“…let the treaty be annulled on equal terms.”

Yet when the envoy had left, Quraysh regretted their answer and sent Abū Sufyān to ask that the pact be renewed.

Ibn Luhayʿah relates—through Abū al-Aswad, from ʿUrwah—that a war had broken out between Nufāthah of the Banū al-Dayl and the tribe of Kaʿb. Quraysh and the Banū Kinānah supported Nufāthah against Kaʿb, thereby violating the covenant, whereas Banū Mudlij alone remained faithful to the pledge they had made to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. ʿUrwah then recounted the whole affair together with the verses composed by ʿAmr ibn Sālim. At this the Messenger of Allah ﷺ declared, “May I find no support if I do not come to the aid of Banū Kaʿb with the very zeal with which I defend my own self!”

A cloud then formed, and the Prophet ﷺ said, “That cloud is the herald of victory for Banū Kaʿb. Keep an eye out for Abū Sufyān; he is coming to you to seek a renewal of the treaty and an extension of its term.”

Abū Sufyān soon arrived and said, “Muḥammad, renew the covenant for us and lengthen its duration.” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ replied, “Is that why you have come? Has anything happened on your side?” He answered, “God forbid.” The Prophet ﷺ said, “Then we remain upon our treaty and our truce.”

The narration adds that Abū Sufyān next visited Abū Bakr, ʿUmar, ʿUthmān, and ʿAlī. ʿAlī said to him, “You are the elder of Quraysh; proclaim a guarantee of safety among them.” He replied, “You have spoken truly—I am indeed so.” Then he called out, “Hear me, people! I have granted protection among the populace, and I do not think my guarantee will be rejected or betrayed.” ʿAlī responded, “Is that really what you are saying, Abū Ḥanẓalah?”

When Abū Sufyān departed, the Prophet ﷺ said, “O Allah, seal their sight and hearing so that they do not see us until we come upon them unawares.”

Abū Sufyān continued on to Mecca and told his people what had transpired. They said, “You have accepted falsehood and brought us something of no benefit; ʿAlī has simply made sport of you.”

Meanwhile, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ pressed on with the preparations, keeping them hidden. Abū Bakr entered upon his daughter and noticed some of the Prophet’s equipment. Surprised, he asked, “Where is he intending…?”