Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
The Bravery of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)
Every Nabi was a personification of total submission and obedience to Allah Ta‘ala. In every department of his life, a Nabi reflected the highest level of perfection in upholding and fulfilling the command of Allah Ta‘ala.
From among the various branches of Shari’ah is the branch of jihaad. The branch of jihaad is such that a person’s endurance and steadfastness is tested to the fullest, as he is tested with the most dearest thing to him – his life.
When facing heavy odds from the enemy, and the Muslims are ill-equipped and outnumbered, then for a soldier to remain steadfast in the battlefield – especially when he is fighting at the forefront – is a sign of great bravery and courage. However, the fact that he is surrounded by other soldiers gives him sufficient courage to continue as he feels fortified to some degree.
Nevertheless, if a person has to face the enemy all alone due to his fellow soldiers fleeing from the battlefield, and then too, he withstands and continues to fight with great courage and valour for deen, then indeed, this is the pinnacle of true bravery and courage.
In one Hadith, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned that Allah Ta‘ala loves the person who fights against the enemy, and when his group faces defeat, they begin to flee, but he goes ahead and continues to fight, until he is granted victory or martyrdom. (Sunan Tirmizi #2568)
When one views the mubaarak life of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), then he was the greatest of Allah Ta‘ala’s creation, and Allah Ta‘ala granted him the greatest level of goodness in every good quality, including the quality of bravery and courage.
Hazrat Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) mentioned, “Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was the best of people, the most brave of all people, and the most generous of all people.” (Saheeh Bukhaari #2820)
Hence, it was equal whether he was with the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) or alone – in both cases, the degree of courage and bravery he displayed was most remarkable and incredible.
The Great Valour and Bravery of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in Madinah Munawwarah
On one occasion, a loud noise was heard in Madinah Munawwarah during the night. This loud noise created panic and fear among the people of Madinah Munawwarah.
The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) immediately formed a group to go out and investigate the cause of the noise, as they feared that it may be an enemy about to attack Madinah Munawwarah. However, while the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) were still forming a group to investigate the cause of the noise, they found that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had already went out on a horse and had patrolled Madinah Munawwarah alone, with his sword.
Upon returning, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) comforted the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) and allayed their fear saying, “There is nothing for you to fear at all (as I have already patrolled and ascertained that there is no danger).” (Saheeh Muslim #2307)
The Great Valour and Bravery of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in the Battle of Badr
Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) mentioned that on the occasion of Badr, when fighting against the enemy, we, the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) would take refuge with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), whilst Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would be in the forefront, closest to the enemy. On that day, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) fought with the most valour and courage from all the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum).
Similarly, when Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was asked regarding which part of the battlefield Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was stationed at during the Battle of Badr fighting against the enemy, he replied that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was in the forefront, and that the strongest and bravest among us was that person who was able to stand in the same line with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), fighting against the enemy. (Majma’uz Zawaa’id #14176)
The Great Valour and Bravery of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in the Battle of Hunain
In the Battle of Hunain, the enemy remained hidden in ambush, ready to launch an unexpected and sudden attack upon the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum). When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) passed by them, they began firing arrows, taking the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) by surprise. Many of the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) panicked and began fleeing from the battlefield.
However, even at that crucial time, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) remained steadfast on the battlefield and did not flee. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was riding a donkey while the other Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) were mounted on fast-riding conveyances such as horses and camels.
Despite riding a donkey, which is a slow conveyance, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) remained firm and continued to spur the animal ahead, throwing himself into the thick of the battlefield in order to attack the enemy.
At that time, the cousin of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Hazat Abu Sufyaan bin Haarith (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), was holding the reins of the donkey, trying to hold back Rasulullah’s (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) animal from moving ahead, as he feared over the life of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). However, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) did not fear in the least. (Sunan Tirmizi #1688)
When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) saw the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) fleeing from the battlefield, he instructed Hazrat Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to call out the following words to the Muhaajireen and Ansaar Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) on his behalf:
أين أصحاب السمرة
Where are those who pledged their allegiance to me beneath the acacia tree (at Hudaibiyah)?
In other words, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) wished to remind the Muhaajireen and Ansaar Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) of the pledge they made to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) at Hudaibiyah to sacrifice their lives for the cause of Allah Ta‘ala.
As soon as Hazrat Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) called out to the Muhaajireen and Ansaar, they immediately turned around and returned to the battlefield. (Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah 4/325)
This was the remarkable and unparalleled bravery of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) which he displayed to fulfil the command of Allah Ta‘ala in the battlefield and at every other time in his life.
May Allah Ta‘ala bless the ummah to emulate every mubaarak quality of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and uphold his mubaarak sunnah in their lives.
