Quiz competition topics and material index

Topic 1: Seerah #-#

Topic 2: Companion #-#

*Topic 3: Quran #-#

*Topic 4: History #-#

Topic 5: Youtube

By studying the Seerah we should derive lessons and morals that can help us in our lives today.

Topic 1: Lesson from the Seerah

Part 1: The gardens of saba

All perfect praise is due to Allah; I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger; may Allah exalt his mention, as well as his family and all his companions.

Allah Says (what means): “There was for [the tribe of] Saba’ in their dwelling place a sign: two [fields of] gardens on the right and on the left. [They were told]: 'Eat from the provisions of your Lord and be grateful to Him. A good land [you have], and a forgiving Lord.' But they turned away [refusing], so We sent upon them the flood of the dam [i.e. the overwhelming flood that caused a break in their dam], and We replaced their two [fields of] gardens with gardens of bitter fruit, tamarisks and something of sparse lote trees. [By] that We repaid them because they disbelieved. And do We [thus] repay except the ungrateful?And We placed between them and the cities which We had blessed [In the lands of what is now southern Syria and Palestine] [many] visible cities. And We determined between them the [distances of] journey [i.e., We placed the intermediate settlements at calculated distances for the convenience of travellers.], [saying]: 'Travel between them by night or by day in safety.' But [insolently] they said: 'Our Lord! Lengthen the distance between our journeys,' and wronged themselves, so We made them narrations [i.e., their story became a tale related amongst people to take an example from] and dispersed them in total dispersion. Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful. And Satan had already confirmed through them [i.e. the people of Saba’] his assumption [i.e., that mankind could readily be misled by him.], so they followed him, except for a party of believers. And he had over them no authority except [it was decreed] that We might make evident who believes in the Hereafter from who is thereof in doubt. And your Lord, over all things, is Guardian.” [Quran 34: 15-21] The people of Saba’ were the kings of Yemen and Balqees, the wife of Sulaymaan, may Allah exalt his mention, was from them. The people of Saba’ lived happy and joyful lives that were full of blessings; their sustenance was abundant and their trees and plants very fruitful. Allah sent messengers to them, instructing them to eat from what He had provided for them and show gratitude towards Him, as well as to worship Him alone and believe in His oneness. They adhered to these instructions for a while, but then shunned His commandments, and were thus punished by a flood on their land. Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that a man came to the

Prophet  and asked him whether Saba’ was a name of a man, a woman or a land;

Topic 3: Quran

the Prophet   answered by saying: “It is the name of a man who had ten children from his progeny, all of whom were Arab; six of them later lived in Yemen and four in Shaam (i.e., ancient Syria). The ones in Yemen were later known as the tribes of Mathhij, Kindah, Al-Azd, Al-Ashaa’iriyyoon, Anmaar and Himyar. As for the ones who lived in Shaam, they were to be the known tribes of Lakhm, Juthaam, ‘Aamilah and Ghassaan.”[Ahmad] 

Imaam Ibn Katheer,   said: “The meaning of the saying of the Prophet  : “…who had ten children from his progeny, all of whom were Arab” is that these ten descended from his offspring, to whom all the Arab tribes originate. It does not mean that they were his direct children, because between him and some of them were two or three generations, and more in some cases. After the flood of the dam hit their area, some remained in their land, while others left to other locations.” End of quote. The sign that Allah gave to them refers to their land, which was blessed with fields of gardens, as well as being protected from afflictions, all of which necessitated gratitude. These gardens yielded enough fruits to suffice them, so they were overwhelmed by the happiness of being free from need. Allah commanded them to express gratitude for these favours, namely:  

1.    The abundant provision He provided for them from these two gardens.2.    Good land, a beautiful climate and few cases of sickness (i.e., they rarely became sick

due to the nice weather Allah blessed them with).3.    The forgiveness they were promised in return for expressing gratitude towards Allah. Instead of continuing to be thankful, they turned away and shunned the commandments of

Allah; they shunned monotheism and His worship, and refused to be thankful; they began worshipping the sun instead of Allah, as the hoopoe bird informed Sulaymaan, may Allah exalt his mention, saying, as Allah informs us what means: “… 'I have come to you from Saba' with certain news. Indeed, I found there a woman ruling them, and she has been given of all things, and she has a great throne. I found her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of Allah, and Satan has made their deeds pleasing to them and averted them from [His] way, so they are not guided.”  [Quran27: 22-24]

 The flood that Allah sent upon them comprised of a huge amount of water, which resulted

in the total destruction of their gardens; their fruitful trees were rendered into others that were useless, bearing bitter fruits. Look what happened to them! Look how their gardens, with their fruitful trees, pleasant shade and fine natural views, were rendered into thorns and trees with bitter fruits, all of

which resulted from their ungratefulness, their refusal of the truth and their association with Allah. What was the result? “…That We repaid them”meaning that they were punished. Allah knew that these people needed to travel in order to conduct trade with people of other villages, so He facilitated for them the means to reach these places for trade in a very easy manner, without them having to encounter any difficulties or feeling fearful in the least whilst on their journeys. This was another of the favours that Allah had bestowed upon them. There were villages along their way which were close in distance, so that they would not have to carry much provision and water for their trips; also, the way to their destination was simple and well-known so that they would not get lost. Their travel was safe, regardless of whether they travelled during the day or by night, as an additional bounty. Nonetheless, they did not appreciate these bounties and favours from Allah, and instead of being grateful, they requested that Allah make their trips lengthy. They became very ungrateful and supplicated for distances that demanded large amounts of provision for their trips; therefore, their journeys became frightening ones, which also required much effort to complete. These people acted just as the children of Israel did with Prophet Moosaa, may Allah exalt his mention, when they requested him to provide them with green herbs, cucumbers, garlic, lentils and onions instead of having the bountiful provisions and life that Allah had provided them with; this is why Allah addressed the children of Israel saying what means: “…'Would you exchange what is better for what is less? Go into [any] settlement and indeed, you will have what you have asked.' And they were covered with humiliation and poverty and returned with anger from Allah [upon them]…”  [Quran 2: 61] The punishment that befell them was exemplary; an illustration for people of how they would instigate the punishment of Allah if they were to ever act with ungratefulness. Also, it is a lesson for the afflicted to persevere through hardships; it is also proof that punishment befalls the disobedient in this life prior to the one they will face in the Hereafter. Mutarraf, may Allah be pleased with him, used to say: “The best slave is he who when blessed gives thanks and when afflicted, perseveres.” 

Suhayb ibn Sinaan,may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet   said: “How wonderful is the case of a believer! There is goodness for him in everything, and this is not the case with anyone except for a believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah, and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently, and that is also good for him.”[Muslim]

 Satan has taken a vow to mislead mankind, as Allah informs us, saying what means: “[Satan] said: 'By your might, I will surely mislead them all. Except, among them, Your chosen servants.'”  [Quran 38: 82-83] Satan was not certain of what he would do, because he could not have been; this is due to the fact that what

would happen in the future was something of the unknown and unseen for him, and thus it was merely an assumption on his part. The people of Saba’ in general are amongst those for whom Satan’s assumption came true, and they indeed followed his way. On the other hand, there was a group of them who did not follow Satan, and these were thus included in the exception mentioned in the abovementioned verses of Chapter Saad. Allah affirms that Satan has no power or authority over people to force them to do

anything; Imaam Al-Hasan Al-Basri,   said: “I swear by Allah! Satan has no stick with him with which he hits people to (force them to) follow his way; this is nothing but whispers and self-delusion on the part of people – he simply calls people, and they respond.” End of quote. The wisdom behind allowing Satan to do what he does and whisper to people is to test them and make evident those amongst them who are truthful, and those who are liars. There are many lessons one can derive from this great story, the following are but some of them: 

·       The people of Saba’ are a real life example to anyone who even contemplates being rebellious to the commands of Allah, or ungrateful regarding His favours. Allah warns people, especially the rich amongst them, to not follow in the footsteps of the people of Saba’ or imitate them, lest the same punishment befalls them.

·       It is mentioned in many places in the Qur’aan that certain disbelievers enjoyed gardens and fruits, but these gardens were squandered and eventually faced destruction; this story is one such example. Another example concerns Pharaoh and his people, about whom Allah Says (what means): “So We removed them from gardens and springs. And treasures and honourable station – Thus. And We caused to inherit it the Children of Israel.” [Quran 26: 57-59]

·       Allah is the only Provider and Sustainer.

·       The punishment of Allah follows very quickly when people are rebellious and shun His commands. It is the way of Allah that whenever people shun His commandments He sends punishment down upon them, and there are numerous verses in the Qur’aanaddressing this issue, such as the saying of Allah which means: “And Allah presents an example: a city [i.e., Makkah] which was safe and secure, its provision coming to it in abundance from every location, but it denied the favours of Allah. So Allah made it taste the envelopment of hunger and fear for what they had been doing.”  [Quran 16: 112]

·       If the slave does not thank Allah for a favour, his punishment could be through that very favour. Water was one of the favours that the people of Saba’ had been bestowed with, and they were punished with it when they were ungrateful for it and shunned the commands of Allah.

·       Allah never punishes people without them being deserving of it due to their sinning and disobedience, as Allah Says what means:“…And We would not destroy the cities except while their people were wrongdoers.”  [Quran 28: 59]

·   Only those who persevere and are grateful would benefit from the lessons of the Qur’aan and the signs of Allah, despite the fact that all people observe these signs, yet the heedless never benefit from them, as Allah Says what means: “And how many a sign within the heavens and the earth do they pass over while they, therefrom, are turning away.”  [Quran 12: 105] 

 There are three types of perseverance:

·   In performing acts of obedience·   In refraining from prohibitions·   During decrees of Allah that are painful

 There are three ways of expressing gratitude to Allah:

·   By the heart: through having it devoted to the One bestowing the favours, and acknowledging that He is the source of all favours.

·   By the limbs: through continuously being obedient to Him and using His favours in ways that please Him.

·   By the tongue: through the repeated mentioning, praising and glorification of Him.

Topic 2: Dhul Qarnayn

Chapter 10. Dhul QarnainAllah the Almighty says:

{And they ask you about Dhul-Qarnain. Say: "I shall recite to you something of his story." Verily, We established him in the earth, and We gave him the means of everything. So he followed a way. Until, when he reached the setting place of the sun, he found it setting in a spring of black muddy (or hot) water. And he found near it a people. We (Allah) said (by inspiration): "O Dhul-Qarnain! Either you punish them, or treat them with kindness." He said: "As for him (a disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah) who does wrong, we shall punish him, and then- he will be brought back unto his Lord, Who will punish him with a terrible torment (Hell)."But as for him who believes (in Allah's Oneness) and works righteousness he shall have the best reward, (Paradise), and we (Dhul-Qarnain) shall speak unto him mild words (as instructions)." Then he followed another way. Until, when he came to the rising place of the sun, he found it rising on a people for whom We (Allah) had provided no

shelter against the sun. So (it was)! And We knew all about him (Dhul-Qarnain). Then he followed (another) way. Until, when he reached between two mountains, he found, before (near) them (those two mountains), a people who scarcely understood a word. They said: "O Dhul-Qarnain! Verily Yajuj and Majuj (Gog and Magog) are doing great mischief in the land. Shall we then pay you a tribute in order that you might erect a barrier between us and them?" He said: "That (wealth, authority and power) in which my Lord had established me is better (than your tribute). So help me with strength (of men),] will erect between you and them a barrier. "Give me pieces (blocks) of iron;" then, when he had filled up the gap between the two mountain-cliffs, he said: "Blow;" then when he had made them (red as) fire, he said: "Bring me molten copper to pour over them." So they (Yajuj and Majuj (Gog and Magog))) could not scale it or dig through it. Dhul- Qarnain) said: "This is a mercy from my Lord, but when the Promise of my Lord comes, He shall level it down to the ground. And the Promise of my Lord is ever true."} (Al-Kahf, 83-98)

 

Was He a Prophet?Allah the Almighty praised Dhul-Qarnain in the Glorious Quran for his justice. He ruled over the easts and wests and many regions where he subjected their peoples and ruled them with perfect justice. The most likely opinion is that he was just a king.

Also, he was said to be a Prophet, or a Messenger. However, the most unlikely opinion thereof was that he was an Angel. The latter was narrated after the Leader of the Faithful, Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) who heard a man calling another saying: 0 Dhul-Qarnain! He (Umar) said: Shut up! Was it not enough with you to name yourselves after the Prophets, that you take names after those of the Angels?"

 

It is reported that Abdullah Ibn Amr said: Dhul-Qarnain was a Prophet. Conversely, Abu Hurairah narrated that Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) said: "I do not know whether Tubba was a cursed one or not? And, I do not know whether Hudud (the Prescribed Penalties) are

expiatory for their people or not? And, I do not know whether Dhul-Qarnain was a Prophet or not?" (This Hadith is Odd and Strange).

 

In other narration, Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) transmitted a report that goes to the saying that Dhul-Qarnain was a good king whose work was praised in Allah's Book (the Glorious Quran); he was made victorious; and Al-Khadir was his minister, leader of his army, and his consultant.

 

Al-Azraqi and others mentioned that Dhul-Qarnain embraced Islam at the hands of Ibrahim (Abraham) (Peace be upon him) and that he circumambulated around the Ka bah with him and his son, Ismail (Peace be upon them). Also, it was narrated after Ubaid Ibn Umair and his son, Abdullah and others: that Dhul-Qarnain set out on foot to perform Pilgrimage. Upon hearing this, Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) welcomed him and invoked Allah for his sake and gave him advice as well. In addition, Allah the Almighty subjugated for Dhul-Qarnain the clouds to carry him wherever he wished. Allah knows best!

 

Why was he called "Dhul-Qarnain" (i.e. Owner of the two horns)?This is a controversial issue, that there is not a definite known reason behind this. Some said: he had something on his head that looked like two horns. Wahb Ibn Munabih said: He had two horns of brass on his head. (This interpretation is very weak)

 

Some scholars from among the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) said: This is because he ruled over Persian and Roman territories. It was also said: that he reached the first ray of the rising sun on the east and that on the west and he ruled over all that was in between. (The latter opinion is more likely true, which is the saying of Az-Zuhari)

 

Al-Hasan Al-Basri said: He had two braids of hair that he used to fold up and thus was called "Dhul-Qarnain". And, Ishaq Ibn Bishr narrated that

the grandfather of Umar Ibn Shuaib said: Dhul Qarnain, once, invited a tyrant king to the way of Allah. The king hit him on the head and broke one of his horns. Dhul-Qarnain invited him again and the tyrant broke the second horn. Thus, he was called "Dhul-Qarnain".

 

Narrated Ath-Thawri that Ali Ibn Abu Talib (May Allah be pleased with him) was once asked about Dhul-Qarnain. He replied saying: He was a rightly-guided and pious man. He invited his people to Allah, but they hit him on his horn (side of the head) and he was killed. Allah the Almighty resurrected him and he invited them again, again they hit him on his second horn and he was killed (for the second time). Allah the Almighty revived him and thus he was called "Dhul- Qarnain". In other narrations, it was narrated by Abu At-Tufail after Ali Ibn Abu Talib that he said: He was neither a Prophet, nor a Messenger, nor an Angel, but was a godly, pious worshipper.

 

What's his Name?Scholars disagreed regarding his name. Az Zubair Ibn Bakkar narrated after Abdullah Ibn, Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him): His name was Abdullah IbnAd-Dahhak Ibn Mad; or Musab Ibn Abdullah Ibn Qinan Ibn Mansur Ibn Abdullah Ibn Al-Azd Ibn Ghauth Ibn Nabt Ibn Malik Ibn Zaid Ibn Kahlan Ibn Saba Ibn Qahtan.

 

It has been narrated in a Hadith that he was from the tribe of Himyar and that his mQther was Roman, and he was called the Philosopher for the excellence of his mentality. However, As-Suhaili said: his name was Marzaban Ibn Marzabah. This was mentioned by Ibn Hisham who mentioned in another location that his name was: As-Sab Ibn Dhi Maraid who was the grandfather of the Tababiah and it was him who gave the verdict to the benefit of Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) pertaining to the well of As-Sab.

 

It was said: He was Afridun Ibn Asfiyan who killed Ad-Dahhak. Al-Qass Ibn Sa idah Al-Iyadi said in his famous sermon: 0 folk of Ayad Ibn As-

Sab! Dhul- Qarnain ruled over the west. and east, subjugated the Jinn and mankind, and he lived for two thousand years. However, all this was just like a twinkle of the eye.

 

Ad-Daraqutni and Ibn Makula mentioned that his name was Hirmis, or Hirwis Ibn Qitun Ibn Rumi Ibn Lanti Ibn Kashaukhin Ibn Yunan Ibn Yafith Ibn Nuh (Noah (Peace be upon him)), and Allah knows best!

 

Ishaq Ibn Bishr narrated after Said Ibn Bashir on the authority of Qatadah as saying: Alexander was (called) Dhul-Qarnain, his father was the first Caesar, and he was from among the offspring of Sam Ibn Nuh (Noah (Peace be upon him)).

 

At this conjecture one should distinguish between two people who were called Dhul-Qarnain. The first is our pious Dhul-Qarnain while the second is Alexander Ibn Philips Ibn Masrim Ibn Hirmis Ibn Maitun Ibn Rumi Ibn Lanti Ibn Yunan Ibn Yafith Ibn Yunah Ibn Sharkhun Ibn Rumah Ibn Sharfat Ibn Tufil Ibn Rumi Ibn AI-As far Ibn Yaqz Ibn Al-lis Ibn Ishaq Ibn Ibrahim (Peace be upon him). This lineage was stated by Al-Hafiz Ibn Asakir in his Tarikh (History). Moreover, he was the Macedonian, Greek, Egyptian leader who established Alexandria and basing on whom the Romans set their Calendar. He came after the first Dhul-Qarnain with a very long time. This was three hundred years before Jesus (Peace be upon him). His minister was the famous Philosopher Artatalis. Moreover, he was the one who killed Dara Ibn Dara, and subjugated the Persian kings and seized their lands. We only drew the readers attention to this because many people think that the two men called "Dhul-Qarnain" are me, which is a big mistake for there were great differences between both. The first was a godly, pious, righteous worshipper of Allah the Almighty, and he was a just king whose minister was the pious man, Al-Khadlr. Moreover, some scholars stated that he was a Prophet as well. Whereas, the latter was a polytheist whose minister was a philosopher as mentioned earlier. In addition, the time elapsed between them both was more than two thousand years. Hence, none can miss the great differences and variance between both of them but an ignorant idiot who know nothing at all!

 

Allah's Saying: {And they ask you about Dhul-Qarnain} was revealed because the people of Quraish asked the Jews of something about which they would ask the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to test his knowledge. The Jews told them: Ask him about a man who traveled through the earth, and about some young men who set out and no one knew what happened to them? Thereupon, Allah the Almighty revealed the stories of the Owners of the Cave and that of Dhul-Qarnain. Thus, He said: {Say: I shall recite to you something of his story}, i.e. enough and sufficient news about him and his status. Then, He said: {Verily, We established him in the earth, and We gave him the means of everything}, i.e. Allah the Almighty expanded his kingdom and provided him with what might enable him to gain what he wished to. Narrated Qutaibah that Ali Ibn Abu Talib was once asked about Dhul- Qarnain: how could he reach the east and west? Ali replied: The clouds wert subjugated for him, the means (of everything) were provided to him, and he was given extension pertaining to the light. Ali added: Do you want me to go on? The man became silent and thereupon, Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) became silent.

 

Narrated Abu Ishaq As-Subaii after Amr Ibn Abdullah Al-Wadai: "I heard Muawiyah as saying: four persons ruled over the earth: Sulaiman Ibn Dawud the Prophet (Peace be upon them), Dhul-Qarnain, a man from the people of Hulwan, and another man. Someone said: was it Al-Khadir? Muawiyah said: No."

 

Az-Zubair Ibn Bakkar narrated that Sufyan Ath Thawri said: I have come to know that four persons ruled over the whole earth: two of them were believers and the other two were disbelievers. The believing two were: Prophet Sulaiman and Dhul-Qarnain. And, the disbelieving two were: Namrud and Bikhtinassar." The same was narrated by Sa id Ibn Bashir.

 

Narrated Ishaq Ibn Bishr after Said Ibn Abu Urubah after Qatadah after Al-Hasan as saying: "Dhul-Qarnain was a king after Namrud. He was a pious, righteous Muslim who travelled through the east and west. Allah

the Almighty prolonged his life and granted him victory over the enemies and to ge1 hold of their properties. He conquered the land, subjugated the people and travelled through the earth till he reached the east and west. Allah the Almighty says: {And they ask you about Dhul-Qarnain. Say: "I shall recite to you something of his story." Verily, We established him in the earth, and We gave him the means of everything}, i.e. knowledge of seeking the means of fulfilling things. Ibn Ishaq said: Muqatil claimed that he used to conquer the lands and collect treasures, and used to offer the people two choices: whether they embrace his religion and follow him, or they be killed.

 

Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, Said Ibn Jubair, Ikrimah, Ubaid Ibn Yala, As-Sadiy, Qatadah and Ad-Dahhak said: {and We gave him the means of everything}, i.e. knowledge. Qatadah and Matar Al-Warraq said: This means landmarks, locations, milestones and traces of the land. Abdur Rahman Ibn laid Ibn Aslam said: this means languages as he used not to conquer a people but he first speaks with them in their own language. The most possible and true explanation is that he knew all means through which he could fulfil his need or desire. As he used to take from every conquered region the provisions that enabled him to seize the next region, and so on.

 

Some scholars from among the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) mentioned that he spent one thousand and six hundred years travelling through the land inviting people to the worship of Allah the Almighty Who has no partner in His Dominion. But, it seems that there is some exaggeration in specifying that lengthy period, and Allah knows best!

 

Allah's statement {So he followed a way. Until, when he reached the setting place of the sun} i.e. he reached the place that no one can ever overpass, and he stood on the edge of the western ocean called Oqyanus wherein the islands called Al-Khalidat "The Eternal Ones". There, he could watch the setting of the sun. {He found it setting in a spring of black muddy (or hot) water}, i.e. the sea or ocean, as one

who stands ashore sees the sun as if it rises from and sets in the sea. For this he said {he found it}, i.e. as he thought.

 

Imam Ahmed narrated after Yazid Ibn Hamn after Al-Awwam Ibn Haushab as saying: I was told by a freed-slave of Abdullah Ibn Amr after Abdullah as saying: Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) looked at the sun when it sat and said: "In Allah's blazing fire. Were it not for its prevention by Allah's Command, it would burn all that is on earth." (This Hadith is very Strange and Odd and surely it is not an Authentic one)

 

Dhul-Qarnain is Seeking the Eye of Life:Ibn Asakir reported a lengthy narration in which: Dhul-Qarnain had a friend from among the Angels called Ranaqil. Dhul-Qarnain asked him: Do you know the place on earth called "the Eye of Life"? The Angel described to him its location. Dhul-Qarnain set out seeking it appointing Al-Khadir as his harbinger. Al-Khadir came upon it in the land of darkness and he drank thereof. But, Dhul- Qarnain did not make it. However, Dhul-Qarnain met with a group of Angels in a palace there and he was given a stone. When he returned to his army, he asked the scholars who put it on a scale and put on the other one thousand stones of the like (weight and shape). However, the scale containing the first stone tilted. He, then, asked Al-Khadir who put on the other scale a single stone and a handful of dry dust. Al-Khadirs scale tilted this time. He then commented saying: "This is like the son of Adam, he is never satisfied till he is buried (covered with dust)". Thereupon, the scholars prostrated themselves before him as a sign of respect and honor; and Allah knows best!

 

Then, Allah the Almighty informs us that Dhul-Qarnain gave verdicts pertaining to the people of that region {We (Allah) said (by inspiration): "0 Dhul- Qarnain! Either you punish them, or treat them with kindness." He said: "As for him (a disbeliever , in the Oneness of Allah) who does wrong, we shall ! punish him, and then he will be brought back unto his Lord, Who will punish him with a terrible torment (Hell)} i.e. he tastes the torment in this present life and in the

Hereafter. He began with the torment of the present life for its more difficult in the sight of the disbeliever. {But as for him who believes (in Allah's Oneness) and works righteousness he shall have the best reward, (Paradise), and we (Dhul-Qarnain) shall speak unto him mild words (as instructions)} where he started with the reward of the Hereafter which is most important and he added thereto kindness, i.e. justice, knowledge and faith. Allah the Almighty says {Then he followed another way}, i.e. he followed a way to return back from the west to the east. Some say that it took him twelve years to return to the east. {Until, when he came to the rising place of the sun, he found it rising on a people for whom We (Allah) had provided no shelter against the sun}, i.e. they do not have houses or any shelters to save them from the blazing sun. Some scholars say: they used to resort to trenches dug in the earth to shelter then from the burning rays of the sun. Then, Allah the Almighty says: {So (it was)! And We knew all about him (Dhul-Qarnain)}, i.e. Allah knows all about his affairs; He preserves and keeps him during his travels through the land from the west to the east and vice versa.

 

It was narrated after Ubaid Ibn Umair, his son Abdullah and others that Dhul- Qarnain performed Pilgrimage on foot. Upon hearing that, Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) met him and on their meeting he invoked Allah for his sake, and advised him. It was said also that he was brought a horse to ride, but he said: I do not ride (on the back of horses) in a land wherein Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him). Hence, Allah the Almighty subjugated for him the clouds, and Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) gave him the glad tidings pertaining to this. The clouds used to carry him anywhere he wished for. Allah the Almighty says: {then, he followed (another) way. Until, when he reached between two mountains, he found, before (near) them (those two mountains), a people who scarcely understood a word}, i.e. they were ignorant. It was said that they were the Turk,6 cousins of Gog and Magog. However, they told him that Gog and Magog wronged them and practiced mischief in their land. They offered him a tribute for that he builds a barrier (dam) preventing them from raiding over them. He refused to take the tribute they offered him finding sufficiency in that which Allah the Almighty has given him, so {He said: "That (wealth, authority and power) in which

my Lord had established me is better (than your tribute)}. Then, he asked them to bring him men and tools to erect the barrier between them. Gog and Magog could only reach them from that place located between two mountain-cliffs. The other paths were either vast seas, or high mountains. Consequently, he erected it using iron and molten copper: he put iron instead of bricks and molten copper instead of clay. Allah the Almighty commented, {So they (Gog and Magog) could not scale it} with escalators, {or dig through it} with axes or picks. {(Dhul-Qarnain) said: "This is a mercy from my Lord} i.e. Allah the Almighty decreed this to be a mercy from Him to His slaves that they no longer assaulted by Gog and Magog. {But when the Promise of my Lord comes} i.e. the time He decided for them (Gog and Magog) to demolish it and get out attacking mankind near the Last Hour, {He shall level it down to the ground} this will inevitably take place. As He says {And the Promise of my Lord is ever true}, and {Until, when Gog and Magog are let loose (from their barrier), and they swoop down from every mound. And the true promise (Day of Resurrection) shall draw near (of fulfillment). Then (when mankind is resurrected from their graves), you shall see the eyes of the disbelievers fixedly staring in horror. (They will say): Woe to us! We were indeed heedless of this nay, but we were Zalimun (polytheists and wrongdoers)}. (Al- Anbiya, 96, 97) Allah the Almighty says: {We shall leave them to surge like waves"on one another} i.e. on the day Gog and Magog will come out, {and the Trumpet will be blown, and We shall collect them (the creatures) all together}. 

Narrated Abu Dawud At- Tyalisi after Ath-Thawri saying: I have been informed that the first human being to shake hands (with someone else) was Dhul-Qarnain. Moreover, it was narrated on the authority of Kab Al-Ahbar that he said to Muawiyah: Dhul-Qarnain on his death-bed told his mother, after his death, to prepare food and gather the women of the city and invite them to eat save anyone who lost any of her children (she should not eat thereof). The mother did as she asked, and none of them stretched a hand towards the food. She said: Glory be to Allah! Did you all lost children? They answered: By Allah! Yes we did. And, this was a great condolence for her.

 

Ishaq mentioned after Bishr Ibn Abdullah Ibn Ziyad after some of the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) the will of Dhul-Qarnain, an eloquent and lengthy advice, and that he died at the age of three thousand years. (This is very odd and strange)

 

Ibn Asakir said: I was informed that he lived for about thirty-six years. Others said: he lived for thirty-two years and that he came seven hundred and forty years after Dawud (David) (Peace be upon him). He came after Adam (Peace be upon him) with five thousand and one hundred eighty-one years and that his reign lasted for sixteen years. But, that which he related is true as for the Macedonian Alexander and not our Dhul-Qarnain. He thus mixed the former with the latter and this is perfectly wrong.

 

Among those who mixed them and declared both to be just one, was Imam Abdul Malik Ibn Hisham (Narrator of the Prophets Biography), which was denied and rejected by Al-Hafiz Abu Al-Qasim As-Suhaili. He severely refuted his sayings and set clear boundaries between the two persons as mentioned earlier. He said: May be some of the former kings called themselves "Dhul-Qarnain" following the example of the first true one; and Allah knows best!

Hayreddin Barbarossa: Causing a Ruckus as the Notorious Pirate Redbeard

Hayreddin Barbarossa was one of the most notorious pirates of his day. Together with his older brothers, Ishak and Aruj, they conquered the North African city of Algiers, and submitted it to the Ottomans, as a means of protecting themselves from the Spanish. Nevertheless, this did not stop the Spanish, who made an assault on Tlemcen in 1518. This is a city located near Algiers which was under the rule of Hayreddin and his brother. During this siege, Ishak and Aruj lost their lives. Hayreddin inherited his brother Aruj’s position as the ruler of Algiers, and continued to serve the Ottoman Empire. It was during this ‘post-Aruj’ period that Hayreddin continued his privateering / pirating activities, and created a name for himself, thus ensuring a place for himself in the history books. 

The Life of Hayreddin Barbarossa Hayreddin Barbarossa was originally known as Khizr or Khidr, and was born on

the Greek island of Lesbos around 1478. Hayreddin had three brothers, though by 1518, he was the only one left, as the all his brothers had been killed during combat. When Aruj was killed at Tlemcen, Hayreddin not only inherited the rulership of Algiers, but also his brother’s nickname amongst the Europeans, ‘Barbarossa’ (due to his red-colored beard). On the subject of names, Hayreddin has been translated into English as

Topic 4: History

‘goodness’ or ‘best of the religion’, and was an honorary title given to the pirate by the Ottoman sultan, Suleiman the Magnificent. 

Portrait of Barbarossa Hayreddin Pasha (1478-1546) ( Public Domain   ) Hayreddin’s Raiding Spree 

Although the Spanish had captured Tlemcen around the middle of 1518, Hayreddin was able, with fresh troops sent by the Ottomans, to recapture that city at the end of the same year. In the following year, a joint Spanish-Italian force attacked Algiers, though Hayreddin was able to repel them. Hayreddin had his vengeance in the same year when he raided the French region of Provence. In 1520, the Ottoman sultan, Selim I, died, and was succeeded by his son, Suleiman the Magnificent. 

Suleiman I was the tenth and longest-reigning Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, from 1520 to his death in 1566. ( Public Domain   )

In return for the services of his pirate fleet, Hayreddin requested the new sultan for further Ottoman protection for North Africa from the Spanish threat. This was granted by Suleiman, and Hayreddin’s fleet began raiding the French and Spanish coast. Then, in 1522, Hayreddin contributed to the conquest of Rhodes by sending his ships under the command of one of his subordinates, Kurtoğlu. Rhodes was the stronghold of

the Knights of St. John - Christian pirates who often raided Ottoman vessels in the western Mediterranean. Thus, their expulsion was a removal of a thorn in the side of the Ottomans.   

Trouble with Europe Hayreddin’s raiding spree continued, and caused much trouble to the Europeans.

As a result, in 1530, the Holy Roman emperor, Charles V, decided to seek the help of Andrea Doria, a formidable Genoese admiral. Hayreddin’s first engagement with this adversary happened in 1531. Hayreddin bested his opponent, who commanded a Spanish-Genoese fleet of 40 galleys, for which he won the personal gratitude of the sultan. 

Whilst Suleiman was on a military expedition to Habsburg Austria in the following year, Doria captured several cities on the coast of the Greek mainland. Although the Ottomans successfully recaptured these cities, it was then that the sultan realized the importance of having a strong navy to protect Ottoman interests in the Mediterranean from the seasoned seamen of Europe (such as the Genoese and the Venetians.) As a result, Hayreddin was summoned to the court in Constantinople, and was appointed as the admiral of the Ottoman fleet. 

A Capable Naval Commander Hayreddin did not let his patron down, and continued his raids on Christian

Europe. He proved his capabilities as a naval commander once again in 1538. This time, a ‘Holy League’ was assembled by Pope Paul III, and was led by Andrea Doria. The Genoese admiral commanded a fleet consisting of vessels belonging to the Papal States, the Spanish Empire, the Knights of Malta, and the Republics of Genoa and Venice. The Battle of Preveza, which took place on the 28th of September 1538, resulted in another victory for Hayreddin, and ensured that the eastern Mediterranean would be dominated by the Ottomans until the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. 

Hayreddin’s Loyalty and Peaceful End Hayreddin continued to serve the Ottoman Empire loyally. For instance, when

Charles V attempted to bribe the pirate to switch sides, it is said that he refused the offer outright. Additionally, the raids of coastal cities continued. Some, such as the Genoese, eventually gave up trying to defeat Hayreddin, and chose to pay tribute in order to be spared from being attacked. At one point of time, the Ottomans entered into an alliance with the French, and Hayreddin found himself defending southern France from Spanish attack during this time. 

In the Siege of Nice in 1543, Barbarossa's fleet combined with a French force to capture the city. ( Public Domain   )

A truce was finally reached between the Ottomans and the Spanish in 1544. In the following year, Hayreddin retired to a villa on the northern shore of the Bosporus. His son was appointed as the new ruler of Algiers, and he had his memoirs written. In 1546, Hayreddin died of natural causes, and was buried on the European side of the Bosporus Straits.

Remembering Berke Khan, 1209-66Posted on August 17, 2018 by Sufyan bin Uzayr

When it comes to the history of Mongols, most people are aware of Genghis Khan and his expeditions/conquests. However, the same amount of recognition is not enjoyed by many other Mongol leaders — some far greater than Genghis himself. In this article, I will be writing about one such man who was one of the greatest leaders the Mongol world ever produced — Berke Khan.

Berke Khan (also spelled as Birkai Khan) was the grandson of Genghis Khan. Much like other Mongols, Berke too began his military career at a young age. He took part in several military expeditions, but the highlight of his career was his rule over the Golden Horde (1257-66), one of the most powerful states within the Mongol Empire. 

Berke embraced Islam in 1252 in Bukhara. It is said that he met a caravan that was passing through the city and questioned them about their faith. Impressed by Islamic concepts of iconoclasm and faith, Berke became a devout Muslim and remained so all his life.

Borders of the Golden Horde

The BuildupHulagu Khan was another grandson of Genghis Khan (and Berke’s cousin). He was the leader of the Ilkhanate, another semi-autonomous state within the Mongol Empire.

Family Tree of Genghis Khan

Enamoured by the beauty of his Christian consort Doquz Khatun, Hulagu harboured a dislike for everyone that Khatun disliked. Naturally, when the apostles of the Nestorian Church visited Hulagu, they found it easier to woo him against ‘the infidel Muslims’. Eager to impress his consort-queen, Hulagu marched onwards to demolish the Islamic World. [1]

Hulagu’s path of destruction lasted for years. Starting from Persia in 1256, he set out to bring down virtually every major state that stood in his way. In 1258, following the Battle of Baghdad, Hulagu’s forces destroyed the Abbasid Caliphate and murdered the then-Caliph Al Musta’sim Billah. Killing the titular leader of the Islamic World was a major blow.

The Ayyubids of Damascus too fell prey to Hulagu’s merciless onslaught. Noticing the fact that Mongols were a formidable force and going by the concept of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”, many kingdoms of Christendom, including several Crusader states, were happy to offer support to Mongols.

Mongols and the MamluksHaving taken out all the major Muslim powers of West Asia and supported by vassal states such as the kingdoms of Georgia and Cilician Armenia, Hulagu turned his attention towards the Mamluk Sultanate. He sent his envoy to Sultan Qutuz of Mamluks with the following letter: [2]

From the King of Kings of the East and West, the Great Khan. To Qutuz the Mamluk, who fled to escape our swords. You should think of what happened to other countries and submit to us. You have heard how we have conquered a vast empire and have purified the earth of the disorders that tainted it. We have conquered vast areas, massacring all the people. You cannot escape from the terror of our armies. Where can you flee? What road will you use to escape us? Our horses are swift, our arrows sharp, our swords like thunderbolts, our hearts as hard as the mountains, our soldiers as numerous as the sand. Fortresses will not detain us, nor armies stop us.Your prayers to God will not avail against us. We are not moved by tears nor touched by lamentations. Only those who beg our protection will be safe. Hasten your reply before the fire of war is kindled. Resist and you will suffer the most terrible catastrophes. We will shatter your mosques and reveal the weakness of your God and then will kill your children and your old men together. At present you are the only enemy against whom we have to march.

It is said Sultan Qutuz was infuriated by the tone of the letter (especially the part in bold above), and responded by executing the Mongol envoy. Surely not a very Islamic thing to do!

It was easy to guess that Mamluks were possibly no match for the Mongols and their allies. However, Allah had other plans. The Great Khan died in China, and Hulagu had to retreat home. Plus, he could not sustain a very large army economically for a longer duration.

This was when the Mamluks saw the opportunity and grabbed it. Sultan Qutuz and Baibars led the expedition against the remaining Mongol forces in the region and was able to successfully defeat Hulagu’s generals and their Georgian/Armenian allies at the Battle of Ayn Jalut, 1260.

Battle of Ayn Jalut, 1260

This, of course, did not sit well with Hulagu himself. Upon return from China, he decided to make the mission against the Mamluks his personal goal.

The Berke-Hulagu WarIn 1262, Hulagu decided to launch a campaign against the Muslim states to avenge the defeat at Ayn Jalut. Fuelled by vengeance and commanding a military force much larger than that of Mamluks, Hulagu was certainly capable enough to decimate his opponents.

This was where Berke Khan stepped up. In his letter addressed to the Great Khan of Mongols, Berke wrote: [3]

Hulagu has sacked all the cities of the Muslims, and has brought about the death of the Caliph. With the help of Allah, I will call him to account for so much innocent blood.

And Berke kept his word.

Hulagu could not launch any further attack on Muslim lands. The Berke-Hulagu War of 1262 was the first major civil war in the western Mongol Empire. Fought in the Caucasus Mountains, this war resulted in the effective end of Hulagu’s power. His forces were crushed near the Terek river by Berke’s nephew Nogai, and Hulagu was forced to retreat. He died in 1265, thus ending his reign of terror against the Muslims.

While Berke Khan was quick to respond to the crisis, he was hesitant in fighting Hulagu, his cousin. In his own words: [4]

Mongols are killed by Mongol swords. If we were united, then we would have conquered all of the world.

But Berke could not sit by and watch Hulagu kill millions of innocent people with each passing day. He had to do the needful, and that he did.

Berke Khan: LegacyBerke Khan passed away roughly a year after Hulagu, in 1266-67. He was succeeded by his grand-nephew, Mengu-Timur, who continued Berke’s policy of alliance with the Mamluks and opposition to the Ilkhanate.

In his short tenure as the Khan of the Golden Horde, Berke left a long-lasting impact. While most historians are quick to view the Battle of Ayn Jalut as the decisive event that checked Mongol onslaught, it was only a partial victory. Hulagu himself was not part of the battle. While the Mamluks were still outnumbered and outmatched, and defeating Hulagu’s generals and their allies was a praiseworthy feat, the threat was not fully averted.

It was only through Berke Khan’s efforts that massacres of Muslims came to a halt. The intervention by Berke Khan saved Islamic Holy Cities, including Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem, from the forces of Hulagu. Everyone had witnessed how millions were killed in cold blood during the Fall of Baghdad, all thanks to Hulagu. If it were not for Berke Khan, many other cities would have suffered the same fate.

It is rather unfortunate that many modern-day students of History have not even heard of Berke Khan.

Sure, he was probably not an exemplar of sainthood. But Berke Khan was someone who realized that murder in cold blood, as perpetrated by Hulagu, was wrong. He did not shy away from doing the right thing at the right time. Unlike the leaders of today, Berke

Khan did not hide behind diplomacy or personal gains or fake borders of nationhood.

Topic 5: YOUTUBE: 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrwaoKzceA4 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEjqqWxWpfo