When news of the Christian army that had prepared on the horizons to wipe out Islam reached him, Abu Qudamah ash-Shami moved quickly to the Mimbar of the Masjid. In a powerful and emotional speech, Abu Qudamah ignited the desire of the community to defend their land, Jihad for the sake of Allah. As he left the Masjid, walking down a dark and secluded alley, a women stopped him and said, “As salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah!” Abu Qudamah stopped and did not answer. She repeated her salam again, adding “This is not how pious people should act.” She stepped forward from the shadows. “I heard you in theMasjid encouraging the believers to go for Jihad and all I have is this … ” She handed him two long braids. “It can be used for a horse rein. Perhaps Allah may write me as one of those who went for Jihad.”
The next day as that Muslim village set out to confront the crusader army, a young boy ran through the gathering and stood at the hooves of Abu Qudamah’s horse. “I ask you by Allah to allow me to join the army.” Some of the elder fighters laughed at the boy. “The horses will trample you,” they said. But Abu Qudamah looked down into his eyes as he asked again, “I ask you by Allah, let me join.” Abu Qudamah then said, “On one condition, if you are killed you will take me with you to Jannah amongst those you will be allowed to intercede for.” That young boy smiled. “It’s a promise.”
When the two armies met and the fighting intensified, the young boy on the back of Abu Qudamah’s horse asked, “I ask you by Allah to give me 3 arrows.” “You’ll lose them!” The boy repeated, “I ask you by Allah to give me them.” Abu Qudamah gave him the arrows and the boy took aim. “Bismillah!” The arrow flew and killed a Roman. “Bismillah!” The second arrow flew, killing a second Roman. “Bismillah!” The third arrow flew, killing a third Roman. An arrow then struck the boy in the chest – knocking him off the horse. Abu Qudamah jumped down to his side, reminding the boy in his final breaths, “Don’t forget the promise!” The boy reached into his pocket, extracted a pouch and said, “Please return this to my mother.” “Who’s your mother?” asked Abu Qudamah. “The women that gave you the braids yesterday.”
(Continued..)