The Chaliphate - Muir - The Search For Mecca

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262 'ALl [chap. XXXVII.
A.H. 36-37- danger, and both sides again fought on equal terms Feats
of desperate bravery were displayed by both armies, and
heavy was the carnage. On 'Ali's side fell Hashim, the hero
of Al-Kadislya. Of even greater moment was the death of
'Ammar, now over ninety years, and one of the leading
regicides. As he saw Hashim fall, he exclaimed, " Paradise !
how close thou art beneath the arrow's barb and falchion's
flash ! O Hashim ! even now I see heaven opened, and
black-eyed maidens bridally attired, clasping thee in their
!
embrace " So, singing, and refreshing himself with his
favourite draught of milk and water, the aged warrior, fired
with the ardour of youth, rushed into the enemy's ranks and
met the envied fate. Mohammad had once been heard
to say to him :— " By a godless and rebellious race, O
'Ammar, thou shalt one day be slain " : in other words, that
Ammar would be killed fighting on the side of right.
Thus his death, as it were, condemned the ranks against
whom he fought, and spread dismay in Mu'awiya's host.
But 'Amr answered readily :
" And who is it that hath killed
'Ammar, but 'All and the 'rebellious race' that have
brought him hither?" The clever repartee ran through the
Syrian host, and did much to efface the evil omen.
Battle still The fighting this day was in real earnest ; darkness failed
th^Tday, ^o separate the combatants ;
and like Al-Kadislya, that night
1 3 Safar, was Called a second NigJit of Clangour. The morning broke on
July 31, |.|^g ^^^,Q armies still in conflict. With emptied quivers they
657 A.D.
. .
fought hand to hand. Al-Ashtar, the regicide, resolved on
victory at whatever cost, continued to push the attack with
unflinching bravery and persistence. Mu'awiya, disheartened,
began to speak of a judicial combat with a champion on
either side. " Then go forth thyself, and challenge 'All,"
said 'x-\mr, " Not so," answered Mu'awiya, " I will not do
that, for 'All ever slayeth his man, and then t]iou shouldest
succeed me." 'Amr, indeed, well knew that this was not
Mu'awiya's line, wiio himself, like his antagonist, was now
of an unwieldy mien. It was no time for continuing grim
pleasantry like this ; and so 'Amr bethought him of a
stratagem. " Raise the leaves of the Kor'an," he cried
" if any refuse to abide thereby, it will sow discord amongst
them ; if they accept the hallowed symbol it will be a
reprieve from cruel slaughter." Mu'awiya caught at the