Hayatus Sahabah - The Lives of the Sahabah - Part 3

THE LIVES OF THE SAHABAH @@&&(Vol-3) 683
night, they fast all day, they fulfil their promises, they enjoin good, they forbid
from evil and are just towards each other. It is also because we drink wine; we
fornicate, we do what is prohibited, we break our promises, we rob, we
oppress, we enjoin what is forbidden, prohibit people from acts that please
Allaah and we spread anarchy on earth." Heraclius said, "You are telling me
the truth." (')
A Christian Arab Describes the Sahabah @Gi@@ to
the Commander of Damascus
Hadhrat Yahya bin Yahya Ghassaani reports that two men from his tribe reported,
"When the Muslims set up camp outside Jordan, we talked amongst ourselves
that Damascus would soon be under siege. We therefore went to do our business
in Damascus before that happened. We were still there when the commander of
Damascus sent for us,
When we came before him, he asked, 'Are you two Arabs?' When we replied in the
affirmative, he asked further, 'Are you Christians?' 'Yes,' we replied. He then said,
'One of you will have to spy on them to learn about their intentions. The other
will stay behind to look after his companion's belongings.' One of us then went
and stayed with the Muslims for some time before returning.
He said, 'I have come to you from people who are thin and who ride fine
horses. They are monks by night, brave horsemen by day and can even attach
feathers to their arrows, carve them out by themselves and straighten their
spears to perfection. If you were to speak to someone sitting beside you, he
would be unable to hear you because they were always reciting the Qur'aan
and engaging in Dhikr in loud voices." The commander then turned to his
companions and said, "Such people have come to you against whom you can
offer no resistance." (2)
A Christian Arab Describes the Sahabah @,GW
to Qubuqalaar
Hadhrat Urwa 9,Wj reports that when the two armies confronted each other
(during the Battle of Yarmook), Qubuqalaar (the Roman general) sent for an Arab
man whom the narrator believes was a man from the Yazeed bin Haydaan family
-Fi
tribe. His was known as Ibn Huzaarif. Qubuqalaar's instruction
to the man was, "Infiltrate the ranks of these people, stay with them for a day and
a night and then report their condition to me."
Because he was Arab, he blended into the Muslim army undetected and stayed
with them for a day and a night. When he then returned, Qubuqalaar asked him
what he had found out. He replied, "They are monks by night and valiant
horsemen by day. Even if their king's son had to steal, they would amputate
(1) Ahmad bin Marwaan Maaliki in his Mujaalasa, as quoted in A1 Bidaayah wan Nihaayah (Vo1.7
Pg.15). Ibn Asaakir (Vol.1 Pg.143) has reported a similar narration.
(2) A1 Bidaayah wan Nihaayah (Vo1.7 Pg.15). Ibn Asaakir (Vol. I Pg. 143) has reported a similar
narration.