Men Around The Messenger
His companions said about him, "The first cavalryman to strive in
the way of Allah was Al-Miqdaad Ibn Al-Aswad, our hero, and Al-Miqdaad Ibn 'Amr
was one and the same person."
The
story behind this was that Al-Miqdaad Ibn 'Amr was in alliance with Al-Aswad
Ibn 'Abd Yaghuuth, who therefore adopted Al-Miqdaad. Thus, he was called
Al-Miqdaad Ibn Al-Aswad until the glorious verse which abrogated adoption
descended, and he restored his father's name, 'Amr Ibn Saad. Al-Miqdaad was one
of the foremost Muslims and the seventh of the seven men who announced their
Islam openly and in public. Therefore, he had his share of the Quraish's abuse
and atrocities. He tolerated them with the courageousness and satisfaction of a
devoted disciple.
His
attitude during the Battle of Badr will retain its immortal glory. It was an
honorable attitude that impressed all those who witnessed it and made each and
every one of them wish it were he who had adopted such an attitude. 'Abd Allah
Ibn Mas'uud, the Companion of Allah's Prophet (Sallallaho alyhi wasallam) said,
"I have seen Al- Miqdaad (May Allah be pleased with him) maintain a firm
attitude and I was overtaken by a vicarious feeling to be in his place. This
feeling enveloped me to the extent that I wished more than anything in the
world that it would come true."
The Day of Badr was a
crucial one as the Quraish marched with all their might, stubborn persistence,
and haughtiness against the Muslims. On that day, the Muslims were not only
few, but also untried and inexperienced in jihaad. Their hearts had not been
tested in action. Besides, the Battle of Badr was the dawn of their conquests.
The Prophet stood there to strengthen the faith of his Companions and test
their combat readiness to break through the enemy infantry and cavalry.
Afterwards, the Prophet (Sallallaho
alyhi wasallam) began to consult them on war tactics. Surely, the Prophet's
Companions knew that when he asked their opinion, he demanded their individual
free and courageous expression, even if it happened to contradict the majority.
He who expressed his opinion would not be reproached or criticized.
Al-Miqdaad was afraid lest
one of the Muslims should have reservations about the imminent battle.
Therefore, he was careful to have precedence in speech. His concise and
decisive words coined the slogan of the battle, yet before he had the chance to
open his mouth, Abu Bakr As-Siddiiq started talking and by the time he finished
his words, A1 - Miqdaad's apprehensions had vanished, for Abu Bakr spoke with
remarkable eloquence. 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab spoke next and followed suit.
Finally Al-Miqdaad stepped forward and said, "O Prophet of Allah, go ahead
with what Allah has inspired you to do. We will stand by you. By Allah, we will
never say as the Children of Israel said, 'So go you and your Lord and fight
you two, we are sitting right here.' Instead, we will say, 'Go you and your
Lord and we will fight with you.' By Allah, Who has sent you with the truth, if
you take us to the end of the world, we will tolerate all hardships until we
reach it with you. We will fight on your left, your right, in front of you and
behind you until Allah bestows victory on you." His decisive words were
like bullets that made the righteous believers with them fired up with
enthusiasm.
The Prophet's face
brightened as he uttered a pious supplication for Al-Miqdaad, whose words were
so strong and decisive that they drew the pattern that would be followed by
anyone who spoke afterwards. Indeed, Al-Miqdaad's words left their impact on
the hearts of the believers. Consequently, S'ad Ibn Mu'aadh, a leader of the Ansaar,
rose and said, "O Prophet of Allah, we have believed in you and witnessed
that what has descended on you is the truth. We gave you our allegiance; so go
ahead with what you intend to do, and we will stand by you. By Allah Who has
sent you with the truth, if you attempt to cross the sea, we will cross it hand
in hand with you. None of us will lag behind or turn his back on you. We are
not afraid to meet our enemy tomorrow, for we are given to terrible warfare and
we are faithful in our desire to meet Allah. I pray Allah that we do what will make
you proud of us. Go ahead with Allah's blessings."
The Prophet (Sallallaho
alyhi wasallam) was extremely sanguine on hearing this and said to his
Companions, "March forward and be cheerful and confident!" After a
while the two armies met in fierce combat. The Muslim cavalry on that day were
only three: Al-Miqdaad Ibn 'Amr, Marthid Ibn Abi Marthid, and Az-Zubair Ibn A1
'Awaam. The rest of the Mujaahiduun were infantry or riding on camels.
Al-Miqdaad's previous words
not only proved his valor but also his preponderant wisdom and profound
thought. Al-Miqdaad was a wise and intelligent man. His wisdom was not
expressed in mere words but in empirical principles and a constant unvarying
conduct. His experience was the fuel of his wisdom and intelligence.
The Prophet (Sallallaho
alyhi wasallam) once assigned him to rule one of the governorships, and when he
returned the Prophet (Sallallaho alyhi wasallam) asked him, "How does it
feel be a governor?" He answered with admirable honesty, "It made me
feel as if I were in a silver tower above the rest of the people. By Allah Who
has sent you with the truth, from now on, I will never expose myself to the
temptations of governing." If that was not wisdom, then what else is? If
that was not a wise man, then who else is?
This was an honest and
straightforward man who was able to detect, unveil, and admit his innermost
weakness. His position as a governor made him vulnerable to haughtiness and
vainglory. He detected this weakness in himself at once and took a solemn oath
to avoid any position or rank that might jeopardize his piety and
righteousness. He kept his oath and renounced any influential or controversial
situation for the rest of his life.
He cherished and treasured the hadith of the Prophet (Sallallaho alyhi wasallam): He who avoids fitnah (trials; afflictions, and
error) is indeed a happy man."
He realized that because the
governorship awakened latent and haughtiness in him and exposed him to Fitnah,
it was better to avoid any position that might arouse this weakness. His wisdom
was manifested in his deliberateness and perseverance in his judgment of men.
This was also a trait that Allah's Prophet (Sallallaho alyhi wasallam) instilled
in him, for he taught Muslims that the hearts of the children am are incredibly
capricious.
Al-Miqdaad was always for
delaying his final judgment of a man to the moment of death so as to be
absolutely positive that the man concerned would not alter, for death means
finality. His wisdom was most conspicuous in the dialogue that was narrated by one
of his companions: One day, we sat with Al-Miqdaad and a man passed by and
addressed Al- Miqdaad saying, "All kinds of happiness are for these eyes
which have seen Allah's Prophet (Sallallaho alyhi wasallam). By Allah, we wish
that we saw what you have seen and witnessed what you have witnessed."
Al-Miqdaad approached him and said, "Why should anyone wish to witness a
scene that Allah did not wish him to see? He does not know what it would have
been like if he had witnessed it or which party he would have been among if he
went back in time. By Allah, Allah's Prophet (Sallallaho alyhi wasallam) saw
people who were thrown right into hell, so you should thank Allah that you were
spared such a trial and were honored by firm belief in Allah and His Prophet (Sallallaho
alyhi wasallam):"
Undoubtedly, it is
remarkable wisdom. You hardly ever meet a believer who loves Allah and the
Prophet (Sallallaho alyhi wasallam) and does not wish to see and live within
the Prophet's sight. Yet the insight of the wise and skillful Miqdaad unveiled
the missing dimension of this wish. For is it not possible that if this man had
lived during those times he might have ended up among the dwellers of Hell? Is
it not possible that he might have sided with the disbelievers? Again, is it
not far much better for him to thank Allah Who destined him to live at a time when Islam is deeply -
rooted and fully-fledged, awaiting him to quench his thirst from its
inexhaustible pure spring?
Al-Miqdaad's
viewpoint was subtly wise and intelligent.
He always emerged as the wise and clever man in all his actions, deeds, and
words.
Al-Miqdaad's love for Islam was not only
great but also reasonable and wise. A man who has such great and wise love inside him must be raised to a high
station, for he does not find pleasure in this love per se but rather in its
responsibilities and obligations. Al-Miqdaad definitely was this type of man.
His love for the Prophet filled his heart and deepened his feeling of
responsibility towards the Prophet's safety. No sooner was a call for an
expedition announced than he darted towards the Prophet's house on horseback
armed with his sharp sword!
His
love for Islam filled his heart with responsibility for its protections, not
only from the plots of its enemies, but also from the errors of its allies.
One
day, his army unit went on an expedition, but the enemy troops were able to
besiege them. Therefore, their commander gave an order to his soldiers not to
graze their camels. One of the Muslim soldiers did not hear his order and, in
consequence, disobeyed it. The commander punished him severely, more than he
actually deserved. In fact, he did not deserve to be punished at all.
Al-Miqdaad passed by this man and found him in tears, so he asked him what was
the matter, and the latter told him what had happened. Al-Miqdaad took the man
to the commander, where he argued with him until he was convinced of his error
of judgment. Then Al- Miqdaad said, "Now it is the time for retaliation.
He must have his qisaas- the law of equality of punishment!
The commander yielded to his
judgment but the soldier remitted the retaliation. Al-Miqdaad was thrown into
ectasy over greatness of the religion that made it possible for them to reach power
of courageous judgment, admirable submission, and great give ness. He said as
if he were singing a song, " I will see Islam triumphant even if I have to
die for it." Indeed, it was his utmost wish to see Islam most powerful
before he died. His extraordinary effort to make his wish come true made the
Prophet (Sallallaho alyhi wasallam) say to O Al-Miqdaad, Allah
ordered me to love you and told me that loves you."