What is Faith?

Beyond the call of duty Along with his Companions, the Prophet set forth for the field of Badr. Reaching a place called Rauha, he addressed the Muslims and asked them for their views. Abu Bakr spoke up, but the Prophet did not give him his attention. Again he asked them what they thought. And when Umar spoke his mind, the Prophet paid him no attention either. Once again he put the question. This time Saad ibn Muadh Ansari arose. “Perhaps your question is directed at us,” he said, to which the Prophet replied in the affirmative. The reason for the Prophet’s concern was that the Ansar had sworn what was known as the Protection Oath, according to which it was incumbent upon them to protect the Prophet within the walls of Madinah. Their oath did not, however, oblige them to travel to far-off places in order to fight the Prophet’s enemies. Miqdad ibn Amr then reassured the Prophet by saying: “Messenger of God, do as God has shown you. We will not say unto you as the children of Israel said unto Moses: ‘Go, you and your Lord, and fight; we will stay here’.” (5:24) To this Saad ibn Muadh added, “We have sworn oaths to you, which bind us to hear and obey. Therefore, do as you will, Messenger of God, and we are with you. By Him who has sent you with the truth, if you bade us cross the sea and plunge into it, we would do just that. Not one man of us would stay behind.” The Prophet was extremely pleased at hearing this from the Ansar. “Onward!” he said. “God has decreed that victory and succour shall be yours!”