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During the Encounter at Badr the previous year, each Koraysh tribe had suffered loss of
life and prestige so it was not surprising that revenge was always on their mind.

Amongst the Koraysh were poets held in high regard, one of whom was Abu 'Azza. Abu

„Azza had been taken prisoner at Badr but his family were poor and therefore unable to
pay a ransom for his freedom. When the matter was brought to the Prophet's attention
he, out of mercy and compassion, released him without a second thought. However, Abu

„Azza soon forgot the Prophet's generosity and when Safwan offered to pay him to
compose provocative verses extolling the merits of the Koraysh and their attempts to
route the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), he had no qualms and accepted.

Safwan had no doubt that Abu „Azzas poem would be a great asset in his effort to
persuade new tribes to ally themselves to the Koraysh and strengthen existing ties when
the poem was recited to them. Safwan's assumption was right, his investment proved to
be money well spent and through it he was able to secure his aim as tribes sat
mesmerized, inflamed by its words.