Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 390
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 390 Syria. There they found a great multitude assembled who were called upon to embrace Islam. A shower of arrows was the answer. The Muslims fought desperately; one man alone survived to tell the tale. This disaster probably paved the way for the grand attack directed shortly after against the border - districts of Syria. The immediate cause was the murder by the Chieftain Shurahbil at Muta, of a messenger on his way with a despatch from the Holy Prophet to the Ghassanid prince at Bosra. It was immediately resol ved to punish the offending chief. A general call of all the fighting men was made, and a camp of 3,000 soldiers was formed outside Medina. A white banner was mounted, and the Holy Prophet, placing it in the hands of Zaid, bade him march to the spot where the messenger had been slain, summon the inhabitants to embrace Islam, and, should they refuse, to draw the sword against them. In case Zaid was cut down, Jafar was to command; if Jafar, then Abdullah bin Rawaha; and if he too were disabled, the army shoul d choose their own commander. Tidings of the coming army reached Shurahbil, who forthwith summoned to his aid the tribes of the vicinity. Thus, upon the alarm of invasion, there quickly rallied round Shurahbil a large well appointed army. Zaid received the startling intelligence on reaching Maan. The enemy, he heard, was encamped at Maab; his apprehension was increased by the rumour that Byzantine cohorts were with the host, and that the Emperor was at their head. He halted; a council of war was called; and for two days the Muslim chiefs discussed the difficulties of their position. Many advised that the Holy Prophet should be apprised of the new aspect of affairs and fresh instructions requested. Abdullah, on