Warid, the old chief, then inquired for Kaab and Kalab...

Warid, the old chief, then inquired for Kaab and Kalab tribes, their allies, and finding they had not joined the army, sighed at the ill fortune that brooded over them. He asked who had come from Hawazin tribes and was told that Amr bin Aamir and Auf Aamir have arrived. He said neither they can benefit or harm and wished he were young again, to engage in the ensuing battle and pay the debt of heroism.

When the Messenger of Allah (S) heard that the clans of Hawazins were assembled in the valley of Autas, he collected the tribes of Islam, incited them to sacred war, and gave them assurance of victory and help from the Almighty Allah, who would cause them to triumph over their enemies, whose property and children and women should fall into their hands. The people were now eager for the contest, and preparation for the march were quickly made.

The Prophet gave the great standard to Ali, and ordered all battalions entering Mecca to join their respective colors. The Prophet then marched with the ten thousand men he had led to Mecca, and a division of two thousand who had joined him at the city. According to the report of Abil Jarud from Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.), one thousand men belonged to Bani Sulaym tribe under the leadership of Abbas bin Mardas bin Salma, and the other half of the tribes of Mazniah.

The Prophet’s army encamped on approaching the position of Hawazin. Their commander in chief, Malik bin Auf, hearing of the Prophet’s advance, ordered his men to station themselves in front of their families and property, break their scabbards, and secreting themselves in ravines and behind the trees, await the Prophet’s advance and attack him on all sides while the morning was very dark, and put him to rout.

This order was followed by the declaration that the Prophet never had encountered any who understood the art of war. After the Morning Prayers the Prophet commenced his march down the valley of Hunain, which abounded in defiles and declivities.

The Bani Sulaym who composed the vanguard of the Prophet army being simultaneously attacked on all sides by division of the Hawazins, gave way and fled, throwing the whole army, into disorder and flight, with the exception of Amirul Momineen (a.s.) and the few companions of the Prophet, before whom the fugitives rushed without paying any regard to him. Abbas held the bridle of the Prophet mule’s on the right, and Abu Sufyan bin Harith bin Abdul Muttalib on the left.