Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 225
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 225 sent much property with him for barter, chiefly in vessels and bars of silver. An Arab guide promised to lead them by a way unknown to the followers of Muhammad; but intelligence of the rich venture and of the road which it was to take, reached the Prophet through an Arab who chanced to visit the Jews at Medina; whereupon Zaid was immediately dispatched in pursuit with a hundred picked and well - mounted men. He came up with the caravan, and fell suddenly upon it. The leaders of Quraish fled, the rest were ov erpowered, and all the merchandise and silver were carried off, with one or two prisoners, to Medina. The booty was valued at 100,000 pieces; so that, after the appropriation of the Prophet’s Fifth, 800 pieces fell to the lot of each soldier. The guide was brought to Muhammad, who promised him liberty if he would believe. He embraced Islam, and was set free. Zaid obtained great distinction in consequence, and thenceforward became a favourite commander. It has been mentioned that shortly after his arrival in Medina, the Holy Prophet had made an agreement with the three principal Jewish tribes, Banu Qainuqa’, Banu Nadhir and Banu Quraidha, which bound both sides to live together in peace and security, to m aintain law and order in Medina and to co - operate with each other in the defence of Medina against any external attack. For a short while the Jews observed the terms of the agreement, at least they sought no opportunity of seeking a conflict with the Musli ms. But when they observed that the Muslims were progressively gaining strength in Medina, they