Forty Gems of Beauty — Page 105
105 The sixth vice which has been mentioned in the Hadith is turning tail to the enemy, in battle. This is a weakness that has largely contributed to the decline of nations. The truth is that cowardly people have no right to live as they fall easy prey to oppressive and aggressive nations. Islam, therefore, considers it a heinous offence to turn tail and show the white feather on the battlefront. The Holy Quran says, accordingly: / /X Z N uer ( ;u] ? vy k | /IGE ? | E S Z [%W'W \] ^ _ c 4 5y _: E 1 Ng t boG ( _. oy N ; boG | ;D _G / # / ?G ( V + "5+ E ( G ( \ ;t " M ( \_ ^ “O ye who believe! when you meet those who disbelieve, advancing in force, turn not your backs to them. And whoso turns his back to them on such a day, unless manoeuvring for battle or turning to join another company, he indeed draws upon himself the wrath of Allah, and Hell shall be his abode. And an evil resort it is. ” 24 This is the golden teaching which contributed to the victories of early Muslims, leading them to the conquest of the then-known world, with lightning speed. The point is worth pondering. Even in our apparently highly advanced times, no experienced general could give a better order to his army. The seventh and the last point mentioned in this Hadith is levelling a false accusation against innocent, believing women. This is a vice which in truth greatly undermines national character. But it is a 24 The Holy Quran, Ch: 8 (Al-Anfāl), V: 16-17