Sword Of Allah (P6)

"Oh. . . daughter of the Jew Arman!" exclaimed Rukanah. Then, placing his hand on her

shoulders, he brought her closer and asked softly, "Are you really captivated by my body and has

my muscular power . . .?"

"Your power has in fact disappointed me," whispered Sabt moving back a little. "You are afraid

of your nephew."

"Says who?" anger oozed from Rukanah' s roar.

"Everybody says," replied Sabt in a teasing voice. "First throw down Muhammad to the ground,

and I will present myself to you as prize."

"By Allah's sons and daughters! I will do as you say and then visit you again," said Rukanah in a

decisive manner. "But what you have heard is wrong. I do not fear Muhammad. The truth is I

consider wrestling with a weak person an insult. Nevertheless, I will fulfill your wish." Noted historian Ibn Hisham writes that the noble Prophet & himself had challenged the wrestler

Rukanah. But the evidence provided by another historian Ibnul Athir seems more reliable

according to which Rukanah challenged Allah's Prophet, saying:

"My nephew! No doubt you are a man of big heart and daring. I also know that you hate telling a

lie. Yet the real test for a man's courage and truthfulness is in the arena. So, come, and face me

in arena. If you vanquish me, I will accept you as Allah's Messenger. By Allah, I will then

accept your religion."

"But it won't be a match between an uncle and his nephew," said the holy Prophet accepting his

challenge. It will be a battle between an idolater and a Prophet of the true religion. And if you

lose the match, then don't forget your promise."

Like a sandstorm, the news spread in Makkah that the wrestler Rukanah and Muhammad SH will

face each other and that whoever loses will embrace the religion of the victor. Almost each and

every child, man and woman of Quraish, and the Jews thronged the venue. Muslims were few in

number, but they had come armed with swords and spears as they feared that Quraish might

assassinate the holy Prophet on the pretext of this wrestling match.

The strongest and most fearsome wrestler of Arab, Rukanah bin Abd Yazid came face to face

with the noble Prophet in the arena. He cast a contemptuous glance at the holy Prophet Si and

made a snide remark. The Prophet & remained calm and confident maintaining the eye contact

lest Rukanah should take him unawares with a trick. Rukanah circled around him like a lion

walking around its prey, about to launch itself on the victim. The crowd was taunting the holy

Prophet. Muslims were silent. Deep in their hearts, they were praying to Allah. They had their

hands ready on the handles of their swords.

Then, no one knew what happened. What was the move made by the Prophet, no one saw. Ibnul

Athir writes that the holy Prophet 8 lifted up Rukanah into the air and threw him down on the

ground. Like a wounded lion, Rukanah got up and attacked him with a terrifying roar. The holy

Prophet again made the same move and threw him down upon the ground. When he got up the

third time, again the result was the same. The heavy gigantic body having been thrown down to

the ground thrice in a row, did not remain capable of continuing the wrestling match. With his

head lowered in shame, Rukanah got out of the arena.

A sudden silence fell over the crowd. Now, the Muslims were waving and tossing sheathless

swords and spears in the air and chanting slogans.

"Uncle Rukanah!" that was a challenge from the Prophet, not for a new round of wrestling, but

as reminder for the promise. "Be true to your word and announce here itself that you are a

Muslim now."

Rukanah categorically rejected embracing Islam.