When Abu Sofyân fled from the battle-field of Bedr to Mekkah, he made a vow that he would neither anoint his body with oil, nor have connection with women until he had revenged himself on the Mussttafa, and on his noble companions. According to a tradition he sallied forth, some time after that event, with two hundred troopers, from the sanctuary. When he had marched awhile, he reached the habitations of the Bani Andzyr, and traversed, during the night, the encampment of the Bani Akhttab, in order to obtain from them information about the lord of the righteous and his companions, but the encampment shunned him; wherefore Abu Sofyân betook himself to the place of Sollâm B. Mashkam, who was glad to meet him, prepared a repast, and caroused with him, the two friends disclosing to each other all their intentions. Next morning Abu Sofyân left the place of Sollâm, and proceeded as far as O’rydz, which is one Farsakh distant from Madinah. There the infidels killed an Anssâri engaged in agricultural labours, and burnt several date-trees; Abu Sofyân desired to fulfil his vow in this manner, and then to flee. As soon, however, as the apostle had obtained information what Abu Sofyân was about, he made Abu-l-bâbah his lieutenant in Madinah, and went with two hundred Mohâjer and Anssâr in pursuit of Abu Sofyân. When the idolaters got wind of the approach of his lordship they threw away their bags of Sawyq* to accelerate their progress, although they had carried them on that journey as a luxury. The Musalmâns picked up these bags, and called this expedition the ‘Ghazwah of Sawyq,’ which some biographers allege to have taken place in the third year after the Flight.