The sacred month Dzul-Cada of 628 came round, bringing with it disturbing dreams and yearnings for Mahomet.  For long past, indeed ever since he had found himself the leader of a religious organisation and had taken the broad traditions of Meccan ceremony half unconsciously to himself as the basis of his faith, he had longed to perform the pilgrimage to the holy city.  He had upheld Mecca before the eyes of his followers as the crown and cradle of their faith.  He had preached of pilgrimage thereto as a sacred duty, the inalienable right of every Muslim.  Six years had elapsed since he had himself performed the sacred rites; it is no wonder, therefore, that his whole being was seized with the fervent dream of accomplishing once more the ceremonies inseparable from his faith.  Political considerations also swayed his decision.  If he were allowed to come peaceably to Mecca and perform the pilgrimage, it was conceivable that a permanent truce might be agreed upon by the Kureisch, and the deed itself could not but enhance his prestige among the Bedouins.  He was strong enough to resist the Meccans in case of an attack, and if such a thing should occur the blame would attach to the Kureisch as violators of the sacred month.

With his thoughts attuned thus, it is not surprising that in Dzul-Cada a vision was vouchsafed him, wherein he saw himself within the sacred precincts, performing the rites of pilgrimage.  The dream was communicated to the Faithful, and instant preparations made for the expedition, Mahomet called upon the surrounding tribes to join in his march to Mecca, but they, fearing the Kureisch hosts, for the most part declined, and earned thereby Mahomet’s fierce anger in the pages of the Kuran.  At length the cavalcade was ready; 1500 men in the garments of pilgrims, but with swords and armour accompanying them in the rear, journeyed over the desert track that had seen the migration to Medina of a small hunted band six short years previously.  With them were seventy camels devoted to sacrifice.  The pilgrims marched as far as Osfan, when a messenger came to them saying that the Kureisch were opposing their advance.

“They have withdrawn their milch camels from the outskirts, and now lie encamped, having girded themselves with leopard skins, a signal that they will fight like wild beasts.  Even now Khalid with their cavalry has advanced to oppose thee.”

“Curses upon the Kureisch!” replied Mahomet.  “Who will show me a way where they will not meet us?”

A guide was quickly found, and Mahomet turned his company aside, journeying by devious routes until he came to the place of Hodeibia, a plain upon the verge of the sacred territory.  Here Al-Cawsa, Mahomet’s prized camel, halted, and would in nowise be urged farther.

“She is weary,” clamoured the populace, but Mahomet knew otherwise.

“Al-Caswa is not weary,” he replied, “but that which restrained the armies in the Year of the Elephant now restraineth her.”