From Banū-`Abd-Shams...

From Banū-`Abd-Shams, `Utbah, Shaybah and Abū-Sufyan, from Banū-Nawfal, Taymah ibn `Adi, Jubayr ibn Mut`im and al-Harith ibn `Amir, from Banū-`Abd-al-Dar, Nizar ibn Harith, from Banū-Asad, Abul-Bukhtari ibn Husham, Zum`ah ibn al-Aswad and Hakim ibn Hizam, from Banū-Makhzūm, Abū-Jahl ibn Husham, from Banū-Sahm, Nabih and Munabbih, sons of al-Hajjaj, from Banū-Haja, Umayyah ibn Khalaf were at the conclave. In addition to these dignitaries, some other people too attended the meeting.

It happened that one aged person from Najd attended this meeting. One person who started the proceedings of the meeting said that the Muslims have struck an alliance with people from outside and they can acquire a position of strength at any time in the future. The meeting must seriously deliberate the matter. If this movement is not curbed, there was a lurking danger of their rising under the leadership of Muhammad (a.s) and attacking the Quraysh!

There was the need for devising a way to nip Islam in the bud and to give such punishment to Muhammad (a.s) that, in future, none else raises his head. Al-`as ibn Wa’il, Umayyah ibn Khalaf and Ubay ibn Khalaf said that Muhammad (a.s) must be chained and incarcerated in a dungeon until he died with hunger and thirst. The Najdi old man said that the suggestion was not good. If such a step was taken, the people of Muhammad’s tribe might fight and get him released.

`Utbah, Shaybah and Abū-Sufyan said that he must be exiled so that they do not hear any word against their idols in the future. The Najdi opposed this proposal too saying that wherever he went, he will gather people around him with his sweet talk and make them rise against the Quraysh. Then none will be able to curb his onslaught. Abū-Jahl said that strong youths should be selected from every tribe and they should all, in unison, attack Muhammad (a.s) and kill him.

In such an event any one tribe cannot be blamed individually for the killing and it will be beyond the strength of Banū-Hashim to avenge the killing. Therefore, they will be forced to accept the blood money instead of demanding with retaliation! He added that they would together contribute to pay the amount of the blood money. This suggestion was accepted by everyone and the Najdi too endorsed it.

To implement the project it was decided to post a vigil near the Prophet’s residence around dusk to keep a keen eye on the movements there lest he escaped getting wind of their plan.