13 history in translation

HISTORY IN TRANSLATION

By Maulana Habibur Rahman Usmani ex-Rector Darul Uloom, Deoband

Part 25

Spread of Islam Translated by: Hifzur Rahman Qasmi

T

commanded by Abu Obaida ibn alJarrah and participated by Khalid ibn Walid, the number of Companions did not exceed more than one thousand.

Based on this fact, we conclude that the Musl im army in battle of Qadsiya mig ht consist of some more Companions, but their number would surely not have exceeded i e s two to three thousand. The rest r o t s ng and teresti T h e i n the truth of Islam faith of the soldiers were those who could not have the privilege of g is concernin ssistance for th ounted meeting the Prophet (saws). r ec e a the Divin ve so far been uls. Now it The company of the blessed a o which h italize the dead s ide of their Companions had so highly s v e r r e h d indee how anot dience. What trained them that there s o t d e d obe e remained no apparent is inten ruth and uslims had to fac t s u io ig M of rel problems any injunctions n distinction between them were the o d e d r and the Companions. The ey igno l Islam remaine n when th io a t e r a n e Companions were truly the e h on t t Islam? Bu ace of growth. If eds, there effective, powerful and p e the same itself by evil d lding the perfect trainers. yed n ho

he conqueror of Madain was the same army which had earlier shown great bravery and power of faith in the battle of Qadsiya and ended the life of Rustum under the command of Sa’d. That is why Jabir calls this army ‘the people of Qadsiya’.

principles which worked behind spread of Islam as well as the individuals who participated in this mission. They were the pure and holy persons whose appearance itself proclaimed the truth of Islam, let alone observing their conditions, morals, worship and dealings.

Notably, the number of soldiers was sixty thousand. The wealth received in booty was so abundant that 12000 dirhams came to each one’s lot. (Tarikh Tabri: vol. 4, p.

177) This abundant wealth was collected from the market place, jungles and fleeing soldiers. But strangely, neither anything io destro was embezzled, nor was ther nat proved itself to The greatest evidence to o n a d e g emer anything lost. Can there be ent and nets. developm ient to Islamic te for substantiate this view is f o g la f found any example of such er way uly obed that the entire world was be the tr eed found anoth d for it. noble persons who did not have e s d lo in c unable to achieve the s a m Isla any sort of material desire ne path w o n e h w position of their f itsel except for the heavenly reward? successors, let alone Surely not. The greatest proof claiming a degree of equality to the Let the for their selfless attitude is that Companions themselves. “So, take world present such examples from the Jabir strongly swore by Allah on admonition, o you who have got eyes their selflessness. Sa’d ibn Abi Wa q world history, if it can. It is well to (to see)… qas was prepared to draw them nearer to remember here that each one of the sixty thousand soldiers was not the Yes, I clearly claim that Islam is the true the warriors of Badr in merit.

Companion of the Prophet (saws). In religion. No scope for greed exists in it.

At this moment, the just-minded people the great battle of Yarmouk which was All its merit is based on truth and true needed to embark on an analysis of the

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HISTORY IN IN TRANSLATION TRANSLATION obedience. The promise for Islam to dominate each and every corner of the world from east to west was made by Allah, the Creator Almighty Himself.

The statement of the Prophet (saws) which is necessary to be obeyed had been issued: “There will remain no house on the face of the earth, made of madar (mud or clay) or wabar (fur of camels and goats, i.e. tents) except Allah will bring the word of Islam upon them, (either) with the honour of an honoured one, or the disgrace of a disgraced one.” (Mishkat al-Masabih: v. 1, p. 16, the Book of Belief) It was not the merit of some special persons which effectively worked behind the spread of Islam. The Companions were addressed in the Holy Qur’an: “And if you turn away, He will replace you by some other people, then they will not be like you.” (Surah Muhammad: v. 38) Thus, Islam spread only on the hands which truly acted on its true teachings.

Its fragrance circulated in their veins.

The statement of Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas was completely true that one should accomplish something before one is indulges in the affairs of this world.

(Tarikh Tabri: vol. 4, p. 170) When Muslims changed their ways and turned away from any injunction of Islam, they themselves suffered losses.

It did not affect Islam, nor did it made any difference in the speed with which Islam was growing.

The interesting stories concerning the

truth of Islam and the Divine assistance for this faith which have so far been recounted indeed revitalize the dead souls. Now it is intended to show another side of their religious truth and obedience. What were the problems Muslims had to face when they ignored any injunctions of Islam? But the real Islam remained on the same pace of growth. If one nation destroyed itself by evil deeds, there emerged another nation holding the flag of development and proved itself to be the truly obedient to Islamic tenets. Islam indeed found another way for itself when one path was closed for it.

Conquest of Sardinia Island and drowning of Muslims Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, first being the Sicily Island. Musa ibn Nadeer, the conqueror of Spain sent an army through the sea to conquer the island.

The island was conquered. The Christians put the vessels made of gold and silver and other precious assets in the river from the sea port. They hid much of the wealth in the attic of a church. Muslims found abundance of war spoils. But also there occurred embezzlement in the booty. They found a chance to embezzle.

A Muslims got into the river for taking bath. His feet touched something. When he took it out and looked, it was a plate of silver. On this, everyone grabbed whatever they could lay their hand on.

Likewise, a person entered the church.

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He saw a dove sitting on the roof. He shot an arrow to hit the dove. The dove escaped, but the piece of stone broke off and fell down along with some deenars.

He picked them. This way, the whole wealth was taken by people. The people witnessed a great deal of embezzlement. Numerous tricks were played to make thefts. A cat was killed and after cleaning the internal filth, the body was filled with deenars. The body was stitched and put on the way. When they passed by the dead cat, they would drag it so as if they were throwing it on the garbage. After the island was conquered and embezzlement was made in the booty, they boarded on the ship to return back. An unseen voice sounded, “O Allah, sink them all”; and all were drowned. No one could remain safe.

(Al-Kamil Fit Tarikh: vol. 4, p. 124) After rendering a remarkable service to Islam, this army was returning successfully as achievers. But they had to face the ultimate result of disobeying the Islamic injunctions and all the soldiers perished. Yet Islam continued to progress on its pace, though the working hand behind it was not theirs; rather that of others.

Islam needs no one in its progress. As long as Muslims remained perfectly obedient to its teachings, they continued to draw the other worldly rewards along with name and fame in this world. But when a group of people deviated from it, it got devastated itself.

Islam found a new way for its progress.

To be continued...