A hero is a person who does something great, useful and unique for the people, the country or the humanity at large. People pay the person reverence and hold him in awe. Indeed, man is great not by what he is, but by what he does. History tells us what a person has done and what he/she is.
The hero may be a ruler, a scientist, a fighter or a philanthropist-lover of mankind. Islamic history is full of such persons and their deeds. Their deeds shine in the pages of history. Hazrat Ali, Hazrat Omar (builder of the Islamic empire). Khalid Bin Walid, Bibi Khola, and Ghazi Salahuddin Ayubi were heroes of Islam. Indian history tells us about the brave deeds and achievements of Mohammad Bin Qasim, Mehmood Ghaznavi, the great iconoclast (Idol breaker) Haider Ali, Tipu: sultan and other freedom fighters.
My favorite hero is Ghazi Salahuddin Ayubi. He engaged the non-believers and the enemies of Islam in six crusades (holy wars). He was brave, courageous, fearless and firm in the faith. A great Christian writer calls him: Terror of Christian world’. Christian parents still scare and frighten their children by the name of the great crusader.
Those who die or lay down their lives in the way of Allah are called Martyrs (Shaheeds); and those who survive in the fights against the non-believers, are called “Ghazees”. Salahuddin the Great fought the enemies of Islam. Many were killed at his hands and many embraced Islam. He fought single-handed against the combined forces of the non-believers. Every time he taught a bitter lesson to them. He was humble in victory and kind and merciful to the enemies. [the_ad id=”17141″]
In the last crusade, there were eighteen Christian countries on one side, under the command of Richard-the lion-hearted. Hermit the Peter provoked all the Europeans rules who were defeated by the brave son of Islam G.S. Ayubi. Their leader Richard was very proud of his steel sharp-edged sword that cut the iron rod into two. Ayubi laughed at the demonstration, He threw up a fine silken scarf into the air and sliced it into two with his wonderful sword.
Richard could not cut the waved silken piece by his sword. The cloth wrapped around his sword. He could not even cut it by rubbing it on the sharp edge of his sword. He had to eat a humble pie.
Ghazi Salahuddin was a good and devoted Muslim. He feared God; prayed five times and ruled according to the commandments of Allah. He was a practical man, a loving ruler, a just and kind-hearted commander. He was a brave and daring soldier. Salahuddin was blessed with the manly mental qualities like intelligence, wisdom, justice, courage, daring, kindness, sympathy, stoutness, chivalry and humanity. He was considerate and kind towards the enemy. He was always found fighting in the thick of the battle.
He had great sense of dignity and honour and respected the enemy. He was patient in defeat and humble in victory. He hated pride and pomp and show. He was a devout muslim and lived a simple life. Simplicity and service were two great ideals before him.
Inspite of bias and prejudice, the fair-minded European scholars and historians pay homage to the great soldier, fighter and crusader. His deeds shall always shine in the pages of history. Time shall write no wrinkles on his face. I am greatly impressed and inspired by my hero. I cherish and worship him. His is an example to emulate.