Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
5. Lessons of the Prophet’s Life
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successfully managed to steer this caravan, in which
the people of Makkah had placed all their capital,
home to Makkah by a coastal route. Defeat at Badr
had left the Quraysh thirsty for revenge on
Muhammad and his followers. Their leaders,
therefore, met in Dar al-Nadwah (The Hall of
Convention), where it was unanimously decided
that the partners in the caravan should take their
capital only, leaving the profits to be devoted to
preparations for war. The profits amounted to
50,000 dinars, a huge sum in those days.
The Quraysh made elaborate preparations, and in
A.H. 3, advanced on Madinah.
It was then that the Battle of Uhud took place, just
three years after the Prophet’s migration to
Madinah. When news of the Quraysh’s advance
reached the Prophet, he called his companions
together. Most of them were inclined to meet the
attack from within the city. The youthful element
among them, however, were strongly opposed to
this. If we remain in the city, they contended, then
the enemy will interpret it as a sign of cowardice
and weakness: the fight should be taken to them,
