Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 89
89 Medina. Abu Sufyan and the Meccans were soon undeceived, however, and were taken completely by surprise when they found the Prophet only a day’s march from Mecca at the head of a force of ten thousand, composed partly of Muslims from Medina, but mainly of Muslims from among the tribes in alliance with the Prophet. The Meccans, feeling helpless, sent Abu Sufyan and two others to the Prophet’s camp to see whether anything could be done to save the situation. They found the Prophet much distressed over the wanton breach of the treaty by the Meccans and the slaughter among the Khuza’a that they and their allies had perpetrated. Abu Sufyan, recalling all that the Meccans had done to, and attempted against, the Prophet and the Muslims, feared the worst. He passed a night in the Prophet’s camp and was deeply impressed by the love and devotion which the Muslims entertained for the Prophet. Realising that there was no way of escape for the Meccans, he asked the Prophet whether the Meccans could have peace if they did not draw the sword. The Prophet answered in the affirmative and announced a series of measures which would secure a peaceful entry of his followers into Mecca and obviate the possibility of a clash. These measures were widely proclaimed in Mecca and the Muslim forces marched in, the Prophet himself bringing up the rear. At one point the party