Empires of Faith

Chapter 40: A Journey Completed

23 Dhul-Hijjah, 1663

Like a white lamp in the sky, the morning sun rose up in the distance. The golden rays were spread wide and far, covering the vast deserts all around. Sitting atop a small dune just outside of his tent, Muhammad ibn Sulayman peered out over the lands ahead. It had been exactly three months since he had begun his journey back home; and he was but a day or two away from his home. Reflecting over the entire adventure he'd had, Muhammad recalled the first day that Imran and Usama had shown up at his house.

"As-Salaamu 'Alaikum," Imran called out, knocking on the door to Muhammad's hut.

"Wa'Alaikumus Salaam; who goes there?" Muhammad replied from inside.

"Why do you not come out and face us? Come and see who it is that calls you with your own eyes, ya Muhammad?"

Stepping out with a sword at hand, Muhammad inspected his visitors and found them to be his old friends, Imran and Usama. They were welcomed into his house at once, with his wife quickly preparing some food to feed them. "There is yet another war approaching," Imran informed Muhammad as they ate. "It is not the petty tribal fights which you left from years ago. This is a war; the Muslims across the land are under attack."

"Kwaade's influence is growing," Usama chimed in. "Even amongst some of the Muslims there is fitnah. His plotting has gone beyond the physical combat which we have become accustomed to resisting. Now he fights us on two fronts, the physical battlefield and the battlefield of the heart and mind."

"Worse now," Imran cut back in, clenching his fist in anger at the situation. "Many of the Muslims are weakening, as some of our generals and leaders have apostated and joined his side. About one week ago, we came to a village and we tried to warn them; but, the citizens kicked us out, fearing that we meant only to stir up trouble. The following day, we witnessed their demise. We knew that the army would continue through the lands to other cities, so we pressed on to warn them in the hopes that they could prepare an army to fight the invading forces."

"So why then have you come to this home of ours?" Munirah entered with a concerned voice. "Have you come to recruit my husband towards death?"

"Munirah," Muhammad spoke softly. He stood to face her and noticed the tears running down her cheeks already. She knew what was coming. "Habibti," he said taking her hands gently in his.

"I- I know," she stuttered. "I know you must, but, it's just," she fell into his arms and sobbed into his shoulder.

That was the first time he had gone to fight, but it was only the beginning of his battles. Thereafter, Usama had informed him of a more dire situation up in the northwestern lands. "Just as Kwaade has gained control of the hearts of these Ikeqi men, he is gaining control of the Muslims there," Usama had proclaimed. "They are suffering in so many ways, Subhaan Allah, man. It truly is a meager existence. They live upon tiny islands surrounded entirely by Christian and Kwaadi lands. They are losing their Iman and their ties to Islam; it is a desperate struggle and there is no one to stand up and help them keep firm on the Deen. Just as the people here lost some of their warrior ways over time, they will lose Islam if things continue on this way. Alhamdulillah, you and I grew up upon the Deen, living in fairly practicing communities and knowing our Deen. These people have not been given the same, and I think that they are more in need of spiritual defense and guidance than physical defense and protection. Allahu 'Alam, but I think that if no one else is going to do it, we at least owe it to them as their brothers in Islam to assist them. We are free to practice Islam and live without fear, but what about them?"

The same was later explained to Munirah some time thereafter, with Muhammad doing his best to convey the dire need of his journey. After doing all that he could to ensure her safety and provision during his absence, Muhammad left his wife behind once again, setting off on a journey across the lands and sea with a promise to return to her within six months. Riding out on his horse beside Imran and Usama, Muhammad continued to look back to his house and his wife. She stood near the doorway, her hands resting on her stomach, watching until the black cape on Muhammad's back became invisible over the horizon. Muhammad looked back in longing, waiting for her to go back inside before riding off to catch up with the others.