Muslim Knights: Volume 1

By Aisha Bilal

Overview:
The third of the Knights of Arabia series of books and the first in the Muslim Knights line, this book contains some true Islamic classics.

Here you can read about:

Story #1: Salman Al-Farisi - The very first Persian Muslim who traveled near and far looking for the religion that made the most sense to him.

Story #2: Bilal bin Ribah - A slave who became a Muslim in defiance of his master and bravely clung to his faith despite being tortured and tormented.

Story #3: Ibn Al-Maghazilee - A talented young comedian who inadvertently offends a calipha and is then challenged to make the calipha laugh...or suffer the consequences.

Story #4: Eyas bin Mu'awiya - A devout judge who uses his wits and his powers of reasoning and observation to avoid doing what he fears most: making an unfair judgement.

Story #5: Nuaiman bin Amr Al-Ansari - A trickster who can never resist making mischief, no matter how much trouble it gets him into.

Story #6: Muhammad (peace be upon him) speaks to his Sahaba about the importance of kindness to animals and the dire consequences of cruelty to animals.

Story #7: An Ansari Family that makes a small but significant sacrifice in order to provide their unexpected visitor with the kind of hospitality they feel is due to a guest in their home.

Story #8: Muhammad bin Hisham must rely on Muhammad bin Zaid, a man whose ancestors were slaughtered by his ancestors, or face capture and execution for the crime of being the last surviving member of the Amawi dynasty.

Story #9: Abdullah bin Huthafa - A Muslim prisoner whose faith is tried by a curious and capricious Roman Emperor. Abdullah is offered wealth, he is starved, he is threatened with torment and death and then finally given an offer he finds irresistible.

Story #10: Suhaib bin Sinan - The first Roman Muslim is pursued across the desert by greedy and vengeful Qurashi men who wish to either murder him or rob him, preferably both.

Included in the ebook are two maps - one shows the locations of cities and areas mentioned in the stories, and the other illustrates the remarkable journey of Salman Al-Farisi.

Also by Aisha Bilal:

1. Arabian Knights - Volume 1: A fun and interesting collection of stories about the adventures and misadventures of ordinary, famous and infamous Arabian Knights. Included are the stories of Antarah bin Shaddad, a slave who became a legend; Hatim Al-Taaee, a simple bedouin man who set the standard for generosity; Al-Numan bin Al-Munthir, a king whose boredom causes him to toy with people's lives; and Abu Al-Qassim Al-Tanbouri, an unfortunate merchant whose madas (leather sandals) land him repeatedly in prison.

2. Arabian Knights - Volume 2: In this second volume you can read about hidden tombs and lost wells, brave knights and cowardly murderers, an endangered crown prince and a man looking for his soul mate.

Coming Soon in 2013:
1. Muslim Knights - Volume 2
2. Islamic and Arabian Quotes and Proverbs - Volume 1

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aisha Bilal
• Release date: Jul 27, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301570881

Aisha Bilal

Aisha Bilal is a confirmed bookworm who grew up reading all the Arabic and English books she could find. As she read about King Arthur and his Knights, she realized that most of the people who enjoyed reading those stories would probably never read about the real-life Arabian Knights. So began her pet project: to share the stories of the many Knights of Arabia with a whole new audience.Although there will be no flying carpets, there will be lots of great stories in the Knights of Arabia books. So come explore a wonderful ancient culture rich in adventure and romance.Currently, Aisha Bilal lives in Mecca, Saudi Arabia where she spends her free time reading, writing and trying to sketch her cat. She plans to write and illustrate a children's book and hopes to have it ready for publishing soon.

Book preview

Muslim Knights

Volume 1

(Knights of Arabia Series)

By Aisha Bilal

Copyrights

Copyright 2011, 2012 Aisha Bilal.

All Rights Reserved.

Smashwords Edition 2013.

Thank you for downloading this gratis ebook. Although this is a gratis book, it remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied and distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy at Smashwords.com, where they can also discover other works by this author. Thank you for your support.

Cover design and maps by Abdiah Bougary: http://www.abdiahbougary.com

Dedications

To my cousin Deena,

For all her cheering and encouragement.

Table of Contents:

Copyrights

Dedications

Maps

Chapter 1: Salman Al-Farisi - The First Persian Muslim

Chapter 2: Bilal bin Ribah - A Proud Muslim

Chapter 3: Ibn Al-Maghazilee - Standup Comedy

Chapter 4: Eyas bin Mu'awiya - The Reluctant Judge

Chapter 5: Nuaiman bin Amr Al-Ansari - The Trickster

Chapter 6: Muhammad (peace be upon him) - On Kindness to Animals

Chapter 7: An Ansari Family - A Selfless Meal

Chapter 8: Muhammad bin Hisham and Muhammad bin Zaid - Good Deeds and Past Wrongs

Chapter 9: Abdullah bin Huthafa - Trials and Tribulations

Chapter 10: Suhaib bin Sinan - The Man Who Bought Himself

Sources

Glossary of People

Glossary of Places

Glossary of Terms

Author’s Notes

About the Author

Other Books by Aisha Bilal

Cover Preview: Arabian Knights - Volume 2

Maps

Figure 1: The Middle East (Locations Mentioned)

Figure 2: Salman’s Journey

Chapter 1: Salman Al-Farisi - The First Persian Muslim

Kaan Ya Makaan, Fee Qadeem Al-Zamaan…

There was a Place, in Times of Old…

Where a much longed-for boy was born to the affluent headman of Jee, a small village in the Esfahan province of Persia. The moment the boy's father held him in his arms for the very first time, a fierce wave of love and protectiveness washed over him. The headman vowed then and there that he would love and care for his newborn son, Salman, like no other father had ever loved or cared for a son.

As the boy grew up, his father did his best to honor that vow. He lavished Salman with love and attention and made sure that he wanted for nothing. He cared for him and guarded him like a precious treasure and educated him like a prince. But as the days and years passed, the headman grew more and more protective of Salman and increasingly anxious about his safety and wellbeing. Eventually, the day came when Salman's father refused to let him leave the house for fear something terrible might befall him.

Although people wondered at the headman’s strange behavior, Salman himself was not overly troubled by his father's odd decision. Everything he ever wanted, everything he ever asked for, was immediately brought to him. What did it matter if he wasn’t allowed to leave the house? All in all, Salman was content to honor his father’s wishes so he stayed quietly at home pursuing his own interests and amusing himself with the endless gifts his father brought him.

Many children in the same circumstances would have become very spoiled indeed, but not so Salman. Instead, he embraced his father's faith and became a very devout Zoroastrian. Salman's devotion to his faith was so great that he was eventually entrusted with the honor of keeping the sacred fire burning. As the days and years slowly went by, Salman poured all of his passionate young soul into his religion.

Then one day, when Salman was a man full-grown, his father came to him and said: My son, I am kept busy today overseeing the construction of a building and I cannot find the time to visit the farm. Go see to it, and then come and tell me if there is anything that needs to be done there.

Salman, of course, leapt at the opportunity to leave his