The Arabian horse is a remarkable creature. It is the oldest breed of horse, the only purebreed in the world. It played a significant role in history: Empires rose and fell because of this swift horse transporting soldiers across battlefields.
The Arabian horse flourished in Syria, Iraq, Iran and the Arabian peninsula. Its lineage traces back 5000 years. It is known for being affectionate and bonding well with humans, and is the breed of choice in the endurance world because of its stamina and agility.
By 1500 BC the Arabian horse was domesticated and the head men of Arab tribes could relate the histories of each horse in their tribe as well as they could each family of Bedouin. Great care is taken in preserving the purity of breed in the modern world: Blood typing is required to register new foals as purebred Arabians. Arabians have been the mount of choice for leaders like Napolean, George Washington, Genghis Khan, and Alexander the Great. Arabians were also used to improve local stock, thereby influencing directly or indirectly every other breed we have today.
The best war mares showed great courage in battle, taking spear thrusts without giving ground. The loyalty of an Arab horse to its master is legendary, taking the stabs of swords until death rather than move without the master’s command. To select the most loyal horses for breeding, the desert Arabs used to train the horse to come at the ringing of a bell. They used to then leave it for a few days without food or water. Thereafter the horse was let free near water and the bell was rung. The horse that left the water, in spite of thirst, and responded to the bell was chosen to carry on the breed. With the rise of Islam Muslim soldiers on their Arab horses spread around the world.
Now what is the significance of this horse and Islam? The Qur’aan has a chapter entitled Surah Aadiyaat. In it, in vivid word imagery, the war horse’s bravery is detailed. It’s heedless charge into the midst of battle is described in obedience to the master. Thereafter, Allah mentions the ingratitude of man to his Creator. The horse, when its master gave it some food, a little water and shelter, was ready to die for him and obey his every command. What of man? Allah not only provides him food and drink, He puts in place the entire system needed to bring that food to the plate, the digestive system to eat and enjoy the food and a myriad other things. On top of all that, He gave man his very existence, without which there would be no enjoyment, nothing.
Yet look at man’s ingratitude. He was supposed to have been ready to sacrifice his life for Allah yet he shows extreme ingratitude by ignoring and wilfully disobeying Allah’s Commands. A creature of lower intelligence understands loyalty and gratitude, yet man, the intelligent being, does not. We need to rise above lowly creatures like the horse, and at least heed Allah’s call. If not, then we sinks to levels lower than animals.
The Arabian horse flourished in Syria, Iraq, Iran and the Arabian peninsula. Its lineage traces back 5000 years. It is known for being affectionate and bonding well with humans, and is the breed of choice in the endurance world because of its stamina and agility.
By 1500 BC the Arabian horse was domesticated and the head men of Arab tribes could relate the histories of each horse in their tribe as well as they could each family of Bedouin. Great care is taken in preserving the purity of breed in the modern world: Blood typing is required to register new foals as purebred Arabians. Arabians have been the mount of choice for leaders like Napolean, George Washington, Genghis Khan, and Alexander the Great. Arabians were also used to improve local stock, thereby influencing directly or indirectly every other breed we have today.
The best war mares showed great courage in battle, taking spear thrusts without giving ground. The loyalty of an Arab horse to its master is legendary, taking the stabs of swords until death rather than move without the master’s command. To select the most loyal horses for breeding, the desert Arabs used to train the horse to come at the ringing of a bell. They used to then leave it for a few days without food or water. Thereafter the horse was let free near water and the bell was rung. The horse that left the water, in spite of thirst, and responded to the bell was chosen to carry on the breed. With the rise of Islam Muslim soldiers on their Arab horses spread around the world.
Now what is the significance of this horse and Islam? The Qur’aan has a chapter entitled Surah Aadiyaat. In it, in vivid word imagery, the war horse’s bravery is detailed. It’s heedless charge into the midst of battle is described in obedience to the master. Thereafter, Allah mentions the ingratitude of man to his Creator. The horse, when its master gave it some food, a little water and shelter, was ready to die for him and obey his every command. What of man? Allah not only provides him food and drink, He puts in place the entire system needed to bring that food to the plate, the digestive system to eat and enjoy the food and a myriad other things. On top of all that, He gave man his very existence, without which there would be no enjoyment, nothing.
Yet look at man’s ingratitude. He was supposed to have been ready to sacrifice his life for Allah yet he shows extreme ingratitude by ignoring and wilfully disobeying Allah’s Commands. A creature of lower intelligence understands loyalty and gratitude, yet man, the intelligent being, does not. We need to rise above lowly creatures like the horse, and at least heed Allah’s call. If not, then we sinks to levels lower than animals.