Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 198
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 198 to get into line, and by chance the arrow touched his chest, whereupon Sawad dared a protest: ‘Messenger of Allah, you have been raised by God with truth and justice. But you have poked me with an arrow unjustly. I insist upon retribution. ’ The Companions were shocked, but the Holy Prophet told Sawad in a kindly tone, ‘Well, Sawad, you may poke me with your arrow,’ and he bared his chest before Sawad, who stepped forward and kissed the Holy Prophet’s chest. He inquired, ‘Sawad, why did you contrive this?’ H e replied, in a voice trembling with emotion, ‘Messenger of Allah, we are facing the enemy and I know not whether I shall go back alive. I, therefore, wished that before my martyrdom I may touch your blessed body. ’ About that time, Hudhaifah bin Yaman and Abu Jabal arrived and submitted that they had just come from Mecca and that when they were about to leave, Quraish had forbidden their egress and then permitted it only on condition that they would not take part in the fighting against them. The Holy Prophet told them, ‘You must fulfil your promise. We seek help only from Allah and rely wholly on His succour. ’ While the Holy Prophet was still occupied with the disposal of his force, the Quraish army began to move forward. At that stage, the Muslim force appeared to them even smaller than its actual number. They came forward with great aplomb. On observing them f rom a distance, the Holy Prophet supplicated: ‘Lord, those people are advancing with great arrogance to wipe out the religion established by Thee. Do Thou of Thy grace, I beseech Thee, help Thy religion. ’ About this time a few men of Quraish advanced towar ds the spring of water which was under