The Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his Companions remained, just as Allah has described, in a state of fear and hardship, for their enemies had joined forces against them and were assailing them from above and from below.
A similar report is transmitted by Yūnus ibn Bukayr from Hishām ibn ʿUrwah, from his father.
Nuʿaym ibn Masʿūd al-Ghaṭafānī then came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, embraced Islam, and said, “My people do not yet know of my becoming Muslim; so command me as you wish, O Messenger of Allah.” He replied, “You are but one man among us, so do what you can to sow division in our enemies’ ranks, for war is deception.”
Nuʿaym went to Banū Qurayẓah—he had been their drinking companion in the pre-Islamic days—and said to them, “You know my affection for you.” They answered, “Indeed, you are truthful.” He continued, “Quraysh and Ghaṭafān are not like you. This town is your home; here are your wealth, your children, and your wives, and you cannot simply move elsewhere. Quraysh and Ghaṭafān have only come to fight Muhammad and his Companions, and you have supported them against him, yet their own towns, wealth, and women are somewhere else. They are not like you: if they see an opportunity, they will seize it, but if matters turn against them they will return to their lands and leave you alone with the man in your own city. You have no power to stand against him once you are left to face him alone. Therefore, do not fight alongside them until you take some of their nobles as hostages, to hold in your hands as a guarantee that they will fight with you against Muhammad until the battle is concluded.” They said, “You have indeed given sound counsel.”
Nuʿaym then went to Quraysh and said to Abū Sufyān and those with him, “You know my good will toward you and my break with Muhammad. News has reached me that I felt bound to convey to you in sincere counsel—so keep it secret for my sake.” They replied, “We shall.” He said, “Be aware that the Jewish tribes have regretted what they did in their dealings with Muhammad. They have sent to him saying, ‘We regret our actions. Would it please you if we seize from the two confederate tribes—Quraysh and Ghaṭafān—some of their leaders, hand them over to you, and you strike off their heads? Then we would…’”