The Holy Prophet’s Preparation for the Conquest of Makkah For over twenty years the Quraysh had been constant source of trouble and misery to the Muslims. They had three times attacked
Medina with the hope of entirely crushing out Islam but had
failed. It was a great chance for the Muslims to punish the Quraysh for their treachery and misconduct. There was no use delaying, which would only further spoil the situation, affording further advantages to the enemy. Therefore, the Holv Prophet (PBUH) asked his followers to get preparations for war and sent word tc all his allies and followers in Arabia to come to him (ready for the fight but to keep their preparation absolutely secret). He kept his plan secret, and the common man in Medina thought that he was going to Syria to punish Romans.
One of the Muslims named Hatib bin Abi Balta, who had some relations at Makkah and who was anxious about their safety, secretly sent a messenger to them with a letter informing them of what the Muslims intended to do. It was rather an ill-timed and unwise procedure. If the letter had reached Quraysh, they would also have made the necessary preparations for a battle, probably resulting in unnecessary bloodshed and loss of lives. But the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was informed by Allah (through revelation) about the letter. He immediately sent men who overtook the messenger and brought back the letter, The Muslims (especially Hazrat ’Umar) were much
154 Political and Cultural History of Islam excited at the perfidy of Hatib, and they were for inflicting a severe
punishment on him. Since, Hatib was sincerely sorry for what he had
done, the merciful Holy Prophet (PBUH) forgave him. It was indeed
to be an imperishable example of forgiveness.3
