An Islamic Treasury of Virtues
14. Unity
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UNFAILING OBEDIENCE TO ONE’S
COMMANDER
The Prophet once sent a military unit led by Amr
ibn al-Aas, to Dhat as-Salasil, Abu Bakr and Umar
being of its number. When they had advanced as far
as the site of the battle, they pitched camp,
whereupon Amr ibn al-Aas gave orders that no fires
should be lit. Angered at what struck him as an
unnecessary inconvenience, Umar got up to go and
see Amr ibn al-Aas about it, but Abu Bakr stopped
him, saying: “The Prophet appointed him
commander over you for the simple reason that his
knowledge of military tactics is greater than yours.
(AL-BAYHAQI,
AL-SUNAN AL-KUBRA)
OFFER A RULER ADVICE IN PRIVATE–NOT IN
PUBLIC
When Ayadh ibn Ghanam al-Ashari conquered the
city of Dara (Persia), he inflicted severe punishment
on its ruler. He was then reminded by Hisham ibn
Hakim of the Prophet’s words: “He who was most
severe in his punishment of others in this world is
the one who shall be punished most severely on the
