Stories from Early Islam — Page 102
102 is very strong. I am sure he will fight well, if he is permitted to take part in the battle’. The Holy Prophet saw looked at the boy again, praised his spirit, but decided that he should go back as he was too young to take part in the fighting. Raafi was also of the same age. His father, too, went to the Holy Prophet saw and said, ‘Messenger of Allah, my son Raafi is a very good archer. He will be of great help to us if you let him stay on’. When the Holy Prophet saw turned towards Raafi, he stood on his toes to make himself look taller than he actually was. The Prophet saw smiled and allowed him to stay. Samurah was also rejected because of his young age. He complained to his father saying, ‘The Holy Prophet saw allowed Raafi to take part in the battle, but rejected me, while I am stronger than him. I can surely beat him in a wrestling bout’. This was reported to the Holy Prophet saw. The Prophet saw called both boys and asked Samurah to prove his claim. The wrestling bout began and in no time Samurah threw Raafi to the ground. The Holy Prophet saw smiled and permit- ted Samurah to join the force as well. During the battle these youngsters fought very bravely. Raafi proved to be a good archer, but in the course of the battle, an arrow pierced his chest and injured him. An attempt was made to extract it, but failed. The point of the arrow broke inside his body. He recovered from the injury but the wound reopened in his old age and proved fatal.