Chief of the Prophets

Chief of the Prophets — Page 201

Chapter Eight 201 Certainly, this was the result of the excellent treatment extended by Muḥammad sa to his virtuous wives. The Acceptance of Islam by ‘Amr bin al-‘Āṣ ra and Khālid bin Walīd ra A few days after Muḥammad‘s return to Madīnah, ‘Amr bin al-’Āṣ accepted Islam in Makkah and decided to migrate to Madīnah. Khālid bin Walīd ra , a very close friend of ‘Amr who was also deeply impressed by the recitation of the Qur’ān that he heard from the blessed tongue of Muḥammad sa during the Ḥudaibiyyah journey, also decided to join him. In this way, two famous Makkan chieftains and renowned warriors of Arabia accepted Islam. The Battle of Mutah, Jumādiul-Awwal, 8 A. H. After returning from the pilgrimage to the Ka‘bah, Muḥammad sa received news that Arabian Christian tribes on the provocation of the Jews and the disbelievers were preparing for an attack. Muḥammad sa sent a party of fifteen to investigate, who, because of the passion they felt for their faith, started preaching to the non- Muslims. Those people had no soft corner for the Muslims; they attacked the Muslims and martyred them. When Muḥammad sa learned about this event, he sent a letter to Shuraḥbīl bin ‘Amr Ghassāni, the ruler of Baṣrah. When the messenger of Muḥammad sa reached him, he was also killed with great brutality. The killing of the messenger was a clear declaration of war. Therefore, Muḥammad sa sent an army of 3,000 faithful under the command of Zaid bin Ḥārithah ra towards Syria. 1 The appointment of Zaid bin Ḥārithah ra , a freed slave, over the eminent Muhājirūn and Anṣār is a grand proof of the Islamic equity demonstrated by Muḥammad sa during his life. When the army was ready, Muḥammad sa addressed them saying, “If Zaid ra is martyred, appoint Ja‘far bin Abī Ṭālib ra as your chief (Amīr). 1 Bukhārī (Account of the Ghazwah of Mutah).