Personalities

The Great Lesson

The Battle of Uhud was a lesson for the Muslims. They learnt a lot from it.

They learnt how to obey the Prophet [s] at any rate, for obedience to him meant victory, and disobedience meant defeat.

Our Master Muhammad [s] was badly wounded. The reason was that he ordered the bow men not to leave their place on al-Ainain Mount at any rate, but they forgot his order.

The Arab tribes scorned the Muslims' shaken reputation. Meanwhile, the hypocrites and the Jews rejoiced at their misfortune.

For this reason, our Master Muhammad [s] wanted to restore Islam to its reputation. So, he reorganized his troops to chase the polytheists.

Hamraa al-Asad

Though wounded, the Muslims obeyed and supported the great Prophet [s]. So, he took them and headed for a place called Hamraa al-Asad.

The Jews were surprised to see the Muslims going with enthusiasm to face the polytheists army a day after the battle of Uhud.

The polytheists thought about attacking Madina again to destroy Islam completely. So, Abu-Sufyan had camped at al- Rouhaa.

Abu-Sufyan heard about the Muslim Army's coming. He was worried, for he knew that the Muslims' defeat was because of the bow men's neglect. So, he withdrew his fighters to Makkah. He tried to frighten the Muslims. Thus, he sent them his threats to Hamraa al-Asad.

The Muslims did not pay attention to his threats. They went on camping at Hamraa al-Asad for three days. They were burning fire at night to challenge the polytheists.

Abu-Sufyan was afraid. So, he ordered his troops to withdraw to Makkah.

Thus, our Master Muhammad [a] could restore Islam to its former reputation in the Arab Peninsula.

Allah loves Him

Al Miqdad deeply believed in Allah and His Apostle. So, our Master Muhammad [s] said about him and about some of his companions: Allah has ordered me to love four (persons), and He has told me that He loves them. The persons are Ali, al-Miqdad, Abu-Dhar and Salman.

Our Master Muhammad [s] passed away. Some companions were certain that his successor would be Ali bin Abu-Talib [a].

Still some Muhajireen and Ansar held a meeting in Bani Saaida's Saqifa (Shelter). There was a serious competition for the Caliphate. Finally, Abu-Bakr was appointed caliph.

Al-Miqdad, Salman, Ammar, Abu-Dhar, Abu-Ayoob al-Ansary, al-Abbas bin Abdul-Muttalib, and others were surprised at that appointment. So, they stood by Imam Ali bin Abu Talib [a].

The Imam insisted on his attitude. His wife Fatima al-Zahra, our Master Muhammad's daughter, supported him.

Fatima al-Zahra was displeased with what had happened after her great father's passing away. She passed away six months after Abu-Bakr's Caliphate.

Imam Ali [a] was forced to acknowledge Abu Bakr to avoid disunity Then the other companions acknowledged him, too.

Al-Miqdad paid homage and began waging holy war. He taught people the Qur'an. His reading became famous all over Shaam.

Al-Miqdad stayed loyal to Allah and His Apostle. He did not change his opinion.

The Second Caliph appointed six persons. They were Ali bin Abu-Talib [a] Uthman bin Affan, Abdul-Rahman bin Auf, Saad bin Abi-Wakkas, al-Zubair bin al-Awam, and Talha bin Abdullah. The appointed persons held a meeting to elect one of them caliph.

Some Companions hoped that Imam Ali [a] would be elected. Thus al-Miqdad shouted to make the appointed person hear: If you appoint Ali caliph, we'll hear and obey.

Ammar bin Yasir supported al-Miqdad. But the ambitious persons played an important role. So, Uthman was appointed caliph.

The End

Al-Miqdad saw Uthman deviating from the Prophet's behaviour. However, he stayed loyal to his religion. He became ninety years old. Then he passed away.

Adapted from the book: "The Companions of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w)"