Faith and Self Denial
TheIslamicmilitaryeducationseedsfaithandself-denialintheminds
ofthearmedforces.Thesetwoelementswerethedistinctivefeaturesof
theIslamicarmyinthefirstages.Blissanddelightwerenoticedonthe
faceofthe martyrs. Soldierswelcomedthe battlefieldsandusedto ex-
pressthedaysoftheirmartyrdomasdaysofraptureandpleasure.After
the battles, they were depressed because they had not caught martyr-
dom.Owingtotheirgreatfaith,theythrongedtodeathforGod’ssake.
Historians mentionthat Anas bin Annadr, duringthe battleof Uhud,
passedbyagroupofMuslimsoldierswhoceasedtheiractivitiesbecause
theythoughttheProphethadbeenkilled.Anassaidtothem,“Whatwill
youdowith yourlivesafterthe Prophet?Standupandseekthedeath
forthesakeofwhathehadbeenkilledfor.”Hethenbravelypushedin
themidstofthebattlefield,untilhewaskilled.Afterthebattle,hisbody
wasthetargetof morethanseventystrokesandstabs.Hissistercould
recognize him only by a sign in his fingertip..
Historians also related that a Muslim soldier, under the command-
mentofMuslimabinabdil-Melik,watchedaplacethattheIslamicarmy
hadchosenasaholethroughwhichtheywouldattacktheenemies.The
whole night, that soldier worked in that holepainstakingly. The next
morning, the Islamic army noticed that the hole had been complete.
Muslims attacked the enemy and triumphed. The commander then
wantedthatsoldierto rewardhim, buthedidnot emerge. Thatnight,
thesoldiercamesecretlytothecommanderandaskednottomentionhis
name in the missive he would send to the caliph. The commander
responded.
The Islamic army could achieve many triumphs and establish that
greatunprecedented empire dueto thishigh spirit. Othernations em-
bracedIslamfaithfullyanddeeplybecausetheycouldnoticethedignity,
prestige, and protection against exploitation and egocentricity.