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any assurance. He then approached Abu Bakr, but the latter too declined to interfere. He contacted
'Umar to intercede but this great Companion made a point-blank refusal. At last he saw 'Ali bin Abi
Talib and began begging him in the most humble words, cunningly alluding to the prospects of
mastery over all the Arabs if he were to intercede for the renewal of the treaty. 'Ali also briefly
regretted his inability to do anything for him. Abu Sufyan turned his steps back to Makkah in a state
of bitter disappointment and utter horror. There he submitted a report of his meeting with his
daughter, Abu Bakr, 'Umar and 'Ali's reaction and the meaningful silence of the Prophet. The
Makkans were dismayed, but did not expect imminent danger.
Preparations for the Attack on Makkah, and the Prophet's Attempt at imposing a News
Black-out:
On the authority of At-Tabari, the Messenger of Allâh peace be upon him asked 'Aishah ÑÖì Çááå
򊌂, his spouse three days prior to receiving news relating to breaching of covenant, to make
preparations peculiar to marching out for war. Abu Bakr, meanwhile, came in and asked 'Aishah ÑÖì
Çááå ÚäåÇ what the matter was, showing surprise at the preparations being made as it was not, as
he said, the usual time for war. She replied that she had no idea. On the morning of the third day
'Amr bin Sâlim Al-Khuza'i arrived in the company of forty horsemen to brief the Prophet peace be
upon him on the plight of his people and seeking the Muslims' help for retaliation. People of Madinah
then got to know that Quraish had breached the covenant. Budail followed 'Amr, and then Abu
Sufyan and the news was unequivocally confirmed.
With view of securing a complete news black-out concerning his military intentions, the Prophet
peace be upon him despatched an eight-men platoon under the leadership of Qatadah bin Rab'i in
the direction of Edam, a short distance from Madinah, in Ramadan 8 A.H., in order to divert the
attention of people and screen off the main target with which he was preoccupied.
There was so much dread and fear everywhere that Hatib, one of the most trusted followers of the
Prophet peace be upon him secretly despatched a female messenger with a letter to Makkah
containing intimation of the intended attack. The Prophet peace be upon him received news from
the heaven of Hatib's action and sent 'Ali and Al-Miqdad with instructions to go after her. They
overtook the messenger, and after a long search discovered the letter carefully hidden in her locks.
The Prophet peace be upon him summoned Hatib and asked him what had induced him to this act.
He replied, "O Messenger of Allâh peace be upon him! I haveno affinity of blood with Quraish; there
is only a kind of friendly relationship between them and myself. My family is at Makkah and there is
no one to look after it or to offer protection to it. My position stands in striking contrast to that of
the refugees whose families are secure due to their blood ties with Quraish. I felt that since I am not
related to them, I should, for the safety of my children, earn their gratitude by doing good to them.
I swear by Allâh that I have not done this act as an apostate, forsaking Islam. I was prompted only
by the considerations I have just explained."
'Umar wanted to cut his head off as a hypocrite, but the Prophet peace be upon him accepted his
excuse and granted him pardon, then addressed 'Umar saying: "Hatib is one of those who fought in
the battle of Badr. How do you know that he is a hypocrite? Allâh is likely to look favourably on
those who participated in that battle. Turning then, to Hatib, he said: "Do as you please, for I have
forgiven you."
After making full preparation, the Prophet peace be upon him proceeded to Makkah at the head of
ten thousand soldiers on the 10th of Ramadan, 8 A.H. He mandated Abu Ruhm Al-Ghifari to dispose
the affairs of Madinah during his absence. When they reached Al-Juhfa, Al-'Abbas bin 'Abdul Muttalib
and his family came to join the Prophet peace be upon him. At Al-Abwa', the Muslims came across
Abu Sufyan bin Al-Harith and 'Abdullah bin Omaiyah, the Prophet's cousins, but, on account of the
harm they had inflicted, and their satiric language, on the believers, they were not welcomed. 'Ali
addressed Abu Sufyan to go and beseech the Prophet peace be upon him for pardon and confess his
ill-behaviour in a manner similar to that of Yusuf's (the Prophet Joseph) brothers:
"They said: 'By Allâh! Indeed Allâh has preferred you above us, and we certainly have been
sinners.'" [12:91] Abu Sufyan observed 'Ali's counsel, to which the Prophet quoted Allâh's Words:
"He said: 'No reproach on you this day, may Allâh forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of those
who show mercy!'" [12:92]
Abu Sufyan recited some verses paying a generous tribute to the Prophet peace be upon him and
professing Islam as his only religion.
The Muslims then marched on in a state of fasting until they reached a place called Al-Qadeed where
water was available. There they broke fast and resumed their movement towards Mar Az-Zahran.
The Quraishites were quite unaware of the development of affairs, but the Prophet peace be upon
him did not like to take them by surprise. He, therefore, ordered his men to kindle fire on all sides
for cooking purposes. The idea behind this was that Quraish should be afforded full opportunity to
assess the situation in which they were pitchforked correctly, and should not endanger their lives by
leaping blindly in the battlefield. 'Umar bin Al-Khattab was entrusted with the guard duty. In the
meanwhile, Abu Sufyan along with Hakim bin Hizam and Budail bin Warqua', two terrible
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