Monks by Night, Knights by Day

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the decisive battles against the Romans during the time of the Caliph, Sayyidina Abu Hafsw ‘Umar ibn al-Khaththab al-Faruq (r.a.), the Muslim warriors, although always out-numbered by the enemy, proved mysteriously indomitable and strong-willed opponents.  The Roman commanders were baffled as to how the once barbaric and irregular desert army could display such vigour and chivalry against a battle-hardened regular Roman army.  The sent some informers to see how the Muslim soldiers spent their time in the leisure periods, especially at night.  This is what they were informed. 

One informer said, “They are knights by day and monks by night.  They pay for what they eat in territories under their occupation.  They are the first to salute when they arrive at a place and are valiant fighters who just wipe out the enemy.” 

Another testified, “During the night it seems that they do not belong to this world and have no other business than to pray, and during the day, when one sees them mounted on their horses, one feels that they have been doing nothing else all their lives.  They are great archers and great lancers, yet they are so devoutly religious and they remember Allah so much and so often that one can hardly hear them talking about anything else in their company.” 

The third said, “You will find them prayerful; during the day you will find them fasting.  They keep their promises, order good deeds, suppress evil and maintain complete equality among themselves.”