Conversation between Rab’i (رضي الله عنه) and Rustam

S’ad Ibn Abi waqqas (رضي الله عنه) sent another messenger to Rustam on his request. He was Rab’i Ibn Aamir (رضي الله عنه). So, he (رضي الله عنه) went to him and Rustam had adorned his assembly with precious and luxurious items. He displayed pearls and rubies and he had a crown on his head. It was bejewelled and he sat on a golden throne. Rab’i (رضي الله عنه) came dressed in simple, ordinary garments, with a sword, a shield and a short horse. He rode up to the edge of the carpet where he alighted and tied the horse to one of those pillows. He met him wearing the armour and helmet. He  (رضي الله عنه) was asked to remove his helmet but he said, “I have not come on my own but have been invited by you. If you let me be as I am, then I am here, otherwise, I will return (to my place). Rustam said, “Permit him to enter.” So he (رضي الله عنه) came resting his sword on the carpet and thereby cutting them here and there.

They asked him, “What has he brought to you?”

He (رضي الله عنه) said, “Allah has sent us to bring mankind out of worship of mankind to the worship of Allah, from the narrowness of the world to its expanse, and from the oppression of religions to the justice of Islam. He has sent us with His religion to His creatures to invite them to it. So, he who accepts that, we accept it from him and go away from him, but if anyone rejects it we fight him till we reach Allah’s promise.”

They asked him (رضي الله عنه), ‘ What is the promise?”

He(رضي الله عنه) said,”Jannah for the one who dies fighting and victory for the one who survives.”

Rustam asked,”Can you defer it till we consult each other?”

He said,” A day or two.”

Rustam said,” No we shall write to our leaders and chiefs.”

Rab’i (رضي الله عنه) said,” Allah’s Messenger has not left us the practice of giving respite to an enemy beyond 3 days after facing them and choose one of the 3 things ( accept islam, pay jizyah or fight) within the time.”

He asked, ” Are you the chief of your people?’

He (رضي الله عنه) said,” No but the muslims are like a single body. The lowest of them can offer protection against the highest of them.”

Al Bidayah wan Nihayah