Emigration—From Makkah to Madinah

mellowed, and he converted to Islam one day before the conquest of Makkah. The other aspect of this policy was that of “striking terror” into the hearts of the enemies of Islam. This consisted of mustering up enough strength and making such a show of it that there would be no need to use it. The defeat of the Muslims at Uhud (A.H. 3) could have turned into a rout if Abu Sufyan had followed up his victory with another attack instead of returning to Makkah. Indeed, when he reached Ruha, he realized his mistake and made to turn once again on the Muslims’ stronghold. But even in utter disarray, the Prophet’s information system worked effectively. He heard about Abu Sufyan’s intention and decided to meet him. Immediately he reassembled his shaken army and set off towards Makkah. Contrary to his moral practice of maintaining a veil of secrecy over military manoeuvres, this expedition was given a fanfare of publicity. When the Muslims reached Hamra al-Asad, eight miles from Madinah, Abu Sufyan heard of the pursuit. Thinking that fresh reinforcements must have arrived, he gave up his idea of attacking Madinah and returned to Makkah. The Prophet returned to Madinah when he became sure of Abu Sufyan’s army withdrawal. One year after the Battle of Mu’tah, which occurred in the month of Jumada al-Awwal, A.H. 8, the Byzantine emperor started gathering his forces on the Syrian border.