Sofyân B. Khâled Hodhayly had killed some companions, was trying to injure others, as has been related above, and was now engaged in gathering an army to attack the apostle of God. When a ray of this information had shone upon the forehead of the most enlightened mind, he appointed A’bdullah B. Anys to ward off the evil machinations of the wicked; but A’bdullah not being acquainted with Sofyân, he requested his lordship to describe him. The apostle explained with his wonderfully eloquent tongue his person and qualities, adding: ‘Take care, lest thou be afraid when thou seest him, and that Satan also be present at your meeting.’ When A’bdullah departed he asked leave to speak whatever he liked. Being dismissed, he took up his sword, and after traversing the distance arrived in the Battin of Ghorânah, where he perceived a man walking with several others. A’bdullah became afraid of that man, recognised him by that token, and said to himself, ‘The apostle of God has spoken the truth!’ When Sofyân caught sight of A’bdullah he questioned him, and he replied: ‘I am of the Khozaa’y, and I heard that thou art enlisting an army to fight Muhammad. It is my intention to serve thee!’ Sofyân replied: ‘Yes, such is the case!’ Then A’bdullah accompanied Sofyân, recited poetry, and flattered him, so that the wretch felt amused, and when they arrived he entered his tent. When the night set in the friends of Sofyân dispersed, every one of them courting sleep in his corner. Then A’bdullah entered the tent, and severing, with his sharp blade, the head of that tyrant from his body, he departed [with it] to Madinah. On the way he concealed himself in a cave, and God ordered a spider to weave its net over the entrance thereof. When the people of Sofyân learnt what had taken place, they hastened after A’bdullah, but were unable to find him, and returned disappointed. A’bdullah then left the cave, concealed himself during the day and travelled during the night, until he reached Madinah. There he found the prophet in the mosque, and deposited Abu Sofyân’s unhallowed head at his blessed feet. His lordship the apostle—u. w. b.— and his companions rejoiced at the murder of the enemy of God; but some biographers consider the just-narrated event to have taken place in the third [year after the Flight].