Heroic Stands by Shiekh Abu Nizhar Ash Shaami: S’ad Bin Muad (ra)

Our lives are a collection of stands taken. These stands are what will decide our status and value before Allah (swt) on the Day of Judgement. Heroic stands, which changed the course of history, produced events, and greatly influenced all who witnessed them or heard of them. Heroic stands, which we mention while living at a time when most stands, we see are those of humiliation and shame. Heroic stands, we mention them whose heroes are mentioned in the Quran, and the pages of the Seerah and our Ummah's past and recent history are overflowing with them. Heroic stands, which we mention in order to take lessons from. We mention them in order to receive flames of glory, optimism, and expecting good from Allah (swt), and to prove that our Ummah, by the permission of Allah (swt), is capable of bringing back the dignified stands which will fill the world with justice and light after it was filled with injustice and tyranny.

To support a correct idea is excellent, and to spread it among the people is virtuous, but as for defending it and supporting it while bearing harm and the rejection of everyone, then that is heroism by Allah (swt). The heroic stand which our noble Messenger (saw) at length searched for manifested in the unique stand in which Sa'd bin Muad (ra) overcame his self, people, and interests. Many were those who heard the Dawah of the Prophet (saw) and accepted it. As for Sa'd bin Mu'ad(ra) then just believing was not enough for his kind since he (ra) was the leader of half of Madinah's people - the Aws. He (ra) heard a Dawah that asks amazing things of him. It asks him to disbelieve in the way of life of his ancestors and to leave his people's traditions and to take the risk of publicizing his apostasy from their way of life and beliefs. In fact, it is asking of them all to accept a message which he heard from a foreign man, not from his people. In fact, he only heard it from a student of that man, Mus'ab (ra), and not from the Messenger (saw) directly. This was a step which everyone was afraid of and rejected without hesitation. As for the stance of Sa'd (ra), then it had surpassed heroism many times over. The moment he (ra) heard the Dawah from Mus'ab (ra), the most amazing stands exploded from him. He (ra) flew to the gathering of his people, the Aws, and shouted: "The words of your men and women are forbidden for me [to hear] until you embrace Islam!" And the surprise was that they all embraced Islam. It was a stand through which Allah (swt) boosted Islam and relieved the weariness from the heart of our Messenger (saw).

The stance of supporting Islam with life, wealth, and followers, accompanied Sa'd (ra) until death. At Badr, the Messenger (saw) was asking the Ansar indirectly as if he was saying: "Will you also fight with us outside Madinah?" So, the leader of the Ansar shines once again in a historic stand: "Go forth O Messenger of Allah and we are with you. By Allah (swt), if you decided to swim through the sea, we would cross it with you." Ibn Mu'adh (ra) remained an impenetrable shield and a mighty sword for the Islamic State until he was shot, injured and bled, and was on the verge of death at Khandaq. At this time, his old allies, the Jews, request that he be the judge regarding them instead of the Messenger (saw). Sa'd (ra) stands before his former allies and friends whom are seeking his leniency and relentingness. "What is your position, O Sa'd?" "O Messenger of Allah, I sentence them to have their fighting men killed, their women and children be enslaved and their wealth divvied up". A stance by Sa'd (ra) which matched the judgement of Allah (swt) from beyond the 7 heavens. It isn't surprising with such heroic stands for his funeral to be attended by a delegation of 70,000 angels and for the throne of Allah (swt) to shake. A man who led his people and employed his leadership, sword, influence, wealth and blood to support Islam and defend its State.

O Brothers & Sisters, Muslim army officers, powerful sons of the Ummah and possessors of ranks and medals, Ibn Mu'ad was just like you; a leader among his people and commanding officer in his tribe. His heroic stands pleased the Messenger (saw), established his state and humiliated its enemies. So, will you learn such heroism from him? Will you step up to support you Ummah and hand over your leadership to the sincere Dawah carriers? Or will you remain the entourage of the treacherous tyrants? Supporting Islam is a heroic act for which the throne of Allah (swt) shook and the angels clamour for those that undertake it. The field is open before you and the Shariah of Allah (swt) is crying out: "Who are my supporters for Allah (swt)?" So, will you not be the supporters of Allah (swt)? Sa'd (ra) teaches us to cancel every loyalty and alliance with anyone but Allah (swt) and not be afraid of the consequences for the sake of Allah (swt). Supporting Islam must not have any limit or conditions. He teaches us that calling our people and followers to support the Deen is a responsibility on our necks, and that the people should work together in serving this message - serving it with blood and wealth. [Establishing] the Islamic State today requires support like that of Sa'd (ra) and a glorious stand just like his.  O Allah (swt) we ask that You make the hearts of the people of power hurry towards our Dawah and protect it and support it with Your angels and the sincere of Your righteous servants.

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