In the eighth year of the Hijra in the month of Ramadan (December, 629 A.D.) the Prophet(sa) set out on that last expedition which definitely established Islam in Arabia.
At Hudaibiya it was agreed between Muslims and disbelievers that Arab tribes should be allowed to join the disbelievers as well as the Prophet(sa). It was also agreed that for ten years the parties would not go to war against each other unless one party should violate the pact by attacking the other. Under this agreement, the Banu Bakr joined the Meccans, while the Khuza’a entered into an alliance with Muslims. The Arab disbelievers had scant regard for treaties, especially for treaties with Muslims. It so happened that the Banu Bakr and the Khuza’a had some outstanding differences. The Banu Bakr consulted the Meccans about settling their old scores with the Khuza’a. They argued that the Hudaibiya treaty had been signed. The Khuza’a felt secure because of their pact with the Prophet(sa). Now, therefore, was the time for them to attack the Khuza’a. The Meccans agreed. They and the Banu Bakr, accordingly, joined in a night attack on the Khuza’a and put to death many of their men. The Khuza’a sent forty of their men mounted on fleet camels to Medina to report this breach of agreement to the Prophet(sa). They said it was up to Muslims now to march on Mecca to avenge this attack. The delegation met the Prophet(sa) and the Prophet(sa) told them unambiguously that he regarded their misfortunes as his own. He pointed to a rising cloud in the sky and said, "Like the rain drops which you see yonder, Muslim soldiers will drop down to your aid." The Meccans were perturbed over the news of the Khuza’a delegation to Medina. They sent Abu Sufyan(ra) posthaste to Medina to restrain Muslims from the attack. Abu Sufyan(ra) reached Medina and began to urge that as he was not present at Hudaibiya, a new peace will have to be signed by Muslims. The Prophet(sa) thought it unwise to answer this plea. Abu Sufyan(ra) became excited, went to the mosque and announced:
"O People, I renew, on behalf of the Meccans, our assurance of peace to you" (Zurqani).
The people of Medina did not understand this speech. So, they only laughed. The Prophet(sa) said to Abu Sufyan(ra), "Your statement is one sided and we cannot agree to it." In the meantime, the Prophet(sa) had sent word to all the tribes. Assured that they were ready and on the march, he asked the Muslims of Medina to arm themselves and prepare. On the 1st January, the Muslim army set out on its march. At different points on their way, they were joined by other Muslim tribes. Only a few days' journey had been covered, when the army entered the wilderness of Faran, Its number—exactly as the Prophet Solomon(as) had foretold long before—had now swelled to ten thousand. As this army marched towards Mecca, the silence all around seemed more and more ominous to the Meccans. They persuaded Abu Sufyan(ra) to move out again and find out what the Muslim design was. He was less than one day's journey out of Mecca when he saw at night the entire wilderness lit up with camp-fires. The Prophet(sa) had ordered a fire in front of every camp. The effect of these roaring fires in the silence and darkness of the night was awful. "What could this be?" Abu Sufyan(ra) asked his companions, "Has an army dropped from the heavens? I know of no Arab army so large." They named some tribes and at every name Abu Sufyan(ra) said, "No Arab tribe or people could have an army as large." Abu Sufyan(ra) and his friends were still speculating when a voice from the dark shouted, "Abu Hanzala(ra)"! (Hanzala was a son of Abu Sufyan(ra).)
"‘Abbas, are you here?" said Abu Sufyan(ra).
"Yes, the Prophet's(sa) army is near. Act quickly or humility and defeat await you," replied Abbas(ra).
Abbas(ra) and Abu Sufyan(ra) were old friends. Abbas(ra) insisted that Abu Sufyan(ra) should accompany him on the same mule and go to the Prophet(sa). He gripped Abu Sufyan's(ra) hand, pulled him up and made him mount. Spurring the mule, they soon reached the Prophet's(sa) camp. Abbas(ra) was afraid lest Umar(ra), who was guarding the Prophet's(sa) tent, should fall upon Abu Sufyan(ra) and kill him. But the Prophet(sa) had taken precautions, announcing that if anybody should meet Abu Sufyan(ra) he should make no attempt to kill him. The meeting impressed Abu Sufyan(ra) deeply. He was struck by the rise which had taken place in the fortunes of Islam. Here was the Prophet(sa) whom Meccans had banished from Mecca with but one friend in his company. Hardly seven years had passed since then, and now he was knocking at the gates of Mecca with ten thousand devotees. The tables had been completely turned. The fugitive Prophet(sa) who, seven years before, had escaped from Mecca for fear of life, had now returned to Mecca, and Mecca was unable to resist him.