Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 393
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 393 the Arabs in that quarter who had already tendered their submission to come to his aid. After a ten days’ march he encamped at a spring near the Syrian confines. There he found that the enemy were assembled in great numbers, and that he could look for litt le aid from the local tribes. He halted and dispatched a messenger for reinforcements. The Holy Prophet at once sent 200 men, among whom were both Abu Bakr and Umar, under the command of Abu Obadiah. Thus strengthened, Amr assumed command of the united tro ops, advanced, dispersed the hostile gatherings, and confirmed the friendly tribes. Having accomplished his objective, he returned to Medina. Besides the Syrian tribes gained over by the success of Amr, several others, as Bani Abs, Murra, and Dhubyan now gave in their adhesion; and the Fezara with their chief, Oyeina, who had so long caused anxiety at Medina, at last tendered submission. Suleim also, who had taken part in the siege of Medina, joined the cause of Islam about this time. Most of the tribes in the vicinity of Medina had already recognized the supremacy of Islam. Sir William Muir has commented ( The Life of Muhammad, p. 399): The courteous treatment which the deputations which now began to come in from all directions experienced from the Prophet, his ready attention to their grievances, the wisdom with which he composed their disputes, and the politic assignments of territory b y which he rewarded early declaration in favour of Islam, made his name to be popular, and his fame as a great and generous Prince to spread throughout the peninsula.