Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 404
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 404 requirements of Islam, and appointed a Quraish youth, Attab, of the house of Abd Shams, over the secular administration of the city. Four weeks had just elapsed since quitting Medina when the Holy Prophet marched forth from Mecca at the head of all his forces, swelled now by the addition of 2,000 auxiliaries from Quraish to the number of 12,000 men. Safwan, at his request, lent him 100 suits of mail and stands of arms complete, and as many camels. The array of tribes, each with a banner waving at its head, was impressive. In three or four marches the army arrived near the entrance of the valley of Hunain. On their side Hawazin, gathered in great force at Autas under their chief Malik, numbering at least 30,000, had meanwhile also been advancing upon the same valley. The women and children of the tribe with their herds and their flocks followed in the rear. Malik hoped thus to nerve his tr oops to victory. During the night of the arrival of the Muslims at Hunain Malik drew up his men in a masked recess commanding the steep and narrow defile, which formed the entrance to the valley and awaited there in silence the enemy’s approach. At early dawn, while it was yet dark, the sky being overcast with clouds, the Muslim army was in motion. The Holy Prophet, mounted on his white mule, followed in the rear. The vanguard of Banu Suleim, led by Khalid, were defiling leisurely up the steep and narrow pass when on a sudden Hawazin sprang from their ambuscade and charged impetuously down upon them. Staggered by the unexpected onslaught, column after column fell back and choked the narrow pass. Aggravated by the obscurity of the hour