The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 3 of 4

456 THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD
That Muhammad is a servant and a messenger for a Lord
who does not lead astray nor does He do wrong.
We find him to be a prophet lie Moses, and whatever
man thinks himself better than him is deluded.
Terrible was the state of Bane Qasi in Wajj, when the
matters were decreed.
They mined their situation; and for every people there
is a leader, and fortunes may well change.
We attacked them like forest lions; the forces of God
move in plain view.
We attacked the force of Bann Qasi enraged, almost
flying at them
I swear that had they stayed, we woold have brought
troops against them and they would not have escaped.
We were (like) lions of L~ya'" there until we revealed
them and al-Nosiir'" were made to surrender.
And (there was) a day before that of Honayn that has
now gone by when blood streamed.
You'll hear of no day like today; a people of long
memory has not heard of such.
We killed Banii Hu@n on the dust, over their banners,
while the cavalry shifted away.
Dho al-Khimsr was no leader for a people who had
intelligence who could be punished or disavowed.
He took them on the roads to death, matters being clear
for those who could see them
Some on the point of death escaped and survived, while
many of them were killed.
A feeble man would not help such a situation, nor would
someone lacking modesty or over-cautious.
He destroyed them and perished; they gave him
leadership over their affairs and the chiefs left.
Bano 'Awf have horses that trot along and are given hay
and barley to eat.
Were it not for Qtrib and his father's sons, the
pastures and forts woold be divided up
But they occupied the leadership by luck to which they
were directed.
They obeyed Qtrib, and good fortune and aspirations
lead to glory.
If they are led to Islam, they will be found to be
leaders of men for so long as day and night persist.
If they do not accept Islam, then they call for war
against God and shall have no helper.
139. A place near al-T%'lf.
140. The family of Malik b. 'Awf.