Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 304
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 304 enemy were all without effect. The trench was never crossed in force; and during the whole affair, Muhammad lost only five men. The confederates had but three men killed. S’ad bin Muaz, chief of Aus, was wounded severely by an arrow in the shoulder. Amr bin Abdood was a famous swordsman, and on account of his courage and bravery, was accounted the equal of a hundred warriors. He had been present in the battle of Badr, the experience of which had rendered him bitter and vengeful against the Muslims. He had called loudly for single combat in a very arrogant tone and All, with the permission of the Holy Prophet, went forward in answer to his challenge. The Holy Prophet gave him his own sword and uttered a prayer for him. Approaching Amr, Ali said to him, ‘I have heard that you have determined that if any Quraish makes two requests to you, you would comply with at least one of them. ’ Amr signified his confirmation, upon which Ali said, ‘Then I ask you first that you embrace Islam and believing in the Holy Prophet earn divine favour. ’ Amr said he would not do that. Ali then said, ‘If you do not grant my first request, my second request is that you should get ready to fight me. ’ In reply, Amr asked Ali to identify himself, and on his doing so, said, ‘Nephew, you are young. I have no desire to shed your blood. Send someone from among your seniors to fight me. ’ Ali countered, ‘You do not desire to shed my blood, but I have no hesitation in shedding your blood. ’ This retort infuri ated Amr. He jumped from his horse and maimed it and, advancing like a fierce flame of fire towards Ali, struck him with his sword with such force that it cut through Ali’s shield and