Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 97
97 against the burning sands of the desert (9:90 ⎯ 96). Nevertheless, a force was got ready, and marched to the border of Syria. Arriving there, the Prophet dispatched parties in different directions to report on the situation. These returned and reported that they had not observed any concentrations anywhere. Being assured that in fact no preparations were going forward in Syria for an attack against the Muslims, the Prophet decided to return to Medina, stopping only for a few days near the border to conclude peace treaties with some of the tribes on the border. There was no fighting at all. The expedition involved the Prophet’s absence from Medina for about two and one-half months. Delegations now poured in from all parts of Arabia offering their submission and announcing their acceptance of Islam. In a short time the whole of Arabia adhered to the Pax Islamica. In the ninth year after the Emigration, the Prophet went on pilgrimage to Mecca. On the day of the pilgrimage he received the revelation: “This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favour unto you and have chosen for you Islam as your faith” (5:4). The Prophet, as was his wont, announced the revelation and delivered an address ⎯ known as the Farewell Address ⎯ to the huge assemblage in the valley of Arafat outside Mecca. He started by saying