OCCASION OF REVELATION. (VERSE NO. 94)

      In RAMAZAN 7 A.H. the prophet sent a group of warriors, commanded by GHÄLIB- IBN - ABDULLAH to extinguish a revolt of two tribes, who had recently rebelled, ASÄMAT- IBN- ZAID was also among the forces.

      Muslims made an assault with full forces, and defeated the enemy, and obtained a lot of spoils. In this expedition ASÄMAT- IBN- ZAID

confronted with a warrior among the enemy, whose name was MORDAS, and proceeded to fight him. MORDAS stood still and did not defend himself! He then exclaimed: `LÄ- ELÄH- ELLA- ALLAH.' declaring to be a Muslim. ASÄMAT, did not believe him in spite of his confession, and wildly rushed and killed the defenceless man!

      When the prophet was informed of that incident he became so sorry and so sad that ASAMAT trembled with fear.

      The prophet said to him angrily: ``ASÄMAT! Who told you to kill a man who testified the Oneness of God?!''

      ASÄMAT who was shivering all over with fear answered: ``O, Messenger of God! He testified that by the fear of my sword!'' The prophet who was filled with sorrow, said again: ``Did you split his heart to see that there was no truth in it?'' ASÄMAT has narrated that the prophet repeated his word many times that: ``Did you split his heart, ``Did you split his heart, ``Did you split his heart, so much so that I was willing to give all the good deeds that I had done throughout my life, to make an atonement for that single sin of mine!''

      And it was to this effect that the above mentioned verse was sent down.

COMMENTS

      The immediate reference is connected with what ASÄMAT had done of wrong in JAHÄD,( SACRED WAR) but words are general, and can be applied to any cirumstance in which man may fall through vanity and pride, forgetting what he was, and what he is, while he is none the less sinner than the others. In war or peace, we all should study and investigate our important problems and then decide. It is not wise of us to drive to get glory and booty by killing our supposed foes, just because their name is enemy! Man's strive and sacred fight is not limited to the battle fields. There are many other fields of struggle and strive, such as economical fields - knowledge and culture fields science and industrial fields and etc. In some of the fields we have to defend and in some we have to assault, but always our defence or attack must be reasonable, and we should avoid going into the traps of extremes.