Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 240
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 240 possessions are ravaged all round? Disgrace will cleave to us ever after, and the enemy, emboldened, will repeat the insult. Nay, we should go forth and smite our foes, as was done at Badr. ’ Emigrants also sided with this party, and their ardour was so gre at that the Holy Prophet at last gave way, and announced his readiness to offer battle. Ascending the pulpit (the day was Friday) he stirred up the people, in his discourse, to fight courageously. ‘If ye be steadfast,’ he said, ‘the Lord will grant you vic tory. ’ Then he commanded the men to make ready for the battle. The most part rejoiced at this, but some were grieved that the first decision had been set aside. By the time the afternoon Prayer was ended the people had assembled in the court of the mosque, armed for battle. The Holy Prophet then retired with Abu Bakr and Umar to make ready. In a little while, he issued from his chamber clad in mail and helmet, his sword hanging from a leather girdle and shield slung over his shoulder. Ansar, seeing him thus accoutred, repented of their rash remonstrance and prayed that he would even now do as seemed good to him. But it was too late. ‘I invited you to this,’ he said , ‘and ye would not. It becometh not a Prophet, when once he hath girded himself to the battle, to lay his armour down again until the Lord hath decided betwixt him and his enemies. Wait, therefore, on the Lord. Only be steadfast, and He will send you vict ory. ’ The Holy Prophet called for three lances and fixed banners upon them. The one for Aus he committed to Usyad bin Hudhair, and the one for Khazraj to Habib bin Mundhar, and the one for Emigrants to Ali. Abdullah bin Um Maktum was