WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.000 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:15.609 --> 00:00:17.609 The Mawaddah Association is pleased 00:00:17.609 --> 00:00:21.609 to present to you glimpses from the lives of the Companions, 00:00:21.609 --> 00:00:25.640 by Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 00:00:25.640 --> 00:00:26.640 may Allah have mercy upon him. 00:00:26.640 --> 00:00:34.159 Al-Qa'qa' ibn 'Amr, may Allah be pleased with him. 00:00:48.210 --> 00:00:55.929 No sooner had the night approached and wrapped the field of al-Qadisiyyah in its darkness 00:00:55.929 --> 00:00:57.929 than the soldiers laid down their weapons 00:00:57.929 --> 00:01:00.929 and rested their sides upon their sleeping mats. 00:01:00.929 --> 00:01:04.930 For the second day of the battle had been like the one before it, 00:01:04.930 --> 00:01:07.930 heavy in its burden and intense in its ferocity. 00:01:07.930 --> 00:01:11.930 Yet, the eyes of al-Qa'qa' ibn 'Amr did not sleep. 00:01:11.930 --> 00:01:13.930 And how could they sleep, 00:01:13.930 --> 00:01:15.930 while the patience of the Muslims had worn thin, 00:01:15.930 --> 00:01:18.930 and they were awaiting the reinforcements coming from al-Sham 00:01:18.930 --> 00:01:20.930 under the command of Hashim ibn 'Utbah? 00:01:20.930 --> 00:01:23.930 Despair had almost overtaken them, 00:01:23.930 --> 00:01:26.930 and their thoughts were scattered in every direction. 00:01:26.930 --> 00:01:31.930 So, he resolved to repeat on this day what he had done the day before. 00:01:31.930 --> 00:01:34.930 Al-Qa'qa' began to send forth his thousand horsemen 00:01:34.930 --> 00:01:40.930 who had come with him to the place where they had stood the previous morning, 00:01:40.930 --> 00:01:42.930 far from al-Qadisiyyah. 00:01:42.930 --> 00:01:45.930 He commanded them that when the sun rose upon them, 00:01:45.930 --> 00:01:49.930 they should advance toward the battlefield in groups of one hundred, one after another, 00:01:49.930 --> 00:01:54.930 with the distance of a sightline between each group and the next. 00:01:54.930 --> 00:01:56.930 He ordered them to fill the air with dust, 00:01:56.930 --> 00:01:59.930 and to fill the earth with clamor and noise, 00:01:59.930 --> 00:02:03.930 to instill confidence and resolve in the hearts of the Muslims, 00:02:03.930 --> 00:02:07.930 and to spread anxiety and fear in the souls of the Persians. 00:02:07.930 --> 00:02:10.090 No sooner had the morning dawned 00:02:10.090 --> 00:02:13.090 “And the earth shineth with the light of her Lord, and the Book is set up, and the prophets and the witnesses are brought, and it is judged between them with truth, and they are not wronged.” (39:69) 00:02:13.090 --> 00:02:16.090 than the battalions began to appear from behind the desert 00:02:16.090 --> 00:02:20.090 toward the battlefield, magnifying and praising Allah. 00:02:20.090 --> 00:02:24.090 Al-Qa'qa' received them, battalion after battalion, 00:02:24.090 --> 00:02:27.090 and designated their positions within the ranks. 00:02:27.090 --> 00:02:30.310 But the stream of battalions exceeded ten. 00:02:30.310 --> 00:02:33.310 He looked and saw that Hashim ibn 'Utbah 00:02:33.310 --> 00:02:38.310 had also arrived with his army at the outskirts of al-Qadisiyyah with the morning. 00:02:38.310 --> 00:02:43.379 Hashim saw the horsemen of al-Qa'qa' ibn 'Amr and what they were doing, 00:02:43.379 --> 00:02:45.379 and he was pleased with their actions. 00:02:45.379 --> 00:02:48.379 He divided his soldiers into hundreds, 00:02:48.379 --> 00:02:53.379 and ordered them to follow one another to the battlefield. 00:02:53.379 --> 00:02:58.569 This great reinforcement did not significantly weaken the resolve of the Persians, 00:02:58.569 --> 00:03:02.569 because they had repaired the litters of their elephants 00:03:02.569 --> 00:03:04.569 and renewed their girths, 00:03:04.569 --> 00:03:06.569 lining them up at the forefront of the army 00:03:06.569 --> 00:03:09.569 as if they were a solid, cemented structure. 00:03:09.569 --> 00:03:14.569 They were confident that the elephants would wreak havoc on the Muslims that day 00:03:14.569 --> 00:03:17.569 even more than they had on the first day, 00:03:17.569 --> 00:03:20.569 because this time they had taken precautions for them 00:03:20.569 --> 00:03:23.569 such as they had never taken before. 00:03:23.569 --> 00:03:26.569 They surrounded them with horsemen on every side 00:03:26.569 --> 00:03:29.569 so that the Muslims could not reach them 00:03:29.569 --> 00:03:31.569 to cut their girths, 00:03:31.569 --> 00:03:33.569 smash their litters, 00:03:33.569 --> 00:03:35.569 or strike the elephants, 00:03:35.569 --> 00:03:39.569 causing them to turn and flee as they had on the first day. 00:03:39.569 --> 00:03:42.659 No sooner had the battle begun 00:03:42.659 --> 00:03:45.659 than the Muslims charged at the protectors of the elephants, 00:03:45.659 --> 00:03:47.659 and the Persians charged at the Muslims 00:03:47.659 --> 00:03:50.659 who were confronting these protectors. 00:03:50.659 --> 00:03:53.659 Around these terrifying animals, 00:03:53.659 --> 00:03:55.659 fierce battles raged, 00:03:55.659 --> 00:03:57.659 in which much blood was shed, 00:03:57.659 --> 00:04:00.659 and many lives were lost. 00:04:00.659 --> 00:04:03.659 The Muslims remained patient and steadfast, 00:04:03.659 --> 00:04:06.659 and they showed great endurance against their enemy. 00:04:06.659 --> 00:04:09.659 They struck down the protectors of the elephants, 00:04:09.659 --> 00:04:11.659 one after another, 00:04:11.659 --> 00:04:14.659 until they were either dead or wounded, 00:04:14.659 --> 00:04:16.660 retreating on their heels. 00:04:16.660 --> 00:04:19.860 But these ferocious animals, 00:04:19.860 --> 00:04:23.860 as soon as they saw that their protectors had fallen away from them, 00:04:23.860 --> 00:04:25.860 became wild and agitated, 00:04:25.860 --> 00:04:27.860 and charged into the ranks of the Muslims 00:04:27.860 --> 00:04:30.860 like moving fortresses. 00:04:30.860 --> 00:04:33.860 They began striking with their long trunks, 00:04:33.860 --> 00:04:35.860 “And thou wouldst have deemed them waking though they were asleep, and We caused them to turn over to the right and the left, and their dog stretching out his paws on the threshold. If thou hadst observed them closely thou hadst assuredly turned away from them in flight, and hadst been filled with awe of them.” (18:18) 00:04:35.860 --> 00:04:39.860 sparing no one and leaving nothing in their path. 00:04:39.860 --> 00:04:42.889 The blows of swords had no effect on them, 00:04:42.889 --> 00:04:45.889 and the thrusts of spears could not reach them. 00:04:45.889 --> 00:04:50.889 The arrows only increased their fury and agitation. 00:04:50.889 --> 00:04:57.050 Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas sensed the catastrophe about to befall the Muslims 00:04:57.050 --> 00:04:59.050 because of these elephants, 00:04:59.050 --> 00:05:02.050 and he became certain that if he did not eliminate them, 00:05:02.050 --> 00:05:07.050 the Muslims would suffer a defeat from which they would never recover. 00:05:07.050 --> 00:05:11.139 The most burdensome of these elephants to the Muslims 00:05:12.139 --> 00:05:16.139 was the white elephant, which belonged to Yazdegerd, the King of the Persians, 00:05:16.139 --> 00:05:21.139 followed by the mangy elephant, which was no less terrifying. 00:05:21.139 --> 00:05:26.139 The other elephants followed them as if they were their leaders. 00:05:26.139 --> 00:05:33.180 Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas consulted a group of Persians who had embraced Islam regarding these elephants, 00:05:33.180 --> 00:05:35.180 and asked them about their vulnerabilities. 00:05:35.180 --> 00:05:40.180 They said, "Blind their eyes and cut their trunks, 00:05:40.180 --> 00:05:43.180 and they will fail and lose their power." 00:05:43.180 --> 00:05:47.180 So he sent for al-Qa'qa' ibn 'Amr and his brother 'Asim and said, 00:05:47.180 --> 00:05:50.180 "Take care of the white elephant for the Muslims." 00:05:50.180 --> 00:05:54.180 And he sent for two brave men from the tribe of Asad and said, 00:05:54.180 --> 00:05:57.269 "You two, take care of the mangy elephant." 00:05:57.269 --> 00:06:01.269 Al-Qa'qa' and his brother 'Asim dismounted from their horses 00:06:01.269 --> 00:06:05.269 and rushed, cutting through the ranks toward the white elephant. 00:06:05.269 --> 00:06:09.269 When they were within a bow's length or closer, 00:06:09.269 --> 00:06:13.269 al-Qa'qa' aimed his spear at its right eye, 00:06:13.269 --> 00:06:16.269 while his brother took responsibility for its left eye. 00:06:16.269 --> 00:06:20.269 They struck its eyes with their spears in the same moment, 00:06:20.269 --> 00:06:24.300 and their spearheads vanished into the sockets. 00:06:24.300 --> 00:06:28.300 The terrifying animal shook its head from the intensity of the pain, 00:06:28.300 --> 00:06:31.300 a movement that threw its riders to the ground, 00:06:31.300 --> 00:06:34.300 and it trampled them, crushing them. 00:06:34.300 --> 00:06:37.300 Then the elephant lowered its trunk to the ground 00:06:37.300 --> 00:06:41.300 to feel its way after losing its sight. 00:06:41.300 --> 00:06:45.399 Al-Qa'qa' leaped upon it and severed its trunk with his sword. 00:06:45.399 --> 00:06:49.399 The two Asadi horsemen charged at the mangy elephant, 00:06:49.399 --> 00:06:52.399 blinded one of its eyes, 00:06:52.399 --> 00:06:55.399 and inflicted a severe wound upon its trunk. 00:06:55.399 --> 00:06:58.399 It turned back toward the Persian ranks, wild and chaotic, 00:06:58.399 --> 00:07:01.399 and began to wreak terrible havoc among them. 00:07:01.399 --> 00:07:05.399 They goaded it, so it turned toward the ranks of the Muslims, 00:07:05.399 --> 00:07:09.399 but the Muslims poked it, so it returned from whence it came. 00:07:09.399 --> 00:07:12.399 Then it began to trot back and forth, 00:07:12.399 --> 00:07:15.399 squealing like a pig from the intensity of the pain. 00:07:15.399 --> 00:07:18.399 Then it rushed toward the river and leaped into it, 00:07:18.399 --> 00:07:22.399 and the other elephants followed it and leaped in behind it. 00:07:22.399 --> 00:07:26.750 Its riders cried out to the right and to the left. 00:07:26.750 --> 00:07:29.750 The elimination of the elephants had a great impact 00:07:29.750 --> 00:07:32.750 on both the Muslims and their enemies alike. 00:07:32.750 --> 00:07:35.750 As for the Muslims, they became certain of the help of Allah, 00:07:35.750 --> 00:07:39.750 and trusted in His victory if they remained patient and steadfast, 00:07:39.750 --> 00:07:42.750 and sacrificed their blood in the cause of Allah. 00:07:42.750 --> 00:07:45.750 As for the Persians, they were compensated for the loss of the elephants 00:07:45.750 --> 00:07:48.750 by the massive reinforcements sent to them 00:07:48.750 --> 00:07:51.750 by their king, Yazdegerd, 00:07:51.750 --> 00:07:54.980 which greatly bolstered their resolve. 00:07:54.980 --> 00:07:57.980 Both sides approached the fighting 00:07:57.980 --> 00:07:59.980 like the thirsty approaching water. 00:07:59.980 --> 00:08:02.980 A fierce battle raged between them, 00:08:02.980 --> 00:08:05.980 grinding men and weapons to dust. 00:08:05.980 --> 00:08:07.980 When the night grew dark, 00:08:07.980 --> 00:08:09.980 and wrapped the universe in its black cloak, 00:08:09.980 --> 00:08:12.980 neither side laid down its weapons, 00:08:12.980 --> 00:08:15.980 as they had done every night. 00:08:15.980 --> 00:08:19.980 Instead, they connected the fighting of the day with the fighting of the night, 00:08:19.980 --> 00:08:21.980 as if each of them had resolved 00:08:21.980 --> 00:08:23.980 not to lay down their weapons 00:08:23.980 --> 00:08:26.980 until victory had turned against their enemy. 00:08:26.980 --> 00:08:28.980 Because of this resolve 00:08:28.980 --> 00:08:31.980 which the combatants had made, 00:08:31.980 --> 00:08:34.980 because of the darkness that shrouded the universe, 00:08:34.980 --> 00:08:38.980 and because of the dust that covered the battlefield, 00:08:38.980 --> 00:08:41.980 the situation slipped from the hands of Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, 00:08:41.980 --> 00:08:43.980 the commander of the Muslim army, 00:08:43.980 --> 00:08:45.980 just as it slipped from the hands of Rustam, 00:08:45.980 --> 00:08:47.980 the commander of the Persian army. 00:08:47.980 --> 00:08:50.980 They lost control over their armies. 00:08:50.980 --> 00:08:54.070 Sa'd knew that al-Qa'qa' ibn 'Amr 00:08:54.070 --> 00:08:57.070 had advanced against the Persians without his permission, 00:08:57.070 --> 00:08:59.070 and he feared for the Muslim soldiers 00:08:59.070 --> 00:09:01.070 that a catastrophe might befall them. 00:09:01.070 --> 00:09:04.070 But he could do nothing but say, 00:09:04.070 --> 00:09:08.070 "O Allah, forgive al-Qa'qa' ibn 'Amr and grant him victory. 00:09:08.070 --> 00:09:10.070 O Allah, I have granted him permission, 00:09:10.070 --> 00:09:12.070 even if he did not ask for it." 00:09:12.070 --> 00:09:15.200 What added to his anxiety 00:09:15.200 --> 00:09:19.200 was seeing the Arab tribes advancing behind al-Qa'qa', 00:09:19.200 --> 00:09:21.200 one after another. 00:09:21.200 --> 00:09:25.200 Here is Asad rushing forward with all its might, 00:09:25.200 --> 00:09:29.200 there is Bajilah advancing with its cavalry and infantry, 00:09:29.200 --> 00:09:31.200 here is Kindah approaching, 00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:34.200 and there is Nakha' charging. 00:09:34.200 --> 00:09:38.200 So he found no choice but to pronounce his three takbirs, 00:09:38.200 --> 00:09:40.200 signaling the general offensive. 00:09:40.200 --> 00:09:43.200 The Muslims all attacked. 00:09:43.200 --> 00:09:46.200 The two opposing armies ignited 00:09:46.200 --> 00:09:49.200 the flames of a battle with flying sparks. 00:09:49.200 --> 00:09:51.200 You could see nothing in the darkness of the night 00:09:51.200 --> 00:09:55.200 except eyes like burning coals rotating in their sockets, 00:09:55.200 --> 00:09:57.200 and hear nothing but a murmur 00:09:57.200 --> 00:10:00.200 like a roar emanating from throats, 00:10:00.200 --> 00:10:03.200 and see nothing but the sparks flying 00:10:03.200 --> 00:10:06.200 from the clash of blades against blades. 00:10:06.200 --> 00:10:10.360 When the morning breathed upon that dark night, 00:10:10.360 --> 00:10:13.360 which was called the Night of Harir, 00:10:13.360 --> 00:10:17.360 exhaustion had reached its limit for both sides. 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:19.360 Their arms were weary, 00:10:19.360 --> 00:10:21.360 their resolve had weakened, 00:10:21.360 --> 00:10:24.360 and their swords had become notched. 00:10:24.360 --> 00:10:26.360 Each side wished 00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:28.360 to lay down their weapons in search of rest, 00:10:28.360 --> 00:10:31.419 yet victory had not been written for them. 00:10:31.419 --> 00:10:33.419 At that moment, 00:10:33.419 --> 00:10:36.419 al-Qa'qa' ibn 'Amr stood among the ranks of the Muslims 00:10:36.419 --> 00:10:37.419 and said, 00:10:37.419 --> 00:10:39.419 "O company of Muslims, 00:10:39.419 --> 00:10:42.419 victory will be after an hour 00:10:42.419 --> 00:10:46.419 for whoever among you or your enemy remains steadfast in fighting. 00:10:46.419 --> 00:10:50.419 So be you the ones who remain patient for this hour." 00:10:50.419 --> 00:10:53.419 Then he charged with a group of his elite men 00:10:53.419 --> 00:10:55.419 toward the Persian camp. 00:10:55.419 --> 00:10:58.519 The Muslims charged with his intensity. 00:10:58.519 --> 00:11:01.519 The sun of that day had not risen high 00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:03.519 before the ranks of the Persians 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:07.549 They were reeling under the weight of the Muslims' onslaught. 00:11:07.549 --> 00:11:10.549 A violent gale swept across the battlefield. 00:11:10.549 --> 00:11:13.549 It tore the canopy from Rustam’s throne above him. 00:11:13.549 --> 00:11:16.549 And cast it into the river. 00:11:16.549 --> 00:11:19.549 Al-Qa'qa' and those with him surged toward the throne. 00:11:19.549 --> 00:11:21.549 To strike down its occupant. 00:11:21.549 --> 00:11:23.549 Rustam leaped from it. 00:11:23.549 --> 00:11:25.549 And when he saw that the Muslim soldiers. 00:11:25.549 --> 00:11:27.549 Were on the verge of closing in on him. 00:11:27.549 --> 00:11:30.549 He threw himself into the river. 00:11:30.549 --> 00:11:33.549 One of Al-Qa'qa's men pounced upon him. 00:11:33.549 --> 00:11:36.549 And split his forehead in two with his sword. 00:11:36.549 --> 00:11:39.549 He then climbed onto the throne and began to shout: 00:11:39.549 --> 00:11:42.549 "I have killed Rustam, by the Lord of Muhammad!" 00:11:42.549 --> 00:11:45.549 "I have killed Rustam, by the Lord of the Ka'bah!" 00:11:45.809 --> 00:11:48.809 The death of Rustam was indeed. 00:11:48.809 --> 00:11:50.809 The conclusion to the greatest battle. 00:11:50.809 --> 00:11:52.809 That changed the course of history. 00:11:52.809 --> 00:11:54.809 And Al-Qa'qa' ibn 'Amr. 00:11:54.809 --> 00:11:57.809 Was the peerless hero of this battle. 00:11:57.809 --> 00:12:03.779 Without dispute. 00:12:03.779 --> 00:12:06.779 The voice of Al-Qa'qa' ibn 'Amr in the army. 00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:10.059 Was worth more than a thousand horsemen. 00:12:10.059 --> 00:12:12.059 Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him.