When he reached Mecca, Abu Sufian shared his
experiences at Medina. The Meccans found fault with Abu Sufian for choosing to be a victim, when he told them about his declaration of peace and rejection of it by Mohammed.
They started consultation on the future course of action. Mohammed decided that
no opportunity should be given to Meccans for preparation of war. His plan was
to attack Mecca without giving them any chance to defend and without shedding any
blood. Mohammed asked his companions to get the army ready quickly. It was only
after the completion of all the preparations that Mohammed revealed about his
operation against Mecca. In the meanwhile, Hatib Ibin Abu Baltha send a secret
message through a female slave about the proposed operation of war. Hatib was a
prominent Muslim. Mohammed came to know about this. Mohammed sent some men to follow
her and confiscate her secret letter. They met her and finding that there is no
other option than surrendering the letter, she took it out and gave it to them.
They took it back to Medina and gave it to Mohammed. Hatib was summoned and
Mohammed asked him what prompted him to do this. He replied, “By God, I have
not lost faith in God and his messenger of God. I am a person among Muslims who
has no fondly relations in Medina. I did it in the hope that my children and family
in Mecca will not be in danger.” Umer asked the permission of Mohammed to put
an end to his life for his act of treason. Mohammed accepted the explanation of
Hatib, who had taken part in the battle of Badr, and released him.
The Muslim army marched towards
Mecca. It was the largest army which was formed in Medina. The tribes of Zulain,
Musaina and Qutfan joined them. As they marched foreword, new tribes also
joined them. They had full confidence of victory. The army reached Deharan four
miles away from Mecca. The strength of the army was over ten thousand. The
Meccans had no knowledge about this military operation. They were debating as
to how to consent the Muslim army. Abbas Ibn Abu Abdul Mutalib the uncle of
Mohammed along with his family left Mecca and started to meet Mohammed. They met
Mohammed at Juhfa. At the same time two more prominent Meccans Abu Sufian
and Abdulla Ibn Umer Umayya also left
Mecca to meet Mohammed. They saw Muslim army at Nivil Iqab and sought
permission to meet Mohammed. Though Mohammed was reluctant to give permission in
view of their past conduct. Abu Sufian pretended to give an end to his life.
Ultimately permission was given and they surrendered before Mohammed. Abdul
Mutalib was wonder struck over the strength of the army. They had already accepted Islam
but worried what would happen to Meccans if the army attacked Mecca. Mohammed
was very pleased on the openness of Abbas who expressed his anguish.
Justice P K Shamsuddin
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