When the idolaters returned from Ohod, they repented having done so, saying to each other: ‘What have we done? We have collected an army, we have taken trouble, we have killed some nobles and friends of Muhammad, but we have stopped short, and have not utterly annihilated him with his companions. Now we must return and do so, trying to extirpate them so as to free our minds from any further apprehensions about these fellows.’ A’kramah B. Abu Jahl insisted on this point most of all, and Ssafuwân B. Ommyah said: ‘The calamity which befell Muhammad and his companions has greatly depressed their spirits, and so incensed them against us that if we return again, very likely the tribes Awus and Khazraj, which have lagged behind, will this time assemble and have a share in the battle, so that our enemies may possibly after having been conquered become our conquerors, and thus the tables would be turned against us.’
When the news that the opponents intended to return had reached the exalted audition, the prince of the inhabitants of the world wished to throw fear and confusion into the hearts of the foes, and let them know that the professors of Islâm had not lost their courage. Therefore on the day after the battle of Ohod, which was a Sunday, he caused Belâl to shout the following notice: ‘The apostle of God orders you to hasten and seek the enemy, but none are to sally forth on this business except those who were present on the battle-field of Ohod.’ When the noble Mohâjer and the distinguished Anssâr heard the command of the apostle of God—u. w. b.—they girded up the loins of obedience, although they had received many wounds. His holy and prophetic lordship—u. w. b.— armed himself and took up his position on the road, thus waiting for the professors of Islam to gather around him, and concerning whom the verse was revealed: ‘Those who obeyed God and the prophet after they had been delivered, those of them who acted well, shall have a great reward.’ None of the combatants remained behind except Jâber B. A’bdullah, the Anssâri, who had a valid excuse. His lordship entrusted A’li—u. w. b.—with the flag [of command], but according to others Abu Bakr obtained it. Then he marched as far as Hamrâ Alasad, and ordered five hundred fires to be lighted in the camp. On that occasion Mo’abd Khozaa’y—who was a friend of his lordship, though he had at that time not yet made his profession of Islâm, his tribe having been allied to the prophet by oath and protected by him during the time of ignorance and of Islâm—was travelling to Mekkah, and, meeting with his lordship, after condoling with him about the companions who had been slain, he continued his journey and encountered Abu Sofyân with all the idolaters, who asked him what news he had about Muhammad. Mo’abd replied: ‘Muhammad has marched out from Madinah with a great number of those who have fought at Ohod, and intends to take vengeance on you; I have left the army at Hamrâ Alasad.’ The idolaters said: ‘What words are these?’ He continued: ‘I swear by God that I am speaking the truth, and I think before you leave this place you will behold some of the cavalry of Islâm.’ Ssafuwân said: ‘What we were apprehensive of has been fulfilled, and it will be proper for us to leave this place, lest we be conquered after having been the conquerors.’ This information made also a great impression upon the other idolaters, so that they marched in haste towards Mekkah. Mo’abd hereon immediately despatched a courier to his lordship to let him know what was going on. It is related that on the above occasion Abu Sofyân perceived a company travelling to Mekkah, and requested them to convey the news of his approach to his lordship the best of men. Accordingly when they arrived at Hamrâ Alasad they delivered their message, but the Musalmâns replied: ‘We trust in God, and a good advocate is He!’ It is said that at Hamrâ Alasad the Musalmâns took two men prisoners, one of whom was Abu U’zza the poet, who had been captured [already] at Bedr, but was liberated after paying ransom, and promising not to fight again against the Musalmâns. For having broken the just-mentioned promise and oath, his lordship ordered him to be killed in spite of all his entreaties, and said: ‘No believer shall be stung twice from the same den.’ And, turning to Abu U’zza, he said: ‘Thou shalt not return to Mekkah! Stroke thy unhallowed beard, and exclaim: “I have played two or three tricks to Muhammad!”’ Accordingly A’assum B. Thâbet despatched him with his sword by command of his lordship. The other prisoner was Moa’wiah B. Moghirah, for whom O’thmân interceded, and his lordship said: ‘For thy sake I remit his punishment, on condition of his stopping not more than three days in Madinah; but if he exceeds that time it shall be lawful for anyone to shed his blood.’ And by the decree of Divine providence that doomed individual did not leave Madinah, but concealed himself on the fourth day for fear of death. Then his lordship the apostle sent O’mmâr Yâser and Zayd B. Hâreth who pulled Moa’wiah B. Moghirah out from the corner of secrecy and took his life.