The Chaliphate - Muir - The Search For Mecca

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A.D. 635] BATTLE OF^AL-KADISIVA 105
then take up the shout three successive times from A.H. 14.
him. At the second and third shout, they were to gird pjr^j^,.
their weapons on and make their horses ready. At the called
fourth, the ranks were to rush in one body forward with
the watchword, Our help is from the Lord ! The order was
deranged b)' the enemy, who, hearing the first shout, advanced
at once ; whereupon impatient warriors from the I\Iush"m
front stepped out and, challenging to single combat, did
prodigies of valour. The heroic feats of Bedr were reenacted
on this field, and the spoil, stripped from the
fallen champions, was beyond description rich. Thus 'Amr
ibn Ma'dlkerib carried off triumphantly the bracelets and
jewelled girdle of a princely victim. Another, shouting
gaily the praises of his mistress,^ closed with Hormuz, "a
prince of the Gate," and bore him with his diadem captive
to Sa'd. A leader of the Bcni Temlm, singing like verses,
pursued his adversary through the enemy's ranks ; there
he seized a mule-driver, and carried him with his laden
beast to the Muslim lines ; it was the King's baker with
a load of royal viands. More remarkable still is the story Abu Milijan.
of Abu Mihjan.- A ringleader in the detraction of Sa'd,
-his offence was aggravated by drunkenness. Bound a
prisoner in the fortress, under charge of Selma the
General's wife, he was seized by an irrepressible ardour
to join the battle. At his earnest entreaty, and under
pledge of early return, the lady set him free, and mounted
him on her husband's white mare. An unknown figure,
he dashed now in the enemy's host, and now in circuits
round it, performing marvels of bravery. Some thought
it might be the chief of the Syrian contingent expected
that day. Others opined that it was Al-Khidr, precursor
of the angelic band. But Sa'd himself said, "If it were
not that Abu Mihjan is safe in durance under Selma'.^
care, I could swear it were he, and the mare nn- own."
According to promise, the hero, satisfied with his exploits,
returned to Selma, who reimposed his fetters as before,
'
Mis song, of the ordinary type, ran thus :
"The maid, with hanging tresses, milk-white breast and lingers tapciing,
Knowelh full well the hero who will lay the warriors low."
—
- lab. i. 2312 ff. Another account, 2354 f.