, while many of his Companions lagged behind, waiting to see what would happen. It was the first encounter in which Allah exalted Islam.

He departed in Ramadan with the Muslims riding their water-drawing camels, several men taking turns on a single beast. The Messenger of Allah’s riding-companions were ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Marthad ibn Abī Marthad al-Ghanawī, an ally of Ḥamzah ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib; the three of them owned only one camel. They travelled on until, when they reached ʿIrq al-Ẓabiyah, they met a rider coming from the direction of Tihāmah. They asked him about Abū Sufyān. He replied, “I have no knowledge of him.” They said, “Then greet the Messenger of Allah.”

He asked, “Is the Messenger of Allah among you?” “Yes,” they answered, and they pointed him out. The man said to him, “Are you the Messenger of Allah?” “Yes,” he replied. The man said, “If you are truly the Messenger of Allah, then tell me what is inside the belly of this she-camel of mine.” Salamah ibn Salamah ibn Waqsh al-Anṣārī became angry and retorted, “You mounted your she-camel and it conceived by you!” The Messenger of Allah disliked what Salamah had said and turned away from him.

The march continued, and no news reached him; he still did not know that Quraysh had mobilised. The Messenger of Allah then said, “Give me your counsel.” Abū Bakr replied, “I know the distances between places. ʿAdī ibn Abī al-Zaghbāʾ informed us that the caravan is in such-and-such a valley.” ʿUmar said, “Messenger of Allah, it is Quraysh in all its pride. By Allah, since it first gained honour it has never been humiliated, and since it disbelieved it has never believed. By Allah, they will fight you, so be ready for that.”

He repeated, “Give me your counsel.” Al-Miqdād ibn ʿAmr declared, “We will not say to you as the followers of Moses said: ‘Go, you and your Lord, and fight; we will stay here sitting’ (5:24). Instead, go, you and your Lord, and fight; we are with you, following your lead.”