An Astonishing Trait in Bediuzzaman’s Character
This appeared in the 15th Teşrin‑i Evvel, 1948 number of the magazine Ehl‑i Sünnet. It was written by the magazine’s owner, who is a lawyer.
Bediuzzaman was taken prisoner the same day that I was wounded and captured in Bitlis during the First World War. He was sent to Siberia, to one of the big prisoner‑of-war camps. I was on the island of Nangün near Baku. One day, Nicola Nicolayavich visited the camp in order to inspect the prisoners. While passing in front of Bediuzzaman, Bediuzzaman ignored him, not so much as stirring a finger. This attracted the commander-in-chief’s attention. On some pretext, he passed by a second time, and again Bediuzzaman did not stir. He passed by a third time, and stopped, then the following exchange ensued:
“Do you know who I am?”
“Yes, I know. You are Nicola Nicolayavich, the Czar’s uncle and commander‑in-chief of the Caucasian Front.”
“So why do you insult me?”
“Forgive me, but I have not insulted you. I am merely doing what my beliefs demand.”
“What do your beliefs demand?”
“I am a Muslim scholar. I have belief in my heart. Someone with belief in his heart is superior to one without belief. If I had risen to my feet, I would have been disrespectful to my beliefs. I did not stand up for that reason.”
“In that case, by saying that I am without belief, you are insulting both my person, and the army to which I belong, and my nation, and the Czar. A military court will be set up at once and you will be interrogated.”
On this command, a military court was set up. The Turkish, German, and Austrian officers in the headquarters all pleaded with Bediuzzaman to apologize to the commander‑in-chief. He replied like this:
“I want to travel to the realm of the hereafter, to the presence of Allah the Most High’s Messenger (UWBP), and I have to have a passport. I can’t act contrarily to my beliefs.”
No one could open their mouths in the face of this and awaited the results. The interrogation ceased, and they passed a sentence of execution for insulting the Russian Czar and army. Bediuzzaman said cheerfully to the officer leading the squad that came to carry out the sentence: “Allow me fifteen minutes to perform my duties.” He took the ablutions, then while performing two rak‘ats of prayers, Nicola Nicolayavich appeared. He said:
“Forgive me! I supposed you acted as you did to insult me, so I had you tried according to the law. But now I realize that you were merely acting out of your beliefs and were carrying out what they enjoin. The judgement is quashed. You are worthy of respect for the firmness of your belief. I disturbed you; again, forgive me.”
A major, one of Bediuzzaman’s companions, described this high trait of his character and firmness of religion, which is a worthy example for all Muslims, as he himself witnessed it. When I heard it, involuntarily my eyes filled with tears.
Abdurrahim
Ustad did not ask for this article to be published in the newspaper, but being both of great interest, and an instructive example, and very exciting, it has been included here.
Husrev