Learn about the companions, scholars, and notables | Who am I?

0:01 Stop.

0:04 Get to know the Companions, the scholars, and the prominent figures.

0:12 A new challenge: Who am I?

0:16 I am one of the Companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

0:22 I am from the nobles of the Ashja' tribe.

0:25 I arrived with my people during the early years of the Hijrah to Medina.

0:29 We met the Prophet, peace be upon him.

0:33 We embraced Islam at his hands.

0:35 We participated with him in the military expeditions.

0:38 We played a role in the battles and conquests during the early period of Islam.

0:43 I was known for my courage and valor in warfare.

0:47 In addition to my justice and integrity in dealing with both enemy and friend alike.

0:52 This led the Caliph Umar Ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him,

0:57 to choose me to lead armies in important and dangerous battles.

1:02 I marched with the army to conquer lands and liberate territories.

1:06 Until I became known as the Conqueror of al-Ahwaz.

1:11 One evening, the Commander of the Faithful, Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, was restless.

1:15 He was searching for someone with the experience and competence

1:20 to invade the lands of al-Ahwaz.

1:22 That rugged, mountainous region,

1:25 with its formidable fortresses,

1:27 in order to protect the rear of the Muslims in the lands of Iraq

1:31 from the treacherous attacks of the Persians.

1:35 Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, kept reviewing the names of his brilliant commanders.

1:40 But he found them roaming the earth, striving in the cause of Allah.

1:44 None of them remained by his side in Medina.

1:48 While he was lost in his contemplation and thought,

1:52 my name crossed his mind.

1:55 His face brightened with joy, and he said:

1:58 "I have found him, if Allah wills."

2:01 He summoned me and said to me:

2:03 "I have appointed you over an army to conquer al-Ahwaz."

2:07 I replied:

2:08 "I hear and I obey, O Commander of the Faithful."

2:11 He grasped my hand, advised me, and said:

2:15 "March forth with the blessing of Allah."

2:17 I set out with the Muslim army.

2:20 I led them through rugged paths,

2:22 and high mountains,

2:24 filled with snakes and pests,

2:27 and scorpions and swamps.

2:30 Along the way, I would exhort those with me with sermons,

2:34 and revive in them the spirit of determination and faith,

2:37 reviewing with them the verses of the Qur'an.

2:40 When we met the enemy,

2:43 a great battle took place between us.

2:46 It resulted in a great victory for the Muslims,

2:50 and a crushing defeat for the Persians, the enemies of the faith.

2:55 After the battle,

2:57 I divided the spoils among the army after setting aside the fifth.

3:01 I saw among the spoils a precious ornament.

3:04 I wanted to present it as a gift to the Commander of the Faithful, Umar.

3:08 I sought permission from the men of the army to do so,

3:11 and they consented.

3:13 I sent it with a man from my tribe, the Banu Ashja'.

3:16 I said to him:

3:18 "Go to the Commander of the Faithful in Medina,

3:21 give him the glad tidings of the victory,

3:23 and present this ornament to him,

3:25 as a gift from the spoils of the Muslims in al-Ahwaz."

3:29 When the messenger arrived in Medina,

3:32 he met with Umar,

3:34 gave him the glad tidings of the victory,

3:36 and then presented the gift to him.

3:38 When Umar saw it,

3:40 he became extremely angry,

3:43 and said to his servant, Yarfa':

3:45 "Strike him and hurt him."

3:47 When the messenger had received his share of Umar's anger,

3:51 the Commander of the Faithful said to him:

3:54 "Take this ornament back to al-Ahwaz with all speed,

3:58 and tell your commander:

4:00 'Distribute this ornament among the Muslim soldiers

4:03 before they disperse,

4:05 otherwise, I will deal with you and him in ways you will not like.'"

4:08 The messenger set out, returning to me,

4:11 and caught up with me before the army had dispersed.

4:14 He said to me:

4:16 "Allah has not blessed me in what you sent me with;

4:19 distribute this ornament among the army

4:22 before a calamity befalls me and you."

4:25 I did not leave my seat then

4:28 until I had distributed it among the Muslim soldiers.

4:32 So, who am I?

Learn about the companions, scholars, and notables | Who am I? | Episode No. (291)

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