The Life of Mohammad, the Prophet of AllahDinet, Etienne
Religion
The Life of Mohammad, the Prophet of Allah
Dinet, Etienne
Muhammad, Prophet, -632
It was now the turn of the Banu Quraizah to find out how correct was
the information vouchsafed by Naim and they came to a rupture with the
Confederates. This piece of news, reported by Naim, made the Prophet
rejoice exceedingly; but being desirous of knowing the effect produced
by this rupture in the ranks of the Quraish and the Ghatafans, he said
to Huzaifah: 'Make thy way, this very night, into the enemy's camp and
find out what they may be planning. Come back and tell me without
letting anyone know.'
Thanks to the pitchy darkness of that wintry night, Huzaifah glided
among the enemies' tents. A high, icy wind had put out all the fires
and blown down all the cooking-pots. The whistling gusts deafened all
ears; and the shivering idolaters huddled together, wrapped up in the
folds of their mantles. 'Keep an eye on your companions!' was the
watchword shouted by Abu Sufyan, meaning: 'Beware of spies!' Huzaifah,
with great presence of mind, seized the hand of an Infidel standing
close to him and demanded in threatening accents: 'Who art
thou?'--'Such an one; son of such an one.' Huzaifah let him go, and
the Infidel, forced to exonerate himself, never thought of putting
questions as well.
The relinquishment of the Banu Quraizah; the difficulties with regard
to feeding camels and horses; and, above all, the disorder arising
from that calamitous night, caused Abu Sufyan to be discouraged. After
a short discussion between him and the other Quraish chieftains, in
the hearing of invisible Huzaifah, the return of the besiegers to
their dwellings was decided.
Having got to know all he wanted, Huzaifah went back to his camp. He
found the Prophet praying and he beckoned to his disciple to approach.
When Huzaifah was close to him, to warm his messenger, he covered him
with part of the mantle spread out on the ground in lieu of a praying
carpet. When Mohammad had finished his devotions, he listened to the
intrepid scout and congratulated him on the success of his mission.
Next day, the plain was clear of the enemy; and the Prophet, leaving
the ditch, led his troops back to Al-Madinah. 'The Quraish came here
to attack us for the last time,' he declared. 'Henceforward it will be
for us to go and beard them in their dens.'
[Sidenote: THE TREATY OF AL-HUDAIBIYAH (_Year VI of the Hegira A.D.
628_)]
The Prophet dreamt that he entered Makkah in the midst of his
companions and then marched to Mina, in the Valley of Sacrifices. This
vision embodied the greatest desire of his heart; and all the
Believers felt the same, as they suffered from not being able to visit
the Holy Places since the Hegira. So Mohammad determined to satisfy
their craving.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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