And their war cries were so profound and so frightening that those villagers whom they passed on their way to Medina shuddered and hurriedly closed their doors and windows and prayed that Qureish would not turn on them for earlier fraternities or perhaps even clandestine alliances they had formed with Muhammed (pbuh) and his followers in the past.
But Qureish were more intent on killing Muhammed (pbuh) and his Companions. and focused all their attention on the task at hand. They genuinely presented an awe-inspiring and terrifying sight as they reached the vicinity of Al-Aqiq and set up camp at the foot of Mount Uhud. They were five miles away from Medina!
The messenger from Ghifaar had in the meantime reached Medina and found the Prophet (pbuh) at Qubah. He handed over the letter to Muhammed (pbuh), who had just completed his afternoon prayers, and who, in turn, sent for Ubayy ibn Ka'b to read the contents of the letter.
'This does not look good, O Messenger of Allah!' said Ubayy ibn Ka'b, after he had read out the news aloud. 'The whole of the Meccan force—plus their allies—are here!'
Muhammed (pbuh) thought for a moment and frowned deeply. 'We shall have to keep this letter a secret for the moment,' he said, placing his hand on Ubayy's arm. 'We do not want to panic the people...'
He then sent Anas and Mu'nis, the two sons of Fadalah, a Companion, to reconnoitre the movements of Qureish, who in the meantime were beating their war drums to a crescendo. The Meccans were drawing ominously close to the city itself.
Another scout, Hubab ibn Al-Mundhir, was also deployed to track the movements of Qureish and report immediately to the Prophet (pbuh). But by now most of Medina was abuzz with the news about the advance of the Qureish army and Muhammed (pbuh) was forced to call an emergency meeting with all the people of the city.
They were Muslim and non-Muslim; Arab or Jew; Faithful or Hypocrite—Medina was the main focus. No one could turn their backs on what was staring them in the face so vividly and so glaringly. Everyone had to play their part in not only the preservation of not only the city, but their very existence itself.
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