He prayed...

He prayed: “O Allah, remove all spies of the Quraysh, so that we might surprise them in their own home.” A man called Hatib ibn Abi Balta'ah wrote a letter to the people of Quraysh which he sent with Sarah, a servant of Abu Lahab, telling them that the Messenger of Allah would come to punish them on such and such a day. The woman set out, avoiding the main road, and going instead to the left across the Harrah district. But Gabriel came down and told the Prophet.

He called 'Ali and az‑Zubayr and said to them: “Go overtake her and seize the letter from her!” 'Ali and az‑Zubayr set out, not stopping to speak to anyone until they reached Dhu 'l-Hulayfah (a place outside Medina on the way to Mecca). The Prophet had previously set guards over Medina, headed by al‑Harithah ibn an‑Nu'man. 'Ali and az‑Zubayr asked the guards if they had seen the woman, but they said that they had seen no one. They then met a woodcutter and…