In the midst of the sheer terror, murder, rape and chaos that has taken place in Aleppo there have been stories of immense anguish. But there is one story emerging about a brave band of fighters from a small rebel brigade that have all perished protecting their city and giving their lives for Allah (swt). This, in brief, is their story. A story of immense bravery. May Allah accept their martyrdom and raise thousands more like them.
Br Uthman Badar writes regarding this incident:
Where there is death, there is the life.
Where there is darkness, there is light.
Where there are tales of horror, there is the stuff of legend.
Some brigades that should have been stationed in Aleppo protecting it’s people moved away in recent weeks to other areas on command of their sponsors (Turkey, Saudi, etc.). They miscalculated the poison that stained political dependence is. A tale for another time.
Others brigades stood firm, knowing that they had a duty to the people of Aleppo, come what way. Their allegiance was purely to Allah and His Messenger (saw).
Last night, when the invasion of Aleppo by Assad’s thugs was increasingly certain, these men – the likes of whom are real men! – gave the oath to stand and fight, knowing full well that certain death awaited them. And thus it was.
The Rayat al-Islam brigade is one such example, led by Abu al-Jud (lit. the “father of generosity”). The entire brigade (over 100 fighters) was martyred fighting in the Kalasa district of Eastern Aleppo. Martyred in the course of performing a deed most beloved to Allah: fighting in His cause, in defence of innocent people. Martyred, adding their blood to that which has irrigated the sacred lands of al-Sham century after century. Noble blood for a noble soil.
Fighters of the Rayat al-Islam Brigade, shortly before their death.
The heart wrenches at the loss of such noble souls, the eye tears. But it not over them we should cry, but over ourselves. For they have gone forth having etched their names in the scrolls of the scribes most near to the Merciful. They have gone forth reviving the memories of Malik ibn al-Nadhr (ra) and the archers who remained with him in Uhud. A glorious end.
Think not of those slain in the way of Allah as dead. Nay, they are living. With their Lord they have provision. Jubilant (are they) because of that which Allah has bestowed upon them of His bounty […] – those who heard the call of Allah and His messenger after calamity befell them; for such of them as do right and observe taqwa, there is great reward. Those unto whom men said: Lo! the people have gathered against you, therefor fear them. (The threat of danger) but increased their iman and they cried: Allah is Sufficient for us! Most Excellent is He in Whom we trust! (3: 169-173)
