In the course of the dispute the debtor said...

In the course of the dispute the debtor said, “The Quraish caravan came yesterday to such a place, and tomorrow they will be here, when I will do them some service and earn money I will pay you.” The spies immediately returned to the Prophet and reported what the woman had said.

After the spies had left Badr, Abu Sufyan and the caravan arrived near that place, and he himself came to the wall, where he met Kasab Jahni, of the tribe of Jahina, and demanded if he knew anything about the Prophet and his army, to which he said, “No.” “By Laat and Uzza,” replied Abu Sufyan, “If you have any knowledge of Muhammad’s movements, and conceal it from me, the Quraish will forever be your enemies, for they all have a stake in this caravan.” Kasab swore he knew nothing about the Prophet and his party, and all he could tell was, that two men came to the well today, made their camels lie down, and then drew water, after which they returned, but he did not know who they were.

Abu Sufyan went to the place where the camels had lain, and breaking their dung, found date-stones, and exclaimed, this is a sign of Medina camels and added with an oath, “The men were Muhammad’s spies.” Hastening back with all speed he marched the caravan off by the sea-shore road to Mecca with all possible speed. Jibraeel now descended to inform the Prophet that the caravan had escaped and that an army of Quraish infidels were advancing against him, whom he must fight, for Allah would help him.

He was camping at a stage called Safra, one stage from Badr. The news which Jibraeel brought the Prophet announced to his army, on which they were struck with great fear and dejection. The Prophet, in a council of war, directed his followers to speak their minds. Abu Bakr arose, and after commenting on the pride and power of Quraish, remarked that the Muslims had not come prepared for action, and were not able to give the enemy battle.

This speech displeased the Prophet; he ordered Abu Bakr to take his seat, on which Umar rose and repeated Abu Bakr’s advice. The Prophet ordered him to be seated, when Miqdad arose and said, “The Quraish crowd came in all their arrogance and pride, but we have believed in you and have declared you a true Prophet.

We witness that what you have received from God is true, and if you command us to go into the fire, or to scourge our own bodies with the thorns of the desert, we will not flinch from it.