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The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 2 of 4

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236 THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD<br />

<strong>Ibn</strong> Hisham related, from <strong>Ibn</strong> Abn 'Amr b. alLcAla', that Abii 'Amr al-Madani<br />

said, "It was Mikraz h. Hafs who led <strong>the</strong>m."<br />

I observe that al-Wzqidi's account, heret<strong>of</strong>ore, gives two statements, one that<br />

<strong>the</strong> leader was Mikraz, <strong>the</strong> second that it was Ahn Sufym Sakhr b. Harb; but it<br />

seemed to hi more likely that it was Abii Sufyzn. God knows best.<br />

Ihn Ishaq <strong>the</strong>n gave <strong>the</strong> ode attributed to Abii Bakr "<strong>the</strong> Trusting", written<br />

about this night raid. It begins,<br />

"Is it for your vision <strong>of</strong> Salma in <strong>the</strong> flat desert<br />

plains you lay awake, and for something happening in <strong>the</strong><br />

tribe?<br />

In LuJayy you see a faction that no preaching, no<br />

messenger's mission could keep from unbelief.<br />

A truth-telling messenger came to <strong>the</strong>m hut <strong>the</strong>y denied<br />

him and told him he could not stay among <strong>the</strong>m.<br />

When we called <strong>the</strong>m to <strong>the</strong> truth, <strong>the</strong>y turned <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

backs and fled like panting dogs retreating to <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

lair."<br />

He <strong>the</strong>n gave <strong>the</strong> response <strong>of</strong> 'Abd Allzh h. al-Zibacra:<br />

"Is it because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> traces <strong>of</strong> a home now desolate<br />

amidst <strong>the</strong> sand dunes that you weep, your tears soon gone,<br />

And because <strong>of</strong> time's surprises, and destiny is all<br />

surprises, <strong>of</strong> things gone <strong>by</strong> and new.<br />

A great army that came to us, led <strong>by</strong> Wbayda who is<br />

called <strong>Ibn</strong> Harith, in battle,<br />

So we would leave idols set up in Mecca, passed down <strong>by</strong><br />

heir to noble heir."<br />

<strong>Ibn</strong> Ishxq goes on to give <strong>the</strong> complete ode. And nothing prevents us from doing<br />

<strong>the</strong> same except for <strong>the</strong> fact that I mw 'Ahd al-Malik h. HishM, God bless him,<br />

who was an Imzm in language, reported that many scholars, expert in poetry,<br />

deny <strong>the</strong> au<strong>the</strong>nticity <strong>of</strong> both <strong>the</strong>se poems.<br />

<strong>Ibn</strong> Ishzq fur<strong>the</strong>r stated, "Sa'd b. Abn Waqqas spoke <strong>the</strong> following verses concerning<br />

his having shot an arrow, or so <strong>the</strong>y say,<br />

"Has <strong>the</strong> Messenger <strong>of</strong> God heard that I protected my<br />

companions with my arrow?<br />

Through it I well protected <strong>the</strong>ir front ranks over land<br />

both rough and easy.<br />

And no one shooting an arrow at an enemy will he<br />

counted before myself, 0 Messenger <strong>of</strong> God!<br />

And that was because your religion is that <strong>of</strong> truth; it<br />

was with truth and virtue that you brought it.<br />

By it <strong>the</strong> believers are saved, <strong>by</strong> it <strong>the</strong> unbelievers<br />

are punished at a place <strong>of</strong> boiling pitch.

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