JA’FER B. ABU TTÂLEB ARRIVES FROM ABYSSINIA. THE MARRIAGE WITH SSOFYAH IS CONSUMMATED. THE SUN RETURNS FOR A’LI MURTADZA—U. W. B. THE GHAZÂ OF WÂDY-L-QARA.

After the forts of Khayber had been conquered, Ja’fer B. Abu Ttâleb—A. r. h.—returned with some companions who had emigrated from Mekkah to Abyssinia, and the prophet said: ‘I do not know what rejoices me more, the advent of Ja’fer or the conquest of Khayber.’ When his holy and prophetic lordship returned from Khayber he marched to Wâdy-l-qara, and, arriving in the station of Ssahbâ, he consummated his marriage with Ssofyah, whom he asked: “Why wouldst thou not agree to consummate our wedding before we reached this halting-place?’ Ssofyah replied: ‘The Jews were near, and I feared they might injure thee.’ This answer so pleased the august nature of his lordship that he loved her the better for it. In the station of Ssahbâ the Most High and Glorious Lord —whose name be exalted—turned the sun back to enable A’li to hold his afternoon prayers. This took place as follows: One day his holy and prophetic lordship—u. w. b. —had placed his blessed head in the lap of A’li the Com­mander of the Faithful, while the signs of Divine revelation manifested themselves on that prince; the descent, how­ever, of the revelation lingered till the sun had disappeared in the west. After the Divine inspiration had irradiated him the apostle of God asked A’li whether he had per­formed his afternoon prayers, but received a negative answer. Therefore he prayed, and said: ‘O God, A’li was obeying Thee and Thy apostle; cause therefore the sun to return for his sake, to enable him to hold his post-meridian devotions.’ It is related of Asmâ, the daughter of O’mys, that she said: ‘After the sun had set I saw it rising [again], shining on the plains and mountains, so that the people were eye-witnesses of the brightness of the sunshine, whereon A’li held his prayers, and this was one of the signs of prophecy.’ When the Jews of the Wâdy-l-qara obtained information of the approach of the apostle of God they made, with the aid of some idolaters, the neces­sary preparations for war, marched out of their stations, and drew themselves up in battle array. His lordship also ordered his lines to be formed, handed his flag to one of the principal companions, and invited the opponents to accept Islâm, saying: ‘Make profession of the Faith! Your lives and property will remain safe, and your account will be with God the Most High and Glorious.’ They, how­ever, refused to comply, and began the attack as follows: A man stepped out of their ranks and shouted for a champion; but Zobeyr defaced his countenance with a sharp sword. After that another man was also bold enough to step into the lists of contention, but Zobeyr despatched him to hell in the same manner. Then another hero presented himself, whom A’li met and slew, whilst Abu Dujânah killed two other men, so that ten or eleven of the enemy lost their lives on that day. When the night set in both armies remained stationary in their places till the morning. When the nocturnal hosts [i.e., stars] had been put to flight by the monarch of the day [i.e., the sun], the champions of both parties unsheathed their swords and assailed each other. The sun had attained nearly one spear’s height, when the opponents became much afraid and commenced to flee, whereon a great deal of plunder fell into the hands of the professors of Islâm, and this was one victory more added to the others. When the Jews heard of the fame of the victorious army they became so frightened that they sued for peace, and agreed to pay tribute.