Secret Preparations for the Conquest of Mecca

After the Quraysh violated the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah by supporting their ally Banu Bakr in an attack on the Prophet's ally Banu Khuza'ah at the well of al-Watir, the Prophet made secret preparations for a march on Mecca. He sent Abu Qatadah to the direction of Najd as a feint and prayed: 'O Allah, blind the spies and scouts of Quraysh so that we surprise them in their own land.' However, Hatib ibn Abi Balta'ah, a veteran companion of Badr, secretly sent a letter to the Quraysh through a woman traveler, warning them of the Prophet's plans. Allah informed the Prophet through revelation, and he sent Ali ibn Abi Talib and al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam to intercept the woman at Rawdat Khakh. They found the letter hidden in her braided hair. When confronted, Hatib explained he had no relatives in Mecca to protect his family and was trying to earn the Quraysh's goodwill. Umar asked to behead him, but the Prophet forgave him because of his participation in Badr. Allah revealed the opening of Surah al-Mumtahanah about this incident.