Monday, Ramadan 17, 1446 AH (17/03/2025)
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation. May Allah extol the Messenger in the highest company of Angels and grant him peace; and likewise, his family, his Companions and all those who truly and sincerely follow him until the Day of Resurrection.
Dear brothers and sisters! In the year 1258 AD (675 A.H), there lived a tyrant Mongolian leader by the name of Hulagu Khan (Hulaku), who invaded Baghdad and killed thousands of Muslims. This paved the way for Christian missionaries to preach Christianity and convert Muslims openly. Hulagu himself was married to a Christian woman.
One day, a delegation of the most notable Christians headed for Baghdad to attend a grand party to celebrate the conversion of a key Mongolian leader to Christianity. The Mongolian leader had his favourite hunting dog on a leash nearby.
One of the Christians then began congratulating the Mongolian leader on his wise decision and then proceeded to revile the blessed character of our Beloved Messenger (Peace be upon him [Supposedly in order to discourage them from accepting Islam].
The dog started acting violently and jumped on the Christian, scratching him badly. It took several men to make the dog let go of the Christian. One of the attendees turned to the Christian and said:
“The dog did this because of what you said about Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).”
The Christian brushed aside the man’s comment and arrogantly said:
“No, that was not the reason for the dog’s reaction. When I was speaking, I pointed with my hand and the dog thought that I was going to hit him.”
The Christian appeared unmoved by the incident and continued to insult the Noble Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). At that time the dog, in such a rage, cut itself loose, jumped on the Christian and sank its molars in the man’s neck. It snatched his throat out and the man died immediately.
Wallahi, this incident caused 40,000 Mongolians who were present there to embrace Islam.
For this story, please check the book, Ad-Durar Al-Kaminah, Volume 2, page 202.
And the commander here was Berke Khan Rahimahullah, who after accepting Islam, defeated many hordes of his Mongol cousins and freed many Muslim lands.
Imam Adh-Dhahabi said that this narration has an authentic (Sahih) chain in Mu’jam Ash-Shuyukh, page 387.
Ya Allah, on this day, guide us towards righteous options, fulfill our needs and hopes, O one who does not need explanations nor questions, O one who knows what is in the chests of the world’s people. Bless Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and his family, the pure.
All perfect praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our noble Messenger, Muhammad (Peace be upon him), and upon his family, his Companions and his true followers.
Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of: Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah Mosque; and Late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene Mosque, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com; or +2348038289761.
