Download PDF: [S] Even the Animals obeyed him (Islamic story)

It is reported that Hadrat Sayyiduna Uqbah bin Naaf’e – may Allah be pleased with him – was born in the last years of Prophethood. He was also the nephew of the famous conqueror and warrior of Islam, namely Hadrat Sayyiduna Amar bin Al Aas – may Allah be pleased with him.

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Uqbah bin Naaf’e – may Allah be pleased with him –is also included among those famous Muslims who conquered the northern parts of Africa in the first century of Islam. He was also responsible for destroying the Berber forces that came against the Muslims.

 

Just before his passing, Hadrat Sayyiduna Amar bin Al Aas – may Allah be pleased with him – nominated his nephew as the Commander-in-Chief of the Muslim forces fighting in northern Africa. Later, he was removed by Musallimah bin Mukhallid Ansari and was reinstated after the passing of Hadrat Sayyiduna Ameer Mu’awiyah – may Allah be pleased with him. However, in 63 A.H. together with tree hundred of his men, he was martyred by certain rebels.

 

As the Commander-in-Chief of the Muslim army, it is mentioned that once Hadrat Sayyiduna Uqbah bin Naaf’e – may Allah be pleased with him – stood on the shore after completing his Salaah and raising his sword towards the sky, he declared, “I swear by Allah Almighty, if I was aware that there is land after this water, then with the intention of raising the Kalimah, I would certainly jump into this water with my horse.”.

 

This is that Hadrat Sayyiduna Uqbah bin Naaf’e – may Allah be pleased with him – who left the court of Hadrat Sayyiduna Ameer Mu’awiyah – may Allah be pleased with him – with ten thousand soldiers to conquer parts of Africa. He also conquered an area called Kayrwaan in which it is mentioned there were many wild and dangerous animals. The place was also full of trees and vegetation. However, when Hadrat Sayyiduna Uqbah bin Naaf’e – may Allah be pleased with him – arrived at this place, he shouted out to all of the animals in this place, “We (the Mujahideen of Islam) are about to camp here. Therefore, all of you should leave this place.”

 

The narrator of this incident mentions that no sooner had he mentioned these words when no animals remained at this place. All of them began to appear from their burrows and holes and began to leave. It is said that even those animals who could not walk themselves, were carried by other animals.

 

This was the greatness of the early Mujahideen who even had command over the animals wherever they went. It was obvious that these animals would pose a danger to the Muslims who had arrived, hence, instead of harming them, Hadrat Sayyiduna Uqbah bin Naaf’e – may Allah be pleased with him – simply commanded them to leave which they did without any delay. There is no doubt that those who become for Allah Almighty, everything else becomes for them.

 

Today, even if we shout and scream at any animal, the only thing it would do is either attack us or perhaps in its own way laugh at us. However, such was the power of the early Muslims that they could command every object around their environment.

 

In the present age, besides protecting our houses from animals, we cannot even protect it against other humans who wish to destroy it. We cannot even protect Muslims in different countries against their enemies how can we even dream that animals would listen to us.

 

Bear in mind that in those days, Afriqiyah was only the name of an expansive region in the northern part and what is known today as North Africa.