Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 217
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 217 in consequence of the tremendous shock of Bach, the hostility of Quraish towards the Muslims became much bitterer and more rancorous. The other tribes also, though they were impressed, yet they became apprehensive that if Islam and the Muslims were not soo n vanquished they would become so strong that it would no longer be possible to put them down. Their hostile designs thus assumed a more practical and more dangerous aspect. The Jews of Medina, who had hoped that the confrontation at Badr would destroy the Muslims, felt frustrated and began to entertain hostile designs against the Muslims. Quraish, on their side, having received a severe check, began to think of having recourse to secret conspiracies against the Holy Prophet. The following incident may be c ited as an illustration. A few days after the battle, Umair bin Wahb and Safwan bin Umayya bin Khalf were mourning those slain at Badr in the courtyard of the Ka’aba, when Safwan suddenly turned to Umair and said, ‘Life is no longer worth living. ’ Umair perceived his hint, and rep lied, ‘I am ready to hazard my own life but the thought of my children and my unpaid debts restrains me. Were it not for that, I could go to Medina secretly and put an end to Muhammad. I have an excuse for my journey to Medina as my son is a prisoner there. ’ Safwan assured him, ‘I shall be responsible for your debts and your children. You must go and carry through this design somehow. ’ Having agreed to this, Umair left Safwan and returned home, and having prepared a sword by boiling it in poison, set out fr om Mecca. When he arrived in Medina Umar saw him and became apprehensive. He went to the Holy Prophet and informed him that Umair had arrived, and intimated that he was