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The
First Muslim Cavalryman
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 honourable 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 (PBUH) 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 (PBUH) 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, Al -
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,
"0 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, "0
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 yon 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 incur 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 (PBUH) 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 Al '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 (PBUH) once assigned him to
rule one of the governorships, and when
he returned the Prophet (PBUH) 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 (PBUH):
"He who avoids fitnah (trials,
afflictions, and error) is indeed a
happy man."
He realized that because the
governorship awakened latent pride 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 judgement of men. This was also a
trait that Allah's Prophet (PBUH)
instilled in him, for he taught Muslims
that the hearts of the children of Adam
are incredibly capricious.
Al-Miqdaad was always for delaying his
final judgement 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 (PBUH). 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 (PBUH) saw people who were
thrown right into hell, so you should
thank Allah that you were spared such a
trial and were honoured by firm belief
in Allah and His Prophet (PBUH)."
Undoubtedly, it is remarkable wisdom.
You hardly ever meet a believer who
loves Allah and the Prophet (PBUH) 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
judgement. Then Al- Miqdaad said,
"Now it is the time for
retaliation. He must have his qisas -
the law of equality of punishment!"
The commander yielded to his judgement
but the soldier remitted the
retaliation. Al-Miqdaad was thrown into
ecstasy over the greatness of the
religion that made it possible for them
to reach this power of courageous
judgement, admirable submission, and
great forgiveness. 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 (PBUH)
say to him, "O Al-Miqdaad, Allah
ordered me to love you and told me that
He loves you."
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