The Courage That Comes From True Faith

The Courage That Comes From True Faith

1985 2 February 15-16 The Courage That Comes From True Faith (458) The Battle of Qadsiya was a decisive battle between the forces of Islam and Persia. One of the soldiers in Sa’ad Ibn Waqqas’ Muslim army was Abu Mehjan Thaqfi. He was an extremely brave fighter but he had one fault – a liking for liquor – which sometimes made him liable to punishment. When all other measures failed Sa’ad Ibn Abi Waqqas imprisoned him in a tent. The battle continued for several days. Once Sa’ad Ibn Abi Waqqas was wounded and had to issue directions to his army from a vantage point near his tent. On that day the Muslims were having difficulty resisting a determined Persian offensive. Abu Mehjan looked on in despair, which he expressed in these words: “Alas that horses and spears should be doing battle. And I should be left out, tied up in chains.” Abu Mehjan then sent a message to Sa’ad Ibn Abi Waqqas’ wife, asking her to unleash his chains and give him Sa’ad’s horse and weapons. “If my life is spared,” he promised, “I will be the first to return from the field of battle to don my chains once more.” When Sa’ad’s wife received this message she immediately untied Abu Mehjan’s chains and entrusted her husband’s horse and sword to him. Abu Mehjan charged out on horseback and joined the Muslim army. He fought with great valour, eliminating ‘enemy soldiers wherever he went. Sa’ad Ibn Waqqas looked on in astonishment. “Who,” he thought, “is this intrepid horseman?” Finally the Muslims won the day. As he had promised, Abu Mehjan immediately returned Sa’ad’s horse and sword, and went back into the tent in which he had been prisoner. Before long Sa’ad also returned home. His wife asked how the battle had gone that day. “It was a very difficult day’s fighting,” Sa’ad replied. “It was only a man sent by God, riding on a spotted horse, who saved the day. If I hadn’t tied Abu Mehjan in chains, then I would have thought it was him, for only he can charge in that manner.” Sa’ad’s wife then came out with the whole story. “By God, it was indeed Abu Mehjan,” she said. Sa’ad Ibn Abi Waqqas then summoned Abu Mehjan and, unleashing his chains, said to him: “I promise not to punish you for drinking again.” Abu Mehjan Taqafi, for his part, replied: “I promise never to drink again. “ A real Muslim does not have to be punished in order to refrain from misdeeds. True faith cultivates a sense of honour and responsibility within a person, which make him respond positively to even the slightest hint or reminder. As for one who is devoid of these qualities, no punishment or rebuke – no matter how severe – will have any effect on him.