Victory in battle by virtue of Miswak

Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Bin Mubarak رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه divided his life into three parts. One year he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه would go to perform Hajj, one year he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه would go to participate in battle and one year he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه would give Dars of Islamic knowledge. Once he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه participated in a battle in which Muslims were not able to conquer the fort of unbelievers. Worried about it, he fell asleep and saw in a dream that the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم saying: O ‘Abdullah! What are you worried about? Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Bin Mubarak رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه replied: Ya Rasoolallah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! We are trying our best but unable to conquer this fort. I am worried about it. The Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: Perform Wudu with Miswak. Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Bin Mubarak رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه woke from the dream; performed Wudu with Miswak and ordered Salah-offering people to use Miswak.

When the security guards of the fort saw Ghazis (title of a Muslim fighting against non-Muslims) using Miswak, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ put a fear into their hearts. They went downstairs and told the chiefs of the fort: The army down there seems to be man-eaters; they are sharpening their teeth so that they can eat us after defeating. Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ put this terror into their hearts and they sent a messenger to Muslims with a message: Do you want wealth or life? Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Bin Mubarak رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه replied: [We] neither want money nor life; you all embrace Islam, you will get salvation. By virtue of the blessing of this Sunnah they all embraced Islam and became Muslims.

Dear Islamic brothers! By virtue of the blessing of one Sunnah [use of Miswak] not only did Muslims achieve the victory, but the enemies also embraced Islam and became Muslims. No doubt, our victory and success lie in the beautiful ways and Sunnah of the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. If we want to regain the lost glory and dignity and the dominance of Islam, we will have to practice every Sunnah of the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. For making [Muslims] obey His Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has stated in Ayah 21 of Surah Al-Ahzaab: