The Chaliphate - Muir - The Search For Mecca

:
A.H. 14.
Sa'd disabled
by illness,
marshals
army from
ramparts of
Kodeis.
Warlike texts
recited before
the Muslim
host.
Battle of
Kadisiya,
ix. 14 A.H,
Nov. 635.
I04 'OMAR [chap. XIV.
As the Persians began to cross, the advanced guard of
the Arabs fell back upon Kodeis, beneath which the main
body was drawn up. On its ramparts, Sa'd, disabled by
blains and boils, lay stretched upon a litter ;
from whence
casting down his orders inscribed on scraps of paper, he
guided thus the movements of the day. The troops, unused
to see their leader in a place of safety, murmured ; and
verses lampooning him passed round the camp. That he,
the archer of renown, the " first to shed blood in Islam/'
should be thus aspersed was insupportable, and Sa'd had the
ringleaders imprisoned in the fortress. He then descended,
and discovered to the troops the grievous malady which
rendered it impossible for him even to sit upright, much less
to mount his horse. They accepted his excuse ; for no man
could doubt his bravery ; but still a certain feeling of discontent
survived. Resuming his couch, he harangued the
army from the battlements, and then sent his Generals, with
the Orators and Poets of the force, along the ranks with
stirring words to rouse their martial zeal.
At the head of every column was recited
the revelation
of the thousand angels fighting on the Prophet's side,
together with such texts as these :— 6V/V- up the Faithful unto
battle. If there be twenty stedfast among you, they shall put
to flight tzc'o hundred, and a hujidrcd shall put to flight a
thousand. The Lord will cast terror into the hearts of the
Infidels. Beivare that ye turn not your back in battle; verily
he that turneth his back shall draw down upon hint the wrath
of God. His abode shall be Hell fire} The mention of " The
day of Decision " at Bedr, with the Divine command to
fight, never failed to fire the souls of the Muslim host ; and
here we are told, that upon its recital " the heart of the
people was refreshed, and their eyes lightened, and they
realised the Divine peace - that followeth thereupon."
The word passed round that, till midday prayer,
no one should stir. The Commander-in-chief would
give the first signal by the Tekbir, or war-cry, Allah u
Akbar, God is most great 1 and the host would
^ Siira viii. 66, etc.
^ Same word as Shechina, divine influence overshadowing the heart
Suras ix. and xlviii. The practice of reciting such Suras or portions of
them before battle, has been handed down to the present day.