Emigration—From Makkah to Madinah

EMIGRATION—FROM MAKKAH TO MADINAH The Prophet thus appealed to the Quraysh in the same terms they had been thinking; consequently, he could find supporters of his peace initiative within the enemy camp itself. The Prophet sent the Quraysh this message and, at the same time, initiated various procedures aimed at influencing them. One Banu Kinanah came from Makkah to Hudaybiyyah to ascertain the Muslims’ intentions. When the Prophet heard about his impending arrival, he told his followers of the Banu Kinanah’s reverence for sacrificial camels and directed them to take them with them when they met him. They did so, simultaneously chanting the pilgrimage prayer—“We are here at your service, Lord...”. The Quraysh’s envoy was highly impressed. On his return to Makkah, he told the Quraysh that he was sure the Muslims had come on a pilgrimage for no other reason and should be allowed to carry on. The spectacle of 1400 Muslims displaying their faith in God also profoundly impacted the Quraysh. When one of their envoys came into the Muslim camp, the Muslims were all praying in ranks, lined up behind the Prophet. He was highly impressed by the organization and discipline of the worshippers. When he returned to the Quraysh, he told them that the Muslims worked as a unit: when Muhammad made a move, all his followers did likewise. Another envoy saw that when the Prophet performed his ablutions, the Muslims rushed to catch the water he had used in their