The majority of the men fled...

The majority of the men fled, and only a few including Imam 'Ali and al-'Abbas remained with the Prophet.(57) In the midst of this situation some of the newly-converted Quraysh chiefs uttered some words which are recorded by Ibn Hisham in his biography. He says: When the Muslims were fiercely under attack the hypocrites who had accompanied the Prophet, observing the run of the war against the Muslims, began to show their old rancor.

For instance Abu Sufyan had remarked: "This rout and fight will stretch as far as the Red Sea." He had also brought with him some symbols of infidelity belonging to pagan times, namely al- Azlam which were wooden arrows used by the infidels on special occasions for drawing lots, and the Qur'an speaks of them in reproach in conjunction with pagan idols.(58) Another chief of Quraysh had remarked: "Look, the witchcraft is new counteracted!" On the order of the Prophet and the gallantry of al-'Abbas the Muslim army pulled together after the shock of the sudden and unexpected raid.

Soon after, the enemy forces were defeated and the army of Islam came out victorious. Most of the spoils seized in this clash were divided among the new converts who in the words of the Qur'an are called "Those whose hearts are made to incline to truth".(59) God and His prophet wished to provide them with their material expectations and thereby soften their hearts towards Islam as God's true religion. Therefore each man of this group was given one hundred camels.

Abu Sufyan and his son Mu'awiyah, too, received one hundred camels each as well as a large amount of silver. Then Abu Sufyan said the Prophet: "By God, you are a noble man. May my parents' life be offered for you! When I fought you, I found you to be the best fighter, and now that I am at peace with you, you are the best of peace-makers." The group of Ansar, who received a small share of the spoils, feel that they had been treated with discrimination and favoritism towards the kith and kin.

Consequently they were very vexed and expressed their dissatisfaction The Prophet summoned all the Ansar and after some preliminary remarks, said: "The matter is not as you think.

The reason for my action was to incline them more towards Islam, whereas I left you to your true faith in Islam."(60) With the capture of Mecca Abu Sufyan had apparently embraced Islam and had joined the Muslim society, but the Muslims found it hard to forget his past deeds against Islam recorded by Ibn Hisham in his biography.