In 1862, the Sheikhs of Khalwat al-Bayada requested Sheikh Abu Ali Qassam al-Hinnawi to come to Lebanon to resolve a dispute they had been unable to settle between Sheikh Khattar Imad and Hussein Talhouq on one side, and Sheikh Said Jumblatt on the other. This dispute had caused hundreds of deaths, divided the people, and shattered their unity.
Sheikh al-Hinnawi set out for Lebanon with a small group of Sheikhs from the mountain. After they had stayed for a few days, his efforts were crowned with success, the rift between the disputing parties was bridged, the long-standing conflict was resolved, and love returned to fill everyone's hearts.
After the reconciliation, honors were held for Sheikh al-Hinnawi and his companions. Sheikh Bashir Qais, one of the notables of Hasbaya, hosted a large gathering, with the late Sheikh al-Hinnawi and his companions from the mountain presiding. Immediately upon arrival, Sheikh al-Hinnawi asked his host to summon a person named Hassan Sharouf, a common man who worked as a goat herder.
The attendees were surprised by Sheikh al-Hinnawi's request, and the host, Sheikh Bashir Qais, said to him: “He is just a goat herder, what do you want with him, Sheikh? We are all at your service.”
Sheikh al-Hinnawi replied: “I just want to get to know him, nothing more. And when you know the reason, the surprise will vanish.” Then Sheikh al-Hinnawi continued, saying to everyone: “Oh noble ones, on one occasion I met with the chief of the 'Anazzah' tribe, the well-known 'Ibn Samir.' As you know, Ibn Samir is a famous leader and a renowned knight. As he sat next to me, he looked at me, marks of admiration drawn on his face, and said to me: 'Oh Abu Ali, anyone who says there is someone braver in the desert than you, the Bani Ma'rouf, is mistaken. I bear true witness that God has chosen you from among all His creation to be warriors of war, valiant knights, and protectors; only those who lack insight would deny this of you.'” Sheikh al-Hinnawi asked Ibn Samir: “What is the occasion for these words? Tell us what you have, oh brother of Adhra” — which was his title. Ibn Samir addressed everyone and said: “We were ten horsemen, including the hero Saleh al-Tayyar, and we were passing by 'Ain Dhikr' in the Golan. We encountered a man from the mountain, from the Bani Ma'rouf, on the back of his horse, with a beautiful young woman beside him on the back of a camel. After they had moved a distance away, the devil tempted me, and I coveted the beautiful young woman. I said to my companions: 'This is an easy bounty that will cost us nothing. Leave the girl to me, and you take the rest as spoils. This is a lone man, and we are ten on our horses; he cannot overcome us.'” And they moved to attack him.
When Hassan realized their intention, he made the camel kneel beside a high pile of rocks and placed the girl between the rocks and the camel. He mounted his horse and began to challenge them, saying: “I am Hassan Sharouf, I hold my soul cheap. How sweet is death when it comes for honor and dignity! And whoever wishes for his mother to mourn him, let him approach.” He repeated his words until the dust stirred and fear struck our hearts, even though he was one man and we were ten on our horses. Ibn Samir adds, “At that point, I told my companions: 'This is a lion among the lions of the Bani Ma'rouf defending his lioness... By God, by God... if we approach him, he will surely kill three or four of us. I swear to you by God, let him be; it is a sin for a lion like this to die.' We left him, and his voice still echoes in my ears to this day as he challenged us, saying: 'I am Hassan Sharouf, I hold my soul cheap.' This lion, I will never forget as long as I live.”
No sooner had Sheikh al-Hinnawi finished his story than everyone present was stunned. A few moments later, Hassan Sharouf arrived, holding his cane, and everyone stood in his honor. The late Sheikh Abu Ali Qassam al-Hinnawi stepped forward, and after greeting him, kissed his mustache, seated him by his side, and praised him, saying: “Men are like you, Sheikh Hassan. You have held high the head of the Bani Ma'rouf with your courage and boldness. May God multiply the likes of you, and bless your wealth and your property.”
After Sheikh al-Hinnawi finished his account, the host, Sheikh Bashir Qais, stepped forward and said to Hassan Sharouf: “Why did you not tell us, Sheikh Hassan, about what happened between you and Ibn Samir?” Hassan Sharouf shifted in his seat, adjusted his turban, turned his gaze to those present, and said: “Who among you would believe me that I acted bravely against ten horsemen in a desolate land? That is why I never told it to anyone. But I entrusted it to the treasures of the Almighty Creator. And thank God that you know it from Sheikh Abu Ali. This is a blessing upon me from the Lord of the Worlds.” No sooner had he finished speaking than everyone showered him with the honors he deserved.
