Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 411
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 411 Prophet dispatched Oyeina with fifty horsemen, who fell unexpectedly on them, and making about fifty captives, men, women and children, carried them to Medina. Bani Temim, some of whom had fought by the side of the Holy Prophet at Hunain and been munificen tly rewarded at Jirana, lost no time in sending a deputation of eighty or ninety chief men to beg for their brethren’s release. When they were received by the Holy Prophet they sought leave to contend for the palm of victory in rhetoric and poetry with the orators and poets of Medina. The Holy Prophet gave permission and the contest proceeded. By the Holy Prophet’s direction Hassan bin Thabet was the last to recite his glowing and well - measured verses. When he finished the strangers were astonished at the b eauty of his poetry and observed, ‘By the Lord, how rich is this man’s fortune! His poet, as well as his orator, surpass ours in eloquence. ’ The Holy Prophet liberated the prisoners, and, having entertained his visitors hospitably, dismissed their chief wi th rich presents and provisions for the way. All the branches of the tribe which had not yet given in their adhesion now embraced Islam. Among other expeditions, one was about this time dispatched against Bani Tai under the command of Ali, who performed his mission effectively and returned with many prisoners. Amongst them was the daughter of Hatim, the Christian Arab chieftain, famous for his generosity but now for some time dead. His son Adi having fled to Syria, his sister, on disclosing her identity to the Holy Prophet, was at once released and presented with a change of raiment and a camel on which, joining the first Syrian caravan, she went in quest of her brother.