their leading men one day in the Hijr—the open area by the Kaʿbah—and they began to speak about the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, saying:

“We have never had to endure from anyone what we have endured from this man. He has ridiculed our intelligence, insulted our forefathers, found fault with our religion, torn our ranks apart, and reviled our gods. We have shown remarkable patience in the face of a tremendous provocation.” Or words to that effect.

While they were talking, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, suddenly appeared. He walked on until he touched the Corner (where the Black Stone is set) and then passed by them as he circumambulated the House. When he came alongside them they mocked him with some of the very things they had been saying.

I could see the change in his face, yet he continued on. When he passed them a second time they taunted him in the same manner, and again I saw the effect on his face. He moved on, and when he came round a third time they repeated it, whereupon he declared:

“Listen, people of Quraysh! By Him in whose hand is Muhammad’s soul, I have come to you with slaughter.”

His words so stunned the gathering that not a man among them but felt as though a bird had alighted on his head. Even the one who, just moments before, had been the most vehement in urging harm against him now spoke soothingly, addressing him with the finest words he could muster, to the point that he said, “Go on your way, Abū…"