The Life of Mohammad, the Prophet of AllahDinet, Etienne
Religion
The Life of Mohammad, the Prophet of Allah
Dinet, Etienne
Muhammad, Prophet, -632
In the meantime, Haris had arrived, bringing his daughter's ransom.
Mohammad gave him back Juwairiyah, but only to ask him immediately for
her hand, offering as dower the sum of four hundred drachmas. As soon
as the news of this union was noised abroad, the Believers said: 'The
Prophet hath allied himself to the Banu Mustaliq. We must therefore
look upon them as our allies.' The Faithful gave back all the booty;
together with all the captives who had just been shared among them.
Few women ever brought such a blessing to her tribe as this
Juwairiyah.
After the severe fighting, whilst the soldiers were watering their
panting camels at the well Al Mirisiyah, a violent quarrel was nigh
bringing Ansars and Mohadjirun to blows.
Jajjah, leading Umar's horse by the bridle, hustled Simana ibn Ubair,
an ally of the Banu Auf ibn Khazraj, in order to deprive him of his
turn at the well. Simana turned upon him, and the two adversaries,
locked in murderous embrace, rolled on the ground, Simana shouting:
'Help! O comrades of the Ansars!' and Jajjah: 'Help! O comrades of the
Mohadjirun!'
They were hauled apart, and for the moment the quarrel came to
nothing. But on both sides, great effervescence reigned in the minds
of the tribesmen. The "Hypocrite," Abdullah ibn Abi Salul, an
eye-witness of the scuffle, worked up the men's exasperation to the
highest pitch by these words: 'O citizens of Al-Madinah! have ye seen
the impudence of all these Quraish? They pick a quarrel with us in our
own country, abusing our hospitality and relying on their numbers.
Such is the result of your candour, when ye opened your doors to them
and shared your property with them. How true is the saying of our
ancestors: 'Feed thy dog and he will devour thee!' Once back in
Al-Madinah, will not the strong make up their minds to drive out the
weak?'
Zayd, son of Arquam, reported these wicked remarks to Mohammad. By his
side stood Umar who flew into a violent passion. 'O Prophet!' he
cried. 'Wilt thou not order Abbad ibn Bashir to put this impostor to
death?'--'How cometh it, Umar, that thou canst give such a piece of
advice?' rejoined the Prophet. 'If people are able to say: 'Mohammad
cutteth his companions' throats,' what a fine stir there would be in
Al-Madinah. No, no!' he went on, turning to Abbad; 'but give out
orders to depart at once.'
The sun was at its zenith; the heat overpowering. It was not a
favourable moment for folding the tents. Nevertheless, the Prophet,
lashing his she-camel on the tender skin of her belly, to increase her
speed, led his soldiers in a forced march lasting all day, all night,
and all through the morning of the next day till noon.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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