At the head of every column, as a preparation for the battle, was recited the Sura Jehâd, with the stirring story of the thousand angels that fought on the Prophet’s side at Bedr, and such hortatory texts as these:--‘_Stir up the Faithful unto battle. If there be twenty steadfast among you, they shall put to flight two hundred of the Unbelievers, and a hundred shall put to flight a thousand. Victory cometh from the Lord alone; He is mighty and wise. I will cast terror into the hearts of the Infidels. Strike off their heads, and their fingers’ ends. Beware that ye turn not your back in battle. Verily he that turneth his back shall draw down upon him the wrath of God. His abode shall be Hell-fire; an evil journey thither._’[268] The mention of the great day of ‘DECISION’ at Bedr, with the Divine command to fight, never failed to fire the souls of the Moslem host. And here we are told that upon the recital ‘the heart of the people was refreshed, and their eyes lightened, and they felt the Tranquillity that followeth thereupon.’ [Sidenote: BATTLE OF CÂDESÎYA.] The word was then passed round. Till the midday prayer, no one should stir. [Sidenote: Ramadhân A.H. XIV. November, A.D. 635.] The Ameer would give the first signal by proclaiming the Takbîr, _Great is the Lord!_ and the whole host would then take up the shout from him. [Sidenote: I. Day, called _Armâth_.[269]]At the second and third Takbîr, they were to gird their weapons on, and make ready their horses for action. At the fourth, the ranks were to rush in one body forward with the battle-cry, _Our help is from the Lord!_ The order was deranged by the enemy, who, hearing the shouts, advanced upon the third Takbîr; whereupon several warriors from the Moslem front stepped forward, and challenging the enemy to single combat, did prodigies of valour. We are reminded of the similar feats at Bedr; only the spoil, stripped from the fallen champions here, was rich beyond comparison. Thus, Amr ibn Mádekerib carried off triumphantly the bracelets and jewelled girdle of a princely victim. Ghâlib, of the Beni Asad, advanced, shouting gaily-- The maid, with hanging tresses, Milk-white breast and fingers tapering, Knows that when the battle waxeth hot, I am he that lays the warriors low.