The armed Arab youth were arrayed for battle; the bride of Syria’s land was waiting for myrtle.* (*This metaphor is used for the blood about to be shed in the battle.)

A young man who was restless like mercury approaching the army’s general started saying:

‘O Abu Ubaidah* grant me permission to fight; the cup of my patience and calm is full. (Abu Ubaidah ibn-Jarrah was an eminent companion of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) and was among those who joined him early. He took part in the fateful Battle of Badr and continued fighting for the cause of God all his life. He is famous for his services to Islam during the Khilafahs of Abu Bakr Siddiq R.A. and Umar Farooq R.A.)

I am becoming impatient in the Holy Prophet’s separation; in his Love even a moment’s life has become hard.

As I am going to the Holy Prophet’s audience, I shall gladly convey if there is any message.’

The general’s eye, whose sight was like an un-sheathed sword, noticing this zeal and fervor was moist with tears.

The army’s general exclaimed: ‘You are that young man the respect for whose Love is binding on the elders.

May the God of Muhammad (S.A.W.) fulfill your wish! How elegant is the stage of your Love!

When you arrive in the audience of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.), present this petition with my sincere compliments:

‘The Exalted God has shown His Mercey to us; have been fulfilled all the promises you had made to us.* * This verse refers to the Holy Qur’an 2:155-157 read with 33:9-27. Unfavorable circumstances and adversity test the mettle of a person, and sort out the hypocrites from the sincere believers. The attitude of the former is portrayed in 33:9-21 and that of the latter in 33:22-27, particularly 33:22.