Stories from Early Islam — Page 178
178 march upon Makkah. When they came out of Madinah, several other Muslim tribes joined them. After a few days journey, they arrived at Faaraan. The number of Muslims under the com- mand of the Holy Prophet saw rose to ten thousand. This was exactly in accordance with the prophecy mentioned in the Old Testament ‘My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand’. Song of Solomon (5:10) ‘And he said, the Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran (Arabic Faaraan) and he came with ten thousand of saints; From his right hand went a fiery law for them’. Deuteronomy (33:2) As the news of the Muslim force reached Makkah, they sent their leader Abu Sufyaan to find out the number of the Muslim force. Abu Sufyaan came out of Makkah with some of his friends and began travelling towards Madinah. They travelled the whole day and at night they saw an amazing sight. They saw roaring fires at the camp, where the Muslims were staying for the night. There was a fire in front of every tent. Abu Sufyaan was much surprised to see such a large force. He asked his com- panions ‘Has this army dropped from the heavens; I know of no Arab army so large’. While they were thus wondering, there came a voice from the dark calling Abu Sufyaan. This was Abbaas, who was guard- ing the camp and was an old friend of Abu Sufyaan. Abbaas persuaded him to accompany him to the Prophet saw. The Holy Prophet saw told Abbaas to entertain the leader of the Makkans