The Prophet (a.

The Prophet (a.s.) ordered all the notables of the Muhajireen and the Ansar to join the army of Usama whom he had appointed as the leader though he was a very young man. Among those men there were Abu Bakr, Umar, Abu Ubaydah bin al-Jarrah, and Basheer bin Sa’d, and all of them were from the oppositionist party. [1] The Prophet (a.s.) said to Usama, the leader of the army, “March to the place where your father was killed and make the horsemen defeat them (the Romans).

I have entrusted you with the leadership of this army. In the morning, attack the people of Ubna (in Syria) and meet them with fire. Hurry up to precede the news. If Allah grants you victory over them, do not remain there too long. Take guides with you, and make spies and pioneers in the front.” On the twenty-ninth of Safar, the army mutinied and no one of the notable companions joined his battalion. The Prophet (a.s.) was very angry at that. He went out of his house in spite of his illness.

He encouraged his companions to join the army. He himself gave the banner to Usama and said to him, “March by [1] Encyclopedia of Imam Ameerul Mo'minin Ali bin Abi Talib, vol. 2 p. 85, Kanzol Ummal, vol. 5 p.312, Tabaqat ibn Sa’d, vol. 4 p. 46, Tareekh al-Khamees, vol. 2 p. 46. the name of Allah and for the sake of Allah. Fight those who disbelieve in Allah.” Usama marched with his army and camped in al-Jurf. [1] The famous companions slackened in joining the camp.

They criticized and disparaged the leader, young Usama. Umar said to him, “The messenger of Allah dies while you are an emir over me?!” This saying was conveyed to the Prophet (a.s.) while he was badly ill suffering bad fever and headache. He became very angry and distressed. He went out of his house wrapped with a velvet garment and his head was folded. He ascended the minbar and showed the people his anger about not carrying out his orders.

He said, “O people, what for is the saying of someone of you that criticizes my appointing Usama as the emir? You have criticized my appointing his father as emir before. By Allah, he was worthy of the emirate and his son after him is worthy of it…” [2] He descended the minbar and went into his house.

Then, he recommended people to join the army of Usama by saying, “Prepare the army of Usama!” “Let the army of Usama march!’ “May Allah curse whoever does not join the army of Usama!” These firm orders and insistence of the Prophet (a.s.) at his last hours of life did not move the people’s determination.