So, after two days of travelling, 'Abdillah opened the...

So, after two days of travelling, 'Abdillah opened the letter and found thus: "When you opened the letter, you go forward to 'Nakhlah' , (a land between Mecca and Ta'if) , and from there watch the situation of Quraysh. Then report to us the circumstances. 'Abdillah told his companions the matter and added that the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) had commanded him not to force them on that way. So, those who would be ready to be killed might follow him, and the rest could return.

All the members decidedly started to go forward with him. When they reached Nakhlah, they encountered a caravan from Quraysh wherein was 'Amr-ubn-i-Hadrami. That day was the last day of Rajab (one of the Sacred Months) , so, they began consulting whether they could attack that group or not. A few of them said if they left the caravan to continue their way, 184 they would enter the limits of the sacred town, Mecca, where it was forbidden to attack them.

Hence, finally, the Prophet's agents invaded them bravely. They succeeded to kill 'Amr-ubn-i-Hadrami and brought the caravan with two captives to the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) . The Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) said he had not ordered them to fight in a sacred month. Therefore, he did not mix himself with the booties and the captives. The victorious warriors felt annoyed and Muslims thereby began scolding them.

Infidels also sarcastically stated that the (p.b.u.h.) made fighting, bloodshedding, and capturing in the Sacred Months lawful. At that time the first verse of the above verses was revealed. After the revelation of this verse, 'Abdillah-ibn-i-Jahsh and his companions stated that they had strived on that way to obtain the reward concerning the Holy War. They also asked the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) whether they had got the reward of the strivers. Then, the second verse in the above was sent down.

(1) Commentary: As the occasion of revelation denotes, the verse intends to answer the questions about fighting in Sacred Months. It clearly proclaims the prohibition of fighting in Sacred Months and counts such a fighting a great sin. " They ask you (O' Muhammad) concerning the sacred month about fighting in it. Say: 'Fighting in it is a grave (sin) ; ...