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

310 THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD
'In the name of Him besides whose religion there is
none, in the name of H i whose messenger is
Muhammad,
Clear out of his path, unbelievers!"'
Miisa b. 'Uqha stated, from al-Zuhri as follows, "Then the Messenger of God
(SAAS) went forth the year following that of al-Hudayhiyya on the 'umra
pilgrimage, in Dhii al-Qa'da of 7 AH. This was the same month that the
polytheists blocked him from entry to the sacred mosque. When he reached
Ya'jij, he laid down all their weapons - leather shields, armour, spears and
arrows. They then entered carrying the swords borne by mounted men. The
Messenger of God (SAAS) sent Jacfar b. Abii Tdih on ahead of himself to
Mayrniina, daughter of al-Hsith, the al-cAmiri woman, and proposed marriage
to her. She appointed alLcAbbns in charge of her affairs; his wife, Umm al-Fadl,
daughter of al-Hxrith, was her sister. AlLcAhbS then agreed to her marriage
to the Messenger of God (SAAS).
"When the Messenger of God (SAAS) arrived, he ordered his Companions,
'Uncover your shoulders, and be vigorous as you circumambulate.' This was
so that the polytheists would see their skin,and their strength. He outwitted
them all he could. The people of Mecca, men, women, and children, gathered
around him, staring at the Messenger bf God (SAAS) and his Companions, as
they circumambulated the kacba. Meanwhile, 'Abd Allah b. RawQa walked
ahead of him, speaking verse and brandishing his sword, saying,
'Unbelievers, clear out of his path; I am a witness
that he is His messenger;
The al-R&m%n, the Most Merciful, sent down about His
revelation, in sheets that are recited to His messenger.
Today we will fight you over its interpretation, as we
fought you over its revelation,
With blows that will remove heads from necks and divert
friend from friends.'
"Some polytheist chiefs remained away rather than look on with anger,
resentment and envy towards the Messenger of God (SAAS). They went off to
Mt. al-Khandayna. The Messenger of God (SAAS) remained in Mecca for three
nights, at which point the period of safe access agreed upon at al-Hudayhiyya
ended.
"When morning of the 4th day came, Suhayl h. 'Amr and Huwaytib h.
'Abd al-'Uz% arrived, while the Messenger of God (SAAS) was seated with
his Companions, conferring with Sacd h. Wbnda. Huwayhb b. 'Ahd al-Wzzn
shouted, 'We invoke God and the pact to you, because you have not left our land
and the three nights are over!' Sa'd h. 'Ubada replied, 'You lie, may you have no
mother! It is not your land, nor that of your forefathers. By God, he will not