MUSJIDUL HAQ

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The actual name of Sultan Noorudeen Zangi Radi Allahu ‘Anhu was “Mahmud” and his appellation was “Al Malikul Adil.”

Sultan Noorudeen Zangi Radi Allahu ‘Anhu ruled over most parts of Syria, Egypt and the Arab Peninsula. He is considered as the most just, the wisest and the most intelligent rulers of his period. He ruled all very wisely and made sure that every need of every subject were taken care of. He also constructed many Madaaris or Islamic schools. Although he was very humble and simple, there was an air of awe and power which people saw in him. He also respected the ‘Ulama very much. He also had the wish that when the time comes, he should be martyred. He passed away in 569 A.H.

One day, his wife sent him a message that the amount she was receiving as stipend was very less and that this should be increased. When Sultan Noorudeen Zanghi Radi Allahu ‘Anhu heard this, his face became red with anger and rage. He said, “Where can I get this from? Is the money being given to her not enough? By Allah azza wajal just to please her, I am not prepared to jump into the Fire of Hell. If she is under the impression that the wealth which I possess is my own personal wealth, then she is incorrect in thinking this way. This wealth belongs to the Muslim Ummah. It has been kept only for them and for their needs and I am merely the caretaker of this wealth. I will never rob them of this which belongs to them.”

He then continued, “There is no share for her from the Baitul Maal. Yes, I do have three shops which personally belong to me in Hums and I allow her to take this and may Allah azza wajal create Barakah in this.”

He never allowed her to take one thing from the Baitul Maal. Finally, his wife took these shops and even the income from these shops were very little for her. She still managed to survive on this and after this, she never asked the Sultan for anything else.

A witness

Ibn Atheer’s full name is Ali bin Mohammed Azzudeen Jazari famously known as “Ibn Atheer” was a very famous Muhaddith, historian, well learned in classical art. He was born in 555 A.H. He lived most of his life in Mosul and died in 630 A.H. Some of his famous writings are “Al Kamil fit Taarikh”, “Usdul Ghaabah”, etc.

There is no doubt that Sultan Noorudeen Zanghi Radi Allahu ‘Anhu was noted for his justice and equality.

In regard to this, ibn Atheer explains that, “I have studied the leaders of the past until the present and have I can clearly state that after the four Rightly Guided Khulafah and Hadrat ‘Umar bin Abdul Aziz Radi Allahu ‘Anhum, there has never been a more honest, a more just, a more brave ruler than Sultan Noorudeen Zanghi Radi Allahu ‘Anhu. He spent the entire day and night in practising justice, preparing for Jihad, removing oppression, performing Ibadah, and distributing kindness and favours. If he existed in any other nation, they would have certainly boasted about him and would have considered him a means for their own respect and status.  He refrained from all things Haraam in his food, his clothing, his drinking, etc. We can say that prior to him, most of the Kings lived in pure ignorance. Most of them spent their time in seeking pleasure and satisfying their carnal desires. They never thought of any persons good deed as good and never thought of anyone’s bad deed as a bad deed. This is until Allah azza wajal in His Divine Mercy sent someone like Sultan Noorudeen Zanghi Radi Allahu ‘Anhu who made sure that he fulfilled the Laws of Shari’ah, propagated what was good and prohibited what was wrong.”

As for his piety, sincerity and honesty, Sultan Noorudeen Zanghi Radi Allahu ‘Anhu only consumed food which was purchased from his own personal money and also bought clothing in the same manner. As for his personal wealth, this was only the share which he was entitled too from any war booty.

He once called the ‘Ulama to a meeting and inquired from them what was his rightful share. Whatever decision or Fatwa they gave him, he made certain that he stayed within these boundaries. There is no doubt that Sultan Noorudeen Zanghi Radi Allahu ‘Anhu created another level of justice and fairness which future Kings should abide by. He never allowed himself to wear silk or gold. He also prohibited the sale and consumption of alcohol in all those areas which he controlled and if anyone was found guilty, they were duly punished as prescribed by Shari’ah.

He once said, “We are confined and guided by the laws of Islamic Shari’ah, therefore, I will only follow that law.”

He was indeed a very great Zaahid and once mentioned that, “A true Zaahid is not that person who refrains from the world, a true Zaahid is that person who clears his heart from love of the world.”

He used to also spend most of the night in performing Nafil Salaah.

Again ibn Atheer explains that, “He spend most of the night performing the Nawafil Salaah, in Du’a and seeking pardon (Istighfaar) reading the Qur’an until sunrise.”

If one wants to know the true picture of Sultan Noorudeen Zanghi Radi Allahu ‘Anhu, it can be gleamed from the following.

Al Malikul Aadil, Sultan Noorudeen Abul Qasim Mahmud Zanghi Radi Allahu ‘Anhu besieged the city of Damascus twice and on the third attempt, he defeated the Christian forces and took control of this city. He established Islamic Shari’ah in this city and prohibited all un-Islamic activities. He also consistently made Du’a that on the Day of Judgement, Allah azza wajal makes him appear as an ordinary entity.

He then defeated the Christian forces in Egypt and again established Islamic Shari’ah in this city. He also built a small house which he called “Darul Adal” or “The House of Justice.” He used to sit in this house and personally listen to the complaints of people and made appropriate Islamic decisions in this regard. This continued until there remained no oppression and injustice. As a matter of fact, during his period, there was no need for a police force. He spent the entire night in Ibadah and used to always make Du’a, “O Allah azza wajal! Do not help Mahmud Zanghi, but bestow Your Divine Help and assistance on Islam.”

Even his enemies admit his greatness

His enemies have said that, “Even though he possessed a large and powerful army, but the story of his success was not in this. The reason for his success was the countless hours he spent pleading to his Creator and performing Ibadah. Whenever he picked up his hands in the Divine Court of Allah azza wajal, his prayers were answered. Whenever anyone asked him for anything, he always made sure that they were given what they asked for and never allowed anyone to go empty-handed. This is the manner that he was able to overpower us and defeat us.”

These were the words of his enemies.

As for Muslims, if only the Muslim leaders of today can study the life of eminent souls in Islam such as Sultan Noorudeen Zanghi Radi Allahu ‘Anhu or Sultan Salaahudeen Ayyubi Radi Allahu ‘Anhu, their entire life was spent bringing people to Islam and securing justice for Muslims. These were the people that made sure that their governments practised upon Nizaam-e-Mustafa. If this type of Islamic government comes into existence today, only then we will be able to see the true justice of Islam. (ibn Atheer)

This is also that blessed Sultan who it is reported that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah Sallal Laahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam appeared twice in his dream and indicating to two Jews, mentioned that these people wanted to harm Sayyiduna Rasoolullah Sallal Laahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam. The Sultan then arrived in Madina Shareef and after thorough investigation, he found these people who had actually dug very near the blessed grave and were very near to actually entering this blessed area. He then had these enemies of Islam killed and made sure that a proper reinforced wall made from various material such as lead was constructed around the blessed grave of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah Sallal Laahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam and this was also dug to a great depth. (Sadde Bahaar Khushbu)