Life of Muhammad — Page 152
sa 152 THE PROPHET sa MARCHES ON MECCA WITH TEN THOUSAND FOLLOWERS In the eighth year of the Hijra in the month of Ramadan (December, 629 A. D. ) the Prophet sa set out on that last expedition which definitely established Islam in Arabia. At H udaibiya it was agreed between Muslims and disbelievers that Arab tribes should be allowed to join the disbelievers as well as the Prophet sa. It was also agreed that for ten years the parties would not go to war against each other unless one party should violate the pact by attacking the other. Under this agreement, the Ban u Bakr joined the Meccans, while the Khuz a ‘a entered into an alliance with Muslims. The Arab disbelievers had scant regard for treaties, especially for treaties with Muslims. It so happened that the Ban u Bakr and the Khuz a ‘a had some outstanding differences. The Ban u Bakr consulted the Meccans about settling their old scores with the Khuz a ‘a. They argued that the Hudaibiya treaty had been signed. The Khuz a ’a felt secure because of their pact with the Prophet sa. Now, therefore, was the time for them to attack the Khuz a ’a. The Meccans agreed. They and the Ban u Bakr, accordingly, joined in a night attack on the Khuz a ’a and put to death many of their men. The Khuz a ’a sent forty of their men mounted on fleet camels to Medina to report this breach of agreement to the Prophet sa. They said it was up to Muslims now to march on Mecca to avenge this attack. The delegation met the Prophet sa and the Prophet sa told them unambiguously that he regarded their misfortunes as his own. He pointed to a rising cloud in the sky and said, "Like the rain drops which you see yonder, Muslim soldiers will drop down to your aid. " The Meccans were perturbed over the news of the Khuz a ‘a delegation to Medina. They sent Ab u Sufy a n ra posthaste to Medina to restrain Muslims from the attack. Ab u Sufy a n ra reached Medina and began to urge