IN PURSUIT OF THE CARAVAN

      On March 624 A.D. the prophet was informed that a large caravan that belonged to GHOREISH, was returning from Syria. The merchandise of the caravan was carried by a thousands camels, and almost all the men of importance in Mecca, had a share in it. The caravan was said to have forty guards headed by ABUSOFYAN the chief ofGHORAISH.

      The prophet quickly organized a division consisting of 313 men with arms, of course ill- equipped, from among the Emigrants, as well as the Helpers in order to intercept the caravan.

      It was Friday, 16th March 624 A.D. that the prophet appointed ABDULLAH-IBN- OMM MAKHTUM as his vicegerent in Medina and made for the caravan. In this raid, the prophet had only seventy camels to carry their armaments.

      When the caravan approached to the central part of Arabia, ABUSOFYAN sent some spies to see if Mohammad was doing anything against them. They very soon informed the captain of the caravan that Mohammad was about to attack them! On this basis ABUSOFYAN sent a fast moving messenger, named Zamzam, to inform Ghoreish of Mecca of the danger that was threatening their caravan, merchandise, and wares! Meanwhile Abusofyan changed the route and road, to avoid clashes with Muslims.

      Zamzam the messenger, reached Mecca in time, and warned ABUJAHL and other leading men of Ghoreish about the grave danger in which the caravan could be trapped.

      In Mecca, quickly a brigade of one thousands armed men, well equipped was formed, and set out to save their caravan, and also to overawe the prophet and his followers.