Hayatus Sahabah - The Lives of the Sahabah - Part 1 of 3

436 THE LIVES OF THE SAHABAH @%$@% (Vol-I)
only that person succeeds in it who is calm and who knows when to attack
and when not to attack." (')
In another report narrated by Hadhrat Sha'bi FWdIGj, it is mentioned that when
Hadhrat Umar k!&@&Gj was told to appoint a Sahabi %3Wj as commander, he
said, "The virtue of the Sahabah %"= is on account of them being the first to
volunteer and being present when others refused to present themselves.
However, when they express reluctance and others do what they had been doing,
then those who are prepared to march when heavy or light become more
deserving. By Allaah! I shall only appoint as their commander the one who had
been first to respond." Hadhrat Umar %3Wj then appointed Hadhrat Abu Ubayd
as the commander and advised him concerning the army. (2)
Hadhrat Umar 5BGm Consults with the Sahabah
,.q /.,I" , &bw Concerning a Military Offensive Against the
Persians
Hadhrat Umar bin Abdul Azeez says that when the news of the martyrdom of
Hadhrat Abu Ubayd bin Mas'ood reached Hadhrat Umar !8Wj and he learnt
that the Persians aligned behind someone from the family of the Kisra, he had an
announcement (of Jihaad) made amongst the Muhaajireen and the Ansaar (and
instructed them to meet at a place called Siraar). Hadhrat Umar !@%%j left for
~iraai and sent Hadhrat Talha bin Ubaydillaah %= ahead to a place called
Ahwas. He then appointed Hadhrat Abdur Rahmaan bin Auf k!B13M as
commander of the army's right flank, Hadhrat Zubayr bin Awaam as
commander of the left flank and appointed Hadhrat Ali !8G5 as his deputy in
Madinah. When Hadhrat Umar + !& consulted with the Sahabah P-2, they
all shared the opinion that he should march against the Persians. However,
Hadhrat Umar BBGi4% did not consult with them before reaching Siraar and
before Hadhrat Talha ! 8G3 had returned (from Ahwas).
When Hadhrat Umar BGw consulted with the eminent Sahabah i@G@G,
Hadhrat Talha 3Gh% also expressed the same opinion as the others (to march
against the Persians) but Hadhrat Abdur Rahmaan bin Auf !8,- was against the
idea. Hadhrat Abdur Rahmaan bin Auf k33!3&$ said, "After the demise of
~asulullaah~, I have never before this day and shall never afterwards say that
I shall sacrifice my parents for anyone. However, now I say that may my parents
be sacrificed for you (0 Ameerul Mu'mineen)! Leave this matter to me. You
remain in Madinah and send out an army. I have noticed that the decree of
Allaah has always been in favour of your armies. The defeat of your army is not
(as demoralising) as your defeat. I fear that if you are martyred or defeated in
battle, the Muslims (will be so demoralised that they) will never again cry out
'Allaahu Akbar' or recite 'Laa Ilaaha Illallaah'."
Hadhrat Umar WGW (accepted this opinion and) was looking for a commander
(1) Ibn Jareer Tabari (Vo1.4 Pg.61).
(2) Ibn Jareer Tabari (Vo1.4 Pg.61).