Heroes of Islam

Heroes of Islam

Short life sketches of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and the other Infallibles in His Holy Progeny delineating their immortal services for the cause of Islam. Preface It is well-known that every movement for the reformation of mankind thrives and progresses with the help of the sacrifices of its leaders, followers and adherents. In fact its progress is, broadly speaking in proportion to the sacrifices offered for its cause, and the length of life of the movement is also dependent on the amount and quality of such sacrifices. Islam as a movement for the reformation of mankind is no exception to this general rule. Indeed, the importance of hard striving for the cause and the offer of sacrifices for it seems to be the very core of belief. Even salvation from Divine chastisement in the Hereafter depends on striving in this world for the cause of Islam. Says Quran: O’ you who believe! Shall I show you merchandise which will deliver you from a painful chastisement? You should believe in Allah and His Prophet, and strive in the way of Allah with your possessions and your selves; that is better for you if you but knew?[1] There are many other verses wherein emphasis has been laid upon striving in the way of Allah that is, for the sake and advantage of Islam, and the believers have been exhorted to come forward with their property as well as lives in favour of Islam. The most famous verse in which believers have been told to be faced with situations which would require them to offer sacrifices of life, property and children etc. is as follows: Wewill surely test you with something of fear, and hunger and loss of wealth and lives and fruits and give glad tidings to the patient ones.[2] History testifies eloquently to the fact that Islam has been made to stay, prosper and thrive through the sacrifices and selfless efforts of numerous individuals from among its leaders and adherents. The most notable among them was, of course the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) himself as he said that he was harassed so much that no Prophet before him had been so harassed. The same applies equally to the members of his family and his holy progeny (a.s.). The great services, selfless striving and 4unique sacrifices offered by this noble group of the leaders of Islam stand as inextinguishable torch of light for the entire mankind. They were leaders of a high order in the sense that they not only exhorted others to act in a manner conducive to the benefit of Islam but each one of them ever remained in the forefront to brace the difficulties, trials and tribulations that befell them in the way of supporting Islam. Nevertheless, there were other individuals also who, after imbibing the true spirit of Islam, remained steadfast in working for its well-being and progress. The names of all such persons stand conspicuously high as torch bearers of Islam against all sorts of opposition, persecution and harassment.