200as tu-sunnah) were the fWD fundamental references, and when faced with
new situations, the keepers of those teachings were to make usc: of their
critical intelligence, th eir common sense, and their legal creativity to find
new answers that remained faithful to Islamic principles but fit the new
context. The fundamentals of Islam's creed (al-aqida/;) and ritual practice
(al-ib(ldot) wefe not subject to change, nor were the essential principles of
ethics, but the implementation of those ethical principles and the
response to new siruations about which scriptural sources had remained
vague o r silent required answers adapted to particular circumstances. T he
Prophet'S Companions had understood this, and he had imparted to them
both the knowledge and the confidence required to go ahead and obse rve
the world and its viciss itudes, cenain that they now had the spiritual and
intellectual means to remain faithful to their Creator's message.An Expedition, and N arureA few months after his return to Medina, in the eleventh year of hi/mh,
the P rophet decided to send an expedition to the north, near Mutah and
Palestine, where a few rears earlier Jafar, Abdullah, and Zayd had been
killed. To everyone's surprise, he gave the command to young Usamah,
Zayd's son, who was only twenty ye ars old, though this thrce-tho usa nd-
strong afmy included such men as Umar and other expetienced Com-
panions.) This choice gave rise to much criticism, but the Prophet react-
ed veq' promptly and put an end to all arguments when he proclaimed:
"You criticize the choice o f Usamah [ 0 command the army. as rou had
formerly criticized that of his father Zayd. Usamah is truly won], y of the
command I entrust him with, as his father was before him."4 In the past,
some Muslims had reacted [0 the choice of Zard because they still con-
sidered him as a slave, though he had been freed; now some opposed the
choice of his son, perhaps because o f his father, but mostly because of
his young age. By confirming his choice, the Prophet informed them that
neither a man's social origin no r his age should prevem him fro m exe[[-
ing authority and powe r if he possessed the spiritual, intellectual, and
moral Cjuatities [eguired. One had [Q ~how discernment by offering [he
most d estitute in society real eguality of opportunity and trusting the
young so thal everybody could express their skills and talents. On a more