow. If you give in, we'll take you to Emir Ubaidullah bin Ziyad. If you refuse to give in, we won't let you go.
Imam Husayn [a] gets ready to fight.
Imam Husayn [a] and his companions began praying and reading the Qur'an, for it was the last night in the world.
The tents were here and there. Imam Husayn [a] wanted to prevent the enemies from penetrating them. So, he ordered his companions to tie them to each other. He also ordered his companions to dig a trench at the back of the tents to fight the enemies at one front.
The Imam met his companions and said:
I praise Allah with the best praise! I am thankful to Him in all conditions whether pleasant or otherwise! Allah, I thank you for making my grandfather a prophet and teaching us the Qur'an! I thank you for giving us ears, eyes and hearts. I thank you for you have not made us polytheists!
The Imam added:
I don't think that there are companions better than mine, there's a family more loyal than mine! May Allah reward you all. I think that we'll face those enemies tomorrow! Now you may go!
All refused and said: We'll sacrifice our lives, money, and families to defend you against the enemies! We'll stand by you!
The Prisoner of War
A young man came to Imam Husayn's camp. He was looking for his father Muhammad bin Basheer al-Hadramy.
The young man said to his father: My brother is a prisoner of war at Ray (a town near Teheran).
His father said:I'll support Imam Husayn at any rate!
Imam Husayn said:You're free. Go and release your son.
Muhammad bin Basheer refused that and said: By Allah, I won't leave you!
Imam Husayn [a] gave him five garments. Each cost one thousand dinars. Then he said to him: Give your son these garments to release his brother.
Thus Imam Husayn's companions preferred death with him to life with the unjust.
Zaynab's Tent
At midnight, Imam Husayn [a] went out to see the nearby hills. One of his companions, named Nafi bin Hilal al-Jamaly, saw and followed him.
The Imam asked his companion about his going out.
His companion said: Son of Allah's Apostle, I'm anxious about you.
Imam Husayn [a] said to him: I've gone out to see the nearby hills.
Imam Husayn [a] and his faithful friend came back together. On their way, Imam Husayn [a] said to him: Why don't you go through those two hills in the dark to save yourself?
Hilal wept and said: No! By Allah, I won't leave you alone! I want to be killed with you!
When the Imam got to the tents, he came into the tent of his sister Zaynab. Hilal stood by the tent waiting for him. Hilal heard Zaynab saying to her brother:
Are you certain of your companion's intentions?
The Imam said: By Allah, I've tried them. They are brave. They are ready to die for me.
When Nafi heard Zaynab's words, he wept and went to Habib's tent. He told him about Zaynab's word. Then he said to him: We'd better go to her to relieve her worry.
Habib stood, left his tent, and said loudly: Good friends!
The men went out. They stood around Habib. He said to them: Let us go to Zaynab's tent to relieve her worry.
The men took their swords and went to Zaynab's tent. They said to her: By Allah, we're ready to sacrifice our lives for you!
Zaynab went out and said: Good companions, defend the grandsons of Allah's Apostle against their enemies.
Habib and his friends wept. They decided to fight till death.
Dream
Imam Husayn's [s] companion went to their tents. Some companions went to bed to get ready to tomorrow's fight, and some began praying and reading the Qur'an. Al-Husayn was in his tent mending his sword. He felt tired and closed his eyes.
It was early morning. Imam Husayn [a] dreamt that he saw dogs attacking him. One of the dogs was spotted. It was biting his neck. Al-Husayn woke and said:
We belong to Allah, we shall come back to Him!
Ashoora
In the morning, Muharram 10th, Imam Husayn [a] and his companions said their prayers.
Imam Husayn [a] prepared his companions for the battle. He divided them into three small groups: Zuhair bin al-Qain headed the right wing. Habib bin Mudhahir headed the left wing, and al-Abbas, the Imam's brother, headed the core.
Imam Husayn [a] rode his she-camel and stood before Yazeed's Army. He preached and advised them. He warned them of committing such a crime. All Imam Husayn's efforts were in vain. Satan led Yazeed's fighters astray. So, they forgot Allah.
The Battle
Yazeed's army began attacking Imam Husayn's army, throwing many arrows at them.
Imam Husayn [a] said to his companions: Good companions, stand up for death!
The two sides met for the first time in a small clash. The clash was over and the Imam's companions came back to their places.
Then Yazeed's Army launched savage attacks against the Imam Husayn's companions.
Imam Husayn's companions resisted the attacks bravely. Some of them fell over the ground and died martyrs for the Prophet's grandson.
Muslim dies a Martyr
Amru bin al-Hajjaj began a big attack. Imam Husayn's companions faced the attack and fought bravely.
Muslim bin Ausajah, a companion of the Imam's, was fighting with enthusiasm. Then he was badly wounded and fell over the ground.
Imam Husayn [a] saw Muslim lying on the ground. He and Habib bin Mudhahir attacked Yazeed's Army. They saved Muslim bin Ausajah from them. Muslim was about to die.
Imam Husayn [a] sadly said: Muslim, may Allah have mercy upon you. I'm giving you good news about the Paradise.
Muslim answered faintly: May Allah give you good news!
Habib said: I wish I could listen to your will, but I'll die after you.
Muslim looked at Habib. Then he looked at Imam Husayn [a] and said: Habib, I ask you to die for Husayn!
By the Lord of Kaaba, I will!
Happiness
On that day, Habib was full of happiness. His face was smiling.
A companion of Habib's wondered and asked him: Why are you happy?
Habib answered: I'm happy because I'll be killed and enter the Paradise!
Final Prayers
The fights went on till noon. A companion of Imam Husayn's looked at the sun. He knew that it was time to pray.
Imam Husayn [a] asked Yazeed's Army to stop fighting to say their prayers.
Al-Husayn bin Numair said to Imam Husayn [a]
Husayn, Allah won't accept your prayers!
Habib bin Mudhahir said stormily: Donkey! Will Allah accept your prayers, but won't accept the prayers of the Prophet's grandson?
The End
Al-Husayn bin Numair was full of spite. He whipped his horse and attacked Habib. Habib faced him. He hit al-Husayn's horse on the face. So, al-Husayn bin Numair fell over the ground. Many fighters rushed to save al-Husayn bin Numair. Habib clashed and fought them bravely.
In spite of his old age, Habib could kill over sixty fighters. When the fight became strong, a fighter threw a spear at Habib. So, Habib fell over the ground and became a martyr.
Thus the brave companion's life was over. He spent all his life waging holy war for Islam.
Al-Husayn bin Numair was not satisfied with killing Habib. He took his head and tied it to his horse's neck. Then he began roaming through Yazeed's fighters. He was boasting of his bad action.
Imam Husayn [a] tried to save Habib, but he got there late. So, his eyes shed tears. He sadly said: We belong to Allah and we shall come back to Him.
Imam Husayn [a] came back to his camp. He was sad because he lost the closest and the most loyal companion.
In the Believers' Hearts
Today Muslims all over the world go to Karbala to visit Imam Husayn [a]. In the distance, they can see a high gold dome and high minarets.
When a Muslim enters the holy shrine full of perfume, he will find a tomb near Imam Husayn's tomb. That tomb belongs to Habib bin Mudhahir, Bani Asad's leader, and the master of the loyal.
The visitor to Imam Husayn [a] must greet his companion and say:
Peace be upon Habib bin Mudhahir al-Asady.
Maitham al-Tammar
It was dawn. As usual, Maitham went to the date-palm trunk. He splashed it with water. The good ground sent out a sweat smell. Maitham said two Rikaas. Then he put his back against the date palm trunk.
Maitham had visited the date palm for more than twenty years. It had not been a mere dry trunk. It had been a tall date palm before twenty years.
Days, months, and years passed.
Maitham said two Rikaas near the date palm. Then he addressed it: "Allah has created you for me. And He has created me for you."
Maitham liked that date palm. He watered it when it was green.
One day, he came to the date palm. He found it a dry trunk. He cut the top of the trunk. That tall date palm became a mere short trunk. Still Maitham went on visiting that dry trunk.
Who was Maitham? What was the relationship between him and that date palm?
Maitham's Origin
Maitham was born at Nihrawan near Kufa. He belonged to Iran. A woman from bani Asad bought him. One day, Imam Ali (A.S.) bought and gave him his freedom. Maitham became free. He sold dates in Kufa Market.
Maitham lived a simple life. Two things grew in his heart: faith in Islam and love for Imam Ali (A.S.). Imam Ali (A.S.) taught him that Islam was the only way to freedom.
Imam Ali (A.S.) liked Maitham because he was a good man. The Imam went to Maitham's shop. He taught him about Islam.
The Real Name
Imam Ali (A.S.) bought Maitham from a woman belonged to bani-Asad. The Imam asked Maitham: "What is your name"?
"Saalim", he replied.
The Imam said: "Allah's Apostle (P.B.U.H.) has told me that the Iranians call you Maitham."
Maitham was astonished because no one knew his real name. So, he said: "Allah and His Apostle are truthful."
Since that day, Maitham had not left the Imam.
In the Desert
Whoever goes to the desert at night will see the sky full of stars. His heart will be afraid of Allah.
Imam Ali (A.S.) went to the desert at night to say his prayers. He took a friend of his to that desert to teach him a lesson about Islam.
Sometimes, Imam Ali (AS.) took Maitham to the desert. He told him about future matters. The Imam did not know the unseen. He learnt future matters from our master Muhammad (P.B.U.H.).
Maitham listened to Imam Ali's words. The Imam said his prayers. Maitham said them behind him. He listened with awe to the Imam's prayers.
At al-Tammar's Shop
Imam Ali (A.S.) went to the market to meet Maitham al Tammar. He sat and talked with him. Some people passed by them. They did not know the Imam. And some knew him. They were astonished to see the Imam sitting with a dates-seller.
One day Imam Ali (A.S.) went to the market. He sat with Maitham. After a while, Maitham wanted to go to by something. He asked the Imam's permission and went away.
The Imam stayed behind to sell dates. In the meantime, a man came to buy some dates for four dirhams. The man took the dates and went away.
Maitham came back. He was astonished to see the Dirhams because they were false. The Imam smiled and said: "The owner of the Dirhams will come back."
Again Maitham became astonished. He wondered: The man bought the dates by false Dirhams! How will he come back?
After an hour, the owner of the Dirhams came back. He said with annoy: "I do not want these dates! They are bitter! Why are they bitter"?
The Imam said: "Because your Dirhams are false."
The man was full of astonishment. He took the Dirhams and went away.
The Nation's Scholar
Maitham was a brilliant. He learnt his knowledge from Imam Ali (A.S.). One day he said to Abdullah bin Abbas, the nation scholar:
"Ask me whatever you want to know about the Koran explanation. I've learnt everything from Imam Ali (A.S.)."
So, bin Abbas sat before Maitham to learn lessons about the Quran's explanation.
Amru bin Huraith
Amru bin Huraith was a leader from Kufa. Maitham said to him: "I'll be your neighbour. Treat me kindly."
Amru said: "Do you want to buy bin Masoud's house or bin al-Hakim's"?
Maitham kept silent. Amru bin Huraith was puzzled. He wondered: What does Maitham mean?
Days and years passed. Unjust rulers succeeded each other over Kufa. They treated people rudely.
The Market
Zyyad bin Abeeh became a ruler over Kufa. He began killing Imam Ali's companions. He carried out Mu'awiyah's orders. Mu'awiyah was full of spite. He ordered people to abuse Imam Ali (A.S.).
The ruler appointed a man to look after the market. The man was unjust. The people complained of his bad treatment. The people were afraid of the man. Thus, they went to Maitham. They asked Maitham to go with them to the Prince. They said to him: "Maitham, come with us to the prince."
Maitham went with them. He met the Prince and told him about the rude treatment in the market. A policeman in the Palace was displeased with Maitham's words. He said to the Prince:
"Your Highness, the Prince, do you know this man?"
The Prince said: "No"
He's a liar! The supporter of the liar! said the policeman.
The policeman meant that Maitham was one of Imam Ali's companion.
Maitham said: "Surely, I'm truthful! I'm supporter of the truthful man. Really, he's Amirul-Momineen! (The Commander of the faithful)."
A Meeting on the Road
Habeeb bin Muzahir was a good companion. After our master Mohammed's demise, Habeeb had a close relationship with Imam Ali (A.S.).
One day, Maitham was riding a horse. Habeeb bin Muzahir was riding a horse, too. They met each other before bani-Asad. They had a short talk. Bani-Asad listened to their talk. Habeeb said with a smile:
"I predict that a bald man with a big belly will sell melons at Dar al-Rizk. The man will be killed for the love of his Prophet's family."
Maitham said: "I know that a red man with two plaits would appear. The man will support the son of the daughter of his Prophet. The man will be beheaded. His head will be carried through the streets of Kufa."
The two friends saw off each other. Bani Asad said: "They are liars."
In the meantime, Rasheed al-Hajry passed by bani-Asad. He asked them about Habeeb and Maitham. Bani-Asad said: "They have just gone away."
Then bani Asad told Rasheed about Habeeb and Maitham's predictions.
Rasheed said with a smile: "May Allah have mercy on Maitham. He's forgotten who brings the head will be given an extra hundred dirhams."
Rasheed went away. Bani Asad were astonished at his words. Then they said: "Rasheed is a liar too."
Days passed. In Muharram, 61 A.H., bani Asad saw Habeeb's head. It was tied to a long spear. They saw bin Zyyad's policeman carrying the head and walking through the streets of Kufa.
The Caravan
Mu'awiyah bin Abu-Sufyan died. His son Yazeed succeeded him. Yazeed was a young man aged thirty. He drank alcohol. He amused himself with dogs and the monkeys.
So, Imam Hussein (A.S.) refused to pay Yazeed homage. Meanwhile, the Kufians were tired of Mu'awiyah's persecution. Thus, they sent Imam Hussein (A.S.) many letters. In their letters, they asked the Imam to come to save them from Umayyad persecution.
The spies told Yazeed about the situation in Kufa. Yazeed had a spiteful Christian doctor called Sergon. He asked the advice of the doctor. Sergon advised him to appoint Ubaidullah bin Zyyad a ruler over Kufa.
The Prison
Many companions of Imam Ali (A.S.) supported Imam Hussein (A.S.). Many Muslims supported him too.
Ubaidullah bin Zyyad arrived in Kufa. He began arresting and imprisoning Imam Hussein's supporters.
Maitham, al-Mukhtar al-Thaqafy, and Abdullah bin al-Harith were in the same prison.
Imam Hussein (A.S.) died a martyr for Islam. The prisoners felt pain for him.
Al-Mukhtar said to his two friends: "Be ready to meet Allah! After Imam Hussein's killing, Ubaidullah bin Zyyad will kill the Imam's supporters."
Abdullah bin al-Harith said: "Yes, he will kill us sooner or later."
Maitham said: "No, he won't kill you. My dear Imam Ali (A.S.) has told me that you (al-Mukhtar) will get revenge of Imam Hussein's killers. And you will kick Ubaidullah's head with your foot."
Then Maitham said to Abdullah bin al-Harith: "You'll rule Basra."
Faith
Maitham deeply believed in Allah. He was not afraid of the unjust. People were afraid of bin Zyyad. They shook with fear when they saw him. But Maitham did not pay attention to him. He knew that Ubaidullah's death was certain. He knew that the unjust would not stay alive forever.
Mu'awiyah and his son Yazeed prevented people from loving Imam Ali (A.S.). The police arrested and killed the Imam's companions.
Imam Ali (A.S.) had told his companions about the Umayyad police. One day he said to Maitham: "The Umayyads will order you to disown me. Will you do that"?
Maitham said "No."
Maitham thought that to disown Imam Ali (A.S.) meant to disown Islam. And to disown Islam meant to disown Allah. The Imam said: "Surely, you'll be killed."
Maitham said: "I'll be patient! Death is little for Allah."
The Imam said: "You'll be with me in the Paradise."
The End
Ubaidullah bin Zyyad ordered the police to bring Maitham. He said to him: "I've heard that you're a companion of Ali's."
Maitham said: "Yes."
Ubaidullah bin Zyyad said to Maitham: "Will you disown him"?
Maitham said: "By Allah, Imam Ali (A.S.) has told me that you will kill me! He has told me that you will cut my hands, legs, and tongue."
Ubaidullah bin Zyyad angrily said: "Your Imam is a liar."
Maitham jeered at that foolish person (Ubaidullah bin Zyyad).
Ubaidullah bin Zyyad ordered the police to tie Maitham to the date palm trunk near the house of Amru bin Huraith. Besides, he ordered them to cut off his hands and legs.
The Neighbour
Maitham was tied to the date palm trunk.
Amru bin Huraith saw him. Amru remembered Maitham's words: "I'll be you neighbour. Treat me kindly."
So, Amru bin Huraith ordered one of his daughters to sweep the ground around the date palm trunk. He also ordered her to splash it with water.
A person looked at Maitham and said: "Disown Ali to save your soul."
Maitham said with a smile. "By Allah, this date palm has been created for me! And I've been created for it."
Thus, the people knew the secret of Maitham's visit to the date palm throughout the long years.
People!
Maitham addressed the people:
"People, If you want to hear some information about Ali bin Abu-Talib, then come to me."
The people crowded around Maitham. He began teaching them various kinds of knowledge.
The spies told Ubaidullah bin Zyyad about Maitham's words.
Ubaidullah bin Zyyad ordered a policeman to cut off Maitham's tongue.
Maitham said: "Amirul-Momineen has told me about that."
Then the policeman cut off Maitham's tongue. Another policeman stabbed him with a sword.
Thus this Mujahid's life put out as the candles did!
Maitham's Body
Maitham did a lot good for the people. The people loved him very much. They wanted to take Maitham's body to bury it, but the police strictly prevented them from approaching it.
One night, seven dates-sellers came. They saw the policeman burning a fire. Two of them sawed the trunk. The seven dates-sellers carried Maitham's body outside Kufa. They buried it at a known place. Then they came back home.
Six years passed. Al-Mukhtar announced his revolution in Kufa. His army met Ubaidullah's on Al-Khazir Riverbank.
Ibraheem al-Ashtar could behead Ubaidullah bin Zyyad.
Some fighters brought al-Mukhtar Ubaidullah's head. He stood up and kicked Ubaidullah's head. He remembered Maitham's words in the prison: "Al-Mukhtar, you'll get out of prison. You'll get revenge on Imam Hussein's killers."
Days passed. Imam Hussein's killers parished. People have cursed them throughout history.
Today, the visitor leaves the Holy Najaf City. He goes to see Kufa ruins. On the way he sees a beautiful dome. The dome decorates Maitham's shrine.
Al-Mukhtar al-Thaqafy
In the month of Rajab, 60 A.H., Mu'awiyah died. He had ruled the Muslim countries for twenty years. He killed many companions of our Master Muhammad. Hajar bin Ady al-Kindy, Amr bin al-Hamq al-Khazay, and Rasheed al Hajry were some of them. He killed with poison Imam Hasan (the Prophet's grandson), Malik al-Ashtar, Saad bin Abu Waqas, and others.
In spite of the Muslims' dissatisfaction, Mu'awiyah appointed his son Yazeed caliph. So, the Caliphate became kingdom.
The Muslims were angry with Yazeed, for he was a corrupt young man. Besides he drank alcohol and amused himself with his monkeys and dogs.
The Muslims in Kufa hoped that Imam Husain would be the Caliph, for he was our Master Muhammad's grandson. Moreover, he was good, God-fearing, and a believing man. And he treated the poor kindly.
So, the Muslims sent Imam Husain hundred's of letters asking him to come to save them from persecution.
Imam Husain (A.S.) was in al-Madena al-Monawwara. He did not pay homage to Yazeed, for the latter behaved badly. In the meantime, he sent his cousin Muslim bin Aqeel as his envoy to Kufa.
Imam Husain asked his cousin to stay with the most loyal person in Kufa.
Kufa
The people of Kufa were waiting for Imam Husain's coming. They were tired of the Umayyads' persecution. Meanwhile, they longed for Imam Husain's justice.
Muslim bin Aqeel arrived in Kufa and stayed with al-Mukhtar. The people of Kufa heard about his arrival.
The people crowded around al-Mukhtar's house to see Imam Husain's envoy. And they wanted to pay homage to establish Allah's government.
Muslim bin Aqeel read the Kufians Imam Husain's message:
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
From al-Husain bin Ali,
To the believing Muslim people,
Hany and Saeed brought me your letters.
They were your last two messengers.
I have understood all that you have written.
The majority of your letters have showed that there is no Imam other than me.
You have said:
Come. May Allah bring us together with you
to follow Guidance and truthfulness.
So, I have sent you my cousin Muslim bin Aqeel.
I have ordered him to write me about your attitude.
If he writes me that your good people are all in agreement,
I'll come, Allah willing.
By my life! The Imam must conform to the Book and Justice.
The Muslims were full of hope when they heard Imam Husain's message. Al-Mukhtar paid homage to al-Husain's envoy. He promised to establish the Muslim government. He also promised to revolt against the unjust. Besides he promised to support the persecuted.
Al-Mukhtar was the first to pay homage to al-Husain. Then thousands of people paid homage. Their number was eighteen thousand people.
Al-Mukhtar al-Thaqafy
Al-Mukhtar bin Abu UbAld bin Masoud al-Thaqafy was born in Tayif City, 1 A.H.
Al-Mukhtar's father loyally believed in Islam. He led the Muslim Army to conquer the Persian country. An elephant killed him at the Battle of al-Jisr. So, his son Jubair led the Muslim army. He became a martyr, too.
Al-Mukhtar's house became the headquarters. The Muslims went to it every day.
The spies told Yazeed bin Mu'awiyah about al-Mukhtar. They also told him about al-Numan bin Basheer al-Ansarys' mildness, the ruler of Kufa, with him.
Yazeed bin Mu'awiyah asked the advice of Sergon. Sergon was a spiteful Christian man. Sergon advised Yazeed bin Mu'awiyah to appoint Ubaidullah bin Zyyad, the ruler of Basrah, ruler over Kufa.
Ubaidullah bin Zyyad arrived in Kufa. He ordered his guards to arrest Muslim bin Aqeel.
Muslim bin Aqeel disappeared in a house in Kufa. Ubaidullah bin Zyyad's guards arrested al-Mukhtar. They sent him to al-Tamura. Al-Tamura was a fearful prison under the ground.
Ubaidullah bin Zyyad filled the prisons with innocent people. Meanwhile he sent spies all over Kufa to look for Muslim bin Aqeel.
Muslim bin Aqeel was forced to announce the revolution. Many people supported him.
Muslim bin Aqeel's forces besieged the Prince's palace for several days.
Ubaidullah bin Zyyad was wicked. He spread a rumour: The Shamian enormous army will come. It will destroy Kufa and kill its people.
The people believed Ubaidullah bin Zyyad's rumour. They left Imam Husain's envoy alone. Muslim bin Aqeel was forced to disappear again.
Taua's House
The spies found Muslim bin Aqeel in a house which belonged to a good old woman called Taua.
Ubaidullah bin Zyyad sent the police to arrest Muslim bin Aqeel. When the police asked him to surrender, he refused and began fighting alone.
Muslim bin Aqeel was badly wounded. The police promised to treat him kindly. So, he handed over his sword. The police arrested and took him to the Prince's palace.
Ubaidullah bin Zyyad was full of spite. He hated Ahlul-Bait and their supporters. So, he ordered his guards to kill Muslim bin Aqeel. Besides he ordered them to kill one of his companions. The companion's name was Hany bin Urwa. He was a leader in Kufa.
Ubaidullah bin Zyyad ordered his guards to throw Muslim bin Aqeel and his companion down the palace.
Ubaidullah bin Zyyad began killing and imprisoning the people in Kufa for any accusation. So, the people there were afraid.
The Battle of Karbala
Imam Husain left al-Madina al-Monawwara. He went to Mecca to perform the Hajj. Yazeed bin Mu'awiyah knew about al-Husain's travel. He sent some spies to kill him. So, Imam Husain decided to leave Mecca. He said: "I don't want them to violate the Holiness of the Kaaba."
Imam Husain headed for Kufa. On the way, he heard that Ubaidullah bin Zyyad's guards killed Muslim bin Aqeel, Hany, Qais bin Muzahir al-Saidawy, and others.
A thousand horsemen surprised Imam Husain's caravan. They prevented it from advancing towards Karbala. Then the military battalions came successively. Their number was four thousand fighters. Seventy persons came with Imam Husain. They were his family and his supporters.
When Ubaidullah bin Zyyad's army asked Imam Husain to surrender and to pay homage to Yazeed bin Mu'awiyah, he said his famous words: "Abasement is far away from us!"
Imam Husain was ready to die a martyr for Islam.
In the morning, Muharram 10th, the Battle of Karbala took place. Thousands of fighters launched a savage attack against Imam Husain and his companions. They faced the attack bravely. Strong fights took place. They astonished the enemies. Only seventy fighters were fighting from the early hours of the morning till afternoon.
All of Imam Husain's companions passed away. Imam Husain was alone. Still he attacked Ubaidullah bin Zyyad's army. He was fighting bravely.
Ubaidullah bin Zyyad's Army killed Imam Husain. It beheaded the martyrs, tied their heads to the spears, and burnt the tents. Then it took the women and the children prisoners.
Al-Husain's Head
Al-Shimr beheaded al-Husain and gave his head to Ubaidullah bin Zyyad.
The people saw Imam Husain's head. They felt pain because they did not support him.
Ubaidullah bin Zyyad ordered some guards to bring al-Mukhtar.
Seeing al-Husain's head, al-Mukhtar said with pain:
"Alas! Alas!"
Then he thought about a revolution to punish the criminals.
Maitham al-Tammar
Maitham al-Tammar was a good man. He was one of Imam Ali's companions. From the Imam's knowledge, he learnt a lot.
Maitham al-Tammar was in the same prison with al-Mukhtar. One day al-Mukhtar said to him: "Ubaidullah bin Zyyad, the unjust man, had killed the Grandson of Allah's Apostle so, he will kill us!"
Maitham al-Tammar said: "My dear Ali (A.S.) has said to me:" 'They will tie you to a date-palm trunk. Then they will kill you. They will release al-Mukhtar from prison. He will kill the unjust tyrant. He will kick his face with his leg.' "
Safyyah
Safyyah was al-Mukhtar's sister. She was the wife of Abdullah bin Umar bin al-Khattab. Abdullah bin Umar bin al- Khattab had good relation with Yazeed bin Mu'awiyah. So, he asked him to release al-Mukhtar.
Ubaidullah bin Zyyad decided to kill al-Mukhtar. But Yazeed bin Mu'awiyah sent a man quickly to him. He ordered him to release al-Mukhtar.
Ubaidullah bin Zyyad read Yazeed bin Mu'awiyah's message. He obeyed him. So, he released al-Mukhtar. He said to him rudely:
"You must leave Kufa within three days. If you do not leave it, I will kill you."
So, al-Mukhtar headed for Mecca.
Abdullah bin al-Zubair
Abdullah bin al-Zubair appointed himself caliph. The people paid him homage. Some people liked him. Some disliked the Umayyads.
Al-Mukhtar knew that Abdullah bin al-Zubair was ambitious. Anyhow, he paid him homage because he hated the Umayyads.
Yazeed bin Mu'awiyah had killed Imam Husain and captured his family. So, the people of al- Madina al-Monawwara, the majority of the Prophets companions were with them, revolted against him.
Muslim bin Akkaba, whom the people called Mujrim bin Akkaba, headed the Shamian army. He attacked al-Madina al-Monawwara and the Prophet's Holy shrine. He committed massacre. The number of the killed was more than fifteen thousand people. He violated the women. Then he put them in the markets for sale.
After that massacre, Yazeed's Army headed for Mecca to occupy it.
Al-Mukhtar defends Allah's House
Mujrim bin Akkaba headed the Shamian Army. On the way to Mecca, a scorpion stung him. He died. So, al-Husain bin Numair, who took part at Karbala massacre, headed the army.
The Shamian Army besieged the Holy Mecca. The soldiers occupied the nearby hills and mountains.
The soldiers placed their Majaneeq (in ancient times, machines for throwing fire in war).
Al-Husain bin Numair ordered his soldiers to attack Madena:
"Throw fire at them!"
A soldier said: "Leader, they are meeting in the Kaaba!"
The leader commanded the soldiers with spite: "Throw fire at the Kaaba!"
The soldiers did. The fire dropped on the houses and the mosques. The walls of the Kaaba caught fire.
After the heavy fires, al-Husain bin Numair ordered the horsemen to break into Mecca. He also ordered them to kill the passers-by.
The infantry, heavily armed, followed the horsemen. They advanced towards Mecca.
Violent fights took place in the Kaaba. Al-Mukhtar was defending Allah's House against the invaders. He forced them to retreat.
A horseman came from Damascus while the violent fights were going on.
The horsemen met al-Husain bin Numair. He said to him: "I've sad news."
"Say."
"Caliph Yazeed bin Mu'awiyah has died!
"What?"
Al-Husain bin Numair was surprised to hear the news. He asked the horseman to keep silent.
But the news quickly spread among the Shamian soldiers, who were tired of the siege. They were displeased with attacking the Kaaba, Allah' House, because they turned their faces toward it when they said their prayers.
Al-Mukhtar comes back to Kufa
Al-Husain bin Numair withdrew his forces. He headed for Damascus. So, the siege was over.
After four years' stay in Madena, al-Mukhtar decided to come back to Kufa.
After Yazeed's death, Ubaidullah bin Zyyad escaped to Damascus. The people of Kufa took advantage of the situation and supported Abdullah bin al-Zubair.
Abdullah bin al-Zubair appointed Abdullah bin Mutea, ruler over Kufa. Some rulers who took part at Karbala massacre supported the new ruler.
One day, one of them said: "Your Highness, the Prince, al-Mukhtar is more dangerous than Sulaiman. Sulaiman went out to Kufa to fight the Shamian people, but al-Mukhtar wants to announce his revolution in Kufa. He wants to get revenge on Imam Husain's killers."
Another said: "I think you have to imprison him."
The Prince accepted their ideas. Thus, he imprisoned al-Mukhtar.
Sulaiman bin Sird
Sulaiman bin Sird was a good companion. He and the Kufians felt pain because they did not support Imam Husain at the Battle of Karbala. For this reason, he asked them to turn to Allah in repentance.
Four thousand Muslims followed him. He formed an army. He announced his revolution against the Umayyads, who killed Imam Husain and captured his family.
Although the soldiers were few in numbers, they were very eager to start the fight. First, they visited Imam Husain's tomb and wept very much. Then they headed for Sham.
Ubaidullah bin Zyyad formed an army of eight thousand soldiers. Violent fights took place.
The two armies met at Ain al-Warda on the borders between Iraq and Sham.
Sulaiman bin Sird passed away during the fights. Ryfaah bin Shaddad headed the army after Sulaiman bin Sird. Then he decided to withdraw the army to Kufa.
Al-Mukhtar sends a Message
From his prison, al-Mukhtar sent a message to Ryfaah and his companions. The message was as follows:
"Allah has made your reward greater. He has decreased your sins for fighting the unjust. Allah will reward you."
Ryfaah answered al-Mukhtar's message. In it he said: "We are ready to break into the prison to release you!"
Al-Mukhtar ordered them not to do that.
Al-Mukhtar announces Revolution
Abdullah bin Umar bin al-Khattab interceded for al-Mukhtar again. He was released.
Having left prison, al-Mukhtar began calling up the people to punish the persons who committed Karbala massacre.
In the meantime, he received a letter from Muhammad bin al-Hanafiyah, Imam Ali's son. In his letter, Muhammad announced his support to al-Mukhtar.
Muhammad's attitude encouraged people to stand by al-Mukhtar. Ibraheem al-Ashtar, a brave senior army leader, joined al-Mukhtar.
The revolutionaries fixed time to announce the revolution. The time was Thursday night, Rabi al-Awwal 14th, 66 A.H.
The spies were reporting about al-Mukhtar's movements. Meanwhile, the police were roaming through the streets in Kufa.
The Revolution breaks out
On Tuesday night, Rabi al-Awwal, namely two days before the revolution, on the way to al-Mukhtar's house, Ibraheem al-Ashtar and some of his friends came across a patrol. The Commander of the patrol said: "Who are you?"
Ibraheem al-Ashtar answered: "I'm Ibraheem al-Ashtar"
The Commander of the patrol said: "Who are those with you? Have you permission to go out at night?"
"No."
"We must arrest you!"
Ibraheem al-Ashtar was forced to attack the Commander. He killed him. The rest of the patrol ran away.
Ibraheem al-Ashtar and his friends hurried to al-Mukhtar. They told him about the accident. Ibraheem al-Ashtar said to al-Mukhtar: "You must announce the revolution at once!"
Al-Mukhtar said: "What has happened?"
"I have killed the Commander of the patrol. It's important to announce the revolution at once."
Al-Mukhtar became cheerful and said: "May Allah make you happy! This is the beginning of the conquest!"
The Revenge
Al-Mukhtar ordered his followers to make fires. The fires were a sign of the revolution.
At midnight, the Kufians woke. They heard the revolutionaries repeating slogans. The revolutionaries went to al-Mukhtar's house.
Street clashes took place in Kufa. The Ruler's soldiers and the police surrendered. Then the Ruler himself escaped to al-Hejaz.
In Kufa Mosque
Al-Mukhtar went up the pulpit. He announced the aims of the revolution:
"I'll conform to Allah's Book and to His Apostle's Sunnah. I'll take revenge on Imam Husain's killers I'll fight against those who have broken Allah's laws. I'll defend the weak against the strong."
Al-Mukhtar wanted to follow Imam Ali's just policy. So, the people were full of happiness. The Umayyads were racists. They preferred Arabs to non-Arabs. For this reason, al-Mukhtar abolished racial discrimination. He adopted justice instead.
The Victory
After the Battle of Ain al-Warda, the Umayyad Army went on advancing towards Kufa. It occupied Mousal City. Then it headed for Kufa.
Al-Mukhtar formed an army of three thousand fighters. Yazeed bin Anas, a brave, good, old man headed the army
Reaching Mousal suburbs, al-Mukhtar's Army met the Umayyads' one at two battles. It won the two battles. Then Yazeed bin Anas died. His death affected his fighters' spirits. They were afraid of the Umayyads' Big Army. Thus, they decided to come back to Kufa.
The Rumours
Imam Husain's killers rumoured that al-Mukhtar's army was defeated. They also rumoured that Yazeed bin Anas was killed at the battle.
So, al-Mukhtar formed an army of seven thousand fighters. He ordered Ibraheem al-Ashtar, a brave leader, to head the army.
The army left Kufa. Al-Mukhtar's enemies took advantage of the situation. They plotted against al-Mukhtar's government.
The rebels besieged the Prince's palace. In spite of the siege, al-Mukhtar sent a horseman to Ibraheem al-Ashtar. The horseman told him to come back.
After three days' siege, the rebels were astonished to see the army coming back. The army could end the Mutiny quickly. It arrested some plotters. And some escaped.
The army executed Harmala bin Kahil, who killed Imam Husain's baby. It arrested and executed Sanan bin Anas, who took part in Imam Husain's killing. And it executed Amr bin Saad, who led the Umayyad Army at Karbala massacre.
Shibth bin Riby escaped to Basrah. Shimr bin Zil- Jawshan also escaped. The army chased him. It found him at a village in Wasit and executed him. Al-Shimr himself had beheaded Imam Husain. He took his head to Kufa and Damascus.
Al-Mukhtar thanks To Allah
Al-Mukhtar was a good man. He fasted to thank Allah for His blessings. Allah granted him victory over the Prophet's enemies, who killed his grandson and robbed his family of their possessions. Al-Mukhtar thought that Allah's blessings are countless. Concerning this, Allah, the Glorified, said: "And if you count Allah's favours, you will not be able to number them."
So, al-Mukhtar fasted for most days of the year.
The Battle of al-Khazar
Ibraheem al-Ashtar's Army reached al-Khazar River. There he met Ubaidullah bin Zyyad's Army.
Violent fights took place between the two sides. The Kufian Army fought bravely. Some commandos made a brave attack against the Umayyads' headquarters. They killed senior leaders such as Ubaidullah bin Zyyad and al-Husain bin Numair. Anyhow, Ibraheem al-Ashtar's Army defeated Ubaidullah bin Zyyad's.
Al-Mukhtar's victory spread all over the Muslim cities. The Muslims became happy when they heard about Ubaidullah bin Zyyad's killing. The Battle of al-Khazar suited Allah's Words: "How often has a small party vanquished a numerous host by Allah's permission"
Ibraheem al-Ashtar's small army defeated Ubaidullah bin Zyyad's big one.
Abid al-Malik bin Marwan
Al-Mukhtar made peace with Abdullah bin al-Zubair to unite efforts against the Umayyads, the enemy of Islam.
Still Abdullah bin al-Zubair was ambitious. He was afraid of al-Mukhtar's increasing power and popular base, for he could end the persons who committed Karbala massacre.
Yazeed bin Mu'awiyah died. His son Mu'awiyah succeeded him. Mu'awiyah bin Yazeed bin Mu'awiyah was a believing young man. He admitted that his father was bad. Therefore, he resigned from the Caliphate.
Marwan bin al-Hakam was ambitious. He took advantage of the situation. So, he became the ruler. He ruled for six months. He died. Then his son Abid al-Malik succeeded him.
Abid al-Malik bin Marwan sent a big army to occupy al-Madina al-Monawwara. Al-Mukhtar heard about the army. He formed an army of three thousand fighters to save the Prophets' City.
Apparently, bin al-Zubair sent an army of two thousand fighters to defend Madina against Abid al-Malik's Army. Abdullah bin al-Zubair's real aim was to attack al-Mukhtar's Army.
Al-Mukhtar's soldiers were busy fighting. Bin al-Zubair's army took advantage of the situation. It attacked al-Mukhtar's soldiers. It killed some soldiers. The rest escaped to the desert. They died of hunger and thirst.
Bin al-Zubair disliked the Alawids. He brought them together near a mountain outside Mecca. He prevented them from leaving that place. Besides he demolished their houses.
Al-Mukhtar sent five thousand fighters to raise the siege. He released the Alawids and rebuilt their houses.
Musab bin al-Zubair
Abdullah bin Al-Zubair thought about a new, strict ruler to appoint over Basrah. He chose his brother Musab to carry out the task. Musab bin al-Zubair arrived in Basrah. He addressed its people: "Some people have told me that you surname your rulers. Before you surname me, I have surnamed myself al-Jazzar (Butcher)."
Some persons killed innocent people. They escaped from al-Mukhtar's justice. They began urging Musab to fight al-Mukhtar.
The End
Musab formed a big army and headed for Kufa. He took al-Mukhtar by surprise.
Ibraheem al-Ashtar was in Mousil City. Al-Mukhtar faced Bin al-Zubair with his small army. The two sides won victories during the first fights.
Bin al-Zubair's Army launched a strong attack. It forced al-Mukhtar's army to come back to Kufa.
Musab's Army followed al-Mukhtar to Kufa. It besieged his palace. The siege went on for four months. Al-Mukhtar tried to raise the siege. He ordered the Kufians to make street clashes. But they disobeyed him.
On Ramadhan 14th, 61, al-Mukhtar decided to leave his palace. He said to his companions: "The siege will weaken us more and more! Let's go out to die martyrs."
Only seventeen persons obeyed al-Mukhtar. They went out to fight the big army that surrounded the palace.
Al-Mukhtar was sixty-seven years old. He fought bravely. Then he died a martyr for Islam.
Musab cheated the persons who stayed in the palace. He promised not to harm if they came out. When they opened the gates of the palace, he ordered his soldiers to kill them all. Meanwhile, he executed seven thousand people on one day. It was a horrible massacre. The Kufians had never seen it before.
The Believing Women
Musab ordered his soldiers to arrest al-Mukhtars wife. Her name was Umra. Her father's name was al-Numan bin Basher al-Ansary. She was a believing woman.
Musab asked her to disown her husband. She said: "I won't disown him. He fasted at day. He said his prayers at night. He sacrificed himself to Allah and His Apostle. He took revenge on Imam Husain's killers."
Musab said with a threat: "I'll kill you."
The believing woman said: "To die a martyr for Allah is better than this world. I'll die and enter the Paradise! I prefer Imam Ali's to everything!"
Musab decided to kill her. In the dark, a person took her to a place between Hira and Cuba. In that desert the person beheaded her. She died a martyr for Imam Husain's aims.
Al-Mukhtar and his wife passed away. They wrote a bright page in the history of Jihad. The page has illuminated the way for generations.
Kumail bin Zyyad
On Thursday night the Moslems finish the night prayers. They sit down in lines. They implore Allah, the Merciful Creator, to forgive them their sins. They ask him to be pleased with them.
Sweet words flow out of the mosque minarets. The words fly high in the clear sky full of stars:
Allah, I implore You with Your mercy that has included everything.
And with Your power with which You have overcome everything,
And every thing has.yielded to it...
Whose supplication is this? It's Kumail's.
What's the story of this supplication?
Who was Kumail?
He was Kumail bin Zyyad al-Nakhay. He was one of Imam Ali's companions. He was a noble man. His people obeyed him. He came from Yaman. His family inhabited Kufa during Imam Ali's Caliphate.
Abid al-Rahman bin al-Ashath led a revolution against alHajjaj. Kumail joined the revolution. He led the Koran Readers' Battalion.
The Beginning
Our Master Muhammad said:
I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate.
Imam Ali (A.S.) was a great scholar. He said: Allah's Apostle has taught me a thousand doors of knowledge. Each door leads to a thousand doors.
He also said: The Zakat (alms) of knowledge is to publish it.
So, Imam Ali (A.S.) taught his companions whatever they wanted. One day, he took Kumail with him outside Kufa. It was night. The sky was full of stars. Northern fresh breeze was blowing.
Imam Ali (A.S.) said to his companion: Kumail, these hearts are containers (of knowledge). The best of them are those that best preserve the knowledge. Therefore, preserve what I say to you:
There are three classes of people. The first class knows Allah. The second learns knowledge as means of salvation. And the third is rabble, - followers of every crower, who bend with every breeze. These men do not seek to be illuminated by the light of learning, nor do they resort to any authority.
Kumail, knowledge is better than wealth. Knowledge guards you while you guard wealth. Wealth is diminished by expenditure while knowledge is increased even by giving it away.
Kumail, those who amass wealth die even as they live, while those who have knowledge will continue to exist for as long as time lasts.
Al-Khidr's Supplication
Imam Ali (A.S.) was sitting with a group of his companions. One of them asked him about the explanation of the following Holy Verse:
"Therein every wise affair is made distinct"
The Imam said: It is on Shaban 15th.
Then he added:
By Allah, man faces his fate on Shaban 15th. So, man must implore Allah at such a night He must read Al-Khidr's supplication. Certainly, Allah accepts it.
The meeting was over and the Imam went home.
The evening came. Then it got dark. People went to bed. At that hour, Kumail got up. He went to Imam Ali's house. He had a question.
Kumail knocked at the door. Imam Ali (AS.) said: Kumail what has brought you?
Kumail, politely said: Amirul-Momineen, Al-Khidr's supplication
The Imam kindly said: Kumail, please sit down.
Then he added: I'll read you a supplication. Read it on Thursday nights.
The Imam began reading the supplication. Kumail was writing it. Nowadays, millions of Moslems read the supplication. They call it Kumail's supplication.
Thursday night, when you are free, then read Kumail's supplication. Faith will shine in your heart. It will illuminate the way of your life as it had illuminated the way of Kumail's life.
Al-Hajjaj
Imam Ali (A.S.) passed away. Maawyyah became a Caliph. Unjust rulers succeeded him. Kufa lived unbearable life.
The rulers imprisoned and killed the God-fearing followers of Ahlul-bait.
Zyyad bin Abeeh ruled Kufa. Then his son Ubaidullah succeeded him. The latter killed the Prophet's grandson. Besides he killed seventy of his companions and his family.
AI-Hajjaj did his best to please the Umayyad rulers. He filled his prison with innocent men and women. In his prison, there were fifty thousand men and thirty thousand women.
The prison was roofless. The prisoners were subjected to the sun heat in summer. And they were subjected to rain and coldness in winter. In summer their faces became as black as Negroes.
A person had been in prison for months. One day his mother went to the prison to visit him. She was astonished to see him. She said: He's not my son. My son is white. This young man is a Negro. I don't know him.
The young man reminded his mother of some marks.
The mother became certain of her son. She burst into tears. Then she died of sadness.
The Revolution
AI-Hajjaj hated Ahlul-Bait and their followers very much. So, he filled the prisons with Shias. They had no guilt but had loved Muhammad's family.
AI-Hajaj was unjust. People hated him. They asked Abid al-Malik to remove him from office. Abid al-Malik refused because al-Hajaj wanted to strengthen the Umayyad rule with fire and sword.
AI-Hajaj was wicked. He sent people to fight and occupy lands. He forced them to join the invading armies. He wanted them to get the booty of the conquered lands. In the meantime, he wanted to get rid of them.
Abid al-Rahman bin al-Ashath
King Ratbil ruled Turkey. AI-Hajjaj sent Abid al-Rahman bin al-Ashath to Turkey to invade it. Abid al-Rahman went deeply into the Turkish lands. He won victories at some battles. So, he sent al-Hajjaj a letter. In the letter he asked him to stop fighting to refresh his fighters.
AI-Hajjaj's answer was full of abuses. Meanwhile, he ordered Abid al-Rahman to go deeper into the Turkish lands.
Abid al-Rahman and his fighters knew al-Hajjaj's wicked aims. So, they decided to revolt against al-Hajaj and Abid al-Malik.
After Abid al-Rahman had announced the revolution, he came back from Turkey. Many people supported him. The Koran readers were the first to support him.
The Koran readers formed a battalion. Kumail bin Zyyad led the battalion.
Because the Kufians suffered from persecution, they also supported the revolution.
The number of the revolutionaries was over one hundred people. This number included the Koran readers, worshipers, poets, religious jurists, and the common. Half the number were foreigners,. They suffered from racial discrimination. 'Me Umayyads preferred Arabs to non-Arabs.
Saeed bin Jubair, the most famous jurist, was among the revolutionaries. He made the people eager to start the revolution.
Poets urged Abid al-Rahman to go on revolting to end persecution.
The Fights
In 81 AH., Abid al-Rahman advanced towards Iraq. Violent fights took place there. The revolutionaries defeated al-Hajjaj's army. They freed many cities such as Sajestan and Kirman (in Iran), Basra and Kufa (In Iraq).
Abid al-Malik sent a man to Abid al-Rahman to hold talks with him. He accepted some conditions such as removing al-Hajjaj from office.
People rejoiced at freedom and victory. So, they insisted on removing Abid al-Malik from the office, for he appointed al-Hajjaj ruler over them.
Abid al-Malik sent military supplies to support al-Hajjaj. The army in Khurasan joined him, too.
The Battle of Deer al-Jamajum
The two armies met at Deer al-Jamajum. A violent fight took place between the two sides. AI-Hajjaj defeated Abid al-Rahman.
Abid al-Rahman's army scattered. Some fighters escaped. Some passed away. Abid al-Rahman himself took refuge in Turkey. Some revolutionaries such as Saeed bin Jubair and Kumail bin Zyyad disappeared.
AI-Hajjaj began looking for the revolutionaries. He executed some of them. And some were afraid of him.
The End
After Deer al-Jamajum Battle, Kumail bin Zyyad was far away from spies.
The police were looking for Kumail everywhere.
AI-Hajjaj used a new way to arrest Kumail. He ordered the police to annoy Kumail's followers. He deprived them of money. So, their economic condition was bad. Kumail heard about that. Thus, he decided to surrender. The police took him to al-Hajjaj.
Kumail's Memories
Kumail bravely walked with the police. In the meantime, he recalled the beautiful days with his teacher and leader Imam Ali (A.S.).
Kumail remembered the days when he was a soldier in the Imam's Army. He remembered his fights against the disloyal, the unjust and the apostates.
Kumail remembered the day when he led an army of four hundred fighters to face a raid by Maawyyah's Army.
Kumail remembered the day when he chased the invaders in Kirkeesya. He remembered the Imam's scolding letter because he left the borders of his country without soldiers.
The Imam's letter read as follows:
Certainly you have deeply gone into Kirkeesya. And you have left the positions without protection. The idea is incorrect You have become a bridge for your enemies to attack your friends.
Why did Kumail surrender?
Kumail believed in Allah and the hereafter. He loved all people. He loved his family and his tribe.
AI-Hajjaj mistreated Kumail's family and tribe. So, Kumail surrendered to save them from persecution.
Kumail remembered Imam Ali's (A.S.) words:
Kumail, order your family to do good. Order them to help people at night ..
Before Al-Hajjaj
Kumail's face was bright. His beard was white. His heart was certain.
Kumail came into al-Hajjaj's palace. He saw al-Hajjaj sitting and his guards standing around him. He saw a headsman carrying a sword.
Kumail new that al-Hajjaj would kill him, for Imam Ali (AS.) had told him about that.
Paying not attention to al-Hajjaj, Kumail said:
My master Imam Ali (A.S.) has told me that you will kill me. Allah's enemy, do whatever you like! And know that the Judgement Day will be after killing.
Al-Hajjaj said: Disown Ali to save your soul.
Kumail said: Show me a religion better than Ali's.
AI-Hajjaj ordered the headsman to behead Kumail.
Kumail Shrine
Nowadays, the visitor sees Kumail shrine on a hill at Wadi al-Salam in Holy Najaf. Sweet perfume spread in Kumail shrine.
On Thursday nights, sweet words fly high in the sky full of stars. The words remind people of that great martyr whose name has connected with the supplication. So, his name will be immortal.
Saeed bin Jubayr
The Beginning
The people in the palace slept. The guards and the soldiers stayed up. They were walking through the porches. They were carrying torches, swords and spears.
Two guards stood at the door of a big hall. Al-Hajjaj bin Yousif al-Thaqafy, the Iraqi ruler, slept in the hall.
The guards said to his friends: I've heard that the prince has become crazy
The other said: His behaviour shows his madness. He has not slept since he killed Saeed bin Jubayr. He always wakes and shouts with alarm: "Why have I killed him?"
I heard him saying to Dr. Tyyadok: "I am always dreaming that I see Saeed bin Jubayr pulling my neck. I heard him saying: "Allah's enemy, why have you killed me?"
The Prince has killed over one hundred thousand men and women. There are fifty thousand men and thirty thousand women in his prisons.
In the meantime, they heard a yell of fear. They heard al-Hajjaj saying: Why have I killed Saeed bin Jubayr?
The guard said to his friend: I think that Saeed bin Jubayr has appeared again.
The other asked: Who was that good man?
Saeed bin Jubayr
His name was Saeed bin Jubair. His surname was Abu Abdullah. He came from al0Habasha. He joined bani-Asad. He lived in Kufa. He was God-fearing.
He was one of the companions of Imam Zaynul Abideen, Ali bin al-Husayn [a].
Saeed loves Prayer
Saeed loved nothing but prayer. He lived a good life with his parents. He obeyed and treated them kindly.
Saeed woke when the rooster crowed. He performed the ritual ablution. He said his morning prayers. Then he read the Qur'an till the sun shone.
One day the rooster did not crow. So, Saeed did not say his morning prayers punctually. He woke after the sunrise. He was sad because he did not say his prayers at the right time. Meanwhile, he was angry at the rooster because it did not crow.
When Saeed looked at the rooster, he said angrily: Why didn't you crow? May Allah not make you crow again!
The rooster had not crowed since then.
Saeed's mother saw the rooster. She said to her son: Saeed, Allah accepts your prayer. So, don't invoke Him against anyone.
Saeed obeyed his mother. He did not invoke Allah against anyone but one time. When did he do that? Let's read Saeed's story together!
Abid al-Malik bin Marwan
Abid al-Malik bin Marwan became a Caliph. He closed the Holy Qur'an and said: I won't read you forever!
Abid al-Malik bin Marwan began practicing a strict policy to continue his government. He appointed unjust people to rule.
For example, he appointed Khalid bin Abdullah al-Qasry over Kufa. Then he appointed him over Makkah. And he appointed al-Hajjaj bin Yousif al-Thaqafy over Hejaz. Then he appointed him over Kufa.
In the meantime, Abid al-Malik bin Marwan ordered his rulers to kill people.
Al-Hajjaj
Al-Hajjaj got to Kufa. He was masked. He went up the pulpit. He kept silent for a while. Then he removed the mask and addressed the Muslims: Iraqis! Disobedient! Hypocrites!
He abused them and said: Abid al Malik bin Marwan has given me a whip and a sword! The whip has dropped! The sword has remained!
Namely, Abid al-Malik ordered al-Hajjaj to kill and torture the Iraqis! The whip was used for torturing. The sword was used for killing.
The time of terrorism started. He began killing and imprisoning. He killed many companions. Kumail bin Ziyad was among them.
Along his rule al-Hajjaj killed one hundred and twenty thousand men and thirty thousand women. There were children in his prisons, too.
The Mad Man
Al-Hajjaj persecuted people everywhere. The people in the deserts were afraid of his name.
One day, al-Hajjaj went to a desert. He found a man there.
He said to the man: What do you think about al-Hajjaj?
The man said: He's unjust!
Al-Hajjaj said: What do you think about Caliph Abid al-Malik bin Marwan?
The man said: He's more unjust than him!
Al-Hajjaj said: Do you know me?
The man said: No, I don't! Who are you?
Al-Hajjaj said: I'm al-Hajjaj.
The man shook with fear and said: Your Highness, the Prince, do you know me?
Al-Hajjaj said: No! Who are you?
The man said with fear: One of the Bani Thour. I get crazy twice a year! This is one of them!
Al-Hajjaj smiled and let the man go.
Th man pretended madness. So, al-Hajjaj let him go.
The Revolution
Al-Hajjaj busied the Muslims with fights on the borders. He tried to occupy the nearby countries and robbed them of their possessions. In the meantime, he wanted to kill the Muslims to get rid of them. For this reason, he ordered the Muslims to fight continuously.
One day, al-Hajjaj sent a big army to fight Ratbil, the Turkish King. Abid al-Rahman bin al-Ashath headed the army.
Abid al-Rahman defeated Ratbil. Then he sent a man to al-Hajjaj. The man said to him: Abid al-Rahman wants to see the conquered lands. He has ceased fighting to refresh the fighters.
Still al-Hajjaj sent Abid al-Rahman a letter. In the letter, he condemned him. And he ordered him to go on fighting.
Abid al-Rahman understood al-Hajjaj's bad aims. So, he told his fighters about him.
The Muslims hated al-Hajjaj because he was unjust. Besides they hated Abid al-Malik bin Marwan because he appointed him ruler over them.
Abid al-Rahman revolted against al-Hajjaj. The fighters stood by him.
Abid al-Rahman came back to Iraq to topple the unjust ruler. The Muslims supported him.
The Qur'an Readers Battalion
The Qur'an Readers were the most knowledgeable at the explanation of the Qur'an and other Qur'anic sciences. Many of them joined Abid al-Rahman. So, they formed a special battalion called the Qur'an readers Battalion. Kumail bin Ziyad headed the battalion.
The revolutionaries freed vast lands from al-Hajjaj's and Abid al-Malik's persecution. They freed Afghanistan, Kirman and Fars (in Iran), Basrah and Kufa (in Iraq). Abid al-Rahman's Army took part in several fights. It won victories at them.
The Battle of Deer al-Jamajum
Abid al-Malik was afraid of that great revolution. He tried to cheat the Muslims. He said: If the revolutionaries hand over their weapons, I'll dismiss al-Hajjaj.
Abid al-Malik appointed al-Hajjaj and other unjust rulers. He was the cause for all those disasters. So, the Muslims refused his suggestion. And they ordered him to resign. Abid al-Malik sent a big army to help al-Hajjaj.
The two armies met at a place near Kufa called Deer al-Jamajum. A grim foght happened between the two armies. Al-Hajjaj won the the fight. Abid al-Rahman bin al-Ashath escaped to Turkey. Al-Hajjaj's army captured many revolutionaries and executed them.
Kumayl bin Ziyad, the leader of the Qur'an Readers' Battalion, disappeared for a time. He heard about about his people's sufferings. So, he gave himself up to al-Hajjaj. Al-Hajjaj ordered a man to execute him.
To Makkah
Saeed bin Jubayr escaped to Makkah to live there. He chose a valley near Makkah so as no one would know him. Al-Hajjaj's spies looked for him everywhere. Abid al-Malik was even more spiteful than al-Hajjaj with Saeed. So, he sent his private messanger Khalid bin Abdullah al-Qasry to Makkah.
Khalid bin Abdullah al-Qasry arrived in Makkah. The ruler of Makkah was Muhammad bin Salama. Muhammad was addressing the people. Khalid interrupted him and went up the pulpit. He took out a letter. Abid al-Malik had sealed the letter.
Khalid read the Makkans Abid al-Malik's letter. The letter was as follows:
From Abid al-Malik bin Marwan,
To the people of Makkah;
I have appointed Khalid bin Abdullah al-Qasry ruler over you. Hear and obey him. We'll kill the person who aids Saeed bin Jubayr!
After reading Abid al-Malik's letter, Khalid said stormily: If I see Saeed in a house, I'll demolish the house. And I'll demolish the nearby houses!
In the Valley
Saeed knew that Khalid would kill anyone who would help him. So, he did not ask anyone for help. Therefore, he took his small family and lived in a valley near Makkah.
One day, a spy knew Saeed's place. The spy hurried to Khalid to tell him about Saeed. The Ruler of Makkah ordered his guards to capture Saeed.
Some horsemen with swords set out for the valley. They saw a little tent among the rocks.
Saeed bin Jubayr was saying his prayers. The horsemen dismounted. They approached his tent. Saeed's son knew that the horsemen came to arrest his arrest. The son wept to see his father in that terrible state. The father said:
Son, why are you weeping and I've lived for seventy five years. This is a long age.
The father said good-bye to his son. He asked him to be patient. Saeed advanced bravely towards the horsemen's leader. The leader admired Saeed's personality. He was sad to see him praying in the desert. He was sad to see him saying the final good-bye to his son.
The leader said: The Prince has ordered me to arrest you. Escape to any country you like. I'll go with you.
Saeed asked the horsemen's leader: Have you a family?
The leader answered: Yes.
Saeed said: Aren't you worried about them?
The leader said: Allah will save them!
Saeed refused to escape so that the leader would not punish the innocent people. So, he went with the soldiers.
The Ka'aba
The Prince of Makkah was sitting by the Holy Ka'aba waiting for the horsemen's coming.
The horsemen brought Saeed bin Jubayr. Khalid bin Abdullah al-Qasry, the Prince of Makkah, ordered the guards to tie Saeed's legs to his neck.
A man from Shaam said: Your Highness, the Prince, release Saeed, release him. Don't send him to al-Hajjaj. He'll kill him. Saeed is a good man. May Allah be pleased with you.
The Prince said: If Abid al-Malik ordered me to demolish the Ka'aba thoroughly, I would do to please him.
Abid al-Malik appointed unjust rulers over the Muslims. They did not think about Allah's satisfaction. They thought about Abid al-Malik's.
Wasit
Al-Hajjaj built a new town between Kufa and Basrah. The town was Wasit. He built a big palace in its center. Besides he built he big prison to torture innocent people.
There were thousands of men, women and children in his prison.
Al-Hajjaj was sitting in his palace. There was a Christian doctor with him. The doctor's name was Tyyadok. The headsman was standing. He was waiting for Saeed.
Saeed came into the palace full of the smell of blood.
Al-Hajjaj said: What's your name?
Saeed answered: Saeed bin Jubayr. (Saeed = happy, Jubayr = unbroken)
No! You're Shaqy bin Kusair. (Shaqy = unhappy, Kusair = broken)
My mother knows my and my father's name.
May you and your mother be unhappy!
No one knows the unseen but Allah.
Al-Hajjaj kept silent. Then he clapped. Some bad men came and made funny movements.
Al-Hajjaj and his guards laughed loudly. Saeed kept silent.
Al-Hajjaj asked him: Why don't you laugh?
Saeed said: There's nothing to laugh at.
Al-Hajjaj said: I laugh!
Thus Allah has created us to be different.
Al-Hajjaj ordered his guards to bring him a big jewel box. Al-Hajjaj began piling the jewels before Saeed. Then he asked him: What do you think about those jewels?
To teach him a lesson, Saeed said: They are good if you spend them for Allah!
Why?
To be safe on the Judgement Day.
Again al-Hajjaj kept silent.
Al-Hajjaj beckoned the headman to kill him. The headsman advanced towards the great companion.
Saeed turned towards the Ka'aba with a certain heart. He asked the headsman permission to say two Raka'as. He turned towards the Ka'aba and said: Surely, I have turned myself, being upright, wholly to Him who originated the heavens and the earth, and I am not of the polytheists.
Al-Hajjaj shouted: Turn him away from Ka'aba!
The headsman changed his direction. Saeed said: And Allah's is the East and the West, therefore, whither you turn, thither is Allah's purpose.
Al-Hajjaj shouted: Lay on your belly on the ground!
Saeed said: From it We have originated You. And in it We will bring you back. And from it We will take you out again.
Al-Hajjaj said with spite: Behead him!
At that moment, Saeed looked at the sky and said: Allah, don't forgive him for persecuting me! Punish him for my blood! And make me the last person he kills of Muhammad's nation!
Immediately, the headsman beheaded him. The head fell to the ground and said: There's no god but Allah!
Al-Hajjaj began looking at the continuous flowing of the blood. He was astonished to see the plentiful blood. So, he asked Dr. Tyyadok about the secret.
The doctor said: All those you killed were afraid. Their blood stopped in their veins. So, there was no bleeding. But Saeed was not afraid. His heart was beating normally.
Saeed's heart was full of faith. He was not afraid of death. So, he passed away a martyr.
Al-Hajjaj's End
After that time, al-Hajjaj got crazy. When he slept he saw nightmares. He woke with alarm and said: Why have I killed Saeed bin Jubayr?
Fifteen days passed after that crime, al-Hajjaj died.
Allah accepted Saeed's prayers. So, he was the last person al-Hajjaj killed during his life full of crimes and persecution.
When the Muslims opened the door of the prisons, they found fifty thousand men, women and children. Saeed and al-Hajjaj died in the same year. Their story became a lesson for generations. History praises Saeed and dispraises al-Hajjaj!
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