Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 335
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 335 up. He bade her to go to her home in peace. In the same year, Dihya was sent by the Holy Prophet on a mission to one of the governors of Syria. He was graciously received, and was presented with a dress of honour. On his way home, he was plundered of everything near Wadil Qura by the tribe of Judham. A neighbouring tribe, under treaty with the Holy Prophet, attacked the robbers, recovered the spoils, and restored his property to Dihya. On the news of the robbery reaching the Holy Prophet, he dispatched Zaid with 500 men to chastise the delinquents. M arching by night and concealing themselves by day, they fell unexpectedly upon Judham, killed their leader and several others, and carried off some women and children, with all their herds and flocks. It so happened that the branch thus punished had, unkno wn to Zaid, just tendered submission to the Holy Prophet. Their chief hastened to Medina and appealed to the Holy Prophet against these proceedings and demanded justice. On the Holy Prophet repeatedly expressing his grief over the death of those who had be en slain, the chief submitted that they were prepared to overlook their death as a result of misunderstanding, but that their prisoners should be released and their herds and flocks should be restored to them. The Holy Prophet acknowledged the justice of t he demand and sent Ali to effect restoration. He met Zaid returning to Medina, and the prisoners and the booty were immediately surrendered to the chief. Soon after, Abdul Rahman bin Auf was sent with 700 men on a second expedition to Dumatul Jandal, whence trouble was expected. He was first to gain over the people, if possible, and