Abu Sufyan was aware of the fact that once he and his army left Mecca the vegetation of the desert would be insufficient to support the need of his mounts and that he would be forced to take fodder with them, and that was by no means an easy task.

The challenge was a matter of honor not only for Abu Sufyan but for the entire tribe of Koraysh. He knew well that if he were to fail to meet the challenge, that he himself had initiated, disgrace would fall upon him and his tribe as its news would spread throughout Arabia. As Abu Sufyan pondered over the matter, news arrived that the Prophet (sa) and his army had already begun to prepare themselves for the encounter so Abu Sufyan wasted no time in calling his fellow chieftains together to discuss the matter.

Suhail, a Koraysh chieftain, was among those that attended the meeting and it so happened to Nu'aym, an influential friend with the power of persuasion from the tribe of Ghatafan, happened to be visiting him. Suhail told his fellow chieftains of Nu'aym's presence and so it was decided that they would approach him with the offer of twenty fine camels if he could persuade the Muslims to back down from their side of the challenge.

Deep down in his heart Nu'aym had already started to incline towards the message the Prophet (sa) preached, as he instinctively knew that the idols he and his tribe held as gods were nothing but the fabrication of his ancestors, however, the temptation of owning twenty fine camels swayed his reasoning and he decided to accept the challenge and set off for Medina. As Nu'aym approached the oasis outside Medina he noticed a group of Muslims so he made his way over to them and started to sow the seeds of apprehension.

Nu'aym spoke with such conviction that it was hard not to believe him as he mentioned the supposedly, formidable, well-equipped army of Abu Sufyan. Nu'aym continued on to Medina where he spread his alarming tales amongst each section of the society.

After each narration he would conclude with words that urged the Muslims not to go out against Abu Sufyan and conveyed his fear that not one of them would remain after the encounter. Needless to say those in opposition to the Prophet (sa) were greatly heartened by the news and not only helped to spread the tales but embellished them. Nu'aym was so convincing that a large number of Muslims inclined to his concluding remarks.

When news of this reached the Prophet (sa) he was concerned, however, during a consultation with Abu Bakr and Omar, the Prophet (sa) told his companions, "I will go, even if I go alone," whereupon his companions said in support of his resolve, "Allah will support His religion; He will give strength to His Messenger."

When the Muslims learned of the Prophet's intent to go alone if needed they rallied around him and completely disregarded Nuaym's rumors. Nu'aym had been so close to receiving his reward, however, it was surprisingly of little concern to him that he had failed in his mission. Like so many others he had observed the ways of the Muslims and been impressed by their conviction so much that his heart inclined still further to Islam.

The March to Badr

Shortly after this, the Prophet (sa) and his army set off for the second encounter at Badr with fifteen hundred riding camels and ten horses. It so happened that this time of year was also the time of Badr's annual fair, a time when merchants from all over Arabia journeyed there to sell their wares, and then, perhaps, continue onto Mecca to offer their pilgrimage.

Such was the strength of the Muslim's faith that many of them, despite of the challenge that loomed over them, loaded their mounts with merchandise to sell or trade at the fair.

The Dilemma of Abu Sufyan

Abu Sufyan remained reluctant to set forth for Badr, however, the matter of honor or dishonor weighed heavily upon him. In an effort to keep face, whilst quite unaware of the fact that the Prophet (sa) had already departed from Medina, Abu Sufyan called upon the other chieftains saying, "Let us set out and journey for a couple of nights, and then return. If Muhammad has not already left he will soon learn that we went out to meet him and on account of not finding him we returned home. In this way it will be counted against him and for us!"

The Fair At Badr

Prophet Muhammad (sa) and his companions reached Badr five days before Abu Sufyan and the Koraysh set out from Mecca. As there was no sign or news of Abu Sufyan, the Prophet (sa) and his men continued on to the fair where they not only traded and sold their wares, but also reported the fact that Abu Sufyan had failed to keep his part of the challenge.

Abu Sufyan's failure was the main topic of conversation at Badr, and soon the traders that had journeyed from all over Arabia spread the news as they traveled homeward. It was a moral victory for the Prophet (sa) and disgrace fell upon Abu Sufyan and the Koraysh. Meanwhile, in Mecca the Koraysh chieftains chided Abu Sufyan for his lack of leadership, and told him that he should never have issued the challenge in the first place.

Discontent was evident among the Koraysh and they became further committed to ridding themselves of the Prophet (sa) and his followers. As for the Muslims, they returned to Medina rejoicing in the blessings Allah had sent them. As the summer's heat intensified, the fourth year drew to a close and with it came a blessed month of peace.