dispose  the affairs of Madinah during the Prophet’s absence. As they approached Makkah, and in a place called
Dhi Hulaifa, he ordered that the sacrificial animals be garlanded, and all believers donned Al-Ihrâm,  the  pilgrim’s garb. He despatched a reconnoiterer to hunt around for news of the enemy. The man came  back to tell the Prophet (Peace be upon him) that a large number of slaves, as well as a huge army,  were gathered to oppose him, and that the road to Makkah was completely blocked. The Prophet
(Peace be upon him) consulted his Companions, who were of the opinion that they would fight none  unless they were debarredfrom performing their pilgrimage.
The Quraishites, on their part, held a meeting during which they considered the whole situation and  decided to resist the Prophet’s mission at all costs. Two hundred horsemen led by Khalid bin
Al-Waleed  were despatched to take the Muslims by surprise during Zuhr (the afternoon) prayer. However, the  rules of prayer of fear were revealed meanwhile and thus Khalid and his men missed the chance. The
Muslims avoided marching on that way and decided to follow a rugged rocky one. Here, Khalid ran  back  to Quraish to brief them on the latest situation.
When the Muslims reached a spot called Thaniyat Al-Marar, the Prophet’s camel stumbled and knelt  down and was too stubborn to move. Muhammad (Peace be upon him) swore he would willingly  accede  to any plan they put forward that would glorify Allâh’s sanctities. He then reprovingly spurred his  camel  and it leapt up. They resumed their march and came to pitch their tents at the furthest part of Al-
Hudaibiyah beside a well of scanty water. The Muslims reported thirst to the Prophet (Peace be upon  him), who took an arrow out of his quiver, and placed it in the ditch. Water immediately gushed forth,  and his followers drank to their fill. When the Prophet (Peace be upon him) had rested, Budail bin
Warqa’ Al-Khuza‘i with some celebrities of Khuza‘ah tribe, the Prophet’s confidants, came and asked  him what he had come for. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) replied that it was not for war that he  had  come forth: “I have no other design,” he said, “but to perform ‘Umrah (the lesser pilgrimage) in the
Holy Sanctuary. Should Quraish embrace the new religion, as some people have done, they are most  welcome, but if they stand in my way or debar the Muslims from pilgrimage, I will surely fight them to  the last man, and Allâh’s Order must be fulfilled.” The envoy carried the message back to Quraish,  who  sent another one called Mikraz bin Hafs. On seeing him, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said that  that  was a treacherous man. He was given the same message to communicate to his people. He was  followed by another ambassador known as Al-Hulais bin ‘Alqamah. He was very much impressed by  the  spirit of devotion that the Muslims had for the Sacred Ka‘bah. He went back to his men and warned  them against debarring Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and his Companions from doing honour to
Allâh’s house on the peril of breaking his alliance with them. Hulais was succeeded by ‘Urwa bin
Mas‘ud
Ath-Thaqafi to negotiate with Muhammad (Peace be upon him). In the course of discussion he said to  the Prophet (Peace be upon him): “Muhammad! Have you gathered around yourself mixed people and  then brought them against your kith and kin in order to destroy them. By Allâh I think I see you  deserted by these people tomorrow.” At this point Abu Bakr stood up and expressed his resentment at  this imputation. Al-Mugheerah bin Shu‘bah expressed the same attitude and reprovingly forbade him  from touching the Prophet’s beard. Here, Quraish’s envoy remarked indignantly and alluded to the  latter’s treacherous act of killing his companions and looting them before he embraced Islam.
Meanwhile, ‘Urwah, during his stay in the Muslim camp, had been closely watching the unfathomable  love and profound respect that the followers of Muhammad (Peace be upon him) showed him. He  returned and conveyed to Quraish his impression that those people could not forsake the Prophet
(Peace be upon him) under any circumstances. He expressed his feelings in the following words: “I  have been to Chosroes, Caesar and Negus in their kingdoms, but never have I seen a king among a  people like Muhammad (Peace be upon him) among his Companions. If he performs his ablution, they  would not let the water thereof fall on the ground; if he expectorates, they would have the mucus to  rub their faces with; if he speaks, they would lower their voices. They will not abandon him for  anything