Seerah - The Life of the Prophet (pbuh)

The prisoners were taken back to Mad|nah and given the best possible
treatment. Many were released in lieu of ransom. Those who could not
afford ransom and were literate were asked to teach reading and
writing to a group of Muslim children to secure their freedom.
The Makkan army returned disheartened but vowed to avenge the
deaths of their leaders. They elected Ab[ Sufy\n as the new leader and
overall commander, and immediately they began preparing for battle.
Battle of U#ud - Shaww\l 3 A.H.
Once preparations were complete, Ab[ Sufy\n led an army of 3,000
and marched towards Mad|nah with a bloodthirsty desire for revenge.
When the Prophet r heard of this, he gathered his companions and
consulted with them on the matter.
Many opinions were presented. `Abdull\h ibn Ubayy (the leader of
the hypocrites) was of the opinion that no battle should be fought
outside of Mad|nah; rather Mad|nah should be defended from within.
(This would serve his purpose as treachery would be so much easier.)
The Prophet r was inclined to this view, among the reasons was the
advantage of accessibility of necessities. Numerous companions who
had been absent in the Battle of Badr were eager to fight and defend
the honour of Isl\m. Eventually the Prophet r decided to meet the
Makkan army head-on and left Mad|nah with a thousand men.
As the Makkan army came into view, `Abdull\h ibn Ubayy along with
300 men (of the hypocrites) withdrew from the army and returned to
Mad|nah on the pretence of being mistrusted; that the Prophet r had
not acted on his advice.
35