Changing the face of the earth
Tuesday, 01 April 2008
Written by Abdul-Rahim Ammar
Qotoz realized that his life span can’t be shortened by bravery and that Allah is in control and the whole universe belongs to Him. The Prophet (pbuh) says: “O people, fear Allah and don’t ask too much, a person will not die before he or she gets their full share, no matter how slow his or her share is. So fear Allah and don’t ask too much. Take what is permitted and leave what is forbidden.” [:] May Allah shower Qotoz with His mercy; he showed us how to live by the Qur’an and how to absorb the wisdom of the Prophet until it becomes our nature. These were the ten reasons for victory.
That was the story of the Mongols and Ein Jalout, a natural cycle of history, a nation rises and falls, another nation rises and falls, and so on until the end of this earth. “If a wound has touched you, be sure a similar wound has touched the others. Such days (of varying fortunes) we give to men and men by turns: that Allah may know those that believe, and that He may take to Himself from your ranks martyr-witnesses (to Truth). And Allah loves not those that do wrong.” [Qur’an 3:140]
We saw in our story how the face of the earth was changed by the appearance of Genghis Khan and how it changed again by the appearance of Qotoz. Both had a remarkable effect, but the difference was huge. Genghis Khan got his power from killing, destruction and looting, while Qotoz got his power from his strong belief. It is easy to destroy, but it is much harder to build. It is easy to get upset but it is much harder to forgive. Qotoz deserved to be granted victory because he built a civilization, while Genghis Khan destroyed many.
“Allah said: ‘Go thy way; if any of them follow thee, verily Hell will be the recompense of you (all) – an ample recompense.” [Qur’an 17:63]
“Were you to follow the common run of those on earth, they will lead you away from the Way of Allah. They follow nothing but conjecture: they do nothing but lie.” [Qur’an 6:116]
“Yet no faith will the greater part of mankind have, however ardently you would desire it.” [Qur’an 12:103]
People believe that one person cannot change the face of the earth, but it is clear that not only prophets and messengers changed history, but also many regular people did; such as Abu-Baker, Omar ibn Abd El-Azeez, Salah El-Deen Al-Ayouby, and others. Yes they are few and far between, but their effect lasts for so long. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Allah sends one who will refresh the religion for this nation every 100 years.”
Qotoz was one of those. He was described as a brave knight, politician, religious man, loved by his people, defeated the Mongols, cleared the land of them; he was a blond young man, full bearded and handsome. To him the victory of Ein Jalout belonged; may Allah reward him with paradise and acceptance.
We see that historians always comment on the love of people as a mark for greatness. The Prophet (peace be upon him) says: “When Allah loves a servant, he calls Jibril and says: ‘I love that person, so love him’. Then Jibril love him and he calls in the heavens: ‘Allah loves that person, so love him’. So they love him and he is granted acceptance and love on earth. And if Allah hates a servant, he calls Jibril and says: ‘I hate that person, so hate him’. So Jibril hates him and he calls in the heavens: ‘Allah hates that person, so hate him’. Then he would be granted hatred on earth.”
Why not work on ourselves and our families to generate another Qotoz; it might be your son or your brother. We study history to learn: “Remember you were on the nearer side of the valley, and they on the farther side, and the caravan on lower ground than you. Even if you had made a mutual appointment to meet, you would certainly have failed in the appointment: but (thus you met); that Allah might accomplish a matter already enacted; that those who died might die after a clear Sign (had been given). And verily, Allah is He Who hears and knows (all things).” [Qur’an 8:42]
The big surprise in Qotoz’s story is that he only lasted for 11 months, 17 days on the throne; he died in less than a year; all those great achievements in less than a year. He died fifty days after the victory of Ein Jalout, but his greatness is not measured by days, it is measured rather by achievements.
Qotoz established the strong Mamaleek Kingdom, which lasted for almost 300 years, defending Islam and Muslims. Al-Ezz (the famous scholar and Imam) cried so hard when Qotoz died and said: “May Allah be merciful with his youth, if he lived he would have revived Islam’s youth.”
Qotoz’s personality was created by sticking to the Qur’an and Sunna. This religion is capable of bringing up people like Qotoz; the Prophet (peace be upon him) says: “I left amongst you that which if you hold on tight, you will not go astray: the book of Allah and my sunna.” In the end, everybody is gone, the good and the bad, years and years past, what is left is the lessons we learn.
“O my Lord! Thou hast indeed bestowed on me some power, and taught me something of the interpretation of dreams and events – O thou creator of the heavens and the earth! Thou art my Protector in this world and in the Hereafter. Take Thou my soul (at death) as one submitting to Thy Will (as a Muslim), and unite me with the righteous.”[ Qur’an 12:111]
The Prophet (pbuh) says: “Allah guarantees to whoever goes out to strive in His cause and nothing made him go out except to strive for Allah’s sake, believing in Him and His messengers; that he will be admitted to Paradise or he will return him to his home from which he left with what he hoped for in booty and rewards.”[] Allah’s rule remains without change: “If Allah helps you, none can overcome you: if He forsakes you, who is there, after that, that can help you? In Allah, then, let Believers put their trust.” [Qur’an 3:160]
We pray for Allah to make our lives for Him, our actions and our words as those of the prophet’s companions when they said: “We are the people who made a deal with Muhammad to give ourselves for Allah as long as we lived.”
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|