The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 1) — Page ccxlii
GENERAL INTRODUCTION The Prophet Marches on Mecca with 10,000 Followers In the eighth year of the Hijrah in the month of Ramadan (December, 629 A. D. ) the Prophet set out on that last expedition which definitely established Islam in Arabia. At Hudaibiyyah it was agreed between Muslims and disbelievers that Arab tribes should be allowed to join the disbelievers as well as the Prophet. It was also agreed that for ten years the parties would not go to war against each other unless one party should violate the pact by attacking the other. Under this agreement, the Banu Bakr joined the Meccans, while the Khuzā'ah entered into an alliance with Muslims. The Arab disbelievers had scant regard for treaties, especially for treaties with Muslims. It so happened that the Banū Bakr and the Khuzā'ah had some outstanding differences. The Banū Bakr consulted the Meccans about settling their old scores with the Khuzā‘ah. They argued that the Hudaibiyyah treaty had been signed. The Khuza'ah felt secure because of their pact with the Prophet. Now, therefore, was the time for them to attack the Khuzā'ah. The Meccans agreed. They and the Banu Bakr, accordingly, joined in a night attack on the Khuzā‘ah and put to death many of their men. The Khuza'ah sent forty of their men mounted on fleet camels to Medina to report this breach of agreement to the Prophet. They said it was up to Muslims now to march on Mecca to avenge this attack. The delegation met the Prophet and the Prophet told them unambiguously that he regarded their misfortunes as his own. He pointed to a rising cloud in the sky and said, "Like the rain drops which you see yonder, Muslim soldiers will drop down to your aid. " The Meccans were perturbed over the news of the Khuza'ah delegation to Medina. They sent Abū Sufyān post-haste to Medina to restrain Muslims from the attack. Abū Sufyān reached Medina and began to urge that as he was not present at Hudaibiyyah, a new peace will have to be signed by Muslims. The Prophet thought it unwise to answer this plea. Abū Sufyān became excited, went to the mosque and announced: "O People, I renew, on behalf of the Meccans, our assurance of peace to you" (Zurqānī). The people of Medina did not understand this speech. So, they only laughed. The Prophet said to Abū Sufyan, "Your statement is one-sided and we cannot agree to it. " In the meantime, the Prophet had sent word to all the tribes. Assured that they were ready and on the march, he asked the Muslims of Medina to arm themselves and prepare. On the 1 January, the Muslim army set out on its march. At different points on their way, they were joined by other Muslim tribes. Only a few days' journey had been covered, when the army entered the wilderness of Fārān. Its number exactly as the Prophet ccxvi