Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 442
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 442 contained the grave, but partitioned off from it. When her father died he was buried close by the Holy Prophet in the same chamber and, in due time, Umar also. Thus was fulfilled her dream that three moons fell from heaven, one after the other, into her ch amber. The first concern of Abu Bakr on assuming the office of Khalifa was to dispatch the Syrian army and thus fulfil the dying wish of the Holy Prophet. But the horizon was lowering all around, and many urged that the force should not be sent just yet upon this distant expedition. Even Umar joined in the cry: ‘Scatter not the believers; rather keep the army here; we may have need of it yet to defend the city. ’ ‘Never,’ replied Abu Bakr, ‘the command of the Holy Prophet shall be carried out, even if I be left her e in the city all alone, prey to the wolves and the beasts of the desert. ’ Then they besought that a more experienced warrior might be appointed to the chief command, but Abu Bakr would have none of it. He would admit of no excuse and no delay; the force w as soon marshalled again at Jurf. Abu Bakr bade Usama be mounted and accompanied him on foot to the camp, treating him with the profound respect due to a commander appointed by the Holy Prophet himself, and begged permission that Umar might be left behind at Medina as his counsellor. The request was granted. He then bade Usama farewell, and exhorted him to go forward in the name of the Lord, and fulfil the commission received by him at the Holy Prophet’s hands. The army marched, and the Khalifa, with Umar a lone, returned to Medina. Having fulfilled the Holy Prophet’s last command, in a matter of three weeks the army retraced their steps. It was a triumphal procession