D. Actores sociales
VI. Reflexiones finales y desafíos
400 men came from Ha!lramawt also.
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AbU Bakr ~ sent a letter to Usayd bin Salamah al-Kilabi and Bam} Kilab summoning them to partake in the Jihad against Rome. Qahhak bin Sufyan bin Awf ~ stood to address the gathered tribe, "0 Banu Kilab, make fear of Allah your distinguishing sign and respond to the summons of the Khalifah by coming to the assistance of the Din of Muhammad $."
An old man who had travelled several times to Syria stood up and said, "0 Qahhak, you encourage us to fight such people who have prestige, power, implements of war and innumerable horses. How can the' Arabs find the strength to fight them when we are few, hungry and weak?"
Qahhak replied, "The victories of Rasulullah $ were not based on numbers or implements of war but on raising the Word of Allah which is the actual reason why he was sent. You will probably recall that at Badr, Rasulullah $ had only 313 men against the Quraysh who had a numerous army, implements of war, horses, countless weapons and were short of nothing. For as long as he remained on Earth, victory and conquest were always his. Now look at his Khalifah, AbU Bakr~. You saw how, as soon as he was appointed, he defeated the Apostates with the sword. Remember that for as long as you do not help the Muslims, as Himyar and '[ayy are doing, you will never have respect in the eyes of the Khalifah and the Muslims. By Allah! Do not disgrace yourselves amongst the 'Arabs. You have more horses and camels than other' Arabs, not to mention the number of armies and weapons. Fear Allah and obey the Khalifah's order immediately."
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This speech roused Banfi Kilab who hastened to al-Madinah mounted on camels. They also brought other camels to be used as beasts of burden and had 'Arab horses. They entered al-Madinah wearing their weapons. At that time AbU Bakr ~ was coming out to send off an army to Syria. He was very glad to see them and ordered them to join the rest of the army. He presented the flag to Qahhak bin Sufyan ~ who in tum presented him with horses and camels he had brought with him to be used against Rome. AbU Bakr ~ was happy to see all the horses reddish-white and said, "I have heard Rasulullah $ say that the horses of Yam an have white legs."
The gathering army caused a noise and commotion. The children of the Muhajirin and An.s.arjoined them, resulting in a huge force assembling at Jurf. AbU Bakr ~ appointed Abu 'Ubaydah bin Jarrah ~ as Commander-in-Chief. An honourable youth, Sa'id bin Khalid bin Sa'id bin al-'A..s.~, had complained to Abu Bakr ~, "When you intended to appoint my father, an officer in your army, as commander of the Reconnaissance, the Muslims objected and so you dismissed him although he had dedicated himself to the Path of Allah. Similarly I have dedicated my life to the Path
of Allah and have always obeyed your summons and given you my allegiance. 1 have never swayed. If you should now make me commander ofthe Reconnaissance, 1have hope that Allah will not make me helpless."
Because he was more experienced than his father and an able horseman, Abu Bakr appointed him as the commander of Reconnaissance Forces. He gave him a flag and command over 2,000 cavalry. When 'Umar • heard of Sa'id's • request and acceptance thereof, he became angry. He went to Abu Bakr • and said, "0 Khalifah ofRasillullclh~, you are giving the flag to Sa'id whereas others are better suited than him. By Allah! 1 know that whatever he said against enemies was directed at none other than me. By Allah! 1 have never said a word against his father nor committed any act of enmity against him."
This confused Abu Bakr • since he felt bad about deposing Sa'Id • as well as opposing 'Umar • because firstly, 'Umar had firm faith in his heart; secondly, he always gave good advice; and thirdly, Rasulullah ~ held him in high esteem. Perplexed, he went to 'Aishah and told her the whole incident. She advised, "My father, you know that 'Umar always keeps the welfare of the Din at heart. His words are always well-intended and he bears no ill-will against any Muslim."
AbU Bclkr. called AbU Arwa ad-Dawsi and ordered him, "Go to Sa'Id bin Khalid and tell him to return the flag to me."
'Abdullah bin 'Umar .• narrates:
1 was also part of that army when AbU Arwa ad-Dawsi conveyed AbU Bakr's orders to Sa'Id bin Khalid. At that time Sa'id. was leading us in ~alclh at al-Jurf When he heard the order, he immediately returned the flag saying, "I have dedicated my life for the service of the Din and have placed myself firmly in the Path of Allah. 1 will fight under the banner of AbU Bakr with a clean heart in any place and under anyone's command."
6) Abu Bikr •••appoints ' Amr •••as commander
While AbU Bakr • was pondering over who should be appointed as commander of AbU 'Ubaydah's Reconnaissance, Suhayl bin 'Arm, 'Ikramah bin Abi Jahl and Harith bin Hisham ti;, arrived. They were carrying their weapons and desired that they should be given command of the army. AbU Bakr • perceived this and therefore consulted 'Umar
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who replied, "I do not find this appropriate."t
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FutuhushdmHarith turned to him and said, "0 AbU Haf~ (i.e. Umar ~), you were a sword against us before we embraced Islam. Now that Allah has guided us, you still have no regard for our relationship whereas Allah has commanded the fulfilling of relatives' rights."
'Umar ~ : I consider those who are first in Islam more appropriate.
Suhayl ~ : If that is your criterion then we will not disobey you in any manner. However much time we spent in pre-Islam fighting against Rasfilullah ., we will now spend twice that amount and whatever effort we made fighting him, we will now double our efforts against the enemies of Allah.
'Ikramah ~ : 0 people, I make you my witnesses before Allah that I dedicate myself to the Path of Allah and hand my life over to Him. Myself, my companions, my children and wealth are all for Allah. We will never leave Jihad.
AbU Bdkr ~ :
0 Allah, grant them greater than what they expect.Thereafter, he handed the flag to 'Amr bin al-'A~ bin Wail as-Sahmi and said, "1 appoint you as commander of the army of the people of Makkah, Thaqif, Iaif, Hawazin, Banu Kilab and HaW-amawt. When you reach Palestine, write to Abu 'Ubaydah, 'If you require any assistance then I am here.' Do not do anything without his consultation. If you separate then may Allah bless whatever the two of you intend."
'Amr ~ went to 'Umar ~ and said, "You know my harshness against the enemy and my patience in Jihad. It would be well if you ask the Khalifah to make me commander over AbU 'Ubaydah. You know my rank with Rasulullah. and I hope that Allah will grant victory through me and destroy the enemy."
'Umar ~ : What you say is correct and I do believe you but I cannot assent to you commanding AbU 'Ubaydah. I consider him higher ranking than you. He preceded you in Islam and Rasulullah • said, "AbU 'Ubaydah is the trustworthy one of this Ummah."
'Amr ~ : If I command him then he will not be humiliated nor will there be any decrease in his status.
'Umar ~ : How sad, 0 'Amr, that you desire worldly honour and prestige. Fear Allah. Choose the honour of the world to come.