Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
12. Emigration—From Makkah to Madinah
~ 303 ~
(A.H. 3) could have turned into a rout if Abu
Sufyan had followed up his victory with another
attack, instead of turning back to Makkah. Indeed,
when he reached Ruha, he realized his mistake, and
made to turn once again on the Muslims’
stronghold. But even at this time of utter disarray,
the Prophet’s information system was still working
effectively. He heard about Abu Sufyan’s intention,
and decided to go out to meet him. Immediately he
reassembled his shaken army and set off towards
Makkah. Contrary to his moral practice, which was
to maintain a veil of the utmost secrecy over
military manoevres, this expedition was given a
fanfare of publicity. When the Muslims reached
Hamra al-Asad, eight miles from Madinah, Abu
Sufyan heard of the pursuit. Thinking that fresh
reinforcements must have arrived, he gave up his
idea of attacking Madinah and returned to Makkah.
The Prophet turned back to Madinah when he
became sure of the withdrawal of Abu Sufyan’s
army.
One year after the Battle of Mu’tah, which occurred
in the month of Jumada al-Awwal, A.H. 8, the
Byzantine emperor started gathering his forces on
