He then said to his wife, “Keep my identity hidden and gather together whatever you have of my wealth, for I intend to buy up some of the spoils taken from Muḥammad and his Companions—their camp has been overrun and their property seized.”

The rumor spread through Mecca, weighed heavily on the Muslims there, and delighted the idolaters, who openly rejoiced. News of it reached al-ʿAbbās and he was so stunned that he could not stand.

Maʿmar said, “ʿUthmān al-Jarīrī told me on the authority of Maqsam that al-ʿAbbās picked up a young son of his named Qutham, lay on his back, placed the boy on his chest, and kept repeating:

‘Live on, Qutham,
mirror of him with the lofty, aquiline nose;
a youth endowed with every favor,
despite the spite of the spiteful.’

Maʿmar added in the version of Anas: Al-ʿAbbās sent a servant of his to al-Ḥajjāj, saying, “Woe to you! What is this that you have brought and keep repeating? What Allah has promised is better than what you say.”

Al-Ḥajjāj replied, “Boy, convey my greetings to Abū al-Faḍl and tell him to set aside a room in one of his houses so I may come to him, for events have turned out exactly as he would wish.”

When the servant reached the door he called out, “Good news, Abū al-Faḍl!” Al-ʿAbbās leapt up for joy, kissed the servant between the eyes, and set him free. Al-Ḥajjāj then arrived and informed him that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had conquered Khaybar, taken their property as booty, and chosen Ṣafiyyah for himself. “I have only come for my own money,” he said. “I sought the Prophet’s permission and he granted it. So conceal my presence, Abū al-Faḍl, for three days; after that you may say whatever you wish.”

Al-Ḥajjāj’s wife gathered his belongings for him, and he slipped away. Three days later al-ʿAbbās visited her and asked, “What has your husband done?”

“He has gone,” she answered. “May Allah spare you any sorrow, Abū al-Faḍl. We were distressed by what reached you.”

He said, “Yes—may Allah spare me grief. By Allah’s praise nothing has happened except what I love: Allah has granted victory to His Messenger.”