76 1" lIN FootJIq!J of thl pfIJphttDuring the following year's pilgrimage, the Prophet met an important
delegation of Yathrib l .... 'uslims, composed of seventy-three people, two
of th em women. They belonged to both me Aws and the Khazraj, and
they had come to bring the Prophet the good news of their commitment
to Islam. After a few discussions about the nature of their fmure relation-
ship, they concluded a second covenant stipulating that the Yathrib
Muslims pledged to protect the Prophet, as well as Mecca's Muslim
women and children, against any aggression. T his second covenant, grant-
ing refuge and protection and a commitment of Yathrib Muslims to sup-
port their Mecc an brothers, opened before the Prophet the prospect of a
promising future. From then on, j\ luhammad encouraged j\'luslims to
emigrate to Yathrib discreetly, while his closest Co mpanions still remained
by his side.With Non·Muslims
Muhammad had always retained very strong ties with the members of dif-
ferent clans and with his kin who had not accepted Islam. His uncle Abu
T alib, whom he loved so much and whom he accompanied until he
breathed his last, was o ne such example. Anoth er uncle, Abbas, remained
b y the Prophet'S side even though he had not yet converted. Muhammad's
trust in him was tremendous, and he did not hesitate to confide in him or
have him take part in private meetinb"S involving the future of the com-
munity Oater, Abbas would be present when the second covenant of a1-
Aqabah was concluded; the Prophet wo uld also keep him informed of the
highly confidential preparations fo r his emigratio n to Yathrib). His
remaining a polytheist never prevented the Prophet from showing him
the greatest respect and deepest confidence in situations where his very
life was at risk.
It was a similar attitude of trust that had made it possible for Muslims
to emigrate to Abyssinia, under protection of a king whom the Prophet
trusted even though he was not a Muslim. This attitude is to be found
througho ut the Prophet'S life: he established his relationships in th e name
o f trust and the respect of principles, and not exclusively on the basis of
similar religious affiliation. His Companions had understood this as well,
and they did nO{ hesitate to develop solid tics with non-Muslims i n the