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Zahir asked: ‘Tell me, who is this?’, he turned
and found it was the Prophet (pbuh), so he
continued to rub his back (and cling) onto the
chest of the Prophet (pbuh). Upon this, the
Prophet (pbuh) held him and said, in jest to those
around him: ‘Who would like to buy a slave from
me’? (Zahir) said: ‘O Messenger of Allaah, by
Allaah you will find me to be a poor sell (i.e. No
one will buy me. I’ll be of no value)’. The
Prophet said: ‘But in the sight of Allah, you are
priceless.’ [in another narration 'But with Allaah
you are valuable'].” Prophet Muhammad also
mentioned about him, “He is our man in the
desert (because he was a bedouin), and we are his
attendees in the city. [He is for us and we’re for
him.]” The Prophet recognized Zahir’s (ra) low
selfesteem and made it a point to acknowledge
him and make him feel better.
Our beloved Rasulullah (pbuh) saw
people for what they were, and elevated their
dignity despite their lack of status, wealth, and
beauty by mentioning good things about them and
their status with Allah. We need to learn more
about the character of our beloved Prophet
(pbuh), but we also have to imitate this kindness
and treat people as he had treated others.
But whatever the ordeal, Abdul Kader’s heart was
dented greatest by the betrayal of the French
promise, for the nobel General Lamorciere had
given him his word and what was more heinous to a
Muslim than to break a vow?
But it seemed Allah had other plans for the Emir,
because it was in his imprisonment that he went
from being France’s greatest enemy, to its greatest
super star. The Emir would receive hundreds of
visitors daily in Amboise castle, and the visitors
ranging from aristocracy, to common folk, to priests
were spellbound by his character and simplicity.
The Emir to them, was a man seemingly abnormal:
patient in adversity, content with his lot,
exceedingly tolerant, always cheerful, an exotic
presence, a paragon of humility and an exemplar of
good character. Soon, tales of his chivalry and his
extraordinary deeds littered the French press and he
found himself a sudden celebrity. His popularity
(though he did not know it) was at such a level that
he made it to the ballot for the French elections! The
Emir’s story does not stop there. Soon, a fierce
campaign erupted in France for his freedom,
championed surprisingly by his former prisoners!
Such was the man. The Emir’s strict adherance to
Islamic principles in warfare, his utmost contempt
for the taking of human life, and his otherworldly
magnanimity towards his enemies captivated the
French and the entire world. Here is a story of true
Jihad.
Ismail Uddin is partime dragon
slayer, part time Knight and part time
sorcerer. He disguises himself as a
student and graduate of Cambridge
Rindge and Latin High School and the
founder of it's MSA. He is also the current President
of the Cambridge Subchapter. He loves reading,
friends and saving damsels in distress. But
otherwise, you can find him blogging at
halalgotok.wordpress.com and occasionally making
delicious food all by himself.
continued on pg 7 ...
A MUNA Youth Publication