Jewels from History
Dr Yahya Mubashar
A word from Author Dear Reader Biographies of significant personalities in history are important for one’s self learning and character building. People can learn from the mistakes in history and also can connect to their past and their roots. Keeping my son in mind, I was looking for interesting ways to introduce our historical Muslim figures to our younger generations, in order to not only pass down Islamic values & accounts to them but also to build their character on the footsteps of the noble, virtuous and exemplary characters of great Muslim personalities in the history of Islamic civilization. They remain the best role models for us and while bringing up children in the west, it is hard to find such information in the curriculum of schools. I came across a magazine in Urdu language called “RAABTA� 25 years ago in which these articles have been written and republished. Having read, learned and benefitted from them myself, I always wanted my son to read them as well. I once translated an article into English for him and he liked it. It was his suggestion that translating them into English will widen their readership and scope. This is how it started and ended up on my web site with a new article about a personality every month. Despite my numerous attempts to contact Mr Kalim Chughtai and also the editor of RAABTA magazine via formally writing to their official address in order to inform them of my decision to translate these articles and publish them in book format, I did not get any reply from either of them. Hence I am paying my tribute by stating that I am very grateful for the original research done by Mr Kalim Chughtai for RAABTA magazine. However the original articles are not only in Urdu language restricting their outreach, but are also devoid of any pictures and explanatory notes. In addition the research is quite hard to trace since it is mostly from books in Urdu language. My contribution in this is that I have tried my best to verify the information given in each article by either of the three well known encyclopaedias namely Britannica, Encarta and Wikipedia as well as other reliable internet sources. I have also added pictures from various internet public sources to make each article more interesting and easy to understand, citing their references at the end in addition to references used by Kalim Chughtai. I have tried to build on the research done by him. The intention is not to discredit him, but to compliment his hard work by making it available to the English speaking world in a more exciting, interesting and attractive format. I am very conscious of plagiarism. Therefore the references of the sources of information and pictures are given at the end of each article. Each account of various personalities of Islamic history starts with an event in their lives making it an interesting read. These articles are arranged in chronological order with the view to understand their time line in history. They are spread over the 800 years of Golden age of Islam and Muslim civilization. They are chosen for their contribution to either their own people or their significant role in stabilizing their empire hence providing periods of prosperity, growth and development for Muslim society. The articles are not meant to be a full account of the biographies of these great Muslim leaders. They simply highlight good and inspiring aspects of their personalities.
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In the end I would like to thank my wife and son for their continuing support, encouragement and guidance, without which this work would have not been possible. I hope you will enjoy our humble contribution. Best Wishes 9th June 2009, UK
Dr Yahya Mubashar
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CONTENT Salman Al-Farsi ------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Fatima Al-Zahra ------------------------------------------------------------ 10 Hasan Basri ----------------------------------------------------------------- 15 Walid bin Abdul Malik ----------------------------------------------------- 18 Tariq Ibn Ziyad ------------------------------------------------------------- 23 Abdul Jafar Mansoor ------------------------------------------------------ 29 Harun ar-Rashid ----------------------------------------------------------- 31 Abdul Rehman II ----------------------------------------------------------- 37 Imam Bukhari -------------------------------------------------------------- 41 Mohammad bin Abi Amir Al-Mansur ------------------------------------ 45 Masood Ghaznavi ----------------------------------------------------------- 47 Alp Arsalan ------------------------------------------------------------------ 51 Malik Ul Zahir Baybars ---------------------------------------------------- 55 Imad ud din Zingi ---------------------------------------------------------- 61 Salah ud din Ayubi -------------------------------------------------------- 66 Shams ud din Altamash -------------------------------------------------- 74 Feroz Shah Tughlaq ------------------------------------------------------- 78 Mahmud Gawan ----------------------------------------------------------- 82 Emir Timor -----------------------------------------------------------------
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Ulugh Beg ------------------------------------------------------------------- 91 Sultan Mohammad Fateh (The Conqueror) ---------------------------- 95 Askia Mohammad – The Great ------------------------------------------- 100 Sikandar Lodhi ------------------------------------------------------------- 103 Suleiman – The Magnificent ---------------------------------------------- 106 Mansoor Dahabi ------------------------------------------------------------ 111 Abbas – The First ---------------------------------------------------------- 115
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Hārūn ar-Rashīd Why was the US president Theodore Roosevelt called "Haroon-al-Roosevelt" in the local newspaper in New York? Also, did you know that the Disney Character "Jafar" in animated motion picture Aladin has its origin in Haroon's court?
It was a cold night. The streets of a foothill town “Reyy” (near Tehran, Iran, in 766) were dark and empty. Chilly wind was blowing the leaves away. All residents of this town were enjoying sleep in their cosy beds. But in a fortress named “Rapindi” on top of the hill, a lady who had just given birth to a healthy, big eyed baby was looking at him with maternal affection. This was the second child of Al-Khayzuran, who was the wife of Caliph Abu Jafar Mansur’s son, Mohammad bin Mansur. Mohammad bin Mansur named the baby Harun. When Harun became 2 years old, he used to play with his brother and other children in the gardens on the hillside. His favourite activity was to spends hours enjoying Birdseye view of the foothill town from the fortress walls on the hilltop. He loved the lush green valleys and fields that stretch in front of him. Three years past by, when suddenly his father was asked by his grand dad (Caliph) to immigrate to Baghdad with his family. Mahammad binMansur made necessary arrangements and in the company of armed gaurds, the whole family started this journey, including little Harun, whose childhood eyes had not seen anything beyond Reyy and its peripheries.
Abbasid Palace Baghdad
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Mohammad bin Abi Aamir – Al Mansur He ruled Muslim Spain for 25 years, fought 50 battles and remained undefeated, yet could not force an old lady to sell her house to him.
Great Mosque of Cordoba Spain The central mosque was getting smaller for people to pray. Whenever the call for prayers (Adhan) was made, people used to stop their daily work and within no time, the inner hall and the outer lawns were full. Also a large number of people had to pray outside the mosque. It was evident that extension of the mosque is inevitable. The ruler of the country was very much aware of this need. Therefore he ordered to prepare a plan for its extension. The problem was that according to the plan, a large number of houses adjacent or in the vicinity of mosque had to be demolished, in order to proceed with the extension. On the intensions of the ruler, the owners of all the houses were called, whose houses were being considered for demolition. The ruler discussed with every house owner the importance of extension in the mosque and requested politely about selling his house to the government. He offered to pay every owner twice his asking price. One by one every house owner went away happy and satisfied with their deals.
Mosque Interior Cordoba Spain But one old lady refused to sell her house. It was a delicate matter. The old lady could not be pressurized. On the other hand, without demolishing her house, the extension was simply impossible. The agents appointed by the ruler spent ages to convince her. As the days went by, she seemed to be more determined not to sell her house. Nothing was working. At last
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Malik Al Zahir Baybars A self conscious and God fearing Muslim general, who became the first person to reverse the Tartar Mongol storm that originated from central Asia. He saved the Muslim Ummah from extinction and with his exceptional foresight and courage ended the era of Mongol terror and dominance.
The year was 1262 CE. It was a hot morning. The streets of Cairo were filled with suffered Muslims who were the victims of the barbaric Tartar Tribes and were seeking refuge into Egypt from nearby countries. One day these Muslims saw some Tartars entering Cairo. They were dressed as ambassadors and their gait and attitude reflected their arrogance. A wave of anxiety and grief swept through Cairo. Muslims were right to sense a big danger on their door steps. Tartar ambassadors wished to see the ruler of the country. A group of soldiers escorted them to the Egyptian ruler Malik Muzzafar’s court. They remained arrogant and discourteous there too. They did not observe any diplomatic etiquette and threw the letter from their ruler Halagu Khan on the face of Malik Muzzafar. The Muslim ruler instructed to read out the letter. Its contents were… “This is the order of Lord of the world. Open the gates of your cities and be obedient to us. If you follow what we ask, you will be allowed to live. If you resist, then you will face what only the sky has witnessed before!” On hearing the letter, Malik Muzzafar’s face turned worried. He raised his eye brows, but stayed cool minded and replied calmly, “We have not disturbed Halagu Khan or any part of his empire. It will be better that he should leave us in peace too.”
Tartar Mongols
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Feroz Shah Tughlaq Ever wondered if a doctor is elected as a king, or a king happens to be a doctor as well. Read about Feroz Shah Tughlaq and his strategies. Despite his government commitments, he still found time to write a book about medicine.
The siege was on for many days. One side was defending the city inside its walls. The other side was deployed outside the city. Every day the city was attacked, but the strong built wall of the city always held the attack. Also the army inside the city regularly strike back to push the invaders away. It had become a routine for many days, until one part of the city wall collapsed. That part was weak anyway and when one day, too many guards climbed over it to counter attack the invaders, it could not bear the load of so many men and collapsed. This was a great opportunity. The collapsed part left a huge hole in the wall. The invading force could easily entre the city. The senior officers immediately contacted the general of the invading army and requested permission to launch a final attack on the city. They briefed the general with the latest development and pointed out this golden opportunity. The general was already aware of the situation. Had he wished, he could have ordered for immediate attack. After pondering for few minutes, he said, “Wait. If our forces entre the city now unexpected, it will cause more bloodshed, chaos and dishonour of women. The citizens will be unduly harmed”. The officers went back and siege continued. In next few days, the stores of ration and food in the city ran out. The siege had tightened the incoming routes. No aid could reach from outside. The commander of the defending army sent out signals for surrender. On easy terms surrender was accepted. Gates of the city were opened now. The city was conquered without fierce bloodshed and the rebellious ruler had turned obedient. This was the kind hearted and far sighted general of the invading army, Feroz Shah Tughlaq strategy, who was the third ruler of Tughlaq dynasty in Indian subcontinent. He saved the citizens of “Ikdala – Bengal” from bloodshed and destruction during its siege. Feroz Shah’s 40 years of reign is known for his social reforms and service developments.
Fort at Feroz Shah Kotla - India
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Sikandar Lodhi He returned back the treasure of gold coins to the person who found it and voluntarily submitted to the treasury. Read about Sikandar Lodhi who also ordered his officials to ensure the person’s and his treasure’s safety.
Sikindar Lodhi’s Tomb, Lodhi Gardens – Delhi - India He was digging the ground. He was from the city of Sambhal in Utar Pardesh-India. All of a sudden, his spade struck something solid. Full of astonishment, he stopped digging. Looking carefully, he noticed something buried in the ground. He dug it out taking extreme care. It was a small pot. He opened it and was completely stunned to see it full of gold coins glittering in it. His happiness had no limits. He was really pleased at this divine help. Now he could fulfil all his and his family’s needs. But his happiness was short lived. Within days, the news spread around that he found a treasure. Soon the governor of the area, Qasim Khan came to know about it, who called him and forced him to submit all of it to the treasury. Then he informed the ruler of the country. The ruler ordered to return it back to the person who found it. Qasim Khan stated, “My lord, this treasure is found by a person who does not deserve to keep it”. The ruler replied, “If God considered him non-deserving, He would have not let him found it in the first place. Deserving or non deserving, all are God’s people. He gives whom he wishes. Return the treasure back to the person who found it and until a place is prepared for its safe keeping, it is your responsibility to ensure its guard for that person and his treasure”.
Gold coins of Sikandar Lodhi period This was the second ruler of Lodhi dynasty of Indian subcontinent, Sikandar Lodhi, whose 27 years of reign stand out for peace, prosperity, excellent administration and promotion of knowledge and skills. Born in 1471 AD, he was crowned at the age of 18 years.
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