The council of Dar al-Nadwah

The Quraysh were enraged that the Muslims had found a place in the Arabian peninsula itself where they would be able to thrive. They also feared the Muslims would become strong enough to control the northern trade routes and disrupt the pagans’ trade. Since the Makkans depended on the goods carried by caravans to and from northern Arabia and Syria, their fear was not unfounded. There was also the growing worry that the Prophet himself might escape any day to Yathrib, where his followers awaited him, and that he would set up a new power base, an eventuality which had to be avoided.

To discuss their concerns, a special council was held at Dar Al-Nadwah. Most of the prominent chieftains of the Quraysh were present. Iblees (Satan) was also present disguised as Shaikh Jaleel of Najd. Abul Aswad opened the meeting by saying, “Let us drive Muhammad out of our territory and be rid of him. That will set the matter right.”

Shaikh Jaleel didn’t like this idea. “Do you not see how sweet his words are, and how he wins the hearts of people? If we exile him, he will simply find another tribe and make them his followers. With their help, he will attack your city and deal with you as he pleases. Think of another plan.”

“Let us imprison him until he dies. He will experience the same kind of death poets of old did,” Abu Bukhtari suggested. Shaikh Jaleel interjected once again, “By God, if you make him a captive, the news will surely reach his companions who love him more than their fathers and sons. They might raid your territory and conquer you! Think of another plan.”

Finally, Abu Jahl, himself a rival of Satan, put forth his idea. “I have my own opinion,” he began. “I see that none of you has touched on it so far. We should select a strong and smart youth of noble birth from each tribe. Each youth will be given a sword, sharp and deadly. These young men will move toward the Prophet as one man and strike him as one man. Since all the clans will share his blood, Banu Abdu Munaf, Muhammad’s protectors, cannot take on all the Quraysh at one time. They will then have to accept blood money that we can pay off easily.”

“This is the best plan of all,” Shaikh Jaleel declared approvingly. The council disbanded, relieved at having a solution at hand. Now it was time to make the necessary preparations.