Every step in life requires some level of courage and some degree of bravery. Yesterday, we spoke about how the prophet (SAW) demonstrated what bravery and courage were all about, and his companions (RA) took this from him. From that point on, whenever they were faced with overwhelming odds, while they were standing for what was true, they would find the courage to remain steadfast in the truth and endure hardships that came their way. Abu Bakr (RA) felt that it was important that he conveys his Iman and the message of one God and his messenger. So, he stood up in Al Masjid Al-Haram and recited the shahada in front of everyone, and people pounced on him and beat him so severely that his nose became flattened against his face. They took their shoes and ground them into his face. He was beaten and woke up towards the end of the day, and the first question that came out of his lips were, “How is the prophet (SAW)?” At first, his family members, who were not yet Muslim, were disappointed, and said, “After going through all of this, this is what you think of the moment you wake up?” he said, “I will not eat or drink until I see him.” He forced them to take him to the prophet (SAW), and there, he was content.
Similarly, companions that were forced to migrate under difficult circumstances share the same bravery. Many times, their lives would be in danger, but they had the courage to do what was required at that time and they never shied away from the challenges. In the battle of Badr, the Muslims were only 313 and the non-Muslims were over a thousand with all the weapons they could have gather at that time, and the Muslims were told on the spot, “Let’s go,” and they were ready. Half of them were carrying sticks in their hands without proper swords, but they went out anyway. In the battle of Uhd, Madinah was invaded, to defend themselves they had to put up a fight . In the battle of Ahzab, the same thing happened. These circumstances repeated themselves in the time of the prophet (SAW) and after his time. This was at the time when many of us are talking about Sayyid Hussain, the grandson of the prophet (SAW), who was deceived into making a shift from Makkah to Iraq, and on the way, they were attacked and cornered. Hussain only had his family members, but at no point did he say, “I give up.” He stood up for the truth and fought for it to his last breath. He set the example for those after him that you must fight for what is right and to not be scared. Today, the world remembers him. No one remembers those who did that to him except for those who curse them for doing that to such a good man. Whenever we stand up for the truth, the initial phase requires courage and bravery, but then again, the courageous and brave are the people who history remembers.
If you want your name to be remembered by the world, there will come times in life where you have to take a courageous step. Sometimes, it will only be a decision that requires a couple minutes and once that window is missed, if you do not make that decision, that opportunity is gone, never to return. There will be a number of similar opportunities in your lives , and the only thing that will stop you, is the lack of courage. Remember one thing; when it is something pertaining to your deen and loyalty to your Iman and faith, look for that courage inside and stand up for yourself and your deen. At that moment, do not be cowardly; your actions will not only be reflective of yourselves, but they will also be reflective of your fellow Muslims. There are occasions to be brave; when Islam is attacked by those who put down and shame Muslims. This is the time to stand up with courage and bravery for yourself and others. You will see that history has a way of preserving the courageous people. May Allah (SWT) grant us the courage to do the right things at the right time and save us from stepping back when we need to move forward.
