panic, faint-heartedness, or cowardice, he would hearten the man, steady him, give him glad tidings, and promise him victory, triumph, and the spoils of war. He would set forth the excellence of jihad and of those who fight in Allah’s cause, and how Allah sends down tranquillity upon them. When he mounted his horse, he would draw his turban tight beneath his chin and ride through the enemy ranks like the greatest of heroes, standing his ground like the most unflinching of horsemen. His cry of takbīr—“Allāhu akbar!”—was more damaging to the enemy than much actual slaughter, and he would plunge into their midst like a man who had no fear of death… (1)