The Black Knight

From now and then , I'll be posting (or is it plagiarising?) tid bits on abnormal Muslim Women. You know the type, the one who becomes a leader rather than a follower. a rare beast by todays standards.

Khawala Bint Al Azwar

The Arab Historian, Al Waqidi, tells us in his book “The conquering of Al Sham (greater Syria)” that: “In a battle that took place in Beit Lahia near Ajnadin, Khalid watched a knight, in black attire, with a big green shawl wrapped around his waist and covering his bust. That knight broke through the Roman ranks as an arrow. Khalid and the others followed him and joined battle, while the leader was wandering about the identity of the unknown knight.”

Rafe’ Bin Omeirah Al Taei was one of the fighters. He described how that knight scattered the enemy ranks, disappeared in their midst, reappeared after a while with blood dripping from his spear. He swerved again and repeated the deed fearlessly, several times. All the Moslem army was worried about him and praying for his safety. Rafe’ and others thought that he was Khalid, who won great fame for his bravery and genius military plans. But suddenly Khalid appeared with a number of knights. Rafe’ asked the leader: “ Who is that knight? By God, he has no regard for his safety!”

(Excerpt from Famous Women in Islam CD-Dr.Umar Faruq Abd-Allah)

The Black Knight seeks her brother

Khalid sees from afar a tall Muslim knight, dressed in black, his nose and mouth covered, with a green turban wrapped around his helmet.
The Black Knight cannot be overtaken. He fights alone. Khalid: He is a master of the arts of horsemanship, encirclement and enclosure; he charges the enemy 'as if he were fire.' Khalid: If only I knew who this knight is! By the oaths of Allah, he is a brave Faaris!
The Black Knight: A pillar of fire
Khalid and his soldiers fear for the black knight--but they cannot overtake him. The Roman legions are shaken before him; their retenues and mounted escorts are shattered and scattered in all directions.
The black knight disappears among the Romans and then reappears with his lance dripping with blood.
He exposes himself to certaing death, but comes out unharmed. He shows no care for himself. He lets parties of Roman knights follow him; then turns upon them and routs them.

The black knight discovered
Khalid's general Raafi' b 'Umairah sees the knight: it could only be Khalid b.al-Walid.
Then Khalid arrives: Who is the knight? Khalid: "By Allah, I am even more ignorant of him that you, but I am impressed by the excellent skills he has shown."O Assemblies of Muslim! Attack all of you together. Come to the aid of the Defender of God's faith.Still the Black Knight eludes them like a torch of fire [burning in the night] before them.

Khalid's resolve
Khalid: We will attack together and place our hopes in Allah that he bring us to your brother and set him free.
'Aamir b Tufail on Khalid's right and Khawlah in the lead before Khalid. The Muslims charge from behind.
The Byzantines found matters hard to bear, when they saw the black knight coming down upon them again with Khalid and his army. If all these people are like knight, we don't have a chance.

Khawlah's lament
Khawlah again veers to the right and the left, looking for her brother, Diraar. Huge victory at noon.
Khawlah searches for news, man by man. Nothing. She despairs. Her lament.
O MY MOTHER'S SON, IF ONLY I KNEW IN WHICH DESERT THEY HAVE THROWN YOUR BODY OR WHOSE SPEAR HEADS HAVE STABBED YOU OR WHOSE SWORD HAS KILLED YOU. O MY BROTHER, YOUR SISTER IS HERE AS YOUR SACRIFICE. IF ONLY I COULD SEE YOU '[AGAIN], I WOULD DELIVER YOU FROM YOUR ENEMIES' HANDS. IF ONLY I KNEW IF I WILL EVER SEE YOU AGAIN AFTER THIS DAY. SON OF MY MOTHER, YOU HAVE LEFT IN YOUR SISTER'S HEARD A HOT COAL AND ITS FLAME WILL NEVER BE QUENCHED. HAVE YOU JOINED OUR FATHER WHO WAS KILLED WITH THE PROPHET, S. IF SO, THEN PEACE BE UPON YOU, UNTIL THE LAST DAY'S MEETING.Khawalah cried. Khalid cried. All the Muslims cried.

The next day, Khalid, Khawlah, and the army attack the the Byzantines.
The first unit for him--throw down their arms and dismount and cry asylum.
Where is Diraar: "You mean the one who fights without armor. Who killed us by the dozens and then killed the Emperor's son."
Khalid forms a rescue party--Raafi' b 'Umairah and 100 of the best knights. [Hubban wa karaamah] Taken prisoner, sent with 100 knights to Constantinople by way of hims. When the news reaches Khawlah, her face lights up like a beacon of joy.
She puts on her armor, takes her weapons, mounts her war horse and goes to Khalid:
I BESEECH YOU BY THE PURE AND PURIFIED ONE, MUHAMMAD, THE LORD OF HUMANITY- - THAT YOU ALLOW ME TO GO WITH THESE WHOM YOU HAVE SENT FORTH. MAYBE I WILL BE OF SOME USE TO THEM.

Khalid to Raafi': You know her courage; take her with you. Raafi': "Hearing and obeying."
Khawlah rides behind the 100 knights but keeps a careful eye on her brother's tracks. She then calls out: They haven't come this far yet! Good tidings! The party has not reached here yet!Abush. Rescue. All 100 Romans killed; horses and armor taken; Dirar is safe and sound.