A INCIDENT  OTHE  BATTLE  OYARM‡U

Introduction
This poem refers to the battle of Yarm�k waged during the Khil«fah of S. ‘Umar F«r�q R.A. (636) at Yarm�k against the Byzantine wing of the Roman Empire. The battle was fought between the flowers of both armies. The Roman army was a well trained, well equipped and well organized body of 300,00 men. (According to Appendix III, No. 47, 200,000.) The Muslim army was hardly 46,000 men strong and was neither well equipped nor well trained. However, as the story related in this poem states, every soldier in the Islamic army was full of zeal for fighting in the cause of God. There was no pessimism and the Islamic formula of gh«z� or shahâd (conqueror or martyr) operated. The “young man� in the second verse was just a soldier and his conversation with S. Ab� ‘Ubaidah R.A., the commander portrays the general spirit and zeal of the whole army for fighting in whom even being slain in the cause of God was considered supreme success. According to Appendix III, No. 47, pp. 84-94 every person in the Muslim army was full of that level of zeal.

Translation
The armed Arab youth were arrayed for battle
The bride of Syria’s land was waiting for myrtle 1

A young man who was restless like mercury
Approaching the army’s general started saying

“O Ab� ‘Ubaidah 2 grant me permission to fight
The cup of my patience and calm is full

I am becoming impatient in the Holy Prophet’s separation
In his Love even a moment’s life has become hard

As I am going to the Holy Prophet’s audience
I shall gladly convey if there is any message�

The general’s eye, whose sight was like an un-sheathed sword,
Noticing this zeal and fervor was moist with tears

The army’s general exclaimed., “You are that young man
The respect for whose Love is binding on the elders

May the God of  Muéammad fulfill your wish
How elegant is the stage of  your Love!

When you arrive in the audience of the Holy Prophet
Present this petition with my sincere compliments

“The Exalted God has shown His Mercy to us
Have been fulfilled all the promises you had made to us� 3


Explanatory Notes
1This metaphor for blood is used for the blood about to be shed in the battle.

2. Ab� ‘Ubaidah ibn-Jarr«�- He was an eminent companion of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.)  and was among those who joined him early. He took part in the fateful Battle of Badr and continued fighting for the cause of God all his life. He is famous for his services to Islam during the Khil«fahs of S. Ab� Bakr Öiddâq R.A. and S.‘Umar F«r�q R.A.

3. This verse refers to the Holy Qur’«n 2:155-157 read with 33:9-27. Unfavorable circumstances and adversity test the mettle of a person, and sort out the hypocrites from the sincere believers. The attitude of the former is portrayed in 33:9-21 and that of the latter in 33:22-27, particularly 33:22 .