Courage to live Islam

BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum

I pray that you are well.

What would you do if we are 3 about to face 100 enemies of Allah? You run away or you fight? For most of us, we will not think twice and run! If you say we fight, how long do you think we will last? We will be crushed in no time! Inna lillahi wainna ilaihi raji'un.

Remember the 3000 companions in the battle of Mu'tah against 200,000 well-equipped professional soldiers of the Romans and Ghassanian! If you don't know anything about this battle, you should read about it. What took place can never happen again. There is nobody on earth braver, more courage, more sincere than these 3000 men, Allah be very pleased with them.

In brief

"Allah's Messenger appointed Zaid bin Haritha as the commander of the army during the Ghazwa of Mu'tah and said, "If Zaid is martyred, Ja`far should take over his position, and if Ja`far is martyred, `Abdullah bin Rawaha should take over his position'" (Bukhari)

The companions met for two days prior to the battle to discuss and exchange opinions on how to face this enormous number. Should they face this hostile army or will that be unwise?

Abu Huraira (the top narrator of ahadith), may Allah be very pleased with him, was a new Muslim during this battle, became dazzled looking at the armies , as if his eyes were struck with lightning. Thabit ibn al-Arqam, Allah be very pleased with him, steeped in Islam, a senior Muslim, told Abu Huraira, you were not with us at Badr (300 Muslims vs 1000 enemies), we were not given victory in numbers.

Allah says: "You did not kill them; it was Allah who killed them; and you did not throw, when you threw; it was Allah who threw: so He might test the believers with this excellent trial from Him. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing." Qur'an Anfal 8:17 (This surah was revealed after the Battle of Badr)

Abdullah Ibn Rawaha said, “O People, the thing you are afraid of now is the very thing you came for (martyrdom). By Allah, we do not fight our enemies with our numbers or weapons, but we fight them with this religion which Allah has honored us with!”

And they replied “In Allah we trust!”

Combat began after the fajr prayer and continued until the sunset prayer, and then they would rest the following day and this went on for six days--3000 Muslims vs 200,000 Romans soldiers. The battle was fierce and crowded to the extent that it was difficult to move with the horses among the Romans who were concentrating to kill Zaid ibn Harith.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, had informed the people of Madinah the martyrdom of Zaid ibn Harith, Ja`far ibn Abi Talib and Abdullah ibn Rawaha before the news of their death reached. The Prophet said, "Zaid took the flag (as the commander of the army) and was martyred, then Ja`far took it and was martyred, and then Ibn Rawaha took it and was martyred." At that time the Prophet's eyes were shedding tears. He added, "Then the flag was taken by a Sword amongst the Swords of Allah (i.e. Khalid bin Al-Walid) and Allah made them (i.e. the Muslims) victorious."(Bukhari)

Narrated Khalid bin Al−Walid: On the day of Mu'tah, nine swords were broken in my hand and only a Yemenite sword of mine remained in my hand. (Bukhari) Khalid bin Al-Walid developed a plan that is still taught in military schools in Europe and America as the greatest withdrawal plan in history.

You have to feel a sense of belonging and love towards these companions. They fought valiantly to bring Truth to us. They lived for the Hereafter. They are our great role models. Studying their lives will, inshaAllah, increase and strengthten your Iman and give you the courage, not afraid of little pricks and discomfort, to live Islam. Tawfiq.

"When earth is shaken with a mighty shaking, and earth brings forth her burdens, and Man says., 'What ails her?' upon that day she shall tell her tidings for that her Lord has inspired her .Upon that day men shall issue in scatterings to see their works, and whoso has done an atom's weight of good shall see it, and whoso has done an atom's weight of evil shall see it." Qur'an The Quake 99:1-8

And Allah knows best.

Let the earth you stand on bring forth only one tale to tell Allah--only good. Please remember me in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

Wassalaam