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back on you. We are not afraid to meet our enemy tomorrow, for we are given to terrible warfare and we
are faithful in our desire to meet Allah. I pray Allah that we do what will make you proud of us. Go
ahead with Allah's blessings."
The Prophet (PBUH) was extremely sanguine on hearing this and said to his Companions, "March
forward and be cheerful and confident!" After a while the two armies met in fierce combat. The Muslim
cavalry on that day were only three Al-Miqdaad lbn Amr, Marthid lbn Abi Marthid, and Az-Zubair Ibn
Al Awaam. The rest of the Mujaahiduun were infantry or riding on camels.
Al-Miqdaad's previous words not only proved his valor but also his preponderant wisdom and
profound thought.
Al-Miqdaad was a wise and intelligent man. His wisdom was not expressed in mere words but in
empirical principles and a constant Unvarying conduct. His experience was the fuel of his wisdom and
intelligence.
The Prophet (PBUH) once assigned him to rule one of the governorships, and when he returned the
Prophet (PBUH) asked him, "How does it feel be a governor?" He answered with admirable honesty, "It
made me feel as if I were in a silver tower above the rest of the people. By Allah Who has sent you with
the truth, from now on, I will never expose myself to the temptations of governing."
If that was not wisdom, then what else is? If that was not a wise man, then who else is?
This was an honest and straightforward man who was able to detect, unveil, and admit his innermost
weakness. His position as a governor made him vulnerable to haughtiness and vainglory. He detected this
weakness in himself at once and took a solemn oath to avoid any position or rank that might jeopardize
his piety and righteousness. He kept his oath and renounced any influential or controversial situation for
the rest of his life.
He cherished and treasured the hadith of the Prophet (PBUH): "He who avoids fitnah (trials,
afflictions, and error) is indeed a happy man."
He realized that because the governorship awakened latent pride and haughtiness in him and
exposed him to Fitnah, it was better to avoid any position that might arouse this weakness. His wisdom
was manifested in his deliberateness and perseverance in his judgment of men. This was also a trait that
Allah's Prophet (PBUH) instilled in him, for he taught Muslims that the hearts of the children of Adam
are incredibly capricious.
Al-Miqdaad was always for delaying his final judgment of a man to the moment of death so as to be
absolutely positive that the man concerned would not alter, for death means finality. His wisdom was
most conspicuous in the dialogue that was narrated by one of his companions: One day, we sat with Al-
Miqdaad and a man passed by and addressed Al-Miqdaad saying, "All kinds of happiness are for these
eyes which have seen Allah's Prophet (PBUH). By Allah, we wish that we saw what you have seen and
witnessed what you have witnessed." Al-Miqdaad approached him and said, "Why should anyone wish
to witness a scene that Allah did not wish him to see? He does not know what it would have been like if
he had witnessed it or which party he would have been among if he went back in time. By Allah, Allah's
Prophet (PBUH) saw people who were thrown right into hell, so you should thank Allah that you were
spared such a trial and were honored by firm belief in Allah and His Prophet (PBUH)."
Undoubtedly, it is remarkable wisdom. You hardly ever meet a believer who loves Allah and the
Prophet (PBUH) and does not wish to see and live within the Prophet's sight. Yet the insight of the wise
and skillful Miqdaad unveiled the missing dimension of this wish. For is it not possible that if this man
had lived during those times he might have ended up among the dwellers of Hell? Is it not possible that
he might have sided with the disbelievers? Again, is it not far much better for him to thank Allah Who