 On hearing of the Muslims travelling to Mecca for pilgrimage, the Quraysh sent out a force of 200 fighters in order to halt the approaching party.In no position to fight, Muhammad evaded the cavalry by taking a more difficult route, thereby reaching al-Hudaybiyya, just outside Mecca.It was at Hudaybiyya that a number of envoys went to and fro in order to negotiate with the Quraysh.