Waiting for the Next Generation

EXAMPLE OF THE FIRST PERIOD Thaqafi, a descendant of the people of Taif, led the Muslim army during the campaign in Iran under the Caliphate of Hazrat Umar Farooq. He displayed extraordinary bravery against the Iranian forces, even though the enemy lost their will to fight due to his valour. Similarly, Muhammad bin al-Qasim al-Thaqafi entered India through Sindh in 711 AD (95 AH). He was a just and capable leader who swiftly gained control over the regions of Sindh and Punjab within two years, profoundly impacting the region’s history. Muhammad bin al-Qasim was such an esteemed ruler that upon his return from India to Damascus, the people of India wept for him and erected a statue in his honour as a sign of reverence and admiration. (Futuh al-Buldan by Al-Baladhuri, p. 424) This remarkable figure of Islam belonged to the same tribe, the Thaqif tribe of Taif, who had previously displayed the utmost insolence and persecution towards the Prophet. Despite having the power to punish them, the Prophet exercised patience and waited for future generations from their lineage to embrace Islam and contribute to Islamic history. The tribe of Thaqif (people of Taif) committed the worst act of blasphemy and persecution against the Prophet Muhammad. Furthermore, the matter of punishing them was entirely under the Prophet’s control because the angel of the mountains had come to execute his command. However, instead of punishing them, he chose to prefer that individuals from their future generations emerge who