Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 285
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 285 rendered innocuous by the wise handling of the Holy Prophet. It so happened that a servant of Umar, of the name of Jahjah, went to the spring of Moraisi’ to fetch water. At the same time Sinan, one of the confederates of Ansar, also arrived at the spring f or the same purpose. An altercation ensued between these two ignorant persons in the course of which Jahjah inflicted an injury upon Sinan, who started shouting for Ansar to come to his help. Jahjah, on his side, began to shout for Emigrants to come to his help, in consequence of which several Ansar and Emigrants were attracted to the spot so that a confrontation threatened, and might have broken out had not a number of responsible persons on both sides arrived in time who reprimanded both sides and averted the threatened conflict. When the Holy Prophet was apprised of the incident he expressed his disapproval and observed that the incident had been a manifestation of the unruly spirit of pre - Islamic days. The incident was thus closed, and no more would have been thought of it, had not Abdullah bin Ubayy, the leader of the disaffected, unfortunately sought to revive it. Abdullah bin Ubayy harangued his followers and concluded with, ‘This ye have brought upon yourselves, by inviting these strangers to come amongst us. Now wait till we return to Medina; then the most honoured one among us shall surely expel the one meanest among us. ’ Zaid bin Arqam, a sincere young man, mentioned this utterance of Abdullah to his uncle, who reported it to the Holy Prophet. Umar, who was then in the company of the Holy Prophet, was outraged, and sought the Holy Prophet’s leave to strike down the leader of the disaffected. But the Holy Prophet counselled forbearance, as he did not wish it said that he