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A
Hero to the End !
He was a clear image and reflection of
Arab chivalry in its depth. His father
was As-Siddiiq, the first convert, an
incomparable believer, one of two who
were in the cave. Despite all that, his
son 'Abd Ar-Rahman stuck persistently
and firmly to the pagan religion of his
clan and to the idols of the Quraish.
At the
Battle of Badr, he fought on the side of
the Quraish. During the Battle of Uhud
he was in the forefront of the spearmen
recruited by the Quraish to combat the
Muslims.
Before
any fight there was a traditional
dueling round (single combat). ‘Abd
Ar-Rahman stood out asking the Muslims
whom they were going to choose to fight
with him. His father, Abu Bakr As-Siddiiq
(May Allah be pleased with him) rushed
out to combat his son. However, the
Prophet (PBUH) held him back, hindering
him from doing so.
Any
true Arab is primarily characterized by
his loyalty to his conviction. Being
convinced with a faith or an idea means
being enslaved by such conviction; there
is no way to rid himself of it, unless a
new conviction fills his mind and soul
without deceit or falsification.
Despite
‘Abd Ar-Rahman's respect for his
father, his trust in his father's
rationality, and the greatness of his
manners and soul, despite all that, his
loyalty to his conviction proved to be
superior. His father's conversion to
Islam did not tempt him to change his
conviction.
He
remained unchanged, carrying out the
responsibilities of his faith and
conviction, defending the idols of the
Quraish and fighting under their
standard, the way brave warriors do.
As for
the noble and powerful men of that type,
truth prevails eventually, no matter how
long it takes. Their noble essence, the
light of their sincerity is soon going
to guide them, uniting them with
guidance and blessing.
The
clock of fate struck to announce a new
birth for 'Abd Ar-Rahman. Light of
guidance lit up sweeping away all
murkiness, darkness, and devices
inherited from pagan days. He soon could
visualize Allah, the One and Only, in
all surrounding creatures and things. It
was here that guidance deepened its
roots within his soul, it was here he
became a Muslim.
Without
delay he set off towards the Prophet (PBUH).
He became one who returns ever to the
religion of truth. Abu Bakr's face
beamed with happiness and delight seeing
his son swearing the oath of allegiance
to the Prophet (PBUH).
He had
been a true polytheist, but now he was a
true Muslim. No greed directed his
steps, no fear pushed him, just a
rational, rightly-guided conviction
blessed by Allah's guidance and success.
Soon
he started to replace previous deeds
with doing the best, striving in the
cause of Allah, His Prophet and the
faithful.
During
the whole period of the Prophet (PBUH)
and the era of caliphs who succeeded
him, 'Abd Ar-Rahman never missed a
battle nor refrained from taking part in
any jihaad.
His
endeavor and striving on the Day of Al-Yamaamah
will never be forgotten. His firm
resistance and bravery played a- great
role in achieving victory against the
apostate army of Musailamah. It was he,
'Abd Ar-Rahman, who killed Muhkam Ibn
At-Tufail, Musailamah's schemer and the
main guard of the castle inside which
the apostate army took refuge.
As
soon as Muhkam fell down from the hard
stroke of 'Abd Ar-Rahman, all those
around him scattered, leaving a wide
entrance open so the Muslim warriors
could hasten inside.
Under
the standard of Islam 'Abd Ar-Rahman's
habits became more bright and shining.
He was loyal to his conviction,
completely determined to carry out and
follow what was right and true, refusing
all kinds of flattery and servility. All
these manners were the essence of his
personality as well as his whole life.
He never abandoned his principles even
when tempted by a desire or influenced
by a fear.
Even
on that terrilble day, when Mu'aawiyah
decided to force the pledge to Yaziid by
the sword. On that day, a message was
sent to Marwaan, the governor of Al-Madiinah.
It included the oath of allegiance which
was to be read aloud in the mosque so
that all the Muslims would hear it.
Marwaan did what was ordered. When he
finished reading it, 'Abd Ar-Rahman Ibn
Abi Bakr turned the atmosphere of
silence and depression which covered the
mosque into one of loud opposition and
firm resistance saying, "By Allah,
it's not the welfare of Muhammad's
nation that you are seeking. On the
contrary, you want to turn it into a
Heraclian rule. When Heraclius dies
another follows."
'Abd
Ar-Rahman could clearly see the dangers
awaiting Islam if Mu'aawiyah was to
carry out his desire. He could see how
the transfer of power within Islam was
changing from one based on national
consultation by which the nation chooses
its leader , to one of autocracy, by
which emperors are imposed upon the
people, one after the other.
"Abd
Ar-Rahman had hardly finished these firm
and loud resisting words when a group of
Muslims hurried to support him.
Leading
them were Al-Hussain Ibn 'Ally, 'Abd
Allah Ibn Az-Zubair and ‘Abd Allah
Ibn'Umar.
However
for some compelling reason which
occurred later on, they all were forced
to hold a position of silence towards
this pledge of allegiance which
Mu'aawiyah decided to take by force of
sword.
But 'Abd
Ar-Rahman continued to resist loudly.
Mu’aawiyah sent him someone with
100,000 dirhams, hoping to please him.
Ibn
As-Siddiiq threw the money and said
frankly to Mu'aawiyah's messenger,
"Go back to him and tell him, it's
not ‘Abd Ar-Rahman who is going to buy
his life by losing his faith."
As
soon as he heard the news that
Mu’aawiyah had set off towards Al-Madiinah,
he left it heading to Makkah.
Allah
wanted to save him the temptation of
such a situation and its bad results. He
had hardly reached the borders of Makkah
when his soul submitted itself to
Allah's appeal. Men carried the body and
buried it in Makkah, which had witnessed
his pagan past but also witnessed his
conversion to Islam, the conversion of
an honest, free, and brave man.
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