In a time where youth cannot be envied for living in it, given the abundance of distractions and prevalence of trivialities, the importance of exemplary role models becomes apparent. These role models ignite the youth's motivation for goodness, inspiring them to strive for perfection, learn not to diminish their self-worth, and avoid excessive self-blame. They behave as great individuals without arrogance or pride, dedicated to a grand mission of cultivating the earth for the benefit of humanity, the environment, and society.
Among the shining human examples that particularly revive hope and ignite passion in the hearts of youth is Abdulrahman ibn Muawiya, or Abdulrahman Aldakhil, known as the 'Falcon of Quraysh.' He is the pure and virtuous young man who grew up indulged in the palace of power. However, as time passed, he faced trials from all directions. Yet, he managed to overcome all the difficult circumstances surrounding him, establishing a great reign amidst constant revolutions, continuous conspiracies, and deep-seated rivalries among the conflicting tribes in that distant corner of the earth.
On the ruins of the Umayyad Caliphate, the Abbasids established their state. Their first action was to pursue anyone from the Umayyads who was qualified to assume the caliphate. They killed princes, sons of princes, and even grandsons of princes, except for a few who escaped their grasp. Among them was Abdulrahman ibn Muawiya, the grandson of Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, the young man who had not yet reached the age of twenty. He leaped into the Euphrates River and travelled to Egypt, then to his uncles in Barqah, Libya, then to the Maghreb, and finally to Al-Andalus, where he restored Umayyad rule.
While the Arab and Islamic lands were under Abbasid rule, Al-Andalus alone enjoyed Umayyad rule under the leadership of this young man. His story is worthy to be a wide gate of inspiration for all youth and men, especially those aspiring to leadership, control, and governance!
Undoubtedly, the stubborn Abbasid caliph, Abu Ja'far al-Mansur, attempted to overthrow Umayyad rule in Al-Andalus and sent armies for that purpose. However, Abdulrahman Aldakhil wielded his sword against the armies sent by Abu Ja'far, including the army led by the military commander Al-Ala' ibn Mughith al-Hadrami, to such an extent that Abu Ja'far prayed to his Lord, saying: "Praise be to Allah who has placed the sea between me and Abdulrahman!"
Abdulrahman Aldakhil endured an extremely painful experience at the age of eighteen when his family fell victim to a mass killing ordered by the first Abbasid caliph. Finding himself alone by himself, haunted by horrors from every direction, he did not know how to survive or where to turn. Enemies lurked around him, and he witnessed his own brother being slaughtered on the riverbank, realizing that fear and anticipation would dominate his future if he continued living. His greatest concern became finding security.
How did this young man overcome the agony of losing his family and loved ones, of being estranged, and rise above the fear that engulfed him, to establish a kingdom after a long hiatus with sound management and firm determination?
Abdulrahman was raised with strong principles; he memorized the Quran and learned the Arabic language. Signs of intelligence and leadership manifested in him at an early age. Muslimah ibn Abd al-Malik, his paternal uncle, saw him as the most suitable candidate for leadership and expressed this belief, which had the most profound impact on the young Abdulrahman.
Every individual needs kind words, motivation, and encouragement as they serve as psychological support that inspires achievement. Each person has the potential for action and accomplishment, but the absence of motivation may extinguish their enthusiasm.
No matter how strong, stern, or enthusiastic a person may be, and regardless of how broad their ideologies are, they would not find their true direction in life without the word that instils hope in the soul, provided that it is spoken with sincerity and truthfulness. At that moment, it flows into the recipient's soul, providing relief to their heart.
One of the greatest influences of the upbringing Abdulrahman ibn Muawiya received was the immense psychological strength that enabled him to persevere in the face of all obstacles and difficulties. He sat on the throne of governance in a land he entered alone, dealing wisely with both his enemies and friends. He continued to profess allegiance to Abu Ja'far al-Mansur, the Abbasid caliph residing in Baghdad, from the platforms in Al-Andalus. Despite knowing that Abu al-Sabah al-Yahsubi, the leader of the Yemenis in Al-Andalus, sought to kill him and eliminate him, Abdulrahman did not remove him until more than ten years had passed, fearing that discord among the Muslims would weaken their standing against the Christians.
That's why one day, Abu Ja'far sat among the men of his palace and asked them, "Do you know who the Falcon of Quraysh is?"
In their usual hypocrisy, the men of the palace replied, "It's you." He then said to them, "No!"
They proceeded to mention some names such as Muawiya, Abdul-Malik ibn Marwan, and others of their ilk, but his response remained, "No."
And when they were unable to answer, he said to them: "Rather, he is Abdulrahman ibn Muawiya. He entered Al-Andalus alone, supported by his own opinion, accompanied by his determination. He traversed deserts and sailed seas until he entered a foreign land. He stabilized the unstable, recruited soldiers, and established a kingdom after its interruption with his sound management and firm determination."
I have found no description more eloquent than that of Ibn Hayyan for Abdulrahman Aldakhil. He described him with the following attributes: "Abdulrahman was of profound patience, deep knowledge, keen understanding, resolute determination, firm resolve, free from weakness, swift in action, constantly in motion, never resting or relying on others. He did not act based solely on his own opinion but sought counsel. He was courageous, valiant, avoiding arrogance, intense in his pursuit, rarely finding tranquillity, eloquent, poetic, generous, and charitable. He spoke freely and dressed in white, preferring it. He was respected by his allies and enemies alike. He attended funerals, prayed over the deceased, prayed with the people on Fridays and holidays, delivered sermons, and visited the sick."
Read the Article in Arabic.
