At night the Prophet ordered his soldiers to light little fires...

At night the Prophet ordered his soldiers to light little fires, and the whole plain lit up with thousands of bonfires. Abu Sufyan and Hakim bin Hizam had also left Makkah to investigate the reports of the invasion by the Muslims. Riding north on the road to Medina, they also arrived in Merr ad-Dharan, and were dumb-founded to see countless little fires burning in the valley.

When they realized they were in the camp of the Muslims, they were greatly troubled not knowing what they could do to save themselves or their city. Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib also had great anxiety for the safety of the Makkans. He feared that if they offered resistance, they would be massacred. He was riding the white mule of the Prophet…