Download PDF: [S] Strike Fear in the Enemies

There is no doubt that Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – lived a very simple and humble life. This is in spite of the fact that he controlled half the world. He never allowed worldly greatness or stature to disturb him. One of the reasons is that he never allowed his Nafs to come in between himself and His Creator. At the same time, most of the Governors under his control also lived in this manner.

 

One day, he decided to travel to Syria and at that time, Hadrat Sayyiduna Ameer Mu’wiyah – may Allah be pleased with him – was the Governor of that region. He also had a large mansion under his control and came out to meet Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – with great pomp and fanfare dressed in regal clothing, etc.

 

When the eminent leader of the Muslims saw him, he declared, “By Allah! This seems to be the Arab Khusroe.” (Referring to the Persian Khusroe who also lived in great comfort and royalty). However, Hadrat Sayyiduna Ameer Mu’awiyah – may Allah be pleased with him – was a little upset with these comments and replied, “O Ameerul Mo’mineen! We are living in such a place where there are plenty of spies from the enemy camp. The wisdom of my action is to make sure that I impress on them real fear and respect for Islam and the Muslims. This is the reason that we have to display such pomp and splendour. This is also the reason that we display an army parade and display our weapons so that the enemy is not under any wrong illusions about our actual power. However, if you feel that I should not do this, then please inform me and if you feel that I should continue, then too please inform me.”

 

After listening to these comments, Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – replied, “If this is actually what is happening, then it is obvious that your strategy seems the correct one and if this is not what is actually happening, then this is merely a type of fraud which poets normally use.”

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Ameer Mu’awiyah – may Allah be pleased with him – then asked him for his opinion. Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – replied, “I am nor restricting you from this and neither am I am encouraging you to do this.” (Kitaab Al Azkiyah, Ibn Jouzi)

 

Another poet has mentioned that our pious Muslims of the past were people who conquered the hearts of people prior to conquering their palaces and forts. Before the palaces of these people bowed down to the Muslims, the hearts of these people bowed down. Such was the power of these Muslims that they ruled the world in their time and no power could stand against them.

 

In fact, there is an interesting statement which was once made by Harun Rashid. It is said that he once looked at a cloud and said, “You may go wherever you wish, but the taxes from your rain will come to my treasury.”

 

Allah Almighty has also promised the Muslims that if they have true Imaan and are sincere Muslims, certainly power will be given to them and others will bow down to them. This was also said by eminent scholars of their era. When we look at the Muslims of today, perhaps we can safely say that there are no Muslim governments. Most countries wherein Muslims are in the majority are controlled by the West.