the House in perfect safety, even though you have taken in the renegades and claim that you will support and assist them? By Allah, were it not for the fact that you are in the company of Abū Ṣafwān, you would never reach your family alive.’

Saʿd, raising his voice at him, replied, ‘If you stop me from this, then by Allah I will stop you from something far more painful to you—your route through Madinah.’

Umayyah said, ‘Do not raise your voice at Abū al-Ḥakam, the chief of the people of the valley.’

Saʿd answered, ‘Leave it, Umayyah. By Allah, I heard the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—say that he will kill you.’

Umayyah asked, ‘In Mecca?’

Saʿd said, ‘I do not know.’ Umayyah was seized with great fear and exclaimed, ‘By Allah, Muḥammad does not lie.’

When Umayyah returned home he said, ‘O Umm Ṣafwān, have you heard what Saʿd said to me?’

She asked, ‘What did he say to you?’

He replied, ‘He claims that Muḥammad has informed them that he will kill me. I asked him, “In Mecca?” and he said, “I do not know.”’

She said, ‘By Allah, Muḥammad does not lie.’

Umayyah then declared, ‘By Allah, I will never leave Mecca.’

When the Day of Badr arrived, Abū Jahl rallied the people, saying, ‘Go and safeguard your caravan!’

Umayyah was loath to set out, so Abū Jahl came to him and said, ‘O Abū Ṣafwān, if the people see you staying behind—when you are the chief of the valley—they will stay behind with you.’

Abū Jahl kept at him until Umayyah said, ‘Since you have prevailed over me, then by Allah I will buy the finest camel in Mecca.’

He then said, ‘O Umm Ṣafwān…’