“Indeed, he reflected and devised.” (18)

Regarding His words, “Indeed, he reflected and devised,” and the verses that follow: when Allah Most High revealed to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, “Ha-Mim. The revelation of the Book is from Allah, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, Forgiver of sin and Accepter of repentance, severe in punishment, Possessor of abundant bounty. There is no god except Him; to Him is the final return” (Ghafir 1–3), the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, stood in the mosque while al-Walid ibn al-Mughirah was nearby, listening to his recitation. When the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, became aware that he was listening to his recitation of the Quran (1), he recited the verse again.

Al-Walid then went to the gathering of his people, Banu Makhzum, and said: “[By Allah,] (2) I have just heard words from Muhammad that are neither the speech of men nor the speech of jinn. They possess a sweetness and a splendour; their upper part is fruitful (3), and their lower part is abundant. They rise above all else, and nothing rises above them.” Then he returned to his home.

Quraysh said: “[Muhammad has bewitched him.] (4) [By Allah, al-Walid has abandoned our religion; and by Allah, all of Quraysh will surely abandon it. Al-Walid was known as ‘the flower of Quraysh.’] (5)” Abu Jahl said to them, “I will deal with him for you.” He went and sat beside al-Walid, looking sorrowful.

Al-Walid said to him, “Why do I see you sorrowful, my nephew?” He replied, “What is there to prevent me from being sorrowful, when Quraysh are collecting funds for you to assist you in your old age? They claim that you have praised Muhammad’s words, and that you visit Ibn Abi Kabshah and Ibn Abi Quhafah in order to obtain some of their surplus food.”

Al-Walid became angry and said, “Does Quraysh not know that I am among the most wealthy and most prolific in children among them? Have Muhammad and his Companions eaten their fill, so that there should be