The HAWK of the Day of AL-Yamaamah......

ZAID IBN AL-KHATTAAB

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST BENEFICENT, THE MOST MERCIFUL

Ar-Rajjaal was more dangerous to Islam than Musailamah himself because he exploited his previous association with Islam and the period he had lived with the Messenger in Al-Madiinah, memorizing many verses of the Holy Qur'aan, and his intercession to Abu Bakr (May ALLAH be pleased with him), the Caliph of the Muslims.

Ar-Rajjaal exploited all those things for evil purposes and cunningly supported and confirmed the sovereignty of Musailamah and his false prophethood.

He walked among people saying that he heard the Messenger of ALLAH say he had taken Musailamah into partnership and when the Messenger (PBUH) died, he was worthy of carrying the banner of prophethood and revelation after him.

The number of Musailamah's supporters increased to a great extent because of the lies of Ar-Rajjal and his cunning exploitation of his previous relationships with Islam and the Messenger (PBUH). When the news of Ar-Rajjal reached Al-Madiinah, the Muslims were exceedingly angry because of the lies of this dangerous apostate who used to mislead people. His evil words and deeds expanded the range of the war and intensified the conflict the Muslims had their enemies and adversaries. 

The most anxious and the most eager to meet Ar-Rajjal was Zaid Ibn Al-Khattaab, whose heroism and fame was outstanding in the biographies and books of Islamic history.

Who is Zaid Al-Khattaab?. He was the brother of 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab (May ALLAH be pleased with both). Yes! he was his elder brother. He was older than 'Umar ibn Al-Khattaab and he embraced Islam and gained the honor of martyrdom before him.

He was the ideal hero whose motto was "Action speak louder than words." His faith in ALLAH and His Messenger and His religion was strong and firm. He never stayed away from the Messenger in any setting, and in every battle he sought martyrdom more than he sought victory.

On the day of Uhud, when the fight between the believers and the polytheists was very fierce, Zaid was fighting boldly. His brother 'Umar Al-Khattaab (May ALLAH be pleased with him) saw him as his shield fell down and he was within reach of the enemies, 'Umar cried, "O' Zaid, take my shield and fight with it!." He continued fighting without his shield with astonishing heroism.

In Zaid's opinion, Ar-Rajjaal was not only an apostate but also a hypocrite and self-seeker. Zaid was, like his brother 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab, in his abhorrence of hypocrisy and lying, especially when hypocrisy aimed at selfish gain and mean purposes. For those mean purposes Ar-Rajjaal committed his atrocious acts, resulting in the numbers of Musailamah's supporters greatly increasing and causing great numbers of deaths in the Apostate Battles. First he deceived them, and finally he led them to their deaths for the sake of his devilish hopes.

His only hope was to kill Ar-Rajjaal, so he began to penetrate the enemy army like an arrow searching for its target, until he saw him. Then he began to attack him from right and left. Whenever the deluge of the battle swallowed Ar-Rajjaal and hid him, Zaid dived towards him until the waves pushed him to the surface again. Zaid approached him and stretched out his sword towards him, but the furious human waves swallowed Ar-Rajjaal again. then Zaid followed and dived after him so as not to allow him to escape.

At last, Zaid held him by his neck and with the sword, he cut off his head which was full of vanity, lies, and villainy. by the death of the great liar, the ranks of its whole army began to fall. Musailamah and Al-Mahkam Ibn At-Tufail were filled with horror. The killing of Ar-Rajjaal spread in Musailamah's army like fire on a stormy day.

TAKBIR!........

They wished, if they had any strength to fight with, they would be able to witness the triumph of the battle in its glorious conclusion. But how could that be?. Since the doors of Paradise had opened to welcome them, they were now hearing their names while they were being called to immortality!......

Zaid raise his hands towards heaven supplicating ALLAH and thanking Him for His blessings. Then he returned to his sword and his silence, as he had sworn by ALLAH not to utter a word until he had completed the victory or gained the honor of martyrdom.

The battle began to lean to the side of the Muslims and their inevitable victory began to approach rapidly. At that moment Zaid did not desire a better conclusion to his life than praying to ALLAH to grant him martyrdom on that DAY of YAMAAMAH!...

The wind of Paradise blew to fill his soul with longing, his eyes with tears, and his determination with firmness. he began to fight as if he was searching for his glorious destiny, and the hero fell!. So he died a martyr, magnanimously, gracefully and happily. The Army of Islam returned to Al-Madiinah victorious.

While 'Umar and the Caliph Abu Bakr were welcoming those who were returning triumphantly, 'Umar began to search for his home coming brother with longing eyes. 

Zaid was to tall that he could be easily recognized. But before 'Umar had strained his eyes, one of the returning Muslims approached and consoled him. 'Umar said, "May ALLAH have mercy upon Zaid, he preceded me into two instances. He embraced Islam before me and gained martyrdom before me, too."

In spite of the victories that Islam won and enjoyed, 'Umar Al-Faaruuq never forgot his brother Zaid, and always said  "When ever the east wind blows, I smell the scent of Zaid." 

Yes! The east wind carries the perfume of Zaid (May ALLAH be pleased with him).

Blessings be upon Al-Khattaab under the flag of the Messenger (PBUH). Blessed be they the moment they embraced Islam. Blessed be they when they fought and were martyred. and blessings be upon them in the hereafter.

Alhamdulillah.... 

TAKBIR!....

TAKBIR!.....

TAKBIR!....

Source: book..one of my favorite....