Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 414
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 414 by sea or by land. The writing of Juheim and Shurahbil, by command of the Apostle of God. ’ In token of approbation the Holy Prophet presented the Christian prince with a mantle of striped Yemen stuff and dismissed him honourably. The tribute was fixed at the yearly sum of a golden piece for every family or 300 for the whole town of Ayla. At the same time deputations from the Jewish settlements of Maqna, Adhruh and Jarba presented themselves with a tender of submission to the Holy Prophet. To each was given a prescript specifying the amount of their tribute and enjoining them to afford refu ge and aid to any Muslim travellers or merchants who might stand in need of their good offices. Having concluded these matters the Holy Prophet left Tebuk after having halted there for twenty days and returned to Medina. Meanwhile Khalid had been travelling across the desert from Tebuk to Duma with 420 horse, the flower of the army. So rapidly did he march and so unexpectedly appear before Duma that Okeidir, the Christian chief, was surprised by him while hunting. Okeidir was taken captive and the city was ransomed in return for a large number of camels, sheep, suits of mail and stands of arms. With t hese, and carrying with him Okeidir and a brother, Khalid returned to Medina. The Christian chief, wearing a golden cross, and clad in brocade inwrought with gold, to the admiration of the simple inhabitants of Medina, was brought to the Holy Prophet who i nvited him to embrace Islam. Okeidir complied and was admitted to the terms of a favoured ally. When the Holy Prophet returned to Medina many who had