She became her own hero

Assalammualaikum,

I have been asked to give a taddabur about “a woman”. It supposed to be related with al Quran verses, with the theme of woman. But I already had something in my mind before that. It also related to the theme. Thus, let me take this opportunity to share about it.

“She became her own hero”. That’s the title. It is a very meaningful title for me. In this world, where people too depend on someone, let you be different. In this world, where people longing for someone, let you give all of your heart only to Him. Allah. In this world when people let their eyes shedding tears because of someone, let your eyes shedding tears only because afraid of Allah. Let your eyes be your witness in the Day of Judgement. Against the current !

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Two eyes will not be touched by Hellfire: An eye that cries from the fear of Allah, and an eye that spent the night in a guard post in the path of Allah (Jihad).” [Tirmidhi]

Counting my age which is 21 this year, I’m afraid if I have no enough time to be totally falling in love with Him. 

Move on to the message. I heard so much about girls who weep because of her heart broken. I witness so much girls crushed because they got cheated. I saw they fall into grief just because that someone special doesn’t remember their birthday. Allahu, how soft our hearts are.

Thus, I want to bring you a different story here. It is about the angel of steel (bidadari besi). Her name is khawlah al azwar. How inspiring her story was. 

Khawlah was the daughter of one of the chiefs of Bani Assad tribe, and her family embraced Islam in its early days. Her father’s nickname is Al azwar.Khaulah Al-Azwar was a woman who lived in the days of Companions. Khaulah has mental strength and physical strength. Since her childhood, she has been good at playing swords and spears. 

She was very close with her brother Dhirar and they were always doing everything together. So it was only natural that when he went to go fight with Khalid ibn Waleed’s army against the Romans in the greater Syria region, Bilad Al-Sham, that she would go with him. Her brother, Dhirar Al azwar was known as a fearless fighter. He was a master of the martial arts and would go into battle without a shield, helmet or any kind of army and he was extremely powerful. He knew exactly how to fight.

One day he has gone missing. He was captured by the enemies. 

And then there was another battle, in that battle there was a knight who is so mystery because he covered his face. He was in black attire, with a large green shawl wrapped around his waist and covering his chest. Even Khalid al walid was also wondering who the knight is. This knight looks so brave and it was stated that, this man looks like he really want to syahid in that battle. Even if the power of enemies was greater, this knight was fearless. He rides his horse straight to the military line of enemies and dividing it. He penetrated the military line and be at the middle of the enemies. He did not show any sign to retreat. This makes Khalid al walid and his armies stunned and eager to know who the mysterious knight is. Khalid al walid and his assistance try to pull back this knight because they want him alive. But they cannot catch up to him, he was too fast for them. Could you imagine, Khalid al walid who is the Commander of Islam and a great fighter, also adore this knight? Could you imagine how great this knight was fighting? 

Then, Khalid approached the knight and asked him to show his face. A pair of black eyes staring at khalid before returning to attack the enemy. Then Khalid’s soldier following the knight and said to him “O warrior, chief called you and you went away, show us your face and tell us your name, so that we can give you a respect.” Again, this mysterious knight avoids them and went away.

After the battle, when he passed by Khalid, Khalid insist him to stop and ask him again. When Khalid heard a voice of a woman, he almost fell down from his horse. He was so surprised.

You know what the knight answered? 

"My leader, I did not answer because I am shy. You are a great leader, and I am only a woman whose heart is burning. I am Khawlah al azwar" 

MashaAllah. When her brother is not around, she wanted to save her brother. She did not begging any heroes to save him. But she was the one who be the hero. She became her own hero. And she fought in the path of Allah. She used her expertise in martial arts in the path of Allah.

Khaulah was not like a rapunzel who is waiting in a tower for the prince charming to come with his white horse. Khaulah was not like a cinderella who is waiting the prince to save her life from a poverty. Khaulah was a lady who saves the world by her own hand. She needed a hero and that's what she become. 

Dear girls, it’s not that I ask you to ride a horse and bring a sword. But I want you, to fight in your battle of life. I want you to get up and become someone better. Become your own hero.

This is not feminist thinking. And I’m not a feminist. (my father is forever my hero)

Just, when you still cannot find your anchor, be your own anchor. After all, Allah is the permanent anchor. La hawla wala quwata illa billah.