AMIRUL MU'MININ...

A very good story indeed..take your time to read!

During the time of Amirul Mu’minin,‘Umar al-Khattab, radhiy Allaahu ‘anhu, Abu ‘Ubaydah Ibn Al-Jarrah was the ameer of Muslim army. In their conquest, they surrounded Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem). Therefore, the conquered Roman had to surrender to the Muslim and they sent a letter to Abu ‘Ubaydah, telling him that they won’t give the keys of Jerusalem except to the Ameerul Mu’mineen. So ‘Umar was contemplating, whether to leave Madinah or not.He made shoora (meeting) with his companions and some suggested that he goes, but some asked him to stay in Madinah, taking care of the ummaah affairs.

‘Umar eventually decided to go and he went to Bayt Al-Maqdis with his servant. They took turns to ride the camel. When they’re approaching Jerusalem, it was his turn to pull the camel, and his servant to ride on it. They passed a creek(pool of mudd). ‘Umar took off his sandles, and carrying them on his shoulder. Then, he took the reign of the camel and began plowing through the mud. His feet was full of mudd. While he was crossing the creek, the people of Jerusalem and Abu ‘Ubaydah were waiting for him, while witnessing his action.

Abu ‘Ubaydah felt that it is not appropriate for the Amirul Mu’minin to be in this state.Not that the leader shouldn’t be humble--as the people (Romans)in that area have been living in the area where the leaders were surrounded by guards,big palaces,commodities,etc. As a result, they might not give ‘Umar his due respect after witnessing this incident.

So Abu ‘Ubaydah told Amirul Mu’minin, “ I fear that the people of the village would think you unhonorable. ‘Umar hit abu ‘ubaydah in his chest and said, “aah ..inni Abaa ‘Abaydah. Inna kunnaa adzalla qaumin, fa a-’azzanallahu bil islam, fa mahma natlubul ‘izzah bi ghayri maa a-’azzanallahu bih, adzallanallah.”

‘Umar said, “ aah ..if only someone more knowledgeable than you have said this. We, the arabs, were the most humiliated people. With this Islaam, Allaah, subhaanahu wa ta’aala, gave us honor. Whenever we seek honor from some place other than what Allaah has honored us with, Allaah will disgrace us once again.”

‘Umar,radhiy Allaahu ‘anhu, taught Abu ‘Ubaydah and the entire ummah, to forget of what other people think of ourselves for it doesn’t matter at all. What matters is what Allaah think of us. Verily, Allah will put our honor in their hearts, even if we don’t present ourselves as they expect. We don’t have to be superficial for Allah will give us ‘izzah through this Deen.

‘Umar was indeed right! The people who’re witnessing the scene were crying--touched by ‘Umar’s sincerity. This was their first time to meet the Amirul Mu’minin and they could see how much Islaam has developed the true character of a leader. Then, they handed in the keys of Bayt al-Maqdis to ‘Umar, radhiy Allaahu ‘anhu.

Dear brothers and sisters, we hear often that the victory of Allah is something promised and very near. However, some of us do not really believe in our hearts that Allah will grant victory to Islaam. Some of us may think that this victory that Allaah speaks about is only for a certain 'star-status' group of believers, or that the victory was only for a certain time in history, or that it's not a promised victory, just a miraculous will of God that has no certainty.
We must understand that it is not anyone who is promising this - it is Allaah, the Lord of the heavens and the earth. And it is not just a promise of the hereafter, but it is promised in this life as well.In Surah Ghaafir (40/51), we read: [Indeed, we will grant victory to Our Messengers and those who believe, in this life of the world and on the day when the witnesses will stand.]

Indeed, we can only seek ‘izzah and hope for victory when we surrender our loyalty to Allaah and His Messenger and to the believers - and no one else! In Surah al-Ma'idah (5/56), we read: [And whoever is an ally of Allaah and His Messenger and those who have believed - indeed the party of Allaah will be the victors.]

We all know that Rasool Allaah - sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam - started this mission of Islam at the Mountain of Safa. After telling his people about Allaah and the final Day, Abu Lahab - his own uncle - turned his back on him and said aloud, "May you perish O Muhammad! Is this why you have gathered us?" On his heels he turned and everyone followed him, leaving our Prophet - sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam-standing alone.

Two decades later, in the farewell Hajj, he - sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam - stood on that very same mountain. At this time, the victory of Allah had come true as Allah had promised. All of Makkah was now Muslim, a sea of believers memorizing their Prophet's every move. Rasool Allah - sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam - stood there on Mount Safa and faced the Ka'bah and recited: "There is no god but Allah. Only One. He was true to His promise. He granted victory to His Servant. He granted honor and nobility to his army. And the confederates did He - alone - defeat."

Dear Brothers & Sisters, verily when Allaah is promising us something, Allaah is telling us the truth. Rather, it is our ear that hears not, it is our eye that witnesses not and it is our hardening heart that perceives not. It is up to us whether to work for His promise or to walk away from it.

May Allaah, ‘azza wajall, include us among those who’re granted victory in this life and the Hereafter, aameen.