The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 3 of 4

IMAM ABU AL-FIDA' ISMA'IL IBN KATHfR 121
them. But God kept His supporters from harm, and the Muslims did proceed
in the company of the Messenger of God (SAAS) to Badr. They took various
goods with them for sale, saying they would fight if they met Aba Sufym, and
that otherwise they would sell these at the Badr fair.
His account then proceeds as did the text of Ibn Ishaq to describe Aba
Sufya's movement to Majanna, his return from there, the negotiation with
al-Damri, the offer made by the Prophet (SAAS), and the repudiation which
he refused.
Al-Waqidi stated, "The Messenger of God (SAAS) headed for it (Badr)
with a force of 1,500 of his Companions. He placed 'Abd Allah b. Raw*a in
command of Medina. His departure for there occurred early in Dha d-QaWa."
He means of 4 AH.
But Ihn Ishaq's statement is what is authentic, namely that it took place
in Sha'ban of that year, 4 AH, and it is in agreement with the statement of
Miisa b. Wqba that it occurred in Sha'ban, though he gives the year as 3 AH.
This date is incorrect. For the agreement to meet at Badr had been made at
mud, which took place in Shawwal of 3 AH, as is told above. But God knows
best.
Al-Waqidi stated, "They remained at Badr for the duration of the fair that
lasted eight days. Then they returned home, having profited with two dirhams
for each one invested."
Others say that they returned just as God, Almighty and Glorious is He, had
said, "And SO they returned with favour from God and His grace. No harm
came to them. For they followed the pleasure of God, and God is He of mighty
grace" (sQrat 21-'Imr~n; 111, v. 173).
Section: A Review of the events that occurred in 4 AH.
Ibn Jarir stated, "In Jumada d-Uwla of that year 'Abd Allah, son of Wthmm
b. 'Affin, God be pleased with hi, by Ruqayya, daughter of the Messenger
of God (SAAS), died. He was six years of age. The Messenger of God (SAAS)
performed the funeral prayer over him, and his father, Wthman h. 'Affm, God
be pleased with him, accompanied him down into the grave."
I would add that the same year Abii Salama 'Ahd Allah h. 'Ahd al-Asad
b. Hilal b. 'Abd Allah b. Wmar b. Makhzom alaurashi al-Makhzfimi died;
his mother was Barra, daughter of 'Ahd al-Munalib, aunt of the Messenger of
God (SAAS). He was the foster-brother of the Messenger of God (SAAS), since
both were suckled by Thuwayba, freed-woman of Aba Lahab.
Aba Salama, Aha Wbayda, Wthmm h. 'Affan and al-Arqam b. Aba al-Arqam
had accepted Islam long before, on the same day.
Aba Salama and his wife had emigrated to Abyssinia and then returned to
Mecca. They had had children in Abyssinia. He then migrated from Mecca
to Medina and Umm Salama followed him there, as is related above. He was