20 Profitable Businesses ANYONE Can Start, In 7 Days Or Less, Using ChatGPT, With No Money, And Zero Experience. DR OPE BANWO
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
While reasonable attempts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided in this publication, the author does not assume any responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretation of this information and any damages or costs incurred by that.
This book is not intended for use as a source of legal, business, accounting or financial advice. All readers are advised to seek the services of competent professionals in legal, business, accounting and finance fields before implementing any of the ideas shared in this book.
While examples of past results may be used occasionally in this work, they are intended for purposes of example only. No representation is made or implied that the reader will do as well from using any of the techniques mentioned in this book.
The contents of this book are based solely on the personal research of the author. The author does not assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever for what you choose to do with this information. Use your own judgment.
Any perceived slight of specific people or organizations, and any resemblance to characters living, dead or otherwise, real or fictitious, is purely unintentional.
While I have tried my best to research and explain each of the business ideas discussed in this book, I do not hold myself out as an expert in anything. Do your own due diligence before attempting to implement any of the business ideas as discussed.
Bottom line, you use the information contained in this book at your own risk.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I want to appreciate the following for making this book possible: Eric Philip, Olufunke Addo & Jacob Odedekuma. My AllPurpose researchers and personal assistants who had to do the heavy research; do speed reading for me, edit the contents and make suggestions on improving each of the business concepts. Thank you all for your hustle. I assure you the rewards for your labors will be collected right here on earth first before you collect the remainder in Heaven.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Ope Banwo, Founder of Mobisoft360 Inc and GistHouse Audio App, is an Attorney, Tech Start-Up Specialist, Business Consultant, Motivational Speaker, and Corporate Solutions Provider.
He holds several degrees in Law including a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B); Barrister-At-Law (B.L); Master of Laws (LL.M) and an honorary Doctor of Laws (Ph.D.). He was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1986, New York Bar in 1997 and Federal District Court of Nebraska, USA in 1997.
Dr. Ope Banwo is a prolific software publisher and tech founder with several softwares published by his firm including Mobimatic App Builder, Designa, 360Funnels, Business360Suite, Voicematic, Churchio and 360Apps; GrowMatic; AI Daddy, among others. His current Tech startup is GistHouse, the Afrocentric Audio Conversation Social Media Platform.
As a prolific multi-dimensional author, Dr. Banwo has written over 40 published books on different topics over the years including bestsellers in Christianity, Lifestyle and Business.
Some of his bestselling books include: The Kingdompreneur, Overcoming The Gideon Complex, The Blessings of Adversity, Netpreneur Manifesto, Digital Business Goldmines, Social Media Marketing Genesis; Multiple Streams Of Crypto Income; Confessions Of A Guru-Wannabe; Confessions Of Rainmakers; Confessions of African Internet Business Millionaires and Commandments Of Digital Marketing...just to mention a few.
As a man committed to philanthropy and public service, he has initiated several public initiatives including the Ghetto Dreamz Foundation to empower economically-disadvantaged Youths; The Digital Works Africa to teach youths legitimate ways to employ themselves online; and Naija Lives Matter to advocate for citizenship rights and provide empowerment and free skills acquisition workshops to economically-disadvantaged Africans.
Some of his companies include Banwo & Igbokwe Law Firm, Mobisoft360 Inc, Netpreneur360 Inc. and American Internet University;
He is currently CEO of Gisthouse; Founding Partner at Banwo & Igbokwe Law firm and Chairman of the holding company, Mobisoft360 Inc USA.
ChatGPT Business Goldmine #21: AUTOMATED CUSTOMER SERVICE
CONCLUSION: DIVERSIFY YOUR INCOME AND THRIVE
CHAPTER 1: WHY I WROTE THIS BOOK
Welcome to "Multiple Streams of ChatGPT Income: 20 Profitable Businesses Anyone Can Start In A Week Using ChatGPT." I'm thrilled to share my experience and insights into creating multiple streams of income with the help of ChatGPT.
I wrote this book because I believe that everyone deserves financial freedom and independence. It's not just about having a stable job and earning a fixed income. It's about having the freedom to pursue your passions, live the life you want, and secure your future.
In today's economy, relying on a single source of income is no longer enough. The cost of living is rising, and traditional employment is becoming less secure. That's why I'm excited to introduce you to ChatGPT, an innovative tool that can help you create multiple streams of income in a matter of days.
ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence-based platform that can converse with humans in natural language. It can help you automate various tasks, including customer service, content creation, and data analysis. By leveraging ChatGPT's capabilities, you can start and scale profitable businesses quickly and easily.
The 20 businesses I've included in this book are all based on the latest trends and opportunities in the digital economy. These businesses require minimal upfront investment and can be started from anywhere in the world. Whether you're a stay-at-home parent, a student, or a full-time employee looking for a side hustle, you can benefit from the knowledge and insights shared in this book.
Here Are Some Of The Key Benefits Of Creating Multiple Streams Of Income With ChatGPT:
1. Diversification: By creating multiple streams of income, you can diversify your sources of revenue and reduce your dependence on a single source of income.
2. Flexibility: With ChatGPT, you can create businesses that are flexible and adaptable to your schedule and lifestyle. You can work
from anywhere, at any time, and have the freedom to pursue your passions and hobbies.
3. Scalability: ChatGPT can help you automate and scale your businesses without having to invest a lot of time or money. You can create businesses that are scalable and can generate significant passive income.
4. Future-Proofing: By creating multiple streams of income, you can future-proof your financial security and independence. You'll have a safety net in case of job loss, economic downturns, or unexpected expenses.
In this book, I'll guide you through the process of starting and scaling 20 different businesses using ChatGPT. I'll share tips, strategies, and best practices that I've learned through years of experience in the digital economy. You'll learn how to identify profitable niches, create engaging content, build an audience, and monetize your businesses.
I wrote this book with the aim of making it accessible and practical for anyone who wants to create multiple streams of income. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced entrepreneur, you'll find valuable insights and actionable advice in this book.
I sincerely believe that creating multiple streams of income with ChatGPT is one of the most effective ways to achieve financial freedom and independence. I invite you to join me on this journey and discover the power of ChatGPT for yourself. Let's get started!
CHAPTER 2
THE CHATGPT REVOLUTION
AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU AND YOUR POCKET
In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized many industries, including healthcare, finance, and transportation. One of the most promising applications of AI is natural language processing (NLP), which allows machines to understand and respond to human language. ChatGPT is an AI-powered platform that leverages NLP to communicate with humans and assist with various tasks.
So, What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is an AI-powered platform developed by OpenAI that uses deep learning algorithms to generate human-like responses to natural language queries. It was designed to be a versatile platform that can be trained on a wide range of tasks, including customer service, chatbots, content creation, and data analysis.
One of the key features of ChatGPT is its ability to understand context and generate responses that are relevant and informative. It does this by analyzing large amounts of text data and using that knowledge to predict what the user is trying to say.
Several Basic Ways ChatGPT Can Be Used:
1. Customer Service: ChatGPT can be used to automate customer service tasks, such as answering common questions, resolving issues, and providing support. By using ChatGPT for customer service, businesses can save time and money while improving the customer experience.
2. Chatbots: Chatbots are automated chat systems that can help businesses engage with customers and provide personalized recommendations. ChatGPT can be used to create chatbots that are intelligent and responsive, allowing businesses to automate their marketing and sales efforts.
3. Content Creation: ChatGPT can be used to generate highquality content, such as blog posts, articles, and social media updates. By training ChatGPT on a specific topic, businesses can
generate content that is informative, engaging, and relevant to their audience.
4. Data Analysis: ChatGPT can be used to analyze large amounts of text data, such as customer feedback, social media posts, and reviews. By analyzing this data, businesses can gain insights into customer preferences, sentiment, and behavior, allowing them to make more informed decisions.
Why ChatGPT is the ultimate weapon for those seeking to get better and faster with what they do and make more money online?
1. Speed and Efficiency: ChatGPT can perform tasks faster and more efficiently than humans, allowing businesses to save time and money. By using ChatGPT, businesses can automate tasks that would otherwise require hours of manual labor.
2. Accuracy: ChatGPT can generate accurate responses that are tailored to the user's needs. By using ChatGPT, businesses can reduce the risk of human error and improve the quality of their output.
3. Personalization: ChatGPT can be trained to understand the user's preferences and needs, allowing businesses to provide personalized recommendations and responses. This can help businesses build stronger relationships with their customers and increase customer satisfaction.
4. Scalability: ChatGPT can be trained on a wide range of tasks and can be scaled up or down depending on the business's needs. This allows businesses to grow and expand their operations without having to invest in additional human resources.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, ChatGPT is a powerful AI-powered platform that can help businesses automate tasks, improve the customer experience, and increase revenue. By leveraging ChatGPT's capabilities, businesses can save time and money while improving the quality and accuracy of their output. ChatGPT is the ultimate weapon for those seeking to get better and faster with what they do and make more money online.
CHAPTER 3
CHATGPT BUSINESS GOLDMINE #1:
COMMERCIAL AUTHORSHIP BUSINESS
Commercial authorship is a lucrative and exciting business that has the potential to provide writers with a fulfilling and rewarding career.
In today's digital age, there are countless opportunities for writers to publish and market their work across a variety of platforms.
Whether you're interested in writing books, articles, blog posts, or any other type of content, there are numerous avenues for monetizing your writing skills.
As a writer, your ability to craft engaging and informative content can be incredibly valuable to businesses, organizations, and individuals who are seeking to promote their products or services. With the right tools, resources, and marketing strategies, you can establish yourself as a successful commercial author and build a thriving business around your writing talents.
What Is Commercial Authorship Business?
Commercial authorship business refers to the creation and publication of written content, such as books, articles, and blog posts, for the purpose of generating revenue. The authors in this type of business are often self-employed or work for publishing companies, and their primary goal is to produce high-quality content that appeals to a specific target audience.
In the commercial authorship business, the authors must not only focus on the content but also on the marketing and distribution of their work. This includes creating a strong online presence, building a readership, and leveraging social media to promote their work. Additionally, they must keep up-to-date with industry trends and changes in the publishing landscape, as well as stay on top of new technologies and tools that can help them succeed in the market.
Overall, the commercial authorship business can be a rewarding and lucrative career for those who are passionate about writing and willing to put in the effort to succeed. It offers the opportunity to share knowledge, stories, and ideas with a wide audience while building a successful business.
Why Start a Commercial authorship business with ChatGPT?
Starting a commercial authorship business with ChatGPT can be a great opportunity for individuals or organizations looking to create high-quality, engaging content that resonates with their target audience. As an AI-powered language model, ChatGPT can generate natural-sounding text that is tailored to meet specific business needs, whether that be creating blog posts, social media content, email newsletters, or even full-length books.
One of the biggest advantages of using ChatGPT for commercial authorship is the efficiency it offers. Unlike traditional writing methods that can be time-consuming and require extensive research and editing, ChatGPT can produce high-quality content quickly and accurately, freeing up valuable time for businesses to focus on other areas of their operations.
Furthermore, ChatGPT is capable of generating content on a wide range of topics, from technical and scientific subjects to creative writing and marketing copy. Its ability to produce content at scale and with a high degree of accuracy means that businesses can ensure consistency across all their marketing channels, building brand recognition and trust with their audience.
In addition, ChatGPT's AI-powered algorithms can learn and adapt to a business's specific needs over time, creating content that reflects the brand's tone and style. This level of personalization ensures that the content created by ChatGPT not only engages the target audience but also aligns with the business's values and goals.
Overall, starting a commercial authorship business with ChatGPT offers numerous benefits, including increased efficiency, scalability, and personalization. By leveraging the power of AI to generate highquality content, businesses can position themselves as industry
thought leaders and build stronger relationships with their target audience.
HOW TO USE CHATGPT TO WRITE A BOOK
Here are some general steps that you can follow to write a book using ChatGPT:
1. Determine your book's genre and theme: Before you start writing, decide what kind of book you want to write, such as a novel, non-fiction, biography, etc., and what the central theme of your book will be.
2. Set a goal for your book: Establish a specific goal for your book, such as completing a certain number of pages or chapters each day or week.
3. Use ChatGPT for inspiration: You can use ChatGPT to generate ideas and inspiration for your book. Try asking ChatGPT for writing prompts, character ideas, or plot twists.
4. Create an outline: An outline is a crucial step in the writing process. It helps you organize your ideas, establish the structure of your book, and identify any potential problems early on.
5. Start writing: Once you have a clear outline, start writing your book. Remember that your first draft does not have to be perfect; the goal is to get your ideas down on paper.
6. Edit and revise: After completing your first draft, take a break and come back to it with fresh eyes. Then, edit and revise your book. ChatGPT can also assist you in this step by providing suggestions for word choices, sentence structure, and grammar.
7. Get feedback: Share your work with others, such as beta readers or a writing group, to get feedback and constructive criticism. Use this feedback to improve your book further.
8. Publish your book: Once you are satisfied with your book, consider publishing it. You can self-publish your book online, or you can submit it to traditional publishers. Remember to research the publishing process and choose the method that is right for you.
These are just general steps to follow when writing a book using ChatGPT. Remember that the writing process can be a challenging and rewarding experience, and there is no one right way to write a book.
What are some of the best prompts I can give chatgpt to help me write a great non fiction book
Prompting ChatGpt
ChatGPT works by promoting or giving it a command to do what you want. The better your prompting skills the better the results you will get.
Here are some prompts you can give ChatGPT to generate ideas for:
A.
Writing a non-fiction book:
1. What are the most important lessons you've learned in your life, and how can you share them with others?
2. What are the biggest challenges facing society today, and how can we address them?
3. What are the most common mistakes people make in their personal or professional lives, and how can they avoid them?
4. What are the most significant innovations in your field of expertise, and how have they impacted society?
5. What are the most effective strategies for achieving success in your field, and how can you share them with others?
6. What are the most critical historical events that have shaped the world as we know it today, and what can we learn from them?
7. What are the most significant trends in your industry, and how can you help people understand and navigate them?
8. What are the most common misconceptions people have about your topic of expertise, and how can you correct them?
9. What are the most important skills people need to succeed in your field, and how can you help them develop those skills?
10. What are the most pressing issues facing your community, and how can you help people address them?
Remember, these prompts are just a starting point, and you can modify them to fit your specific interests and expertise. Good luck with your non-fiction book!
B. Here are some prompt EXAMPLES you can give ChatGPT to generate ideas for a fictional book on romance:
1. A chance encounter: Write a story about two strangers who meet by chance and fall in love. What obstacles do they face as they
try to build a relationship?
2. Opposites attract: Write a story about two people who are very different from each other but are drawn together by a powerful attraction. What conflicts arise as they try to bridge the gap between their worlds?
3. Forbidden love: Write a story about two people who fall in love despite societal or familial barriers. What risks do they take to be together, and how do they navigate the challenges that arise?
4. Second chance: Write a story about two people who reconnect after years apart and find that their feelings for each other have not faded. What events led to their separation, and how do they work to rebuild their relationship?
5. Love triangle: Write a story about three people who are all attracted to each other but must choose who they want to be with. What factors influence their decisions, and how do they navigate the emotional complexities of the situation?
6. Long-distance love: Write a story about two people who fall in love while living in different parts of the world. What challenges do they face as they try to maintain their relationship from afar?
7. Friends to lovers: Write a story about two friends who realize that their feelings for each other go beyond friendship. What fears or doubts do they have about taking their relationship to the next level?
8. Workplace romance: Write a story about two coworkers who fall in love but must navigate the challenges of balancing their personal and professional lives. What risks do they take to be together, and how do they maintain their privacy in a public setting?
Remember, these prompts are just a starting point, and you can modify them to fit your specific interests and style. Good luck with your romance novel!
C. Here are some prompts you can give ChatGPT to generate ideas for a thrilling fiction book:
1. A mysterious disappearance: Write a story about a person who goes missing, and the investigation that follows. What twists and turns arise as the search for the missing person unfolds?
2. A serial killer on the loose: Write a story about a serial killer who is terrorizing a community, and the efforts to catch them. What
clues are left behind, and how does the killer stay one step ahead of the investigators?
3. A race against time: Write a story about a person who is racing against the clock to stop a catastrophic event from occurring. What obstacles do they face, and what sacrifices are they willing to make to achieve their goal?
4. A hidden conspiracy: Write a story about a person who discovers a secret conspiracy that threatens to upend society. What dangers do they face as they try to uncover the truth, and who can they trust?
5. A dangerous game: Write a story about a group of people who become trapped in a deadly game, where the stakes are life and death. What challenges do they face as they try to outsmart their opponents, and what is the ultimate goal of the game?
6. A haunted past: Write a story about a person who is haunted by a traumatic event from their past. What demons must they confront to overcome their trauma, and how does this impact their present-day life?
7. A deadly virus: Write a story about a virus that threatens to wipe out humanity, and the race to find a cure. What challenges do scientists and doctors face, and how do they balance the need for speed with the need for safety?
Remember, these prompts are just a starting point, and you can modify them to fit your specific interests and style. Good luck with your thriller novel!
D. Here are some prompts you can give ChatGPT to generate ideas for a political drama fiction book:
1. A political scandal: Write a story about a political scandal that threatens to bring down a powerful politician or political institution. What events led to the scandal, and how do the characters navigate the fallout?
2. A power struggle: Write a story about a group of politicians or officials who are vying for power and control. What tactics do they use to gain an advantage over their opponents, and what consequences do their actions have?
3. A corrupt system: Write a story about a person or group of people who are fighting against a corrupt political system. What obstacles do they face, and how do they work to effect change?
4. An election campaign: Write a story about a political campaign and the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that takes place. What strategies do the candidates use to win over voters, and what role do the media and special interests play?
5. International relations: Write a story about a political crisis that arises between two countries or regions. What are the causes of the crisis, and what are the diplomatic and military efforts to resolve it?
6. A revolution: Write a story about a group of people who rise up against an oppressive political system. What challenges do they face, and how do they organize themselves to effect change?
7. A terrorist threat: Write a story about a terrorist plot that threatens to destabilize a country or region. What are the motivations of the terrorists, and what measures are taken to stop them?
Remember, these prompts are just a starting point, and you can modify them to fit your specific interests and style. Good luck with your political drama fiction book!
E. Here are some prompts you can give ChatGPT to generate ideas for a horror fiction book:
1. A haunted house: Write a story about a family who moves into a haunted house, and the terrifying events that unfold. What is the history of the house, and why is it haunted?
2. A cursed object: Write a story about an object that is cursed or possessed by an evil spirit. What is the origin of the curse, and what happens to those who come into contact with the object?
3. A mysterious creature: Write a story about a mysterious creature that terrorizes a community. What is the nature of the creature, and how do the characters try to defeat it?
4. A supernatural event: Write a story about a supernatural event that occurs in a small town or community. What is the cause of the event, and how do the characters try to survive?
5. A demonic possession: Write a story about a person who becomes possessed by a demon, and the efforts to exorcise the demon. What is the nature of the demon, and how does it try to exert its influence?
6. A terrifying virus: Write a story about a virus that turns people into zombies or other monsters. What is the origin of the virus, and what measures are taken to contain it?
7. A dark cult: Write a story about a cult that worships a dark deity or practices dark rituals. What is the nature of the cult, and what happens to those who come into contact with it?
Remember, these prompts are just a starting point, and you can modify them to fit your specific interests and style. Good luck with your horror fiction book!
Where To Publish Your Book:
Here are 30 platforms and sites where you can publish your books as an author:
1. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing - https://kdp.amazon.com/ - KDP is a self-publishing platform that allows you to publish your book in digital format and make it available for sale on Amazon.
2. Barnes & Noble Press - https://press.barnesandnoble.com/ - This self-publishing platform allows you to upload your manuscript, cover art, and book details and sell your book on the Barnes & Noble website.
3. Kobo Writing Life - https://www.kobo.com/writinglife - Kobo Writing Life is a self-publishing platform that enables you to publish your eBook and distribute it to a global audience, including Kobo readers and partner retailers.
4. Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/ - This platform allows you to self-publish your eBook and distribute it to a variety of online retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books.
5. Draft2Digital - https://www.draft2digital.com/Draft2Digital provides tools to help you convert and distribute
your eBooks to multiple online retailers, including Amazon, Apple Books, and Kobo.
6. Wattpad - https://www.wattpad.com/ - Wattpad is a social platform for writers and readers where you can share your work and build an audience.
7. Scribd - https://www.scribd.com/ - This platform allows you to publish your eBook and make it available to their subscription-based readers.
8. BookBaby - https://www.bookbaby.com/ - BookBaby offers self-publishing services that include eBook conversion, print-ondemand, and distribution to multiple retailers.
9. Lulu - https://www.lulu.com/ - This self-publishing platform provides eBook and print-on-demand options, as well as distribution to major retailers.
10. iBooks Author - https://www.apple.com/ibooks-author/iBooks Author is a free tool provided by Apple that allows you to create and publish multimedia eBooks.
11. Google Play Books - https://play.google.com/books/publish/ - Google Play Books enables you to self-publish your eBooks and make them available on the Google Play store.
12. Blurb - https://www.blurb.com/ - This self-publishing platform allows you to create and distribute high-quality print and eBooks.
13. IngramSpark - https://www.ingramspark.com/IngramSpark provides a self-publishing platform for both print and eBooks, with distribution to major retailers.
14. Pronoun - https://pronoun.com/ - Pronoun is a selfpublishing platform that offers eBook conversion and distribution to multiple retailers.
15. Booktango - https://booktango.com/ - Booktango offers self-publishing services that include eBook conversion, print-ondemand, and distribution to multiple retailers.
16. NOOK Press - https://www.nookpress.com/ - NOOK Press is a self-publishing platform provided by Barnes & Noble, enabling you to publish and sell your eBooks on the NOOK store.
17. Bookrix - https://www.bookrix.com/ - Bookrix is a selfpublishing platform that offers eBook and print-on-demand options.
18. Feedbooks - https://www.feedbooks.com/ - Feedbooks is an eBook retailer that also offers a platform for self-publishing.
19. StreetLib - https://www.streetlib.com/ - This self-publishing platform provides options for both eBooks and print, with distribution to multiple retailers.
20. PublishDrive - https://publishdrive.com/ - PublishDrive offers a self-publishing platform for both eBooks and print, with distribution to over 400 stores and libraries worldwide
1. Okadabooks - https://okadabooks.com/ - Okadabooks is a digital publishing platform based in Nigeria that allows you to publish and sell your books in digital format to readers in Africa.
2. Writivism - https://writivism.org/ - Writivism is a literary initiative based in Africa that provides publishing opportunities for African writers and promotes African literature.
3. Afridigest - https://afridigest.com/ - Afridigest is a platform that features book reviews and also provides opportunities for African authors to showcase and promote their books.
4. Bahati Books - https://bahatibooks.com/ - Bahati Books is a digital publishing company based in Nigeria that focuses on publishing books by African authors.
5. Cassava Republic Press - https://cassavarepublic.biz/Cassava Republic Press is a publishing company based in Nigeria that publishes books by African authors, with a focus on contemporary African fiction.
6. Ankara Press - https://www.ankarapress.com/ - Ankara Press is a digital publishing imprint of Cassava Republic Press that focuses on publishing romance novels by African women.
7. Kinnareads - https://kinnareads.com/ - Kinnareads is a platform that features book reviews and author interviews, with a focus on African literature.
Another random document with no related content on Scribd:
ANNALS OF THE EARLY CALIPHATE.
CHAPTER I.
ELECTION OF ABU BEKR.
A.H. XI. A.D. 632.
At eventide of a summer day in the eleventh year of the Hegira, three chief ‘Companions’ of Mahomet might be seen issuing in haste from the Great Mosque at Medîna, where, close by in the chamber of Ayesha, his favourite wife, the Prophet of Arabia lay dead.[4] They were Abu Bekr, Omar, and Abu Obeida. I will first describe each briefly, and then explain the object of their errand.
Death of Mahomet, 13 Rabi I. XI., June 8, 632.
A B .
A B , now threescore years of age, was somewhat short in stature, of a spare frame, rounded back, and stooping gait. His face was thin, complexion smooth and fair, nose aquiline and sharp, with other features delicate; the forehead high; the eyes deep-seated and far apart; the veins well marked. His scanty hair and beard, now for many years white, was dyed red. The countenance was still in old age handsome; and the expression mild, but wise and resolute. To him faith in the Prophet had become a second nature, and, now that his Master was gone, the disciple lived but to fulfil his will. It was this that nerved a disposition naturally soft and yielding, and made Abu Bekr, T ,[5] of all the followers of Mahomet, the firmest and most resolute.
O , fifteen years younger, differed both in frame and temperament. Broadshouldered and tall, he towered above the crowd. Though somewhat dark in complexion, the face was fresh and ruddy. He was now bald; and his beard was dyed like his friend’s. His stride was long, and his presence commanding. Naturally hasty and passionate, he would twist his moustache when
O
angry and draw it downwards to his mouth. But time had mellowed temper; and, beneath an imperious manner, he was bland and courteous. Their attachment to Mahomet had, on these two friends, an effect exactly opposite. That which braced the soft nature of Abu Bekr served to abate the vehemence of Omar. Both stood in a like relation to the Prophet, each having given a daughter to him in marriage; Haphsa, Omar’s daughter, was one of Mahomet’s favourite wives; but Ayesha, the child of Abu Bekr, was queen in his affections to the end.
On these two men at this moment hung the future of Islam. The third, who now accompanied them, A O , was between them in age. He was thin, tall, and sinewy; bald, and with little beard. Mild, unassuming, and unwarlike, he was yet destined to take a leading part in the conquest of Syria.
A O
Abu Bekr and Omar in the Great Mosque.
It was the afternoon of the day on which, but an hour or two before, Mahomet had breathed his last. The event had come unexpectedly at the end. Abu Bekr, thinking the Prophet better, had shortly before retired to his house in the suburbs of the city. Called back in haste, he entered Ayesha’s chamber, and kissed the face of his departed friend, saying:—
‘Sweet wert thou in life; and sweet thou art in death.’ The mosque was filled with a crowd excited by the voice of Omar, who wildly proclaimed that the Prophet was not dead, but in a trance; and that, like Moses, he would surely return to them again. Abu Bekr, issuing from the chamber (which opened directly from the court of the mosque), put his friend aside with these memorable words:— Whoso worshippeth Mahomet, let him know that Mahomet is dead indeed; but whoso worshippeth God, let him know that God liveth and dieth not. He added passages from the Corân, in which the Prophet had said that he would die; and Omar, hearing them as if he
Men of Medîna would elect a chief of their own.
had never heard them before, was speechless. The multitude quieted down before the solemn words of Abu Bekr. But just then a messenger hurried up with the report, that the citizens of Medîna— the A , had assembled to choose for themselves a chief. The moment was critical. The unity of the faith was at stake. A divided power would fall to pieces, and all might be lost. The mantle of the Prophet must fall upon one successor, and on one alone. The sovereignty of Islam demanded an undivided Caliphate; and Arabia would acknowledge no master but from amongst the Coreish. The die must be cast, and at once.
Such, no doubt, were the thoughts which occurred to Omar and Abu Bekr on receiving intelligence of the elective conclave; and so, alarmed at the danger, they hastened to the spot, accompanied by Abu Obeida, if haply they might nip it in the bud. On the way they met two friendly citizens coming from the assembly, who warned them of the risk they ran; but, notwithstanding, they hurried on. The men of Medîna meanwhile, gathered in one of their rude halls, were bent upon an independent course. ‘We have sheltered this nest of strangers,’ they cried. ‘It is by our good swords they have been able to plant the Faith. The Chief of Medîna shall be from amongst ourselves.’ And they had already fixed their choice on Sád ibn Obâda, leader of the Beni Khazraj, one of ‘the Twelve’ at ‘the Pledge of Acaba,’ who, sick of a fever, lay covered up at the further end of the hall. At this moment the three Companions entered but just in time, for had the Citizens elected Sád and pledged their troth to him, Medîna might have been irretrievably compromised. Omar, with his native vehemence, was about to speak, when Abu Bekr bade him to be silent, and anticipated him, as Omar used in after days to say, with the same arguments he himself had thought of, and even better. ‘Every word,’ said Abu Bekr, calmly and firmly, ‘which the Citizens had uttered in their own praise was true, but in noble birth and influence the Coreish were paramount, and to none but them would Arabia yield obedience.’ ‘Then,’ cried the men of Medîna, ‘let there be one chief from amongst you and one from amongst us.’ ‘Away with you!’ exclaimed Omar; ‘two cannot stand together’; and even Sád from beneath his covering muttered that to
Stormy scene in the hall of the citizens.
divide the power would weaken it. High words ensued. Hobâb, on the side of Sád, cried out, ‘Hear him not! Attend to me, for I am the well-rubbed Palm-stem. [6] If they refuse, expel them from the city. I am the Roaring Lion of the desert, and will devour them up.’ ‘The Lord destroy thee!’ cried Omar; and Hobâb returned the words. The altercation gaining in heat and bitterness, Abu Bekr saw that it must be stopped at any risk; so stepping forward he said: ‘Ye see these two’—and he pointed to Omar and Abu Obeida—‘Choose ye now whichever of them ye will, and salute him as your Chief.’ ‘Nay,’ cried both at once, ‘Thou hast already, at the Prophet’s bidding, led the prayers; thou art our Chief. Stretch forth thine hand.’ He did so, and they struck their hand on his in token of allegiance.[7] Others began to follow their example. ‘Wilt thou cut thine own kinsman’s throat?’ cried Hobâb to a Khazrajite about to take the pledge. ‘Not so,’ he answered; ‘I only yield the right to whom the right is due.’ Whilst they yet hesitated, the Beni Aus, jealous of the rival tribe and of Sád its nominee, spake among themselves: ‘If this man be chosen, the rule will be for ever with the Beni Khazraj. Let us salute Abu Bekr as our Chief.’[8] The example once set, group after group advanced to place their hand on that of Abu Bekr, till none was left but Sád, who still lay covered in the corner. Acknowledged thus by the men of Medîna, there could be no doubt of Abu Bekr’s acceptance by the Coreish and all the Refugees.[9] He was one of themselves, and the Prophet, by appointing him to take his place, when laid aside, at the daily prayers, had in a manner indicated him as his vicegerent. And so homage was done on all sides to Abu Bekr. He was saluted as the ‘C ,’ or ‘Successor of the Prophet.’
Abu Bekr elected Caliph. Burial of the Prophet.
The night was occupied in preparing the dead for sepulture. The body was washed and laid out, and the grave dug in Ayesha’s apartment, where Mahomet had breathed his last. On the morrow the citizens, men, women, and children, thronged the chamber to look once more upon their Prophet’s face. And then the body was reverently committed to the dust.
The funeral being over, and the court of the Great Mosque still crowded with the mourners, Abu Bekr ascended the pulpit, and, sitting down, was saluted as Caliph by acclamation. Then he arose, and said: ‘O people! Now I am Chief over you, albeit not the best amongst you. If I do well, support me; if ill, then set me right. Follow the true, wherein is faithfulness; eschew the false, wherein is treachery. The weaker amongst you shall be as the stronger with me, until that I shall have redressed his wrong; and the stronger shall be as the weaker, until, if the Lord will, I shall have taken from him that which he hath wrested. Leave not off to fight in the ways of the Lord; whosoever leaveth off, him verily shall the Lord abase. Obey me wherein I obey the Lord and his Prophet; when I disobey, then obey me not. Now, arise to prayer, and the Lord be with you!’ The assembly stood up for prayer, and Abu Bekr, for the first time as Caliph, filled the place of Mahomet.
Abu Bekr’s inaugural address. Sád declines to swear fealty; and also (probably) Aly for a time.
Besides Sád, there were few, if any, who refused to do homage to Abu Bekr. According to most authorities, Aly declined to do so until the death of Fâtima his wife, six months afterwards. Zobeir and Talha are also mentioned, but doubtfully.[10] Sád persisted in his refusal; he even threatened to empty his quiver against the usurpers, and then fight against them with his retainers. ‘Let him alone,’ was the advice of those around the Caliph; ‘he is but a single man, and his secession will not signify; but if force be used against him, then his tribe will fight.’ The advice approved itself to Abu Bekr’s forbearing spirit. Sád kept aloof, and never appeared at court or in the mosque. When Omar succeeded to the Caliphate, he presented himself with these words, ‘I love thee not, O Omar!’ and, disappearing, eventually died in Syria.
With Mahomet ceased the theocratic power which, as a prophet, he had exercised; but the kingly functions, as ruler over all Islam, descended to his successor. According to Arabian notions, such a ruler was, like the Chieftain of a tribe, the head and representative of the
The succession, how far provided for by Mahomet; and the precedent now established.
people, and his nomination was incomplete till confirmed by their homage. Omar, we are told, in after days declared that the irregular election of Abu Bekr (referring apparently to the scene enacted in the hall) should not be drawn into a precedent. It was, he said, an event the happiest in its consequences for Islam, but justified only by the urgency of the moment. What might have been the issue if any son of Mahomet had survived, it is useless to speculate. But certainly the hereditary descent of kingly power was foreign to the sentiment of Arabia. As matters stood, Mahomet seems to have shrunk from anticipating the contingency of his death, and made no preparation for what should follow. But in so far as we may suppose him to have felt his illness mortal and his death impending, the nomination of Abu Bekr to conduct the public prayers (the acknowledged mark of chief or delegated authority) may be held the natural indication of his wish that he should succeed.[11] Apart from the counter-claim of the men of Medîna, there was, in point of fact, neither doubt nor hesitancy in the election, and the counter-claim died away almost as soon as made. The notion of divine right, or even of preferential claim, resting in the Prophet’s family, was the growth of a later age.
CHAPTER II.
EXPEDITION OF OSÂMA TO THE SYRIAN BORDER.
A.H. XI. A.D. 632.
Abu Bekr soon had the opportunity of showing that he was resolved to carry out the commands of Mahomet to the very letter. A few weeks previously an expedition had been ordered to avenge by a raid on the Syrian border the disaster which, three years before, had tarnished the Moslem arms. In that reverse Zeid, the Prophet’s bosom friend, who led the army, was with many others slain at Mûta; and the more distinctly now to mark the object of the campaign, his son Osâma, though still a youth, was nominated by Mahomet to the command, and bidden to avenge his father’s death. The camp was formed at Jorf, a little way on the Syrian road; but during the Prophet’s sickness the force remained inactive, uncertain of the issue. When the fatal event took place, Osâma broke up the camp, and carrying back the banner which he had received at the hands of Mahomet, planted it in the court of the Great Mosque, close by the door of Ayesha’s apartment.
Osâma ordered by Mahomet to lead an expedition against the Syrian border, XI. May, . . 632.
Abu Bekr deaf to reclamations against its dispatch.
The day following his inauguration as Caliph, Abu Bekr took up the banner, and placing it in the hands of Osâma, in token that he was still commander, bade the army again assemble and encamp, as it had done before, at Jorf; and not a man was to be left behind. Obeying the command, the fighting men of Medîna and its neighbourhood flocked again to the camp, and even Omar was amongst the number. While yet preparing to depart, the horizon darkened suddenly. Report of the Prophet’s mortal illness, followed by tidings of his death, had spread like wildfire over the land. From every side there now came rumours of disloyalty, and of the resolve to cast the yoke of Islam off. The sense
of the army, and of Osâma himself, was strongly against leaving the city thus defenceless, and the Caliph exposed to the risk of sudden inroad. Omar was deputed to represent this to Abu Bekr, and also to urge (as had been already urged to Mahomet himself[12]) that, if the expedition must proceed, some more experienced general should command. To the first request Abu Bekr replied, calm and unmoved: ‘Were the city swarming round with packs of ravening wolves, and I left solitary and alone, the force should go; not a word from my Master’s lips shall fall to the ground.’ At the second demand the Caliph’s anger kindled: ‘Thy mother be childless, O son of Khattâb!’ he said, seizing Omar by the beard. ‘Shall the Prophet of the Lord appoint a man to the command, and I, deposing him, appoint another in his place?’ So Omar returned, without gaining either object, to the army.
When all was ready for the march, Abu Bekr repaired to the camp, and accompanied the force a little way on foot, ‘Be mounted,’ said Osâma to him; ‘or else I will dismount and walk by thee.’ ‘Not so,’ replied Abu Bekr; ‘I will not mount; I will walk and soil my feet, a little moment, in the ways of the Lord. Verily, every step in the ways of the Lord is equal to the merit of manifold good works, and wipeth out a multitude of sins.’ After a while he stopped, and said to Osâma: ‘If it be thy will, give Omar leave that he may return with me to the city, for strength and counsel.’ So he gave him leave.[13]
He accompanies it a little way on foot. June, . . 682.
And gives Osâma instructions.
The army then halted, to receive the parting injunctions of the Caliph. ‘See,’ said he, addressing Osâma, ‘that thou avoid treachery and deceit. Depart not in any wise from the right. Thou shalt mutilate none; neither shalt thou kill child or aged man, nor any woman. Injure not the date-palm, neither burn it with fire; and cut not down any tree wherein is food for man or beast. Slay not of the flocks or herds or camels, saving for needful sustenance. Ye may eat of the meat which the men of the land shall bring unto you in their vessels, making mention thereon of the name of the Lord. And the monks with shaven heads that spend their lives in monasteries, if
Osâma returns victorious, July and August. they submit, leave them in their cloisters unmolested. Now march forward in the name of the Lord, and may He protect you from sword and pestilence!’
So Abu Bekr returned with Omar to Medîna. Osâma marched by Wâdi al Cora, in the direction of Dûma, Obna, and the highlands south of Syria. The brunt of his attack fell upon the Beni Codhâa, and the semi-Christian tribes which, under the Roman banner, had discomfited and slain his father. That disaster was now avenged in fire and blood. The land was ravaged far and near, and after an absence of two months, the army returned laden with spoil. [14]
Meanwhile stirring events had transpired at Medîna, of which an account is given in the chapter following.
CHAPTER III.
MEDINA THREATENED.
A.H. XI. J J , A.H. 632.
In after days Abu Bekr used to look back with a just pride and satisfaction to his despatch, against a universal reclamation, of Osâma’s force. Public opinion was not long in justifying the act and attributing thereto results of essential benefit. The firmness of his attitude inspired the Bedouin tribes with a sense of stability in the government. If the leaders at Medîna had not been confident in their strength at home they would not have sent away this army; and the Arabs, reasoning thus, were restrained from much that they might otherwise have attempted. Still the position was critical, and at times sufficiently alarming.
Beneficial effects of Osâma’s expedition.
Courageous attitude of Abu Bekr
It was indeed a thing of which the brave old Caliph might proud. ‘The Arabs,’ so the tradition runs, ‘were on all sides rising in rebellion. Apostasy and disaffection began to raise their heads; Christians and Jews to stretch out their necks; and the Faithful were left like a flock of sheep without a shepherd—their Prophet gone, their numbers few, and their foes a multitude.’ It was in face of all this that Abu Bekr sent off beyond recall his only force, and left Medîna open and, to the outward eye, defenceless.
During the lifetime of Mahomet three rivals had already laid claim to the prophetic office and raised the standard of rebellion. In the south, insurrection had hardly been quelled by the assassination of the ‘Veiled Prophet’ of Yemen, when tidings of the death of Mahomet made it burst forth with redoubled violence. Enshrined in the very centre of the peninsula, Moseilama had detached the powerful tribes around Yemâma from their allegiance; and to the north-east, nearer home, Toleiha, the third pretender, was
Insurrection throughout Arabia.
now openly and dangerously hostile.[15] From every quarter, in rapid succession, came the news of spreading disaffection. The legates of Mahomet, the collectors of tithes—all, in fact, who represented the authority of Islam—fled or were expelled. The Faithful were massacred, and some confessors suffered a cruel death. Mecca and Tâyif quivered and vacillated at the first intelligence of the Prophet’s decease; in the end, through the strong influence of the Coreish, they stood firm; but they were almost alone. Here and there some few tribes, under loyal, or, it might be, temporising, chiefs, maintained the semblance of obedience; but they were hardly discernible amidst the seething mass of rebellion. Amru, hurrying back from Omân (whither he had been sent by Mahomet as ambassador at the Farewell Pilgrimage), witnessed the whole of Central Arabia either in open revolt or ready to break away on the first demand of tithes, and his report filled the citizens of Medîna with dismay.[16] In truth, Islam had never taken firm hold of the distant provinces; and as for the Bedouins, Mahomet had himself had frequent cause to chide their fickleness. It was fear of punishment, and the lust of plunder, rather than attachment to the faith, which had hitherto held these wild sons of the desert in bondage to the Prophet. The restraints and obligations of Islam were irksome and distasteful; and now, on Mahomet’s death well rid of them, they hoped to return to their lawless life.
As report after report came in of fresh defection, Abu Bekr could but instruct his officers to hold on where they were able with the loyal few, hoping to tide over the crisis till the return of Osâma’s force. For the immediate defence of Medîna he took such measures as were possible. He called in all that remained of the faithful tribes in the neighbourhood, and posted pickets at the various approaches to the city. The turbulent tribes in the near desert to the east were the first to assume a threatening attitude. The Beni Abs and Dzobiân massed there in such numbers ‘that the land was straitened by them,’ and they parted into two bodies, one at Rabadza,[17] the other at Dzul Cassa, the first station from Medîna on the road to Nejd. The false prophet Toleiha sent his brother with
Demand for exemption from tithes refused by Abu Bekr.
men to help them; but they still vacillated between the claims of the pretender and Islam. At last they bethought themselves of a compromise. They sent a deputation to Abu Bekr, offering to hold by Islam and its ritual if only they were excused the tithe. The strangers bearing the message were welcomed by the chiefs of Medîna, but by the Caliph their advances were indignantly rejected. He would relax not a tittle of the legal dues. ‘If ye withhold but the tether of a tithed camel,’ said Abu Bekr, bluntly, ‘I will fight with you for the same.’ With this refusal they retired, and also with the intelligence that the city had but few defenders left. Now was the time, before the army came back, not only for plunder, but to deliver a decisive blow. Abu Bekr, foreseeing this, redoubled his precautions. He strengthened the pickets, and set over them the chief men who had remained with him —Aly, Zobeir, Talha, and Abdallah ibn Masûd. For the rest of the people he appointed the Great Mosque a rendezvous. ‘The land hath rebelled against us,’ he said, ‘and they have spied out our nakedness and the weakness of our defence. Ye know not whether they will come upon you by night or come upon you by day, or which of you may be first attacked. They verily hoped that we should have accepted their offer, but we rejected it. Wherefore be vigilant and ready.’
And so it came to pass. They tarried but three days, when a surprise was attempted from Dzul Cassa. The outposts were on the alert, and kept the assailants at bay while the main guard was hurried up from the Mosque on camels. The Bedouins, hardly prepared for so warm a reception, fled back upon their reserves. They were pursued; but the camels of the Moslems, being used only to draw water for the fields, took fright at a stratagem of the enemy, and turning, fled back to the Mosque.[18] There were no casualties among the Medîna troops, but the rebels were emboldened by the flight of their opponents. Abu Bekr, anticipating a renewed attack, called out every man capable of bearing arms, and spent the night in marshalling his force. Next morning, while yet dark, the Caliph himself led out the little band in regular array, with a centre and two wings.[19] The enemy were taken by surprise at early
Attack on Medîna repelled.
Good effect of the victory Saving of Islam due to Abu Bekr dawn, and as the sun rose were already in full flight. Abu Bekr drove them with slaughter out of Dzul Cassa, and, leaving a portion of his little force as an outpost there, returned with the rest to Medîna.
The affair was comparatively small, but its effect great. As failure would have been disastrous, perhaps fatal, to Islam, so victory was the turning-point in its favour. The power of the Prophet’s successor, even without his proper army, to secure the city and beat off his assailants was noised abroad. And soon after, the spirits of the Moslems rose as they saw certain chiefs appear, bringing in the tithes. The tribes they represented, to be sure, were few in contrast with the apostate hordes; but it was an augury of brighter days to come. Safwân and Zibricân, chiefs of two branches of the Beni Temîm, and Adi son of Hâtim from a loyal branch of the Beni Tay, were the first to present their legal offerings to the Caliph. Each was ushered into his presence as an ambassador. ‘Nay,’ said Abu Bekr; ‘they are more than that; they are Messengers of glad tidings, true men, and defenders of the faith.’ And the people answered, ‘Even so; now the good things that thou didst promise are appearing.’
Tradition delights to ascribe with pious gratitude the preservation of Islam to the aged Caliph’s faith and fortitude. ‘On the death of Mahomet,’ we are told, ‘it wanted but little, and the faithful had utterly perished. But the Lord strengthened the heart of Abu Bekr, and stablished us thereby in the resolve to give place, no not for one moment, to the apostates; and to say but these three words Submission, Exile, or the Sword.’ It was the simple faith in Mahomet of Abu Bekr which fitted him for the task, and made him carry out the law of his Master to the very letter. But for him, Islam would have melted away in compromise with the Bedouin tribes, or might have perished in the throes of its birth.
CHAPTER IV.
RETURN OF OSÂMA. EXPEDITIONS FORMED AGAINST THE APOSTATE TRIBES THROUGHOUT ARABIA.
A H XI S O A D 632
Osâma at last appeared, and Medîna, for two months left unprotected, was relieved from further danger. The army returned laden with booty. The royal Fifth was delivered to the Caliph, and by him distributed among the people.[20]
Osâma’s return. Jumâd II. XI. Sept. 632.
Abu Bekr lost no time in now following up the advantage he had gained over the Beni Abs and Dzobiân. Driven back from Dzul Cassa, they had retired to Rabadza, and vented their anger in destroying by cruel deaths the faithful followers of the Prophet still left amongst them. Deeply moved at the fate of these confessors, Abu Bekr took a solemn oath that ‘he would by the like deaths destroy as many of them as they had slain, or even more.’
Expedition against Beni Abs and Dzobiân.
Abu Bekr chastises the rebel tribes at Rabadza.
Putting Osâma in command of the city, and leaving the army there for a little while to recruit, Abu Bekr took the remaining force and marched again towards Rabadza. The chief men expostulated with him on going forth to fight in person. If a commander were killed in action, his place could easily be filled; but if the Caliph fell, their head and ruler would be gone. ‘Nay,’ replied Abu Bekr; ‘but I will go forth, and will be your comrade even as one of your own selves.’[21] So they marched on, and coming up with the enemy at Abrac, completely discomfited them, killing some, and taking others prisoners. The Beni Abs and Dzobiân fled to Toleiha, and joined his army at Bozâkha. Thereupon Abu Bekr confiscated their pasture-lands, and declared them to be for ever a public domain reserved for the stud and camels of the State. On eventually
submitting, they found themselves thus debarred from re-entry; but this was of comparatively little consequence, as they had, in the end, ample compensation in the conquered lands beyond Arabia. After some days spent at Rabadza, the Caliph returned to Medîna.
The army by this time was refitted. The tithes had begun to come in from many neighbouring tribes in token of submission.
Islam must be reimposed on all Arabia.
Medîna was no longer in peril, and the citizens breathed freely. But a heavy burden still lay upon the Caliph. Islam was to be the faith of all Arabia;—‘Throughout the peninsula there shall be no second creed,’ was the behest of Mahomet on his death-bed. False prophets must be crushed; rebels vanquished; apostates reclaimed or exterminated; and the supremacy vindicated of Islam. It was, in short, the mission of Abu Bekr to redeem the dying Prophet’s words.
With this great purpose, Abu Bekr went forth a second time to Dzul Cassa, and there summoned the whole available forces of Islam and all the loyal chiefs around him. He divided them into eleven independent columns, and over every one appointed a distinguished leader, to whom (following the example of his Master) he presented a banner. Arabia was mapped out, and each detachment given a province to reclaim, with marching orders, where to begin and what course to take. Thus Khâlid ibn Saîd was named for the Syrian border; Khâlid ibn Welîd was to subdue Toleiha; and Ikrima with Shorahbîl, Moseilama; Mohâjir was sent to Yemen; Alâ to Bahrein; Hodzeifa and Arfaja to Mâhra; and Amru against the Beni Codhâa. And so by this great scheme, in course of time, no spot would be left unconquered. The troops retained at home were few; for few were needed now.[22]
Eleven expeditions despatched to different parts of Arabia.
Having despatched the various expeditions, Abu Bekr returned to Medîna. There his first concern was to publish a summons to the apostate tribes, commanding them everywhere to repent and submit themselves, on which condition they should be pardoned, and received back into Islam. Such as refused would be attacked, their fighting men cut to
Proclamation summoning apostates to repent. Oct., 632.
Abu Bekr did not again go out to fight.
Abu Bekr never again left Medîna to lead his troops. Some say that afterwards he regretted this; but it is not likely that he did so. Medîna, where he continued to reside, was his proper place. From it, as a central point, he was able to direct the movement of his commanders all over the peninsula; and with operations in so many different quarters to control he could not have been better situated.
No chief ‘Companion’ appointed to a command. pieces, and their women and children taken captive. This summons was sent by the hand of envoys to every province and rebellious tribe. The Adzân, or call to prayer, was to be the test of faith; if that were heard and responded to, good and well; if not, the people were apostate, and as such to be attacked.
It is more open to remark that none of the more distinguished Companions of the Prophet were appointed to commands. The same was the case with Omar, who was known to say that he purposely refrained from nominating them to any government, both out of respect to their dignity,[23] and also to strengthen his own hands by having them about him as advisers. This latter reason may also well have weighed with Abu Bekr, who used to take counsel on all important matters with the leading Companions. Still, it is singular that men like Aly and Zobeir, who took so prominent a part in the battles of Mahomet, should now altogether disappear from operations in the field.
