A continuous stream of incoming news
worried the Commander of the Faithful 'Umar
Ibn Al-Khattab. This news was about the
deceitful attacks launched by the
Persian forces against the Muslims at
the Battle of Al-Jisr which cost the
Muslims 4,000 lives in a single day and,
moreover, about the Iraqis' renouncement
of allegiance and their violation of
agreed-upon convenants. Therefore, he
decided to personally lead the Muslim
troops in a decisive fight against
Persia.
In fact, he set out accompanied by some
of his companions, leaving 'Ali Ibn Abu
Taalib (May Allah be pleased with him)
behind to act as his deputy over Al-Madinah.
However, he had hardly left Al-Madinah
when some of his companions found it
wiser to ask him to return and appoint
someone else for this task.
This view was adopted by 'Abd Ar-Rahman
Ibn 'Awf, who saw it unwise to risk the
caliph's life in such a way while Islam
was going through its most decisive
days.
'Umar ordered the Muslims to gather for
public consultation. Congregational
prayer was then announced and 'Aliy Ibn
Abu Taalib was sent for. He went with
some Madinites to where Umar and his
companions were waiting. At last, they
accepted 'Abd Ar-Rahman Ibn 'Awf's
opinion. The assembly decided that 'Umar
was to go back to Al-Madiinah and
another Muslim leader be chosen tocombat
the Persians.
'Umar agreed to their decision, then
asked his companions, "Whom do you
see fit to be sent to Iraq?" They
thought silently for a while. Then
"Abd Ar-Rahman Ibn "Awf
shouted, "I've found him!" 'Umar
said," Who is it?" 'Abd
Ar-Rahman said, "The Lion's Claws:
Sa'd Ibn Maalik Az-Zuhariy."
The Muslims supported his choice. 'Umar
then sent for Sa'd Ibn Maalik Az-Zuhariy,
also known as Sa'd Ibn Abi Waqqaas, and
appointed him governor of Iraq and
Commander of the Army.
Who is that "Lion's Claws"? It
is he who, whenever he turned to the
Prophet while sitting among his
Companions, was greeted cheerfully by
the Prophet saying, "He's my
maternal uncle."
Can anyone tell me who his uncle was? He
was Saad Ibn Abi Waqqaas. His
grandfather was Uhaib Ibn Manaaf, the
paternal uncle of Aaminah, the mother of
the Prophet (PBUH). He accepted Islam
when he was 17 years old. He embraced
Islam very early. When he talked about
himself, he said, "I witnessed a
day in which I was third in Islam,"
which means that he was the third to
embrace Islam.
When the Prophet (PBUH) spoke about the
One God and about the new religion whose
teachings he was to spread all around,
and before using Daar Al-Arqam as a
refuge for himself and the Companions in
those early days, Sa'ad Ibn Abi Waqqaas.
had already sworn the oath of allegiance
to the Prophet (PBUH).
Historical and biographical sources
inform us that the conversion of Abu
Bakr was the reason for Sa'd's embracing
Islam. He may have been one of those who
announced their belief in Islam after
Abu Bakr convinced them. This group
included "Uthmaan Ibn 'Affaan,
Az-Zubair Ibn Al-Awaam, Abd Ar- Rahman
Ibn 'Awf and Talhah Ibn "Ubaid
Allah. However, that does not omit the
possibility that his conversion had
taken place secretly and he had believed
even earlier.
Sa'd Ibn Abi Waqqaas, had many noble
qualities which he could be proud of.
However, he never arrogantly mentioned
any of these merits, except for two
great privileges. First, he was the
first to throw a spear in the cause of
Allah and the first to be struck by one.
Second, he was the only one for whom the
Prophet (PBUH) hoped his parents might
be his ransom. That happened when the
Prophet (PBUH) said to him on the day of
Uhud, "Throw, Sa'd. May my father
and mother be your ransom." Yes,
indeed, he always mentioned proudly
these two noble blessings. Thanking
Allah, he always said, "By Allah, I
am the first Arab to throw a spear in
the cause of Allah."
Ally Ibn Abi Taalib said, "I have
never heard the Prophet (PBUH) hoping
that his parents may be made someone's
ranson except Sa'd. On the day of Uhud I
heard the Prophet (PBUH) say,
"Throw Sa^d. May my father and
mother be your ransom."
Sa'd was considered to be one of the
most courageous Arab and Muslim
horsemen. He possessed two weapons, his
lance and his prayer. Whenever he
pierced an enemy with his lance he hurt
him; whenever he invoked Allah He
answered. He and the Companions always
saw that this was due to the Prophet's
prayer in favour of him. One day, when
the Prophet saw him doing something
which made him glad and delighted, he
made the following plea: "O Allah,
make his spear hit unerringly and answer
his prayer."
It was in this way that he became famous
among his companions for his prayer,
which was like a sharp sword. He knew
that about himself; therefore, he never
cursed a person. Sa'd would just trust
Allah to do with him as He liked.
An example of that is what 'Aamir Ibn
Sa'd once narrated:
Sa'd once saw a man insulting 'AUy,
Talhah and Az-Zubair. He forbade him,
but he didn't stop. Sa'd then said,
"Then I will invoke Allah against
you." The man said, "You're
threatening me as if you were a
Prophet."
Saad went away, performed his ablution
and prayed two rak'ahs. Then he lifted
his hands up and said, "O Allah, if
You know that that man has insulted
people who have already been granted by
You that which is the best and his
cursing of them has annoyed You, then
make an example out of him." Only a
short while had passed, when a stray
camel went out of a house. Nothing could
stay it till it entered a crowd as if
searching for something. Then it
attacked the man, and he fell between
its legs. It continued to kick the man
down till he died.
If this phenomenon was to prove
something, then it proved primarily the
purity of his soul, the honesty of his
faith, and the depth of his sincerity.
He always sought to support his piety by
halaal food; with great insistence he
always refused to take doubtful money,
Saad lived until he became one of the
wealthiest Muslims. When he died, he
left a great fortune behind. Although
the abundance of money and its
legitimacy are rarely to be found
together, they certainly were combined
in the hands of Sa"d. Thus Allah
granted him a great amount of halaal
money.
He (May Allah be pleased with him) was a
great figure in the act of charity, as
much as he was a great figure in the act
of righteously choosing the sources of
his money. His ability to collect purely
halaal money was equal to, if not second
to, his ability to donate it in the
cause of Allah.
He became ill during the Farewell
Pilgrimage, when he was accompanying the
Prophet (PBUH), who visited him. Sa'd
asked him (PBUH), "O Messenger of
Allah, I own a lot of money and there is
nobody to inherit from me except one
daughter. May I contribute two thirds of
my money as alms?" The Prophet (PBUH)
said, "No." Then he said,
"Then half of it?" The Prophet
(PBUH) said," No." Then he
said, "Then a third?" The
Prophet (PBUH) said, " Yes, and the
third is too much. To leave your heirs
wealthy is better than to leave them
having to be dependent on someone. If
you spend any money in the cause of
Allah you'll be rewarded for it, even
the bite you put in your wife's
mouth."
Sa'd did not remain the father of one
daughter because he was later on blessed
with other children.
Sa'd used to cry a lot out of piety.
Whenever he listened to the Prophet (PBUH)
preaching or advising, his tears rolled
down abundantly, so that his tears
nearly filled his lap.
He was blessed with success and
accomplishment. Once the Prophet (PBUH)
was sitting with the Companions when his
eyes gazed on the horizon while
listening to what was being revealed
secretly and whisperingly. Then he
looked at his Companions' faces and
said, "A man who belongs to
Paradise will soon appear." The
Companions turned in all directions
trying to learn,who this successful
person may be. After a while, Sa'd
arrived.
Later on, 'Abd Allah Ibn 'Amr Ibn Al-'Aag.
asked him persistently to tell him the
worship or deed which made him eligible
for such a reward. Sa'd told him,
"Nothing more than what we all do
or worship, except that I don't carry
any spite or hatred towards any
Muslim."
This is the "Lion's Claws" as
'Abd Ar-Rahman Ibn 'Awf had described
him. This is the man whom 'Umar chose
for the great day of the Battle of Al-
Qaadisiyah.
The Commander of the Faithful had
insight into all his glittering merits
when he chose him for the most difficult
task confronting Islam and the Muslims:
- His prayers were heard and answered;
if he asked Allah for victory, he would
be granted it.
- His food was pure, his tongue was
pure, his conscience was pure. His
conscience was pure.
- He was a man who belonged to Paradise,
as the Messenger (PBUH) prophesied.
- He was the horseman on the Day of Badr,
the horseman on the Day of Uhud and in
every battle he experienced with the
Prophet (PBUH).
And another thing, which "Umar
would not forget nor underestimate the
value and importance among the
characteristics which should be present
in anyone facing major tasks, was the
strength and firmness of his faith.
'Umar did not forget what happened
between Sa'd and his mother when he
converted to Islam and followed the
Prophet (PBUH). At that time, all
attempts to hinder and obstruct him from
the cause of Allah had failed. His
mother used a device which none doubted
would conquer Sa'd's soul and drive him
back to his people's idols. She
announced her abstention from food and
drink until Sa'd returned to his
anscestors' and kin's religion. She
actually carried on her hunger strike
with death defying determination and had
almost approached death.
Despite all that, Sa'd did not care. He
would not sell his faith and religion
for anything, even if it were his
mother's life. Hoping that his heart
would yield upon seeing her, some
relatives took Sa'd to his mother, who
was almost dying.
Sa'd went to her. The scene was so
impressive, even mountain rocks would
yield and melt. However, his belief in
Allah and His Messenger proved to be
stronger than rocks and iron. He came
with his face nearer and shouted so that
she could hear him. "You know, by
Allah, mother, if you had 100 souls
coming out one after the other I
wouldn't abandon my faith in return for
anything. Then eat if you like or don't
eat!"
His mother changed her mind. A divine
revelation greeted Sa'd's position and
supported it. < But if they
(both) strive with you to make you join
in worship with Me others that of which
you have no knowledge, then obey them.
not... > (31 : 15).
Is he not, indeed, the Lion in his
claws? Therefore the Commander of the
Faithful should hand him the standard of
Al-Qaadisiyah and throw him against the
Persians, who recruited more than
100,000 trained warriors equipped with
the most dangerous weapons the earth had
ever witnessed, led on that day by the
most intelligent and cunning warlords.
Indeed, all those horrible legions, will
Sa'd meet with his mere 30,000 warriors,
equipped only with spears, nothing more.
However, their hearts were filled with
the will of the new faith with all it
represents: belief, vigor, and a rare,
dazzling, longing aspiration for death
and martyrdom.
The two armies met in combat. No, they
did not meet yet.
Sa'd is still there waiting for the
advice and instructions of the Commander
of the Faithful. Finally 'Umar's message
arrives, ordering him to move towards
Al-Qaadisiyah, the gate to Persia.
'Umar's words represented light and
guidance: O Sa'd Ibn Wahiib, do not be
deluded if it is said, You are the
Prophet's uncle and his Companion. Know
that there is no relationship between
Allah and anyone except through
obedience to Him. All people, the noble
ones as well as the lowly, all are equal
in front of Allah. Allah is their God
and they are His servants. The
relationship between them is one of
rivalry for preference by means of their
well-being, whereas they can only get
what is in Allah's hands by means of
obedience to Him. Remember the Prophet's
(PBUH) positions, which he stuck to from
the time he was sent to us until he left
our world. Hold to them; it is an order.
Then he said to him, Send me information
about all your circumstances. Where have
you reached and how? What is your
enemy's position in respect to yours?
Let your messages make me as if I am
actually seeing you.
- Sa'd wrote to the Commander of the
Faithful describing everything. He
almost showed him each soldier's
position and state. Sa'd reached Al-Qaadissiyah.
The Persians gathered their army as they
never had before and appointed as their
leader one of the most famous and
dangerous commanders, Rustum.
Sa'd writes to "Umar the Commander
of the Faithful, who replies: Don't be
upset by what you hear from them, nor
what they show you, Seek Allah's help
and put your trust in Him. Send them
people of insight, good judgment, and
patience to call him to follow Allah's
path, and write me every day.
Sa'd writes again to the Commander of
the Faithful saying, Rustum camped with
his troops at Saabaat. He has brought
his horses and elephants and marched
towards us. 'Umar replies to calm him.
Sa'd is a smart, brave horseman, the
Prophet's uncle, one of the first
converts, and hero of different wars and
raids. No sword or lance of his ever
failed to reach its target. He stands at
the head of his army in one of the
greatest historical battles as if he
were an ordinary soldier, not deluded by
power nor acting arrogantly because of
leadership. His self-esteem could tempt
him to rely completely on his own
capacities, but despite that he always
turns to the Commander of the Faithful
in Al-Madinah. Although miles and miles
separate them, he sends him a message
each day, exchanging viewpoints, advice,
and opinions while the great battle is
still to
That was because Sa'd knew that 'Umar in
Al-Madinah never decided alone, but
consulted the Muslims and the Prophet's
Companions around him. Despite the war
circumstances, Sa'd did not want to
deprive himself or his army of the
blessings and benefits of public
consultation, especially if Umar, a man
with great inspiration, was among the
consultants.
Sa'd carried out "Umar's will and
sent Rustum, the Persian leader, a
number of his companions to call him to
follow Islam and Allah's path.
The conversation between them and the
Persian leader lasted long. Finally they
ended their talk by telling him,
"Allah has chosen us to turn whom
He chooses of His creatures from
paganism to monotheism, from the
narrowness of life to its freedom, from
ruler's injustice to Islam's fairness.
Whoever accepts our offer, we will leave
him alone and will refrain from hurting
him. Whoever fights us, we will fight
him until we fulfil Allah's
promise."
Then Rustum asked," What is Allah's
promise which He made to you?"
The Companion answered, "Paradise
for our martyrs and victory for the
living ones."
The delegation returned to Sa'd, leader
of the Muslims, to tell him that it was
war. Sa'd's eyes were hereby filled with
tears. He had wished so much that the
war would be delayed for some time. On
that day his illness became more severe,
and he had to suffer its heavy burden.
The abscesses spread all over his body,
to the extent that he could not sit, let
alone ride his horse to take part in an
extremely fierce and violent battle.
If the war had just been waged before
his illness or had it been delayed till
he was cured and healthy again, then he
would have proved himself brave. But
now. . . No, the Messenger of Allah
(PBUH) had taught them never to say
"If" because "If"
means weakness. A strong believer is
neither helpless nor weak. Thereupon The
Lion's Claws stood up to preach to his
soldiers. He began his speech citing the
following glorious verse:
< And We have written in the Zaboor
(given to David) after the Torah (given
to Moses):
"My righteous servants shall
inherit the earth"> (21 : 105).
Having finished his speech Sa'd led his
troops in the Dhuhr Prayer, then turned
towards his soldiers and proclaimed four
times, " Allahu akbar (Allah is the
Greatest)! Allahu akbar! Allahu akbar!
Allahu akbar!"
The echo was to be heard all over the
universe. Then he stretched out his arm
like an unerring arrow pointing to the
enemy and shouted to his soldiers,
"Let's start this battle
accompanied by Allah's blessings."
With pains hard to bear, he ascended to
the balcony of his residence, which he
used as a dwelling and a headquarters.
On the balcony he sat on a pillow and
leaned upon his chest. His door was left
open, which meant that by the least
Persian attack against his residence he
would be captured, alive or dead, but he
was far from being afraid or terrified.
His abscesses were bleeding and hurting
him severely, but he had something else
to think about. Sitting on his balcony,
he was shouting, calling, and
commanding. First to those in one flank
to step forward towards the right, and
then to those in another flank to fill
out the empty spot on the left. . .
Mughiirah, look forward! Jurair follow
them! Nu'maan, hit! Ash'ath attack and
you also, Qa"qaa\ Forward, forward.
Prophet's Companions!
His determined and hopeful sound turned
each individual soldier into an army of
its own. The Persian soldiers fell like
flies and with them fell the worship of
fire and paganism. After seeing the
death of their commander and their best
soldiers, the defeated, scattered
remnants rapidly escaped.
The Muslim army pursued them until they
reached Nahawind then Al-Madaa'in. There
they fought to carry with them at the
end the emperor's throne and crown as
war booty.
At the Battle of Al-Madaa'in, Sa'd could
stand the test and prove himself brave.
The Battle of Al-Madaa'in took place two
years after ater the Battle of
Al-Qaadissiyah, a period during which a
lot of continuous armed clashes took
place between the Muslims and the
Persians. Finally, the scattered
remnants of the Persian army gathered at
Al-Madaa'in itself, ready for a decisive
and final scene.
Sa'd realized that time was on his
enemy's side; therefore, he decided to
deprive them of this advantage, but how
could he do that? The Tigris River in
its flood season stood in the middle
between him and Al-Madaa'in.
Thereby, an event took place by which
Sa'd succeeded to prove that he indeed
deserved 'Abd Ar-Rahman Ibn 'Awf's
description of him as the Lion's Claws.
Sa'd's faith and determination stood
glittering in the face of danger,
mocking and making fun of the impossible
with admirable bravery.
Sa'd ordered his army to cross the
Tigris River. He ordered them to search
for a safe, secure ford in the river
which would enable their crossing.
Finally they found a place, but the
fording was not free of extreme risks.
Before the army started to cross, the
leader Sa"d wisely realized the
necessity to safeguard their arrival
spot on the opposite bank, where the
enemy was camping. Therefore he prepared
two detachments, the first of which was
called The Detachment of Terror. Its
leader was "Aasim Ibn "Amr.
The second was called The Detachment of
the Dumb, led by Al Qa'qaa' Ibn 'Amr.
The soldiers of these two detachments
had to encounter many horrible
situations to clear a safe place on the
opposite bank for the army, which would
subsequently cross. They fulfilled their
task with amazing skill. Seed's success
on that day will always be a cause for
the perplexity of historians.
Sa'd himself was amazed by his own
success. It also amazed his companion
and escort Salmaan Al-Faarisiy, who
shook his head in astonishment and
said," Islam is indeed new. By
Allah, seas have been subdued by them
and the land has been subdued by them.
In the name of the One in Whose hands
Salmaan's soul lies, they will leave it
in a group, as they entered it in a
group."
Indeed, that is exactly what happened.
As they penetrated the Tigris River in a
group, so they left it in a group
without losing one single soldier, nor
annoying a single horse.
It happened that a wooden cup fell from
one of the warriors, who felt sorry to
be the only one to lose something. He
called his companions to help to get it
out and a high wave pushed it to where
someone could pick it up!
Some historical sources described the
magnificence of such a scene as the
fording of the river: Sa'd ordered the
Muslims to say, "Allah is enough
for us and He is the best to trust
in." Then he penetrated the Tigris
with his horse, and the people
penetrated behind him. No one stayed
behind. They walked as if they were
walking on a land surface until they
filled the whole area between the two
banks. The water surface could not seen
due to the numerous troops of cavalry
and infantry. People went on talking
while walking in the water as if they
were on land, as a result of their
feeling of security and tranquility,
their trust in Allah's judgment and His
victory. His promise and His support.
When 'Umar appointed him to be Iraq's
governor, he set out to build Kufa and
established the foundations of Islam in
wide broad lands.
One day the inhabitents of Kufa
complained to the Commander of the
Faithful about Sa'd. They lost contol
over their flimsy, restless temper and
made a funny claim saying," Sa'd
can't pray well." Sa'd laughed
loudly and said, "By Allah, I
prayed with them exactly as the
Prophet's prayer was. I prolonged the
first two rak'ahs and shortened the last
two."
When 'Umar ordered him back to
Al-Madiinah, he did not get annoyed. On
the contrary, he responded to
"Umar's call immediately. After
some time, 'Umar determined to return
him to Kufa, but Sa'd responded
laughing, "Do you order me to
return to people who claim that I don't
perform my prayers well?" He
preferred to stay in Al-Madiinah.
When the Commander of the Faithful 'Umar
(May Allah be pleased with him) was
attacked, he chose six of the Prophet's
Companions to be responsible for
choosing the next caliph. Umar said that
he chose six of those with whom the
Prophet was pleased before he died.
Sa"d Ibn Abi Waqqaas. was one of
them.
But it seems from "Umar's last
words that if he would have chosen one
of the Companions for the caliphate, it
would have been Sa'd. He said to his
companions, advising and commending,
"If Sa'd is to become caliph,
that's good; but if someone else is to
be caliph, then he has to seek Sa'd's
help."
Sa"d lived long. He secluded
himself during the period of civil
strife following the death of the third
Caliph, 'Uthmaan. Furthermore, he
ordered his whole family and children
not to tell him any news about what was
happening.
Once, everyone was anxious to know his
position, when his nephew Haashim Ibn
"Utbah Ibn Abi Waqqaas, said to
him, "0 uncle, here are 100,000
swords which consider you the more
entitled to that matter (i.e. the
caliphate)." Sa'd responded,
"I want out of the 100,000 swords,
just one sword that if it hits a
believer it won't do anything, but if it
hits a disbeliever it cuts
through."
His nephew realized what he meant and
left him in his isolation and security.
When the dispute ended in favor of
Mi'aawiyah, who took over the reins of
government, he asked Sa'd, "Why
didn't you fight with us?" He
answered, "A dark cloud passed over
me. I told it, Shoo! Shoo! I stopped my
riding camel until it passed away."
Mu'aawiyah said," Shoo! Shoo can
not be found in the glorious Book of
Allah, but Allah said < And if two
parties or groups among the believers
fall into fighting, then make peace
between them both, but if one of them
rebels against the other, then fight you
(all) against the one that which rebels
till it complies with the Command of
Allah > (49 : 9). And you did not
take anyone's side. You weren't with the
unjust against the just, nor were you
with the just against the unjust."
Hereupon Sa'd responded, "I
wouldn't have fought a man (he meant
"Aliy Ibn Abu Taalib) to whom the
Prophet (PBUH) said, "You have
towards me the same position Haaruun
(Aaron) had towards Muusaa (Moses),
except that there isn't any Prophet
coming after me.'"
One day in A.H. 54, having exceeded the
age of 80, he was at his house in
Al-Aqiiq preparing to meet Allah.
His son spoke of his final moments: His
head was upon my lap, he was passing
away. I cried, but he said, "What
makes you cry, my son? Allah will never
torture me. I belong to Paradise!"
The firmness of his faith could not be
weakened even by the quaking fear of
death. The Prophet (PBUH) had passed him
the good news and he believed firmly in
the Prophet's honesty; therefore what
was there to be afraid of ? "Allah
will never torture me. I belong to
Paradise!"
However, he wanted to meet Allah
carrying the most magnificent and most
wonderful memory, a memory which joined
him with his religion and his Prophet
(PBUH). Therefore, he pointed to his
coffer. They opened it and got out an
old, torn, threadbare gown. He ordered
his kin to shroud him in that gown
saying, "I met the disbelievers at
the Battle of Badr wearing it. I've
saved it for this day."
Indeed, this threadbare gown was not
just a gown. It was the banner waving
over a long great life. Our hero lived
it honestly, bravely, and faithfully.
The body of the last Muhaajiruun was
buried in Al- Madinah, safely laid
beside a group of great Companions who
preceded him to Allah. Their exhausted
bodies had finally found a secure
shelter in the ground of Al-Baqi.
Farewell, Sa'd. Farewell Sa'd, the hero
of Al-Qaadissiyah, conquerer of
Al-Madaa'in, extinguisher forever of the
worshipped fire of Persia!
Sheikh Abdulfattah Abu-Abdullah Adelabu (Ph. D. Damas),
a West African Islamic Academic founded AWQAF Africa, of
which he's the first al Amir (i.e. President).
Sheikh Dr. Adelabu was studying Postgraduate Degrees in
Damascus early 1990's during when Syria reviewed its
national security after an �Oslo Accord'...
Syria like many other countries around the world
witnessed, during this period, the flood of refugees
from war troubled nations like Somalia, arrival of
people from Algeria during the brutal struggling between
the Mujahidun and the government, resettlement of the
Palestinians fleeing from sophisticated guns of the
Israelis as well as adventure of African migrants for
reasons uncountable�