Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 194
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 194 force comprised a total of a little over 310, of whom over 60 were Emigrants and the rest were all Ansar. They lacked almost everything. They had only 70 camels and 2 horses, which they shared between them turn by turn. The Holy Prophet himself also took h is turn, and when his Companions insisted that he should be mounted all the time, he smiled and said, ‘I am as much able to walk as you and am not less eager than any of you to win spiritual merit. Then why should I not walk in my turn?’ There were only se ven men in armour and the equipment was both defective and meagre. Proceeding from Rauha when the Muslim force arrived at Zafran, which was only one stage short of Badr, intimation was received that a well - armed strong force of Quraish was advancing from Mecca. On this, the Holy Prophet addressed his Companions, informed them of the intimation that had been received and asked them what should be done. Some of the Companions, being conscious of their weakness in all respects, submitted that the better course would be to confront the caravan, but the Holy Prophet did not app rove of this suggestion. At this, the principal Companions affirmed their devotion to the Holy Prophet, and their total commitment to the cause of Allah in glowing terms. For instance, Miqdad bin Amr submitted: ‘Messenger of Allah, we are not like the comp anions of Moses so that we should tell you, “Go thou and thy God and fight the enemy, but here we shall sit. ” We affirm, “Go forth wherever you wish, we shall be with you and shall fight on your right and on your left and in front of you and behind you. ”’ The Holy Prophet was pleased with these assurances but awaited some expression of