Understanding Islam — Page 101
99 dealing with the conspiracies of the enemies, as they were also from the Quraish. Their task was covert and initially even the members of this party did not have any idea of what their specific task was, or where they were headed. At their departure, Prophet Muhammad sa handed their commander a sealed letter and said: This letter contains necessary instructions for you. When you cover a distance of two days’ travel from Mad ī nah, open the letter and act in accordance with the stipulated instructions. 4 The secrecy of the statement was meant to emphasize the confidentiality of the task, and provide assurance that the whereabouts of this group of companions. After two days of travel, the instructions were read and they were as follows: Go forth to the Valley of Nakhla between Makkah and Ṭā ’if, and obtain information on the Quraish and return with news therefrom. 5