Feeling now assured of being able to give Mahomet an asylum in the city, upward of seventy of the converts of Medina, led by Musab Ibn Omeir, repaired to Mecca with the pilgrims in the holy month of the thirteenth year of “the mission,” to invite him to take up his abode in their city.  Mahomet gave them a midnight meeting on the hill Al Akaba.  His uncle Al Abbas, who, like the deceased Abu-Taleb, took an affectionate interest in his welfare, though no convert to his doctrines, accompanied him to this secret conference, which he feared might lead him into danger.  He entreated the pilgrims from Medina not to entice his nephew to their city until more able to protect him; warning them that their open adoption of the new faith would bring all Arabia in arms against them.

His warnings and entreaties were in vain; a solemn compact was made between the parties.  Mahomet demanded that they should abjure idolatry, and worship the one true God openly and fearlessly.  For himself he exacted obedience in weal and woe; and for the disciples who might accompany him, protection; even such as they would render to their own wives and children.  On these terms he offered to bind himself to remain among them, to be the friend of their friends, the enemy of their enemies.

“But, should we perish in your cause,” asked they, “what will be our reward?”

“Paradise,” replied the prophet.

The terms were accepted; the emissaries from Medina placed their hands in the hands of Mahomet, and swore to abide by their compact.  The latter then singled out twelve from among them, whom he designated as his apostles; in imitation, it is supposed, of the example of our Saviour.  Just then a voice was heard from the summit of the hill, denouncing them as apostates and menacing them with punishment.  The sound of this voice, heard in the darkness of the night, inspired temporary dismay.  “It is the voice of the fiend Iblis,” said Mahomet scornfully; “he is the foe of God; fear him not.”  It was probably the voice of some spy or eavesdropper of the Koreishites; for the very next morning they manifested a knowledge of what had taken place in the night, and treated the new confederates with great harshness as they were departing from the city.

It was this early accession to the faith, and this timely aid proffered and subsequently afforded to Mahomet and his disciples, which procured for the Moslems of Medina the appellation of Ansarians, or auxiliaries, by which they were afterward distinguished.

After the departure of the Ansarians, and the expiration of the holy month, the persecutions of the Moslems were resumed with increased virulence, insomuch that Mahomet, seeing a crisis was at hand, and being resolved to leave the city, advised his adherents generally to provide for their safety.  For himself he still lingered in Mecca with a few devoted followers.