Despite the Complaint

After the war, in keeping with Arab tradition, poets composed verses about the event. One of the poets, Abbas ibn Mirdas al-Sulami, also composed some lines. In his poetry, reflecting the sentiment of the Ansar, he mentioned the complaint that Khalid had been given leadership over them: “If you appointed Khalid as commander over the people...” (fa in tak qad ammarata fi al-qawmi Khalidan) Yet in the same poem, he said: “And the Prophet of the believers said: ‘Step forward,’ so it became beloved to us that we step forward to fight.” (wa qala nabiyyu al-mu’minin taqaddamu fa-hubba ilayna an nakuna al-muqaddama) Seerah Ibn Hisham, Vol. 4, p. 111. Though the Ansar had reason to be upset based on appearances, they did not allow their grievance to affect their actions. Despite their complaint, they remained fully committed to God’s cause. Despite their inner discomfort, they stood united for the religion they had recognized as divine guidance. In today’s world, it is unrealistic to expect that no differences or grievances will arise. For one reason or another— justified or not—people will inevitably have complaints, even with the Prophet or his Companions. But a believer rises above personal grievances. They act beyond complaints and do what is right. That is why, within the community of believers, complaints and disagreements never destroy their unity.