Saidina
‘Umar RA himself wanted to lead the army in the Iraq expedition.
There were several days of discussions separately among the common
people and among the leaders, whether Amir-ul-Mukminin should lead the
expedition or stay in Madinah to direct the operations and arrange
reinforcements from the headquarters. The common people were in
favour of the former, and the leaders in favour of the latter
alternative. Somebody mentioned the name of Saidinat Sa’ad bin Abi
Waqqaas as a replacement for Saidina Umar RA to command the
expedition. Both the groups agreed and it was decided that Hadhrat
Sa’ad should lead the expedition and Hadhrat Umar would stay
behind in Madinah.
Saidina
Sa’ad was very brave and considered to be one of the heroes of
Arabia. Iraq was a part of the Persian Empire and Yazdjard was the
Emperor at that time. He sent for one of his best generals named
Rustam and ordered him to stop the Muslim advance. Rustam tried to
avoid going to the battlefront because of his fear of the Muslims. He
requested the Emperor again and again to keep him back, saying: “I
shall make arrangements to send off reinforcements and shall be of
use to your Majesty at the time of counsel.” The Emperor did not
agree and he had to go to the battlefield. When Saidina Sa’ad was
about to leave Madinah, Saidina Umar RA gave him the following
instructions: “O, Sa’ad! Let this fact not deceive you that you
are one of the trusted companions of Nabi j and that people call you
his uncle. Allah does not prevent evil with evil, but He prevents
evil with good. Allah has no relationship with His creation.
All
men, high and low, are equal before Him, for all are His creation and
He is their only Rabb. One can win His favours only through devotion
to His service. Remember that the Sunnat of Nabi SAW is the only
correct way of doing things. You are going on a very heavy task. You
can only fulfil this by following the truth. Encourage good habits in
yourself and your companions. Choose the fear of Allah as your chief
asset, for this will lead you to His obedience and prevent you from
His disobedience. Obedience to Allah’scommand is for those who hate
this world and love the Hereafter.” Sa’ad faced the heavy odds
with full confidence in Allah . When both the armies were ready to
fight, he sent a message to Rustam, which read:
“Rustam!
There are people with me to whom death (in the path of Allah ) is
more attractive than is wine to the people in your army.” Ask the
people who are addicted to liquor, how much they love to taste it.
The Sahaabah loved to meet death in the Path of Allah even more.
This was the chief cause of their success.
