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and claiming the handsome reward of one hundred camels.

One day as Suraka attended a tribal meeting, a fellow tribesman approached and told
him that only a short while ago he had observed silhouettes in the distance riding by the
beach and wondered if it might possibly be that of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa
sallam) and his companion.

Suraka was quick to realize that the party was most probably that of the Prophet (salla
Allahu alihi wa sallam) however, he wanted to claim the reward for himself so he told the
man he must be mistaken as he had seen a party from Mecca earlier on that day set off
in the same direction.

Suraka waited for an hour or two to pass then armed himself with his bow and arrows,
ordered his slave to bring his horse round to the back of the house and set off toward the
shore.

When Suraka came within sight of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) Abu Bakr
spotted him and cried out, "O Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), we have
been discovered!" Whereupon the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) with