The Army of the times of Scantiness

Lesson # 1080 from Holy Qur-’aan

The Army of the times of Scantiness

Surah ‘TAWBAH or BARAAA-‘AH (REPENTANCE) – Chapter – 9)

Stage – 2, Verse – 38 of 129, Section – 6 of 16 (Part – 10)

                                                                   

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Lesson

The Muslims were very confused in this Battle (the Battle of Motah). That commander was martyred who bore a standard (became a standard-bearer). At last, Khalid bin Waleed (May Allah Almighty be pleased with him) picked up the flag, took out the Muslims from the grip of the Christians intellectually and brought them to Madinah.

Then Makkah was conquered. The Battle of Hunayn and Incident of Ta’if happened one after one. When all confusions were over; well in peace and safety, and the Messenger of God Almighty (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him) reached Madinah along with the Muslim Army, then they received this News that the Christians of Syria have been preparing fully to attack over Madinah.

Messenger of Allah Almighty (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him) devised that they should warn the Christians by advancing towards them at their own. Therefore, He (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him) proclaimed openly during the month of Rajab 9^th AH that the Muslims must be ready to fight against the Christians of Syria.

The Muslims were prepared, and Messenger of God Almighty (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him) took Army of thirty thousand fighters, out of which ten thousand were horsemen, and advanced unto Syria. They stayed at the place of Tabuuk for twenty days. The Christians of Syria could not dare to come out for fighting, because Caesar of Rome, the King, depending on whom they used to leap, denied clearly helping them at this occasion. Some of the Arabian Christians, who were living all around; came to terms for paying tribute happily, and some of them became prisoners. And Messenger of God Almighty (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him) returned to Madinah, rendered victorious and aided by Heaven.

The name of this invasion is “The Battle of Tabuuk”. Muslims suffered very much during its preparation. The season was severely hot. Ripe crop of the fruit was ready for reaping. The people were desirous of easiness and shadow trees. The Army was prepared very difficultly. So, this Army is called “Jayshul-‘Asrah” that is to say; “The Army of the Times of Scantiness”. In it, some Muslims showed sloth also, but the Hypocrites crossed all limits. With effect from this verse, events of that Battle has begun which will go further on.

It is commanded: O Believers! While you have understood the meaning of Jihad, then it is your duty to be ready at every occasion. What do you mean from this dispute? You are being commanded: Get up for fighting, whereas you have been bowing down to the ground with heaviness (indolence and laziness). Comfort of the world is a casual thing and the changes of fortune. The real pleasure is the luxury of the Last Day. Worldly joy is nothing against that. Therefore, you must attain the comfort of the Hereafter by sacrificing the worldly comfort.

Detail and the events of the same Battle have been narrated from here to the end of this Chapter. And by studying those events, it can be understood that there was only one aim of Islam, inside and outside the Arab, that it should be spread in the people of the world through education and understanding under the shelter of peace and safety, so that whosoever desires willingly to embrace Islam, may enter in it unhesitatingly.

But the people opposed this duty, therefore it was necessary to let the opponents of Islam get out from the Arab, and when the external people got ready to fight, then by fighting or conversation and making treaties, the terms of peace were finalized. And the way of preaching for Islam was cleared. It was the Will of God Almighty that due to violence of the Christians, that they killed the Ambassador of the Messenger of God Almighty (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him) and even then; they prepared to fight, the door of victories in Syria and Egypt was opened. And these countries were benefited with the blessing of Islam.

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif)