When Ssiddiq Akbar had become established in the [dignity of the] Khalifate, he ordered it to be proclaimed in Madinah that none of the troops of Asâmah should lag behind, and that no one whom the apostle of Allah— u. w. bl.—had ordered to march with Asâmah should consider it licit to be tardy. Hereon certain intelligent and discerning companions represented to Ssiddiq that these troops which he was ordering to march with Asâmah on a Ghazâ [expedition] constituted the bulk of the army of Islâm, and that if this became known to certain Arab tribes and Jews dwelling around Mekkah in a state of opposition and rebellion, the departure of Asâmah might become detrimental to the country and the religion, and that therefore it would be better if this expedition could be delayed for awhile. Ssiddiq, however, replied: ‘Though ravenous beasts of prey may tear me to pieces in the absence of Asâmah, I shall nevertheless send him away.’ It is reported that certain Anssâr told Fârûq to ask the Khalifate [i.e. successor] of the apostle of Allah, namely, Abu Bakr, to give the command of these troops to someone more aged and experienced than Asâmah. Fârûq reported this advice to Ssiddiq, who, however, taking hold of the beard of Fârûq, said: ‘May thy mother be childless, O son of Khattâb, the apostle of Allah has appointed him to this part, and thou tellest me to remove him therefrom?’ In fine, Ssiddiq issued orders to Asâmah to hasten to his destination. The latter accordingly mounted his camel and started in the direction of Syria, Ssiddiq accompanying him on foot, despite all the entreaties of Asâmah to mount and allow himself to alight. He ordered the officers of the troops not to commit treachery by slaying children, aged persons or women. They were not to fell fruit-bearing trees, nor to injure monks engaged in churches and monasteries in the adoration of God the Most High. After having completed his admonitions, Ssiddiq returned to Madinah, and Asâmah marched with the troops of Islâm from stage to stage, first attacking the Qodzaa’h tribes according to the injunction of Ssiddiq and plundering them. It is related that in this expedition Asâmah marched as far as the place where his father Zaid had been killed, and he avenged his death upon them. There is also a tradition that having seen no opponents whatever in this Ghazâ, he marched back and safely reached Madinah. It is reported that after the demise of his holy and prophetic lordship— u. w. bl.—factious and perverse men imagined that the adherents of Islâm had no longer sufficient force and power to march forth with an army, and that they might be repelled with ease; when, however, they heard that Asâmah had started from Madinah with so many troops, they were all overpowered by fear, and the Musalmâns rose in their estimation. It is known for a certainty that no one of the army of Asamâh remained behind except Fârûq, and the reason for this was that at the time of leave-taking Ssiddiq informed Asâmah that the presence of O’mar might become necessary in the transaction of important affairs; and that if he thought proper he might give him leave to stay behind, whereon Asâmah complied with the suggestion of Abu Bakr, and O’mar returned to Madinah.