The Chaliphate - Muir - The Search For Mecca

when
"
74 A1',U ]iEKR [chap. x.
A.H. 13. of this help, the enemy gave way before the fierce onslaught
of the Arabs, who pursued the fugitives to the very gates of
Al-Medain. The jjraises of the " Hero of the Elephant
have been handed down in Arab verse.
Muthaiin:i The King did not long survive his defeat.
...
His son
succeeding him was killed in a rebellion caused by the
Beki
lor'
reinforce- attempt to give a Princess of the ro}'al blood in marriage
"^" ^' to a favourite Minister. The Princess, saved from dishonour,
succeeded to the throne, from a Court weakened thus by
continual change and treachery, there was little, one might
think, to fear, but Al-Muthanna had to guard a frontier of
great extent, and for the task his army was inadequate.
The inhabitants were, at the best, indifferent ; the Syrian
BedawTn distinctly hostile. Victories might be vvon, but
could not be followed up. The position, with so small a
force, was full of risk. Accordingl)-, Al-Muthanna urged
upon the Caliph the pressing need of reinforcements. He
also pointed out the ease with which they might be raised :
" Remove the embargo from the apostate but now repentant
tribes," he wrote ;
" they will flock to the war, and none
more brave or eager." Answer being long delayed, Al-
Muthanna ventured to Medina, there to urge his suit in
Abu Bekr on person. He found Abu Bekr on his deathbed. The aged
his eat ed
([^^liph knew that his end was near; but the mind was clear,
desires Umar r ' '
to order levy, and he at once perceived the urgency of the appeal. "Call
'Omar to me," he said (for he had already named him his
successor); and then addressed him thus:— "Command a
levy for Al-Muthanna. Tarry not. If I die, as I may, this
day, wait not till the evening ; if I linger on to night, wait
not till the morning. Let not sorrow for me divert thee
from this service of the Lord. Ye saw what I myself did
when the Prophet died (and there could be no greater
sorrow for mankind than that) ; truly if grief had stayed
me then from girding my loins in the cause of the Lord
and of His Prophet, the Faith had fared badh' ; the fiame
of rebellion had been surely kindled in the city. And, list
thee, 'Omar ! the Lord shall have given victory in
Syria, then send back to Al-Trak its army ; for they are
the proper garrison thereof, and fittest to administer it."
'Omar 'Omar was touched by the delicac}- of these last words,
accepts the
^^ ^^^ allusion they contained ;
" For," said he, " Abu Bekr