Victory and After

caliphate of ‘Umar and ‘Uthman, playing a significant part in the conquest of Africa. 2. ‘Abdullah ibn Khatal, who had previously accepted Islam and been sent by the Prophet to collect alms tax. A servant and one of the Ansar went along with him. Coming to a halt in their journey, ‘Abdullah ibn Khatal told the slave to prepare a chicken for a meal, but the slave went to sleep instead and could not prepare the food in time. ‘Abdullah ibn Khatal became angry and killed the servant. Fearing that if he returned to Madinah, the Prophet would exact retribution for the servant’s death, he reneged and joined the infidels. A poet, he used to recite verses abusing the Prophet. On the day Makkah was conquered, he wrapped himself up in the curtain of the Ka’bah. When the Prophet was told, he ordered ‘Abdullah ibn Khatal to be executed in that place. Abu Burzah and Sa’id ibn Harith executed him between the Black Stone and the Place of Abraham. 3. Fartana, was ‘Abdullah ibn Khatal’s slave-girl. She also used to recite poems abusing the Prophet. Her dances were a regular feature of the Quraysh’s wine-drinking orgies. She was also executed along with her master. 4. Quraybah, also ‘Abdullah ibn Khatal’s servant, pursued the same profession as Fartana. Orders were given for her execution, but her request was granted when she came to the Prophet and sought asylum. She then became Muslim.