[1] By Allah, as if I am seeing now the deaths of the people (of Quraysh).

[1] By Allah, as if I am seeing now the deaths of the people (of Quraysh).” And what the Prophet (a.s.) said came true; that after a few days the chiefs and the notables of Quraysh were killed and their bodies were thrown into the well. The Prophet (a.s.) began inquiring the news of Quraysh, their place, and their numbers. He asked some of his companions, at the head of whom was Imam Ali (a.s.), to bring him the necessary information about the opponents.

Imam Ali (a.s.) went out with his group and could arrest two young men from Quraysh. After questioning these two young men, the Prophet (a.s.) knew that the army of Quraysh was about nine hundred or one thousand armed men among whom were the most prominent chiefs and notables of Quraysh.

Then he said to his companions, “This is Mecca that has cast to you the apples of its eye…” Yes, Mecca sent the dearest of its people to be degraded and avenged by Allah the Almighty and be killed by the most honored men of His people and the guards of His religion. Muslims waited for the passing of Abu Sufyan to attack him with his caravan, but he slipped away after having known the way that Muslims had followed.

Abu Sufyan sent a messenger to the people of Quraysh telling them that the trade caravan was safe and asking them to go back to Mecca. Many of them approved this suggestion, but Abu Jahl said to them, “We do not go back until we go to Badr and remain there three days. Then, we slaughter camels, have food, drink wine, and songstresses play (and sing) to us, so that the [1] Either to obtain the camels with their goods or to fight the polytheists and win the victory.

Arabs will hear about that and they will fear us.” Some men responded and remained with him and others went back to Mecca. The Muslims stopped at the valley of Dahas which was a plain place that if they whenever wanted to leave, they could, but the people of Mecca stopped at a rough place that if they wanted to leave, they could not easily. That was from the wrath of Allah against them. Anyhow, this place that the Prophet (a.s.) and the Muslims stopped at was not good for battling.

Al-Hubab bin al-Munthir said to the Prophet (a.s.), “O messenger of Allah, has Allah the Almighty ordered you to stop at this place that you should neither exceed nor stay behind, or it is the opinion, the war, and the trick?” The Prophet (a.s.) said, “No, but it is the opinion, the war, and the trick.” Al-Hubab said, “O messenger of Allah, this is not a suitable place.