Tarek Ibn Ziyad, man of valor, a man of extraordinary courage and a true leader.

General Tarek was an experienced warrior well known for his unconquerable courage and bravery. He was also looked upon as a hero by the rest of Muslims soldiers who were proud to serve under his leadership.

Tarek's warrior skills are mostly highlighted in the Jabal Tarek's battle (Tarek's Hill), when the Muslims' army defeated the Romans.

The narrow stretch of sea separating Spain from the African coast was crossed by Tarek and his men in small boats. They were ready for battle as soon as they landed on the shore.

King Roderick of Spain was both surprised and angry at the daring of the Muslims. Placing himself at the head of a huge army, the king publicly took an oath that he will defeat the Muslims army and throw them into the sea through which they had come.

Tariq at once noticed the uneasiness among his soldiers, but he knew that this was not caused by any feeling of fear, for they were perfectly trained soldiers, and the heroes of many famous battles. They were waiting for his lead to support them and give them strength.

The conflict was a bloody one, but Tarek was victorious, he acted quickly. After praying to Allah, the General gave orders that will always be remembered in the military history of the world. He ordered that all the boats that brought him and his men across the straits be burnt.

When this was done, he turned to his soldiers and said his famous quote:

"Brothers in Islam! We now have the enemy in front of us and the deep sea behind us. We cannot return to our homes, because we have burnt our boats. We shall now either defeat the enemy and win or die a coward's death by drowning in the sea. Who will follow me?"

The soldiers gave a mighty cry of "Allahu Akbar" and rushed towards the enemy like a whirlwind driving everything with them.

The Spaniards turned and ran bewildered and defeated leaving the battlefield to the Muslims.

This marked the beginning of the Muslim conquest of Spain. Muslims ruled the country for hundreds of years so gloriously and well that Spain became afterwards the fountain-head of culture and civilisation for the whole continent of Europe.