Mahomet, failing in direct warfare to drive back his enemies, resorted to strategy.  He planned to send a secret embassy to buy off the Beni Ghatafan, and so strive to break up the Kureisch alliance.  But the rest of the city were unwilling to adopt this measure, preferring to trust more firmly in the strength of their defences.  Finally, Mahomet determined to essay upon his own initiative some means of subtlety whereby he might force back this encompassing foe that hourly threatened his whole dominion.  He sent an embassy to the Jews outside the city with intent to sow dissension between them and the Kureisch.

“See now,” he commanded his envoy, “whether thou canst not break up this confederacy, for war, after all, is but a game of deception.”

The Muslim pursued his way unchecked to the camp of the Koreitza, just outside the city, where he whispered his insidious messages into the ears of the chief, saying the Kureisch were already weary of fighting and were even now planning a retreat, and would forsake their allies as soon as was expedient, leaving them to the mercy of a Muslim revenge.  He promised bribes of money, slave girls, and land from the Prophet if they would betray their new-found allies.  Self-interest prevailed; at last the plan was agreed upon, and the messenger returned to Mahomet with the good news of the breaking-up of the confederacy.

The treachery of the Koreitza spread discouragement among the Arab chiefs.  Moreover, their supplies were already running short.  They ceased to press the siege so severely; the attacks became weaker, and Mahomet was easily able to prevent any further incursions beyond the trench.  And now the weather broke up.  The sunny country was transformed suddenly into a dreary, storm-swept wilderness.  Blasts of wind came skurrying down upon the Kureisch camp, driving rain and sleet before them.  To Mahomet it was the wrath of the Lord made manifest upon the presumptuous Meccans.  Their camp-fires were blown out, their tents damp and draggled, their men dispirited, their forage scarce.  Suddenly Abu Sofian, weary of inaction, thoroughly disheartened by the hardships of his position, broke up the camp and ordered a retreat.

The vast army faded away as magically as it had come.  The morning after their departure the Muslim awoke to see only a few scattered tents and the disorderly remains of human occupation as evidences of the presence of a foe that had accounted itself invincible.  The Meccans evidently accepted defeat, for they returned speedily to their own country, realising bitterly the impossibility of keeping together so heterogeneous an army in the face of a prolonged check.  Medina was free of its immediate menace, and great was the rejoicing when the camp was abandoned and Islam returned in security to its sanctuary within the city.  Mahomet repaired immediately to Ayesha’s house, and was cleansing the stains of conflict from his body when the mandate came from Heaven through the lips of Gabriel: