Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) asked his emissaries
to visit various capitals, once the Islamic republic of Medina
was established inviting the reigning monarchs to the fold of Islam, in order
to establish international understanding and peace. Caesar Heracles (Harkal) of
the Roman Empire treated the envoy with envoy with respect while as Chosroe
Parvaiz of Iran
did it with contempt. He called the envoys savages of the desert, fed on camel
milk and clad in rags. Heracles on the contrary wanted to understand the
phenomenon that had overtaken Arabs--hitherto unknown players of international
power dynamics of 7th century.
Heracles asked for a respected Arab leader
of a caravan to be presented in the royal court. The caravans would frequent
the international financial market, that was Damascus in and around 7th century
of Christian era. Incidentally Abu Sufian-nemesis of Islamic march in its
earliest phases was present in Damascus.
Before we dwell on what transpired between Heracles and Abu Sufian, we need to
understand that Arabs of pre-Islamic era though ignorant, arrogant, and
envious, were nevertheless chivalrous and to an extent truthful. Abu Sufian
conceded that the Prophet Mohammad [pbuh] was truthful, never ever did he lie,
however they were disinclined to accept his Prophethood. This set Heracles
thinking--truthful yet unacceptable, an Arab [pbuh] of some standing claiming
to be a Prophet (pbuh). However, he couldn’t reach a conclusion.
This was one of the earliest interactions
between Islam and Christendom in a long trail of events, a historical backdrop
worth recounting. We might as well recall the interaction with Ethiopian
monarch [Najashi of Habash] who was benevolent in accommodating the early
Muslims seeking refuge from the tortuous life in Mecca. There is also a record of Prophet
Mohammad [pbuh] interacting with Christian monks on his travels to Damascus with Arab
Caravans, while he was still to be invested with Prophethood. Those were early
days; however he was investing his intellect, his vision, his foresight to get
to the truth…the ultimate truth.
We might get on with the envoy tale. Caesar
Heracles accorded respect to the envoy carrying peace tides, the prince of a
Byzantine vassal state, near Hejaz—Syria border on the contrary
murdered the Muslim envoy. This led to the punitive expedition led by Hazrat
Zaid (RA) who started his life as a slave, and was later adopted as his son by
Prophet Mohammad [pbuh] until adoption was ruled out in an edict of ‘Holy
Quran’. In the campaign at ‘Mota’ in the border area, Hazrat Zaid (RA) achieved
martyrdom. On return of the forces under his command, Prophet Mohammad (pbuh)
immediately appointed seventeen years old Hazrat Osama ibn Zaid [RA] to succeed
his illustrious father and had the eminent associates [Suhaba-e-Karam] serve in
his command. None demurred--such was the discipline Prophet (pbuh) had worked
out by his incomparable management of men and matters.
The year was 632 A.D, 10th year
of Hegira, the year Prophet Mohammad (AS) chose to leave for his heavenly
abode, yet remain living for his spreading Ummah, who in their zeal live by his
word and deed (Sunnah). The word and deed, which symbolizes what Mother of
Books [Umm-ul-Kitab] Holy Quran lays
down, earning the holiest of holy—Prophet Mohammad [pbuh] another one of his
multiple attributes-- Quran-e-Natiq [the spoken/moving Quran]
Hazrat Abu Bakr Sidiq [RA] the first of
rightly guided Caliphs [Khulfa-e- Rashdain] kept the command of Osama ibn Zaid
(RA) intact, even though there were muted voices of concern whether a seventeen
year old would be up to executing the difficult command. The Caliph (RA) would
have none of it. However gentle in
disposition and demeanor, he showed the steel in his character, which was
unknown and unseen until the time he assumed the Caliphate of Islamic Ummah.
As Osama ibn Zaid (RA) was leaving Madina
Munawara with forces in his command, the Caliph (RA) was seen walking while
holding the bridle of his horse, advising him to remain seated and listen to
what he has to say on the guidelines of his command. These are the words worth
weighing in gold, as quoted in Ameer Ali’s famous History of Saracens,
“See that thou avoidest treachery. Depart not in any wise from the right. Thou shalt mutilate none; neither shalt thou kill child or aged man, nor any woman. Injure not the date palm, neither burn it with fire, and cut not down any tree wherein is food for man or beast. Slay not the flocks or herds or camels, saving for needful sustenance. You may eat of the meat which the men of the land shall bring unto you in their vessels, making mention thereon of the name of the Lord. And the monks with shaven heads, if they submit, leave them unmolested. Now march forward in the name of the Lord, and may He protect you from sword and pestilence”
In 7th century, it looks a word
and world above, what was adopted in Geneva Convention in the conduct of war in
20th century.
We may continue with the narrative on
Syrian Campaign next Friday.
Yaar Zinda, Sohbat Baqi [Reunion
is subordinate to survival
By Dr. Javid Iqbal
Feedback
on:Iqbal.javid46@gmail.com
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