I kept running on, thinking the very earth was tilting beneath me
when they advanced behind a leader who is never forsaken.

So I cried, “Woe to Ibn Ḥarb the day he meets you,
when the valley floor seethes with that surging host!

I have vowed a daylight raid against the men of valour,
on every one of them, shrewd or fettered.

By the army of Uḥud—not a timorous band of archers—
and what I have vowed is no empty boast!”

Those words deterred Abū Sufyān and the men who were with him. A caravan from ʿAbd al-Qays happened to pass by, and Abū Sufyān asked them, “Where are you heading?” They answered, “To Medina to purchase supplies.” He said, “Will you carry a message from me to Muhammad? I will load these camels of yours with raisins at ʿUkāẓ tomorrow when you meet him.” They replied, “Certainly.” He said, “Then tell Muhammad that we have agreed to turn back and annihilate his Companions.”

When the caravan reached the Messenger of Allah ﷺ at Ḥamrāʾ al-Asad, they delivered the message. He and the Muslims responded, “Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Trustee.” Thereupon the verse was revealed: “Those to whom people said, ‘The people have gathered against you, so fear them…’” (Āl ʿImrān 3:173), and the verses that follow.

Al-Bakkāʾī relates that Ibn Isḥāq said: ʿAbd Allāh ibn Ubayy ibn Salūl—so al-Zuhrī informed me—had a place from which he would stand every Friday; he never abandoned it, deeming it an honor for himself and for his clan. Whenever the Messenger of Allah ﷺ sat to deliver the Friday sermon, he would rise and proclaim: “People, this is the Messenger of Allah ﷺ among you; Allah has honored and strengthened you through him. Support him, aid him, listen to him, and obey.” Then he would sit down again.

After the events of Uḥud and the people’s return, he rose to do the same, but the Muslims grabbed his garments from every side and said, “Sit down, enemy of Allah; you are not fit for this after what you have done—”