Monday, September 5, 2016

Al-Khansa’ bint ‘Amr (ra)

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O′ mothers of today! O′ Muslim ladies! There is a great model for you in Al-Khansa’ bint ‘Amr (ra)
Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr reported in his book al-Istee’ab:
“AI-Khansa’ bint ‘Amr (ra) witnessed the battle of Qadisiyah with her four sons. She addressed them on the eve of the battle and said,
‘My sons! You embraced Islam and migrated willingly. By Allah besides Whom there is no other deity worthy of being worshipped, you are all sons of one man as you are sons of one woman. I have never cheated on your father. Never have I brought disgrace upon your uncle, disparaged your esteem or altered your lineage. You know the great and abundance reward that Allah has set aside for the Muslims who fight against the disbelievers. Know that the everlasting abode is better than this transient one.

Allah says:
O you who believe! Endure and be more patient (than your enemy), and guard your territory by stationing any units permanently at the places from where the enemy can attack you, and fear Allah, so that you may be successful. [3:200]

When you wake up tomorrow morning sound and healthy by Allah’s leave, go and fight against your enemy with sure understanding and seek Allah’s help over His enemies. When you see that the war has become tense, engage yourselves in the fight gallantly and resiliently that you may attain treasures and honour in the Abode of Eternity.’ “

After this statement of al-Khansa’, I or any other creature, for that matter, has nothing better to say! Her statement is beyond any comments as it is amply comprehensive.

The narrator proceeds:
“So her sons left having accepted her admonition and determined to implement her words. When the morning came, they set out on to the battlefield early and they all fought gallantly and courageously until they were martyred one after another.
And the news of their martyrdom came to al-Khansa’! But what did she say?
Here is where the greatness of this woman manifested most. When she heard this news, she forgot her poetry, her beauty, her place among her people and all any other thing. She remembered nothing but elevation to the peak of glory and the greatness of Islam and Eeman. She (ra) said,
‘All praise is due to Allah Who honoured me with their martyrdom. And I hope that my Lord will make me join them in the Abode of His Mercy!'”

It is noteworthy to add that the commander of the faithful, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra) used to give al-Khansa' (ra) the entitlement of her four martyred sons, two hundred dirhams annually, in the name of each of them, until she died.

May Allah have mercy on al-Khansa’, the poetess! May Allah be pleased with this believing and patient lady!

[Al-Istee ‘ab, vol. 4, p. 288]

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