Guillaume--Life of Muhammad.pdf - Radical Truth

3'2 The LIfe of .1l1uhammad
Then Quraysh sent to redeem the prisoners and :'>1ikraz b. i{afs b. al­
Akhyaf came about Suhayl b. 'Amr who had been captured by Malik b.
al-Dukhshum, brother of the B. Salim b. 'Auf, who said:
I captured Suhayl and I would not exchange him
For a prisoner from any other people.
Khindif knows that its hero is Suhayl
\Vhcn injustice is complained of.
I struck with my keen sword until it bent.
I forced myself to fight this hare-lipped man.
Suhayl was a man whose lower lip was split (387).
Muhammad b. 'Amr b. 'AU', brother of B. 'Amir b. Lu'ayy, told me
that 'Vmar said to the apostle, 'Let me pull out Suhayl's two front teeth;
his tongue will stick out and he will never be able to speak against you
again.' He answered, 'I will not mutilate him, otherwise God would mutilate
me though I am a prophet.'
I have heard that in this tradition the apostle said to 'Vmar, 'Perhaps he
will make a stand for which you will not blame him" (388).
When Mikraz had spoken about him and finally agreed on terms with
them they demanded the money, and he asked that they would hold him
as security and let Suhayl go so that he could send his ransom. They did
so and imprisoned Mikraz in his stead. l\1ikraz said:
I redeemed \vith costlyz she-camels a captive hero.
(The payment is for a true Arab not for clients).
I pledged my person, though money would be easier for me.
But I feared being put to shame.
I said, 'Suhayl is the best of us, so take him baek
To our sons so that we may attain our desires' (389).
cr. '344· Ibn Uamid from Salama from Ibn Isl;ag from al-Kalbi from
Abll ~ali\:1 from Ibn