Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 284
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 284 riding. During the march a spy of Banu Mustalaq was captured and, on proof of his espionage, was executed. When Banu Mustalaq, who had designed a surprise attack against Medina, received intimation of the approach of the Muslim force, and learnt that their spy had been executed, they were perplexed and some of the tribes who had associated themselves with their project abandoned them and went home. The leaders of Banu Mustalaq, however, rallied their people and decided to offer battle to the Muslims. When t he Holy Prophet arrived at Moraisi’, near the coast and not far from the settlement of Banu Mustalaq, he made camp and having drawn up his force in battle array and having distributed the banners, he directed Umar to go forward towards Banu Mustalaq and to announce that if even at this stage they would abandon their hostility towards Islam, and would acknowledge the authority of the Holy Prophet, they would be left in peace and the Muslims would march back to Medina. The offer was arrogantly rejected and a confrontation became inevitable. Banu Mustalaq were the first to start shooting their arrows. At this the Holy Prophet commanded his followers to reply in like kind. Archery proceeded for some time and then the Holy Prophet directed a sudden attack, which swept the opposing host off their feet, but the Muslims encircled them so effectively that the tribe was surrounded and was compelled to lay down its arms. The battle ended with the loss of ten of Banu Mustalaq and one Muslim. After the battle, the Holy Prophet remained in camp at Moraisi’ for a few days, towards the end of which an untoward incident threatened to assume dangerous proportions, but was