Chief of the Prophets

Chief of the Prophets — Page 159

Chapter Eight 159 the ditch along with the Companions. Muḥammad sa often recited the following poetic verse to keep a pleasant environment for the Companions: 1 O Our Lord! True life is that of the Hereafter. Forgive the Anṣār and the Muhājirūn. Some of the Companions often recited the following verse in response: We are those who have taken oath on the hand of Muḥammad sa that we shall continue to strive in Jihād as long as we live. 2 It is narrated by a Companion that when the Companions were reciting these verses, they were extremely starved due to hunger and thirst. Muḥammad sa himself had to tie stones on his belly to deal with the pain of hunger. 3 While the ditch was being dug, a hard rock was encountered at one place. All the brawny Companions tried but no one could break the rock. Muḥammad sa went with an axe to the place of the rock, and with the name of Allah struck the rock with such force that it caused sparks to come out of it and weakened the rock. Muḥammad sa loudly raised the slogan of Allāhu Akbar and said, “I have been given the keys of the kingdom of Syria - and by God, at this time I am beholding the red stone palaces of Syria. ” Then Muḥammad sa 1 Bukhārī, Kitābul-Maghāzī (Book of Expeditions Led by Muḥammad sa ). 2 Bukhārī, Kitābul-Maghāzī (Book of Expeditions Led by Muḥammad sa ). 3 Bukhārī, Kitābul-Maghāzī (Book of Expeditions Led by Muḥammad sa ).