Text: Nikolai Gudalov GUESTS OF THE EMIRATE, QUICKLY MOVING ON A HIGH-SPEED HIGHWAY BETWEEN SKY SCRAPERS, MOSQUES, SHOPPING CENTERS AND MUSEUMS OF DUBAI, DO NOT ALWAYS PAY ATTENTION TO THE NAMES BEARS. And THEY ARE REMEMBERING THE GREAT PAGES OF THE HISTORY OF THE UAE AND THE ARAB WORLD! SIX STATIONS WHICH A SPEECH WILL BE ABOUT WILL BE THE MOST NOTIFICANT IN THIS RELATION. ALMOST ALL THEY ARE LOCATED IN THE HISTORICAL CENTER OF DUBAI
Abu Baker Al Siddique: Friend of the Prophet
Station number 18 on the green branch of Abu Baker Al Siddique is named after Abu Bakr al-Siddik (571-634 AD), known throughout the Islamic world.
Abu Bakr, who received the title “Most True” (“al-Siddik”), is one of the heroes of the first years of Islam, the first caliph (deputy) of the Prophet Muhammad, who led the Muslim community immediately after his death in 632. He played an outstanding role in the emergence of Islam and its formation as a leading spiritual and political force in the East.
Abu Bakr was one of the first to convert to Islam and follow the prophet when he was persecuted in Mecca. His faith was so strong that he renounced one of his sons and wife, who persisted in their unbelief. Being a wealthy merchant, Abu Bakr sacrificed his fortune for the sake of faith, redeemed believing slaves who suffered the bullying of the Meccan nobility. His daughter Aisha was Muhammad's beloved wife after the death of Khadija, his first wife.
It was with a faithful Abu Bakr, one slave and guide, that the prophet left Mecca in 622, in which the life of Muslims became unbearable, and performed a hijra (relocation) to the city of Yasrib, called Medina. Long before the victory of Islam, Abu Bakr became one of the "Blessed Ten" Muslims who were provided with a place in paradise. Abu Bakr was honored to be the first, one of the four righteous caliphs of the Sunni tradition. He did not rule for long - until his death in 634, but it is with the name of Abu Bakr that the most important aspects of the formation of Islamic statehood are connected.
As early as 631, the prophet entrusted Abu Bakr with the leadership of the hajj, a holy pilgrimage to Mecca. Muhammad said: if there is a person like Abu Bakr in the people, there is no need to look for a better imam. However, the prophet did not leave clear orders for the election of a successor.
This issue was resolved through a difficult compromise between the Meccans who accompanied Muhammad in the Hijra (Muhad-Fat) and his followers in Medina (Ansara). The most suitable candidate was the pious Abu Bakr, who in his first sermon said that he did not seek power and would bear it as a burden of duty.
The new leader was expected to face serious trials. In many parts of Arabia, the tribes, recalling the pre-Islamic freemen and referring to the fact that they entered into an alliance with the prophet and no one else, refused to obey the caliph and pay the tax (sadak). Several false prophets appeared, a wave of apostasy (riddah) arose, threatening the formation of a new religion and the unification of the Arabs. The tribes of East Arabia, including in the Dibba region in the territory of modern UAE and Oman, showed serious resistance to the power of Medina. In Dibba, a cemetery is still preserved, on which, as they say, the conquered apostates are buried. Abu Bakr managed to cope with the ridge.
From the very beginning, he took a position that predetermined the future victories of Islam: in response to the offer of some tribes about allegiance to Islam without paying a tax, he said: Islam is not without sadaka!
The success of the caliph’s policy was based on the fact that he mercifully accepted and forgave the repentant, but mercilessly fought with the stubborn. Since many people who knew the Koran by heart (hafiz) died in battles, the first written expositions of the holy book appeared under Abu Bakr.
In the last years of the reign of Abu Bakr, clashes between Muslims and powerful Persia and Byzantium began, which were conquered by the Arabs after his death. The first Muslim caliph died at 63, as did Muhammad. Abu Bakr was a friend of the prophet and the first man to convert to Islam. Once among the persecuted Meccans, he left behind a single and strong Caliphate.
Salah Al Din: Sultan of Egypt and Syria
On the map of the Dubai metro there was a place in memory of the great commander of Islam - Salah al-Din (station Salah Al Din). This name is an honorary title meaning "piety of faith." The founder of the Ayyubid state, the sultan of Egypt and Syria, the enemy of the crusaders, was called Yusuif ibn Ayyub (1138-1193 AD), but the great ruler went down in history as Salah ad-Din.
He was born into a Kurdish family, served at the court of Emir Aleppo and Damascus Nur al-Din from the Turkic Zanga dynasty. Salah ad-Din represented the interests of Nur al-Din in Egypt, and as a result he managed to remove the members of the Fatimid dynasty from power. After the death of his lord, Salah ad-Din declared himself the Sultan of Egypt and began to annex the lands of Nur al-Din in Syria to his territory. Ten years before the start of the fight against the infidels, Salah ad-Din spent strengthening power and fighting other Muslim rulers. Ultimately, the unification in the same strong hands of Egypt and Syria allowed Muslims to crush the crusaders.
The most triumphant victory of Salah ad-Din, which was of tremendous symbolic and historical significance, was the capture of Jerusalem in 1187, which until then, starting from 1099, was owned by the crusaders.
Muslims regained the city of Ibrahim (Abraham), the site of the night ascension of Muhammad from the Temple Mount, where Al-Aqsa Mosque was later built in memory of the great event. At the early stage of the prophecy of Muhammad (610-623 AD), this place became the first qibla - a landmark to which Muslims turned their faces during prayer.
Salah ad-Din was recognized as a hero of the Islamic world, gold coins were minted in his honor, even Muslim enemies and crusaders respected the winner. On the canvases of European artists Salah ad-Din is depicted white-faced, unlike other "Saracens", whose faces were painted black. Dante Alighieri placed the image of Salah ad-Din "only" in the first circle of hell, his war with the crusaders was reflected in English literature. The novel "Talisman" by Walter Scott was the first work in Europe, which reflected the military campaigns of the Sultan, and gave a positive image of Islam and Muslims.
Salah ad-Din, a successful, ambitious warrior and politician, dreamed of conquering lands from Spain to the eastern borders of Persia. And part of these grandiose plans was realized, but by his descendants Ayyubids. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai
Baniyas: tribe of lords
In the historical center of Dubai, the Baniyas Square station (Bani Yas Square) is located. The history of the Emirates is associated with the tribe (originally a union of one and a half dozen tribes) of Bani Yas. Rod Al Nahyan from the branch of Al Bu Falyah rules in Abu Dhabi.
From it comes the UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. And the rulers of Dubai belong to the Al Maktoum clan from the branch of Al Bou Fallas.
Sheikhs Al Bu Falyah subordinated to other tribes of Bani Yas for more than ten generations, so that their power is much "older" than the UAE itself, which gained independence in 1971. Bani Yas lived all year round in harsh desert conditions - it was the representatives of these tribes among the Arabs who were considered real Bedouins, respected and honored.
Since the 16th century, they settled on the Liva oasis (modern emirate of Abu Dhabi), which became the center of their life. Gradually, the local weaker tribes in the oasis recognized the primacy of Bani Yas. In the second half of the 18th century, Bani Yas took an important step - they began to develop the Persian Gulf coast, having founded a settlement on the island of Abu Dhabi. And after a third of a century, the city became an important center, where the leader of the tribal union also moved. So the foundation was laid for the capital status of Abu Dhabi and the future statehood of the Emirates.
Representatives of this tribe - Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum - played a major role in the creation of new Emirates after they gained independence and the onset of the oil era.
Today, many indigenous people of the emirates, leading a clan from Bani Yas, occupy a leading position. For example, in the field of defense and security. At the same time, immigrants from the tribes that were once the enemies of Bani Yas are also provided with promising opportunities. Such a policy demonstrates the state wisdom of people from Bani Yas, because everyone, regardless of origin, must work for their country and love it!
Khalid Bin Al Waleed: the "sword" of Allah
The early history of Islam cannot be imagined without Khalid ibn Al-Waleed (592-642 CE), whose name was until recently a transfer station between two metro lines - Khalid Bin Al Waleed (now - Burjuman station). Khalid is an outstanding Muslim commander, one of Muhammad’s associates, nicknamed Sayfu Allah (the sword of Allah). His tactics are an example of decisiveness and courage, and his biography is twisty, like an Arabic script. Khalid was born in the family of the leader of one of the most notable clans of Mecca - Banu Mahzum. Representatives of the clan traditionally engaged in military affairs. Khalid's father was called the "One" and revered as a deity.
One of the leaders of Islam could boast a pedigree of 49 tribes, which at one time was glorified by the "father of the Arabs" Ismail, three prophets and Adam himself. Khalid was tall, handsome, masterly possessed weapons, was famous as a beautiful rider. In his youth, he accompanied caravans to Syria, was friends with Arabs, Christians, Persians, Byzantines, not knowing that one day he would meet them on the battlefields.
Al Walid, like many Meccan aristocrats, initially rejected Islam and Muhammad. Khalid commanded the cavalry of the Meccans, crowding out Muslims at the village of Uhud in 625. However, the prophet foresaw that this bright commander would not be able to remain outside of Islam for a long time. And indeed, four years after the battle of Uhud, Khalid converted to a new faith.
Khalid became the "sword of Islam", directed against the infidels, who smashed the apostates in the battles of the ridda. He emerged victorious not only from battles, but also from "dark stories". So, after one of the battles all the captives of Khalid were killed. In justification, the commander said it was cold, and he ordered his soldiers to warm the captured. But they misunderstood the Meccan dialect and killed people.
It often happened that Khalid, breaking the tradition, married women from the enemy camp immediately after the battle. But Abu Bakr forgave Khalid everything! The sword of Islam could not be sheathed.
Khalid ibn Al-Waleed commanded the first Muslim battles against Persia and Byzantium; in Iraq, he broke the resistance of Christian Arabs. During these campaigns, Khalid troops crossed 800 km across enemy territory without a single defeat. Al Walid’s tactics were as follows: warriors moved only on camels, horses were light, and they were transplanted only for a quick attack.
The election by Caliph Umar (reigned in 634-644 CE) dramatically changed Khalid's life - he was deprived of the title of commander in chief. Umar had no particular affection for the commander.
As boys, they competed in battles, and Khalid often defeated an opponent. Umar was pious to Puritanism; Khalid loved spending money and living widely. But the commander, having lost his leadership, continued to serve the Islamic army, fighting in Persia and Syria.
In the late 630s, Umar removed Khalid from the army completely. The Caliph did not like the glory of the commander, who, according to Umar, belittled the fact that victories are granted by the Almighty, and not by man. The death of Khalid in 642 was mourned by all Muslims. His martial art has never ceased to be admired to this day: Khalid is one of the few commanders in history who was not defeated in battle.
Ibn Battuta: The Great Traveler
Ibn Battuta Station, named after the great 14th-century Arab traveler Ibn Battuta (1304-1377 CE), deserves to be reached, although the path is not short - to the outskirts of Dubai, at the end of the red line. Here, a tourist is waiting for the shopping center of the same name, which combined under its roof the architecture of Andalusia and Tunisia, Egypt and Persia, India and China - the places that Ibn Battuta visited and talked about. In any case, the long metro ride is not the 75 thousand miles that the traveler traveled on horseback and camel.
The travel geography of Ibn Battuta is still amazing. Once he gave the vow never to follow the same path twice: the passion for the unknown always attracted Ibn Battut only forward. Let there be debate about where his foot really went, and where imagination only reached - he gave wonderful descriptions of countries and customs, which researchers find confirmation in the writings of travelers of a later period. It is believed that the topographic data of Ibn Battuta is more reliable than that of his European contemporary Marco Polo.
Born in Tangier (Morocco) in the family of Sheikh Abdullah al-Lavati, during his wanderings he became a judge (Qadi) and worked in this capacity for several years in the Maldives and Delhi. Ibn Battuta visited the Arabian Peninsula, sailed along the Persian Gulf, passed through the Strait of Hormuz and, of course, traveled all Islamic countries.
This man was not a professional geographic scientist, but he was the author of one of the great encyclopedic codes covering the entire geography of Islamic countries.
His work adorns the promising title: "A gift to the beholders about the wonders of cities and the wonders of travel"
Al Karama: the ghost of the capital
If the names of the previous five stations refer us to the most important events in Arab history, about which volumes are written, then the subtext of the word "Al Karama" is little known even to many indigenous people of the emirates.
Translated from Arabic, “karama” means “honor”, “dignity”, “prestige”, “generosity”, “generosity”, “nobility” and even “miracle”. That was what the new capital of the UAE was to be called, which was enshrined in the Provisional Constitution of the young state of 1971. It was planned to be built in the desert, on the lands allocated for this purpose by the emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The UAE’s first budget spelled out the appropriate funds for the project, and the telephone code 01 was reserved for the phone numbers of the future capital. But a miracle did not happen - the UAE followed a more natural path of development.
Abu Dhabi, the largest emirate in terms of territory, population and oil reserves, strengthened its leadership positions, and by the end of the 70s, the ambitious Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah had to abandon the idea of building Al Karama, which they actively supported.
Financial considerations also affected: it was better to direct the money to the development of existing cities.
In 1996, the Provisional Constitution became permanent, and Abu Dhabi consolidated its capital status. So the old tribal center of the powerful Bani Yas turned into the official capital of the modern state. And the memories of Al Karama remained only in the names of the districts of Abu Dhabi and Dubai and on the map of the Dubai metro.
