The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) – Volume III — Page 106
Seal of the Prophets - Volume III 106 ‘Amr bin Umaiyyah ra - Shawwāl 6 A. H. The recollection of their disgraceful failure in the Ghazwah of Aḥzāb, inflamed the Quraish of Makkah. Naturally, this heartfelt rage had come mostly to the lot of Abū Sufyān, who was the chief of Makkah and had been especially humiliated during the expedition of Aḥzāb. For some time, Abū Sufyān continued to burn in this fire of rage, but at last, the matter became unbearable and the hidden flames of this fire began to flare up. Naturally, their greatest enmity, rather their actual enmity, was towards the person of the Holy Prophet sa. For this reason, Abū Sufyān now thought that if no results had come about through outwardly strategies and schemes, then why not put an end to Muḥammad sa by some hidden scheme? He knew that there was no official security around the Holy Prophet sa. Quite the contrary, at times, the Holy Prophet sa would come and go, and walk the streets and alleys of the city completely unprotected. He would come to the mosque at least five times daily for the Ṣalāt and remained free and accessible whilst travelling. What better opportunity could there possibly have been for an assassin? As soon as this thought came to him, Abū Sufyān began to secretly consolidate his plan to assassinate the Holy Prophet sa. When he was fully determined to carry out his plan, one day, capitalising on an opportunity, he addressed a few young men of the Quraish with similar interests, saying, “Do you know that Muḥammad [sa] freely roams the streets and alleys of Madīnah?” These young men heard this news and quickly flew off. Not many days had passed when a young Bedouin man came to Abū Sufyān and began to say: “I have heard your proposition and I am willing to do this. I am a strong hearted and mature individual, whose grip is severe and whose strike is sudden. If you appoint me to this task and assist me, I am ready to set out in order to kill Muḥammad sa. I have a dagger, which shall remain like the hidden wings of a wild vulture. I shall attack Muḥammad sa and then run to join a caravan and the Muslims shall not be able to catch me. Furthermore, I am also very proficient in the streets of Madīnah. ” Abū Sufyān said, “Enough, enough. You are the man we seek. ” Then, Abū Sufyān gave him a swift camel and bid him adieu with some provisions,