خطبة: نور الدين محمود زنكي - الشهيد
Nur El Din Mahmoud - Al Shahid
"When Allah, the Almighty, opened Jerusalem under the leadership of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi, he undertook the task of cleaning Al-Aqsa Mosque, Why? Because the occupiers had turned it into a stable for horses and placed cattle and pigs in it!!! It had remained closed for ninety years, during which no prayers were held, and it had been used for various purposes, with its features distorted.
Salah al-Din ordered the restoration of everything to its original state before the Crusader occupation. He then instructed the retrieval of a magnificent pulpit from Aleppo, brought in on wheels, and erected it beside the mihrab. This pulpit became known among the people as Salah al-Din's pulpit, which is a mistake!!!
This pulpit was one of the most beautiful and masterful creations crafted by human hands, comprising over 12,000 pieces, without a single nail being used. It was made with meticulous craftsmanship.
However, who ordered its construction?
It was Sultan Nur al-Din Mahmoud, the martyr, who ordered the construction of the pulpit twenty years before the liberation of Jerusalem. He intended it to be placed in Al-Aqsa Mosque and gathered the most skilled craftsmen for the task. He hoped to install it with his own hands, but it ended up being carried out by his righteous disciple, Salah al-Din, in homage to his master and as a continuation of the journey of liberating Jerusalem.
"So who is Nur al-Din Mahmoud ibn Zangi?
In our history, there are men whom we must know, study their biographies, and pass on their stories to our children. It is not sufficient in religion merely to memorize the Quran and have our children memorize it. The companions of the Prophet did not understand religion in such a manner. They taught their children the life of the Prophet and the exploits of the Prophet just as they taught them the chapters of the Quran. They instilled in them love for Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali.
So, who is Nur al-Din Mahmoud?
Ibn al-Athir, a great Muslim historian, says about him in his book 'Al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh': 'After Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, there has not been a commander like Nur al-Din in his justice, piety, asceticism, courage, and good character among the people.'
His relationship with his Lord: He learned the Quran, Hadith, and jurisprudence, following the Hanafi school of thought. However, he did not harbor fanaticism for his school of thought, and he honored scholars from all schools. He carried great authority; when princes entered, they respected him and did not sit until he gave them permission. Yet, he was extremely humble with scholars and the righteous. If a scholar, jurist, or a virtuous man from among the poorest people entered, he would stand up for him, greet him, smile, and seat him either beside him or in front of him. To the extent that the princes envied the scholars for their esteemed position in his eyes."
"He used to engage in night prayers frequently, and most of his supplications were asking Allah to grant him martyrdom. He lived his entire life longing for martyrdom in the path of Allah. He used to say, 'O Allah, gather me in the bellies of beasts and the intestines of birds,' meaning that he wished to die as a martyr in battle and his body scattered.
However, even though he did not achieve martyrdom, people called him 'The Martyr,' Nur al-Din Mahmoud al-Shahid, Al Imam Al Thahaby said: He achieved it even when he died on his bed.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): 'Whoever sincerely seeks martyrdom, Allah will elevate him to the ranks of the martyrs, even if he dies in his bed.'
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