32.

The Book of Jihad and Expeditions

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كتاب الجهاد والسير

سر. Ibn Salama (رضي الله تعالى عنه) narrated that he heard his father say, ‘we arrived at Hudaibiya with the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) and we were fourteen hundred in number. There were fifty goats for them which could not be watered (by the small quantity of water in the local well). So, the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) sat on the brink of the well. Either he prayed or spat into the well. The water welled up. We drank and watered (the animals as well). Then the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) called us to take the vow of allegiance, as he was sitting at the base of a tree. I was the first man to take the vow. Then other people took the vow. When half the number of people had done so, he said to me, ‘you take the vow, Salama ( رضي الله تعالى عنه). I said, I was one of those who took the vow in the first instance. He said, (You may do) again. Then the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) saw that I was without weapons. He gave me a big or a small shield. Then he continued to administer vows to the people until it was the last batch of them. He said (to me), Won't you swear allegiance, Salama (رضي الله تعالى عنه)? I said, Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), I took the oath with the first batch of the people and then again when you were in the middle of the people. He said, (Doesn't matter), you may (do so) again. So, I took the oath of allegiance thrice. Then he said to me, Salama (رضي الله تعالى عنه), where is the shield which I gave to you? I said, Apostle of Allah ( صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), my uncle 'Amir met me and he was without any weapons. So, I gave the shield to him. The Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) laughed and said, you are like a person of the days gone by who said, O Allah, I seek a friend who is dearer to me than myself. (When all Companions had sworn allegiance to the Prophet ﷺ), the polytheists sent messages of peace, until people could move from our camp to that of the Makkans and vice versa. Finally, the peace treaty was concluded. I was a dependent of Talha bin Ubaidullah (رضئ هللا تعالی عنہ). I watered his horse, rubbed its back. I served Talha (رضي الله تعالى عنه) and partook from his food. I had left my family and my property as an emigrant in the cause of Allah and His Aapostle ( صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). When we and the people of Makka had concluded a peace treaty and the people of one side began to mix with those of the other, I came to a tree, swept away its thorns and lay down (for rest) at its base; (while I lay there), four of the polytheists from the Makkans came to me and began to talk ill of the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). I got enraged with them and moved to another tree. They hung their weapons (to the branches of the tree) and lay down (for rest). (While they lay there), somebody from the lower part of the valley cried out, Run up, O Muhajirs! Ibn Zunaim has been murdered. I drew my sword and attacked these four while they were asleep. I seized their arms and collected them up in my hand and said, by the One Who has conferred honor upon Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), none of you shall raise his head, else I will smite his face. (Then) I came driving them along to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). (At the same time). my uncle Amir came (to him) with a man from Abalat called Mikraz. Amir was dragging him on a horse with a thick covering on its back along with seventy polytheists. The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) cast a glance at them and said, let them go (so that) they may prove guilty of breach of trust more than once (before we take action against them). So, the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) forgave them. On this occasion. Allah revealed the Qur'anic verse - [It is He Who restrained their hands from you and your hands from them in the valley of Makka after He had granted you a victory over them] (xlviii. 24). Then we moved returning to Madina, and halted at a place where there was a mountain between us and Banu Lihyan who were polytheists. The Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) asked Allah’s forgiveness for one who ascended the mountain at night to act as a scout for the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) and his companions. I ascended (that mountain) twice or thrice that night. (At last) we reached Madina. The Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) sent his camels with his slave, Rabah (رضي الله تعالى عنه), and I was with him. I (also) went to the pasture with the horse of Talha (رضي الله تعالى عنه) along with the camels. When the day dawned, Abdur Rahman al-Fazari made a raid and drove away all the camels of the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), and killed the man who looked after them. I said, Rabah (رضي الله تعالى عنه), ride this horse, take it to Talha bin 'Ubaidullah (رضي الله تعالى عنه) and inform the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) that the polytheists have made away with his camels. Then I stood upon a hillock and turning my face to Madina, shouted thrice, come to our help. Then I set out in pursuit of the raiders, shooting at them with arrows and chanting a verse loudly, I am the son of al-Akwa' and today is the day of defeat for the mean. I would overtake a man from them, shoot at him an arrow which, piercing through the saddle, would reach his shoulder. and I would say, take it, reciting loudly at the same time the verse, ‘and I am the son of al-Akwa' And today is the day of defeat for the mean. By Allah, I continued shooting at them and hamstringing their animals. Whenever a horseman turned upon me, I would come to a tree and (hid myself) sitting at its base. Then I would shoot at him and hamstring his horse. (At last) they entered a narrow mountain gorge. I ascended that mountain and held them at bay throwing stones at them. I continued to chase them in this way until I got all the camels of the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) released and no camel was left with them. They left me; then I followed them shooting at them (continually) until they dropped more than thirty mantles and thirty lances, lightening their burden. On everything they dropped, I put a mark with the help of (a piece of) stone so that the Apostle of Allah ( صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) and his Companions might recognize them (that it was booty left by the enemy). (They went on) until they came to a narrow valley when so and so, son of Badr al-Fazari joined them. They (now) sat down to take their breakfast and I sat on the top of a tapering rock. Al-Fazari said, who is that fellow I am seeing? They said, this fellow has harassed us. By God, he has not left us since dusk and has been (continually) shooting at us until he has snatched everything from our hands. He said, four of you should make a dash at him (and kill him). (Accordingly), four of them ascended the mountain coming towards me. When it became possible for me to talk to them, I said, do you recognize me? They said, no. Who are you? I said, I am Salama, son of al-Akwa'. By the One Who has honored the countenance of Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) I can kill any of you I like but none of you will be able to kill me. One of them said, I think (he is right). So, they returned. I did not move from my place until I saw the horsemen of the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), who came riding through the trees. Lo! the foremost among them was Akhram al-Asadi. Behind him was Abu Qatada al-Ansari and behind him was al-Miqdad bin al-Aswad al-Kindi (رضي الله تعالى عنهم). I caught hold of the rein of Akhram's (رضي الله تعالى عنه) horse. (Seeing this). they (the raiders) fled. I said Akhram (رضي الله تعالى عنه), guard yourself against them until Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) and his Companions join you. He said, Salama (رضي الله تعالى عنه), if you believe in Allah and the Day of Judgment and (if) you know that Paradise is a reality and Hell is a reality, you should not stand between me and martyrdom. So, I let him go. Akhram and Abdur Rahman (Fazari) met in combat. Akhram (رضي الله تعالى عنه) hamstrung Abdur Rahman's horse and the latter struck him with his lance and killed him. Abdur Rahman turned about riding Akhram's (رضي الله تعالى عنه) horse. Abu Qatada (رضي الله تعالى عنه), a horseman of the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), met Abdur Rahman (in combat), smote him with his lance and killed him. By the One Who honored the countenance of Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), I followed them running on my feet (so fast) that I couldn't see behind me the Companions of Muhammad (صلى هللا عليه و آله وسلم), nor any dust raised by their horses. (I followed them) until before sunset they reached a valley which had a spring of water, which was called Dhu Qarad, so that they could have a drink, for they were thirsty. They saw me running towards them. I turned them out of the valley before they could drink a drop of its water. They left the valley and ran down a slope. I ran (behind them), overtook a man from them, shot him with an arrow through the shoulder blade and said, take this. I am the son of al-Akwa', and today is the day of annihilation for the people who are mean. The fellow (who was wounded) said, may his mother weep over him, are you the Akwa' who has been chasing us since morning? I said, yes, O enemy of thyself, the same Akwa'. They left two horses dead tired on the hillock and I came dragging them along to the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). I met 'Amir ( رضي الله تعالى عنه) who had with him a container having milk diluted with water and a container having water. I performed ablution with the water and drank the milk. Then I came to the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) while he was at (the spring of) water from which I had driven them away. The Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) had captured those camels and everything else I had captured and all the lances and mantles I had snatched from the polytheists and Bilal ( رضي الله تعالى عنه) had slaughtered a she-camel from the camels I had seized from the people, and was roasting its liver and hump for the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). I said, Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), let me select from our people one hundred men and I will follow the raiders and I will finish them all so that nobody is left to convey the news (of their destruction to their people). (At these words of mine), the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) laughed so much that his molar teeth could be seen in the light of the fire, and he said, Salama ( رضي الله تعالى عنه), do you think you can do this? I said, yes, by the OneWho has honored you. He said, now they have reached the land of Ghatafan where they are being feted. (At this time) a man from the Ghatafan came along and said, So and so slaughtered a camel for them. When they were exposing its skin, they saw dust (being raised far off). They said, Akwa' and his companions) have come. So, they went away fleeing. When it was morning, the Apostle of Allah ( صلى هللا عليه و آلهوسلم) said, our best horseman today is Abu Qatada (رضي الله تعالى عنه) and our best footman today is Salama (رضي الله تعالى عنه). Then he gave me two shares of the booty, the share meant for the horseman and the share meant for the footman, and combined both of them for me. Intending to return to Madina, he made me mount behind him on his she-camel named al-Adba'. While we were travelling, a man from the Ansar who could not be beaten in a race said, is there anyone who could compete (with me) in race to Madina? Is there any competitor? He continued repeating this. When I heard his talk, I said, don't you show consideration to a dignified person and don't you have awe for a noble man? He said, no, unless he be the Apostle of Allah ( صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). I said, Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), may my father and mother be thy ransom, let me get down so that I may beat this man (in the race). He said, if you wish, (you may). I said (to the man), I am coming to you, I then turned my feet. sprang up and tan and gasped (for a while) when one or two elevated places were left and again followed his heel and again gasped (for a while) when one or two elevated places were left and again dashed until I joined him and gave a blow between his shoulders. I said, you have been overtaken, by Allah. He said, I think so. Thus, I reached Madina ahead of him. By Allah, we had stayed there only three nights when we set out to Khaibar with the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). (On the way) my uncle, Amir, began to recite the following rajaz verses for the people - َْ الَ أَنْتَ مَا اهْتَدَيْنَا وَالاللَّهُمَّ لَو َْ فِدَاءً لَكَ مَا اقْتتَصَدَّقْنَا وَالَ صَلَّيْنَا فَاغْفِر َّفَيْنَا وَ ثَب ِتِ األَقْدَامَ إِنْ الَقَيْنَا وَأَلْقِيَنْ سَكِينَةً عَلَيْنَا إِن ِ يحَ بِنَا أَتَيْنَا وَ بِالص ِ يَاحِ عَوَّلُوا عَلَيْنَاا إِذَا ص [O God, if You had not guided us We would have neither been guided rightly nor practiced charity, nor, offered prayers. We wish to lay down our lives for You; so forgive Allah our lapses, And keep us steadfast when we encounter (our enemies). Bestow upon us peace and tranquility. And bestow tranquility upon us when we are called upon.']. The Apostle of Allah ( صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) said, who is this? 'Amir (رضي الله تعالى عنه) said it is 'Amir. He said, may Allah forgive you. The narrator said: Whenever the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) asked forgiveness for a particular person, he was sure to embrace martyrdom. Umar bin Khattab (رضي الله تعالى عنه) who was riding on his camel called out, Prophet of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), I wish you had allowed us to benefit from Amir (رضي الله تعالى عنه). Salama (رضي الله تعالى عنه) continued, ‘when we reached Khaibar, its king named Marhab advanced brandishing his sword and chanting, Khaibar knows that I am Marhab (who behaves like) a fully armed, and well-tried warrior. When the war comes spreading its flames. My uncle, Amir (رضي الله تعالى عنه), came out to combat with him, saying: Khaibar certainly knows that I am 'Amir (رضي الله تعالى عنه), A fully armed veteran who plunges into battles. They exchanged blows. Marbab's sword struck the shield of 'Amir (رضي الله تعالى عنه) who bent forward to attack his opponent from below, but his sword recoiled upon him and cut the main artery in his forearm which caused his death. Salama ( رضي الله تعالى عنه) said, I came out and heard some people among the Companions of the Prophet (صلى هللا عليه وآله وسلم) saying, Amir's deed has been wasted; he has killed himself. So, I came to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) weeping and I said, Apostle of Allah. Amir's (رضي الله تعالى عنه) deed has been wasted. The Apostle (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) said, who passed this remark? I said, some of your Companions. He said, he who has passed that remark has told a lie, for 'Amir ( رضي الله تعالى عنه) there is a double reward. Then he sent me to 'Ali (رضي الله تعالى عنه) who had sore eyes, and said, I will give the banner to a man who loves Allah and His Apostle (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) or whom Allah and His Apostle (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) love. So, I went to 'Ali (رضي الله تعالى عنه), brought him heading him along and he had sore eyes, and I took him to the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), who applied his saliva to his eyes and he got well. The Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) gave him the banner (and 'Ali رضئ هللا تعال ی عنہ went to meet Marhab in a single combat). The latter advanced chanting, Khaibar knows certainly that I am Marhab, a fully armed and well-tried courageous warrior (hero) when war comes spreading its flames. 'Ali ( رضي الله تعالى عنه) shouted in reply, I am the one whose mother named him Haidar, (And am) like a lion of the forest with a terror-striking countenance. I give my opponents the measure of sandara in exchange for sa' (return their attack with one that is much more fierce). The narrator said, 'Ali (رضي الله تعالى عنه) struck at the head of Mirhab and killed him, so the victory (capture of Khaibar) was due to him. This long Hadith has also been transmitted through a different chain of narrators.