The victory of Beder was gained on the 2d year of the Hegira, (A. D. 623,) and was of the utmost consequence to the cause of Islam. The disproportion of numbers established the confidence and unanimity of its disciples. They were led to believe that 1000 angels combated on their side ; and they formed the presumptuous expecta tion that the assistance of heaven would be for ever af terwards vouchsafed to the faithful. The tenets and promises of the Koran raised their courage and con firmed their hopes. It inculcated the doctrine of abso lute predestination; that the hour of man's death is un alterably fixed, and that the warrior is equally safe, amidst the darts of his enemies, and under the roof of his friend. The joys of paradise were pointed out as the immediate rewards of the faithful martyrs; and to die in the propagation of the faith, was looked upon as the most pleasing sacrifice in the sight of God. " A drop of blood shed in the cause of religion, a night spent in arms, is of more avail than two months of fasting and prayer: Whoever falls in battle, his sins are for ; at the day of judgment his wounds shall be resplendent as vermillion, and odoriferous as musk ; and the loss of his limbs shall be supplied with the wings of by and cherubims." The Moslems, encouraged by these imaginary prospects, were neither dismayed by num bers, nor appalled by dangers. They advanced to battle with a fearless confidence, and eagerly sought for death as their greatest glory. The infidels trembled at their approach, and shrunk from an enemy that courted destruction.
Upon Mahomees return to Medina, he made several excursions into the neighbouring country, and carried on a kind of predatory warfare with tribes of the desert. The following year he expelled the Jews from Medina, and divided their goods among his disciples. The rov ing Arabs, allured by the hope of plunder, now flocked to his standard, and 1000 warriors drew their swords at the command of the apostle.
The Korcish, irritated by their defeat at Beder, and stimulated to vengeance by the recent loss of a rich caravan, which had been plundered by a party of Mos lems, conducted by Zeid, the freedman of the prophet, assembled an army of 3000 men, amongst whom were 200 horse, and 700 armed with mail, which, under the command of Abu Sophian, marched to the destruction of Islam, and the city of the prophet. Mahomet left the city at their approach, and posted his troops on the de clivity of mount Ohud, four miles north of Medina. His rear was guarded by a band of 50 archers, whom he stationed on the hill, with strict orders to maintain their post. The Korcish advanced in the form of a crescent. The cavalry was led on by the fierce and sanguinary Caled, and the army of reserve was headed by the heroine Henda, the wife of Abu Sophian. Fifteen ma
trons of Mecca sounded, on timbrels, the praises of Hobal, the most popular of the Arabian deities, and animated their countrymen, by their lamentations, to revenge the slain warriors of Beder. The furious onset of the Moslems struck consternation into the enemy. The Koreish, unable to withstand the fury of religious frenzy, were compelled to give way, and fled before the swords of the believers. The Moslem archers, elated with this success, and neglecting the commands of their prophet, quitted their station, for the sake of plunder. Caled took advantage of their disorder, and by a skilful movement of his cavalry, atticked the rear of the Mos lems with such bravery, as turned at once the fortune of the day. A voice exclaimed that Mahomet was slain. The Moslems started at the sound; they fainted and fled. The prophet had received a severe contusion on the face, and had two of his teeth shattered with a stone. He bravely attempted to rally his troops, but in vain. He abandoned the field of battle, and, with great difficulty made good his retreat to Medina. His uncle Hamza, and seventy martyrs, fell at Ohud ; they died, said the prophet, for the sins of their brethren.
The ensuing year, the Koreish, in conjunction with the tribes of Ghaftan and Koreidha, marched an army of 12,000 men to the siege of Medina, and threatened des truction to the prophet and professors of Islam. Naito met, apprized of their intentions, encompassed the city with a deep ditch, (whence this expedition is styled by the Moslems, the War of the Ditch) which he gallantly defended with 3000 believers. Dissensions were soon sown by the artful impostor among the besiegers, and,af ter 20 days of listless inactivity, the Koreish, deserted by their allies, returned to Mecca. The Jews of Koreidha suffered for their attachment to the idolaters. Seven hundred men were sacrificed to the vengeance of the prophet ; their wives and children dragged into capti vity ; and their inheritance shared among the Moslems.
Three hundred cuirasses, 1000 lances, and 1500 pikes, the spoils of the Korcidhites, became more effectual in the hands of the believers.
A truce of ten years was concluded, in the Gth year of the Hegira, between Ma!Jolliet and the Koreish. The :Moslems were admitted, as pilgrims, to visit the holy temple of Mecca. Three days were allowed them to perform the solemn ceremony. Seven times the apostle, accompanied by his disciples, encompassed the Caaba ; seven times they kissed the black stone ; and after a sacrifice of 70 camels, they shaved their heads, accord ing to custom, and departed. The idolaters were awed by the holy fervour of the prophet ; and three of their bravest warriors, Caled, Amru, and Othman Ebn Tam, embraced the religion of Islam.