Bensalem Himmich - The Theocrat

Abu Rakwa realized that now was the time to pose the implicit questions that were on everyone’s mind: fixing territorial targets and the relative balance in the distribution of booty.

“Good men,” he said, “for me the ultimate joy and happiness lies in your absolute conviction that my only objective is to elevate the name of God and to make justice and right triumph over tyranny. If that is what you want of me, then I am with you all through thick and thin. I will fight with you, I will bless your ranks, and will watch over you as you embark upon all the elaborate activity needed to prepare your forces for action. I see that you regard your new unity as a boon, and intend to consolidate it by undertaking a campaign in God’s cause.”

From among the Zanata there rose a gruff voice that demanded clarification, “Dear saint of God, God’s cause to which you call us is infinite. So give us some specific principles and goals.”

Abu Rakwa’s reply was firm and authoritative, “We shall move by way of Barqa, with Egypt and Syria as our goal.”

These words spread among the people present, “We shall move by way of Barqa, with Egypt and Syria as our goal!” At this point Shihab al-Din stood up to underline the point, “You people, what our leader says is right. If you decide to make do with Barqa, your period of power will be no more than a summer cloud. If you really want your unity to radiate outward and your power to be converted to state authority, then you will have to deal with Egypt and Syria. You must eradicate the rule of the Fatimid tyrant and in its place set up a just regime based on the laws of God.”

“Champion guide.” asked a man from the Banu Qurra, “let us suppose that, with our swords united, we manage to achieve the goals we seek, how will we divide up and administer the country?

Abu Rakwa realized that, in responding to this tricky question, he had to show some initiative, “On this topic I can see no alternative but what reason dictates. The land belongs to God. Should we be granted victory, then the land of Egypt will belong first of all to you and me. We will need to rule it justly and through consultation, guided only by the twin lights of forethought and consensus. Syria will be governed by whomever we delegate from among the people campaigning along with us.”

Almost all those reacting gave support and consent to this idea, with little sign of doubt or opposition. But then someone from the Zanata said, “Abu Rakwa, why aren’t you telling us about the thing everyone wants to know: booty. Give us some details — God grant you His support! Tel! us specifically how much we’ll get so we can work out the terms for unsheathing our swords and have a clear idea of our role.”

Abu Rakwa’s reply attempted to soften the sharp edges of the question itself. “God Almighty has said. ‘You seek the offerings of this lower world, when with God there is booty beyond measure.’ The Prophet Himself — on Him be peace — said, ‘Wealth is in the soul.’”

The same man shot back, “God’s booty is only of use to us in the hereafter. Regarding this lower world, God also said, ‘Consume of your booty what is licit and good.’”

Abu Rakwa’s reply was still conciliatory, ‘“Consume of your booty what is licit and good, and fear God.’ O people. God has spoken the truth. The distribution of booty will only be done by portion. A fifth will go to the poor, the indigent, and the homeless, and a fifth to the treasury. The rest will be for you, licit and good, with no distinction among those who have fought. Booty will only be taken from those who have fought against us and who still take up the sword against us. Those who seek peace with us and are innocent of any wrongdoing against us have nothing to fear for either themselves or their property. Any person who plunders, robs, burns a tree, or destroys crops is no part of us; we will not hesitate to punish such people. These are my words to you, so take note.”

The response to these words was all agreement and assent. The shaykh of the Banu Qurra seized the moment to bring the matter to closure. He invited everyone to recite the Fatihah, and they did so in all humility. Then they all stood up and went outside the tent shaking hands and embracing each other.

The women meanwhile had been busy outside preparing plates of food. The men of the guest tribe brought over a camel, made it sit on the ground in front of Abu Rakwa, and asked him to bless the occasions by slaughtering it. The imam performed the ritual ablution, prayed two prostrations, then slit the camel’s throat while all around people intoned, “God is great.” Before midday the guest tent was crammed with visitors and distinguished guests, all eating and drinking to their hearts’ content and exchanging jokes and stories. Once they had finished, they hurried to perform the noon prayer behind Abu Rakwa, then returned to their tents to relax and take a nap.

For quite some time a profound silence descended on the encampment. A strong wind blew over the recumbent bodies as their stomachs struggled to digest so much food. In spite of it all, spirits soared high and far, as they dreamed of all the boons of Barqa, Egypt, and the other cities that had been part of the promise, and envisioned all the booty, visible and invisible, that would be theirs across the infinite miles of their journey. They would own fertile fields and the River Nile enveloped with its own blessings; gold, silver, marked horses, and sheep; power, glory, and stature. If the muezzin had not chanted the afternoon call to prayer, their spirits would have pursued this series of visions, ignoring both time and the need to rouse themselves.

After a while the visitors made ready to leave. Warm, sincere hand-shakes, accompanied by embraces, were exchanged between the tribesmen and their guests. They committed themselves to meet again soon and, above all, to progress toward cooperation and victory. As this farewell ceremony with all its strong emotion, was at its height, Abu Rakwa approached the shaykh of the Zanata tribe, produced a roll of documents from his sleeve, and handed it over to the eldest among them.

“May God sustain you all,” he said, “this is the text of the peace agreement between you and the Banu Qurra tribe: I have penned it myself in a sincere spirit of fidelity. As you can see, I have appended a document that is a secret between us and you: it contains details of what we have committed ourselves to, a campaign to eradicate tyranny and wrongdoing. Have all your sages read it, then send it back duly signed with the seals of honor and dignity so that we can send you a copy signed by the Banu Qurra. As soon as this procedure is completed through God’s own power, the next month of this blessed year will be upon us. By then our discord will be at an end, our ranks will be united, and we will enter Barqa safe and successful. Now return to your fellow tribesmen, conveying the good news and escorted on your way by peace and good fortune.”

As soon as Abu Rakwa had finished speaking and embraced the guests one by one, they all mounted their horses and rode away to a chorus of farewells, leaving the Banu Qurra feeling exultant and overjoyed. Once they had left, Abu Rakwa spoke, “Praise be to God who has brought us thus far. Without His guidance, we would not have taken the right path. Tribesmen, from now on you must be in a maximum state of readiness for the great day. Muster as many forces as you possibly can and make comprehensive and detailed plans. I am with you and one of you; I am willing to take part in coordination and organization and to assist you with the more complex aspects of strategic planning. Should you need my help, then ask me in the evenings during the course of the current month. In the mornings send me your children so that I can leach them God’s word and appropriate parts of the Prophet’s sayings and deeds; after all, learning things as a child is yet more enduring than inspiration carved on rock. From tomorrow send me your children so that I can wear on my neck the symbol of their education as a task to serve as intercession in my favor on the Day of Resurrection. Now I need to spend the rest of today on my own in order to purify my own soul and seek my Lord’s guidance.”