Even If The Wolves Snatched Me (3/5)

Furthermore, he thought, with his deep insight as а leader, а ruler, and а chief, that any sign of weakness which might seem to befall Islam during this decisive crisis, would provoke all forces of deterioration and darkness to jump on it from every direction.

With such faith and deep insight of his, there was formed within himself а great power, which prepared both his mind and will to confront this matter in such а way as we mentioned earlier, without which, as shown by the course of events, Islam would almost perish.

But, this faith, and this deep insight never worked far from the opinion of the public, and its right of consultation and discussion. It is true that in the crisis of apostasy, Abu Bakr could go on war (against the apostates and renegades) with no need of convincing the others, or even of his being convinced, for in this case, he would have executed а legal judgement, which neither he nor anyone of the Muslims could change, since they believed in the Holy Qur’an, and took it as their right method and way of life, and the Holy Qur'an itself stated powerfully in this connection: "And fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you".

But, Abu Bakr did not declare war (against the apostates) until all the Muslims were convinced with his opinion, and were persuaded that they were not facing only an attempt of retracting from fulfilling the obligatory charity, but they were really facing an  armed rallying, having the firm intention to proceed towards Madinah in order to destroy Islam.

At this moment, Umar said his famous statement: "It was just (after Abu Bakr had said so) that Allah expanded my chest (to accept) the opinion of Abu Bakr."

Ibn Mas'ud really illustrated this situation when he said: "Following the death of The Messenger of Allah (Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him) we were put to а situation, (which was so much critical) that we would have been ruined because of it, unless Allah Almighty had granted us (the privilege of having) Abu Bakr among us."

To some extent, it was possible to have different opinions and various points of view about this matter, which enabled Abu Bakr to put it to discussion, showing his determination to undertake the responsibility enjoined upon him by the Holy Qur'an. This range of difference in opinion about that matter was, at first, an attempt of some apostates to retract from fulfilling the obligatory charity. Then, should the fight (against the apostates) be obligatory only because of the rejection of fulfilling the obligatory charity?

To use our modem terms, we can say that the crisis started by а movement of civil rebellion, in а form of the rejection of paying taxes. Then, it turned to be an armed rebellion, in order to affirm the right of such а rejection. Should the government submissively concede to this challenge, or would it undertake the responsibility of suppressing it?

It should be put in consideration also that those who refuse to pay taxes and took arms did not remain in their houses, taking only the positions of defense in case they would be attacked. But, they called one another to proceed towards (and attack) Madinah; and this was the main point in the crisis. But in spite of that, the Muslims were so much tolerant in dealing with it, to the extent that the second man (in the Muslim society), Umar Ibn AI-Khattab adopted the opinion of making peace with them, and leaving them until they would comply with the order of Allah once again.

But let’s now leave a little the situation of apostasy, in order to discuss another situation, which was earlier than that of apostasy, in which Abu Bakr's faith in Allah and His Messenger was so much clear that this superior outstanding man turned to be matchless in his faith. It was his situation in regard to sending (the detachment of) Usamah.

Before the death of The Messenger of Allah (Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him) he had prepared an army led by Usamah Ibn Zaid, for proceeding towards Sham. On the day The Messenger of Allah (Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him) died, this army was encamping three miles far from Madinah, getting itself ready to set out (for fighting). But the death of The Messenger of Allah (Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him) postponed its advance.

There were different opinions about that army. А party from among the Muslims headed by Umar Ibn AI-Khattab thought that sending this army of Usamah was а great risk, at а time Madinah itself, the capital of the Islamic state because under the danger of the apostates' invasion of it. They thought it necessary for this army to return to Madinah, in order to face the new proceeding events. Indeed, Usamah himself, the leader of the army was of that opinion.

From the logical point of view, nothing other than this opinion adopted by Umar and Usamah seemed to be right. But Abu Bakr used to establish his own thinking depending on his faith. In his sight, every case could extend to be а subject of different verdicts, except when there was а case, in which Allah Almighty (and His Messenger) gave а command.

From this point of view, let him implement that which The Messenger of Allah (Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him) had ordered to be done, in spite of the new circumstances, and the dangers, which might threaten Madinah.

Thus, the reply of Abu Bakr to the people was: "Implement the (process of) sending (the detachment of) Usamah. By Allah! If the wolves were to snatch me away, I would implement it as The Messenger of Allah (Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him) ordered it to be. I’m not to retract from any command he gave."

This put an end to any dispute over this matter. However, Abu Bakr, with his determination, did not act upon his own judgement, to the exclusion of the opinions of the others. That is because this case was not to be а subject of consultation and discussion, particularly after The Messenger of Allah (Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him) had decided it, and given his command in regard to it. It was better for Abu Ваkr to be snatched away by wolves than to cancel а command issued by The Messenger of Allah (Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him) or to stand in the way of (implementing) his (The Prophet's) will.

On the other hand, some Muslims, including Umar Ibn AI-Khattab asked Abu Bakr to appoint as the leader of the army somebody other than Usamah, who was still, at that time, а young man, not well-experienced (in wars), since this army implied the old and highly regarded companions (of The Prophet).

This opinion might seem to be right, from the logical point of view. But Abu Bakr used, as was his habit in all cases, to have his own thinking taken from his faith. It was The Messenger of Allah (Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him) himself, who appointed Usamah as the leader of this army. The companions (of The Prophet) admitted him (as the leader) when The Messenger of Allah (Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him) was still alive. Then, would Abu Bakr remove а man appointed by The Messenger of Allah (Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him)?

As soon as Umar Ibn Al-Khattab had suggested such an opinion, this patient forbearing man became so much excited as he had never become before. Let an eyewitness describe to us this scene, saying: Abu Bakr jumped from his place and caught hold of the beard of Umar and said: "Woe to you, О Ibn AI-Khattab! Did The Messenger of Allah (Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him) appoint him (as the leader of the army) and you ask me to dismiss him?"

(Continued)