this.1 Had Muhammad not found a few years later a home at Madina,
he too might have gone to Abyssinia and some form of Christian heresy might have
taken the place of Islam.
In three months the emigrants returned, for now there seemed to them a
prospect of peace with the Quraish. The Meccans had no desire to lose a large
number of citizens and the patronage of the King of Abyssinia seemed likely to
give political power to Muhammad's cause. On the other hand, Abyssinian
influence might grow too strong even for him. Thus, there was a prospect of
danger both to Meccans and to Muslims. If a compromise between the two parties
could be arrived at, it would obviously be to their mutual advantage.
Negotiations were opened and one of the leading men of Mecca was deputed to
visit Muhammad in order to induce him to come to some terms and to make some
compromise. He said: I' Thou knowest, my cousin, that thou occupiest a high rank
in our tribe and that thou hast brought before us a grave matter by which thou
hast divided our community. Thou hast called us fools, hast blasphemed our gods,
reviled our religion and charged our departed fathers with unbelief. Now, listen
to me whilst I submit to thee proposals which, after reflecting
