The Moral Vision
Recognizing Oneself
~ 211 ~
Khalid was by nature exceptionally brave and
courageous. He recognized this quality of his, and
saw how to use it to full effect. By becoming fully
aware of himself, he recognized the special part that
had been delegated to him on the vast stage of the
Islamic arena. He determined to use the courage
God had given him to destroy polytheistic religion,
and establish monotheism in its place.
Khalid, therefore, dedicated the rest of his life to
active service in the cause of Islam. Continually he
would ask God to make him strong and steadfast in
this path, and he also used to ask God’s Prophet to
pray for him. So great were his services to Islam
that the Prophet called Khalid “one of God’s
swords, drawn against the idolators.”
As for Abu Huraira, he did not have the same
qualities as Khalid. What he did have, however,
was a prodigious memory. Recognizing where his
talents lay, he resolved to use them in the service of
Islam.
It is related in the Hadith that Abu Huraira once
asked the Prophet to pray that God should give him
knowledge which he would not forget. The Prophet
