Hazrat Sa‘eed bin Musayyib رحمه الله has mentioned, “Hazrat Sa’d رضي الله عنه was an excellent archer.” (Taareekh-ul-Islam 4/216)
Imaam Zuhri (rahimahullah) has mentioned, “During the Battle of Uhud, Hazrat Sa’d رضي الله عنه killed three disbelievers with the same arrow that was fired at him three times. The disbelievers had initially fired the arrow. Hazrat Sa’d رضي الله عنه took the arrow and fired it back at the disbelievers, killing one of them. The disbelievers then fired the same arrow back, after which Hazrat Sa’d رضي الله عنه took it and fired it back at them, killing another disbeliever. The disbelievers then fired the same arrow back for a third time. Hazrat Sa’d رضي الله عنه took the arrow and fired it back at them, killing a third disbeliever. Seeing that Hazrat Sa’d رضي الله عنه had killed three disbelievers with the same arrow, the people were amazed.
(Taareekh-ul-Islam 4/215, Siyar A’laam min Nubalaa 3/63)
Hazrat ‘Aamir رحمه الله, the son of Hazrat Sa’d رضي الله عنه, narrates the following from Hazrat Sa’d رضي الله عنه:
During the Battle of Khandaq (the Battle of the Trench), there was a disbeliever carrying a shield. He would use the shield to cover his face, and he would thereafter lower it (in order to see). I reached for my quiver and extracted an arrow that was blood-stained.
I placed the arrow in my bow, and as soon as he lowered the shield, I fired. I will not forget the manner in which the shaft of the arrow fell onto such-and-such portion of the shield (after striking the disbeliever). When the arrow struck him, the disbeliever fell, raising his legs into the air. On this occasion, Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم smiled until his blessed teeth could be seen.
Hazrat ‘Aamir رحمه الله says, “I asked Hazrat Sa’d رضي الله عنه why Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم had smiled. Hazrat Sa’d رضي الله عنه replied, ‘He smiled at the action of the disbeliever (i.e. the manner in which Hazrat Sa’d رضي الله عنه had killed the disbeliever).”
(Musnad Ahmed #1620)
Imaam Muslim رحمه الله has narrated a similar narration from Hazrat ‘Aamir رحمه الله in which Hazrat Sa’d رضي الله عنه said the following:
During the Battle of Uhud, Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم made special du‘aa for me saying, “Fire the arrow! May my father and mother be sacrificed for you!” There was a man from the disbelievers who had caused great harm to the believers. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم said to me in regard to this disbeliever, “Fire the arrow! May my father and mother be sacrificed for you!” I thus pulled a sharp arrow that was without a blade at the front. I fired it, hitting him on his side. When the arrow hit him, he fell to the ground and his ‘awrah became exposed. Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم then smiled until I could see his blessed teeth (out of happiness that the enemy of Islam, who had harmed so many Muslims, had been killed).”
(Saheeh Muslim #2412)
(Whatisislam.co.za)
REFLECTIONS
In the above narration, we see that Hazrat Aamir رحمه الله, the son of Hazrat Sa’d رضي الله تعالى عنه is quoting the incident from his respected father. This highlights the important aspect of us parents to ensure that we instill the correct Deeni values in our children.
The sad reality is that often a “problem” child is a result of “problem” parents. We need to play an active role in inspiring and motivating our children to become the friends of Allah Ta’ala. For this, we need to become examples and embodiments of the Quran and Sunnah.
Rasulullah صلی الله عليه وسلم mentioned,
“No parent can give a child a better gift than good manners.”
There is also an urgent need for the communities to respond by involving themselves in joining initiatives so that they can protect themselves against thieves and thugs who are terrorising innocent people.
Our Akaabir stressed that we need to equip ourselves to the best of our ability within the framework of the law.
At present, we have become the slaves of luxuries and so gutless that we have forgotten how to defend ourselves. A believer has Imaan which creates the burning desire to serve and sacrifice for the pleasure of Allah Ta‘ala. We need to become proactive in our communities within the parameters of the Shariah to create a safe, Deeni environment.
In certain communities, when people took the initiative to protect themselves, the crime rate dropped quite significantly. There are Muslims who learnt bravery from the incidents of the Sahaabah رضي الله تعالى عنهم and actively implemented it in confrontational and volatile situations.
A very important and effective way to achieve this is to conduct Taleem at home daily with the entire family. Our homes should echo with incidents of the exceptional bravery of the Sahaabah رضوان الله عليهم أجمعين.
May Allah Ta’ala grant us all the Tawfeeq to become such that we continuously enjoy Allah Ta’ala’s special help and protection. Ameen