In Makkah, the house of Quṣayy ibn Kilāb—known as Dār al-Nadwah—was where the Quraysh gathered for matters of greatest importance. One day, almost every clan sent a representative to that council. They spoke long about the state of affairs in the city, but the heart of the discussion was only one question: what to do with Muhammad ﷺ.

Abū al-Bukhturī rose first. “Let us chain him hand and foot and confine him in a chamber,” he suggested. “This was done with poets in the past, and there they wasted away until death claimed them. Let the same befall Muhammad.”

But among them sat an old man from Najd. He interrupted: “No, that plan is weak. If you imprison him, his followers may contrive a way to free him. Then he will return against you with greater force. Seek another course.”

Abū al-Aswad then spoke. “Exile him. Drive him from our midst. Let him go where he pleases. We will wash our hands of him. If he perishes elsewhere, we are free. If he prospers, it will not concern us.”

Again the old man shook his head. “What folly is this? Do you not know the charm of his speech, the gentleness of his manners, the pull of his presence? If you cast him out, he will find another Arab tribe, and soon sway them to his cause. That tribe will rally behind him, march against you, and seize the very power you are afraid to lose. No, think of something else.”

It was then that Abū Jahl stood. His words were sharp, his eyes set. “I have a plan. From every clan, choose one young man, strong and skilled. Let each be armed with a keen sword. At the appointed hour, they shall fall upon Muhammad as one, striking him together, so that his blood lies on all our hands alike. Thus will the affair be ended. And when Banū ʿAbd Manāf cry for vengeance, they will find no single tribe to accuse—for every clan will have struck the blow. They will have no choice but to accept blood-money. The matter will be closed.”

The old man from Najd, who was in truth none other than Iblīs himself—disguised in human form—smiled and said, “This is the plan. Of all that has been spoken, this alone is sound. I give it my full support.”

No dissent was raised. One after another, the leaders of Quraysh gave their assent. Present in that council were the chiefs of every great clan: from Banū ʿAbd Shams, ʿUtbah, Shaybah, and Abū Sufyān; from Banū Nawfal, Ṭuʿaymah and Jubayr ibn Muṭʿim; from Banū ʿAbd al-Dār, Naḍr ibn al-Ḥārith; from Banū Asad, Abū al-Bukhturī and Ḥakīm ibn Ḥizām; from Banū Makhzūm, Abū Jahl himself; from Banū Sahm, Nubayh and Munabbih the sons of Ḥajjāj; from Banū Jumāḥ, Umayyah ibn Khalaf. Great and small, every clan had its representative, and all agreed with one heart.

Thus they dispersed, resolved upon murder.