Tuesday, August 08, 2006

While he was reciting this poem, he suddenly saw a tall, short-necked fawn horse upon which sat a rider with a glittering spear. The rider's behaviour and appearance projected a kind of wisdom and the riding-style showed bravery. The warrior held the bridle loosely but sat firmly in the saddle and wore armour covered inBlack cloth. A green girdle tied at the waiste was spread over both of his chest and back. Thus the rider road ahead of the army like a blazing flame.

Khâlid رضي الله عنه said, "I wonder who this is, By Allâh! He appears to be quite daring and brave."

He continued behind the stranger heading towards the Christian camp. Râfi' bin 'Umayrah was steadfastly holding out against the Romans when he saw Khâlid's رضي الله عنه reinforcements. The mysterious warrior pounced on the enemy like a mighty hawk on a tiny sparrow in an attack that wreaked havoc in the Roman lines and by perpetrating a massacre penetrated to their very centre. It was like lightning - striking the heads of two or four youths, then burning to ashes another five or seven and then flashing yet again. Reaching the centre, the warrior displayed clear signs of frustration and anxiety and then began attacking again, ripping the christian lines apart and advancing until the Muslims lost sight of this champion who all the while was growing ever more anxious.

Râfi' bin 'Umayrah and his men thought that that could only be Khâlid رضي الله عنه. Râfi' then saw him with his men and so he called out, "O brave one, who is this horseman who risks his life in Allâh's Path and slays the enemy without hesitation?"

Khâlid رضي الله عنه:By Allâh! I do not know. I am myself astonished at his daring and bravery.

Râfi': What an amazing man who penetrates the Roman ranks and kills them left, right and centre..

Khâlid رضي الله عنه : O Muslims, Rise for the defence of Islâm and attack together.

The Muslims straightened their bridles, readied their spears and advanced in battle formation with Khâlid رضي الله عنه in front. They were about to attack when they saw the stranger flashing at the heart of the Roman army soaked in blood and mounted on a horse drowning in perspiration. Despite trying to turn away from the approaching Romans, the Mujâhid was still single-handedly facing several Romans at the same time. Khâlid رضي الله عنه and his men attacked them until they managed to bring the stranger to the Muslim ranks.

The Muslims gazed at the Visible top part of the stranger's face and found it to be like a crimson rose-petal dipped in blood. Khâlid رضي الله عنهsaid, "You have offered your life in the Path of Allâh and vented your anger upon the enemies - May Allâh reward you well. Now remove your mouth-cover so that we can see who you are."

They too received no reply, so Khâlid رضي الله عنه personally went and said, "How very sad that I and in fact all the muslims wish to know about you but you could not care, Who are you?"

He repeatedly insisted until eventually a feminine voice replied "O commander, I have not avoided you out of disobedience, but out of modesty for I am of those who have secluded themselves behind the veil. My sorrow and broken heart forced me here."

Khâlidرضي الله عنه : Who are you?

Stranger: The Captive Dirâr's sister, Khawlah bint al-Azwar. I was sitting with the women of the Mathhij tribe when I heard of Dirâr's capture. So I immediately mounted and came here. The rest you already know.

Hearing this, Khâlids رضي الله عنه heart was struck with wonder and tears welled out profusely.

Khâlid رضي الله عنه :We will attack together. I have firm conviction that Allâh will lets us reach your brother and free him.

Khawlah: If Allâh wills then I shall be in the front line