Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 239
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 239 away and returned within a short time and submitted his report. This was Thursday evening and the advent of Quraish and their raid on the pasture had become generally known in Medina, and though the Muslims were not aware of the details about the Quraish a rmy, the night was spent in great alarm. On Friday morning, the Holy Prophet held a consultation whether the attack of Quraish should be awaited in Medina or whether they should be fought outside. The Holy Prophet related a dream that he had seen the previ ous night, the details of which he interpreted as indicating that he would receive an injury himself, that the Muslims would suffer damage, that there would be carnage among the enemy, that a near relation of his would be killed, but that Medina would be s afe. He therefore opined that the Muslims would be secure within Medina, but without it there was risk and danger. In this opinion the men of years and wisdom, both Emigrants and Ansar, concurred. Abdullah bin Ubayy, who had also been invited for consultat ion, strongly supported the view of the Holy Prophet. He added, ‘Our city, O Prophet, is a virgin inviolate. Quitting it, we have ever suffered loss; remaining in it, we have beaten back every attack. Leave Quraish alone; if they remain, they will be in ev il case. At length, frustrated in their design they will retire. ’ It was resolved accordingly to bring all outlying inhabitants within the walls, and, if Quraish should venture near, to drive them back by a galling discharge of arrows and stones from the w alls and housetops. This decision did not please the younger and more impetuous section of Ansar. ‘Shall we sit quietly here,’ they muttered, ‘a laughing - stock for all Arabia, and look on in frustration while our