[206] Dates now begin to be given, but the chronology is still very doubtful. One authority places the battle forty days after that of Wacûsa on the Yermûk—that is to say, seven or eight weeks after Abu Bekr’s death. But in the interval between that event and the present battle, there took place Abu Obeid’s protracted march, the battle of Namârick and the expeditions following it, the gathering of Jabân’s army and its march, all which must have occupied at the least two months, and probably a good deal more.
[207] A marvellous vision was seen by the wife of Abu Obeid. A man descended out of heaven, having a pitcher in his hand, out of which he gave drink first to her husband, and then, one after another, to several warriors of his tribe. She told Abu Obeid, who answered that he wished it might be a token of impending martyrdom to him and them. He then appointed each of the warriors, in turn, whom she had named, to succeed him if he fell; and so it turned out. Abu Obeid cut at the lip of the elephant, being told (erroneously) that it was the part where a mortal blow could most easily be struck.
[208] The same clan as Abu Obeid’s.
[209] The depth is as much as fifteen feet, and it runs at the rate of one and a half to three knots an hour. (Rich’s Travels.) The banks, however, are not so high, nor is the current so rapid, as of the Tigris.
[210] The remarkable fact of a Christian chief, Abu Zobeid, of the Beni Tay, being, not only on the Moslem side, but taking so prominent and brave a part in the defence of the broken force, is noticed both by Ibn Athîr and Belâdzori. We shall see how largely Mothanna was indebted to Christian help in the next decisive battle.
[211] Firuzân was the name of the insurgent. But, with the exception that the nobles sacrificed the empire to intrigue and jealousies, we are much in the dark as to the inner history of Persia at this time. There were two parties, we are told, the Persians proper, or the national faction, which supported Firuzân; and the other nationalities, Rustem. But they soon coalesced.
[212] See above, pp. 128, 129.
[213] Sura, VIII. v. 14.
[214] The names of the tribes now flocking to the war are, many of them familiar to the reader of the Prophet’s life; as the Beni Hantzala, Khátham, Abd al Cays, Dhabha. The Beni Azd were 700 strong, under Arfaja.
These levies are represented as the response to the present summons of Omar, now made afresh after the battle of the Bridge; but erroneously so, for they reached Mothanna at once, and fought under his banner within a month of that disaster. It took some time for the fresh levies to gather, as we shall see.