Shadow of Death (Book 2 of Hanthalah)

Interlude

18 Dhul Hijjah 10 AH, 10 March 632 AD

*4 years ago*

"Hey, 'Amr," Mundhir tapped 'Amr on a shoulder. "Look at this."

The former flexed his bare arm at 'Amr, grinning like the idiot he was all the while. Both of them were clad in typical Islamic pilgrimage clothing; it was a two-part uniform consisting of two stark white sheets of cloth. The top entirely draped over the torso and one shoulder, leaving the other bare. The bottom, cinched around the waist with a belt of cloth, tumbling down between the navel and feet.

"You moron," 'Amr was seething with anger at his friend. Not for the first time in his life. "Religion is not a joke. Now, either I wipe that stupid smile off your face or – "

'Amr was cut short as Mundhir lifted his other arm and decked 'Amr across the face, sending him sprawling on his side.

'Amr sat up again, groaning and cradling his flaring cheek, while the insufferable bastard was chuckling uncontrollably.

"Learned that from Nufayl," Mundhir snorted, red-faced and choking. "It gets you to focus on one arm, but not....not the other. Not until it smacks you in the fucking face!"

"Immature imbecile," 'Amr snarled at him, licking the inside of his mouth.

The area of Ghadeer al-Khumm, just north east of Makkah, was teeming with hustling Muslim pilgrims pacing between the maze of tents to and fro.

It was a barren region, bereft of any succor and a distance away from the nearest well, but the Muslims had been well provisioned for their journey.

The Arab tribes were all but united under one banner by then.

The banner of Islam.

'Amr swelled with pride, as he recalled the enamoring experience of hajj pilgrimage they had all just experienced. At the side of their Prophet, no less!

They had circumambulated the Ka'aba seven times, a practice to mirror the valiant efforts of Hajar, wife of the Prophet Ibrahim, in her pursuit of water to nourish her suckling babe who would grow to become the Prophet Isma'il, progenitor of the bulk of the Arab tribes. Lady Hajar had been stranded in the desert that was now Makkah, in the very spot of the sacred site of the Ka'aba. Back then, it was a barren site away from the nearest vestiges of civilization, food or fodder.

She ascended the hill of al-Safa, searching for any water source to satiate her starving infant. Then, she descended al-Safa only to ascend its twin hill, al-Marwa, searching still for water, to no avail. She repeated this process seven times, never tiring in her pursuit of her son's salvation. Seven times!

But when one does not forsake Allah, Allah does not forsake them.

It was then that Allah commanded the earth to burst open, spraying the once barren plane with a plethora of gushing water. And so, the well of Zamzam was born, which still lies in the proximity of the Ka'aba.

Then, they performed prayer before the Shrine of Ibrahim and nourished their bodies and souls with fresh water from the Zamzam well.

And the most exhilarating rite of all to 'Amr was the true mimicking of Lady Hajar's struggle! They had ventured forth to the twin hills looming over the Ka'aba and walked back and forth from each. Seven times.

After that, a number of practices and rituals were performed, and 'Amr was beaming through it all.

It was the most exciting time of 'Amr's life! He felt as though he belonged to something. He was a part of something much, much bigger than himself or any of those present that day at Ghadeer al-Khumm. He was in the presence of a man delivered by God himself, with divine message.

And 'Amr had a front row seat! He got to meet and speak with the final prophet, the messenger who delivers the last divine message in a long line of similar revelations.

Every day, he was granted the privilege of laying eyes on some of the greatest men to have ever set foot on Allah's earth.

And at their head was 'Ali ibn Abu Taleb.

'Ali was an inspiration. A role model every pious Muslim youth sought to emulate. 'Amr reminisced all the times he witnessed 'Ali charge headfirst into battle; silent and slight, yet deadly all the same. 'Amr remembered all the times 'Ali slaughtered self-proclaimed paladins and renowned warriors, striking them down with apparent ease.

'Amr sought to stay close to 'Ali at all times in order to learn from his ways. He was a man of exceeding humility and grace. A man who boasted of a sense of honor unparalleled, and an undeniable understanding of the Qur'an and the Prophet's commandments.

"Don't you ever dream of becoming like 'Ali?" 'Amr asked Mundhir, imagining a reality where he was the Prophet's first cousin, raised alongside him as kin. Where he married the Prophet's own daughter and kept at his side at all times. "To be so great. And honorable."

"Why do I need to dream of him when he's right there?" Mundhir pointed somewhere.

The Prophet himself was clambering up a makeshift parapet made of scorching hot boulders and camel bags. He was clad in the pilgrim's clothing but wore a turban and a woolen green coat as well.

By his side was 'Ali ibn Abu Taleb.

__________

Tears glinted in 'Amr ibn Sallam's eyes and his body began shuddering with grief as the Prophet and 'Ali reached the zenith of their makeshift parapet.

'Amr remembered the Prophet's sermon on Mount 'Arafat back in Makkah during their pilgrimage. It was evident to 'Amr that the Messenger of Allah would be departing this life of base desire and materialism soon. At 'Arafat, the Prophet had set affairs in order, delivering valuable advice to the ummah and reflected upon the spectacular journey that saw the practices of the Days of Ignorance abolished.

He had spoken a great deal of the Day of Judgement. And how they must cling to the message of Allah he had delivered to them.

And later, the Prophet had finalized his revelation by reciting to them their final Qur'anic verse.

"Thisday I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you andhave approved for you Islam as religion," Allah had spoken through hismessenger.

The Prophet was delivering another long sermon now, at the watering hole of Ghadeer Khumm. But it seemed as though he were finalizing the speech.

'Amr listened intently, sniffling all the while. He could not imagine a world without the Messenger of Allah.

The Prophet took a step forward and grabbed 'Ali's hand in his. He hefted his cousin's hand and raised up to the heavens.

"Anyone who has me as his leader," the Prophet boomed. "Has this 'Ali also as his leader!"