Abrahah’s arrival near Makkah:
When Abrahah and his army reached a place known as Al-Mughammas, which is near Makkah, they settled there. Then he sent his troops on a foray to capture the camels and other grazing animals of the Makkans, which they did, including about two hundred camels belonging to Abdul-Muttalib (grandfather of Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)).
Then Abrahah sent an emissary named Hanatah Al-Himyari to enter Makkah, commanding him to bring the head of the Quraysh to him. He also commanded him to inform him that the king will not fight the people of Makkah unless they try to prevent him from the destruction of the Ka’bah.
Abdul Muttalib’s diplomatic response:
Hanatah went to the city and he was directed to Abdul-Muttalib bin Hashim, to whom he relayed Abrahah’s message. Abdul-Muttalib replied, “By Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala)! We have no wish to fight him, nor are we in any position to do so. This is the sacred House of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), and the house of His Khalil, Ibrahim (alaihissalam), and if Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) wishes to prevent him (Abrahah) from (destroying) it, it is his house and his sacred place (to do so). And if Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) lets him approach it, by Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), we have no means to defend it from him.”
So Hanatah told him, “Come with me to him (Abrahah).” And so Abdul-Muttalib went with him.
Abdul Muttalib’s meeting with Abrahah:
When Abrahah saw Abdul-Muttalib, he was impressed by him, because Abdul-Muttalib was a large and handsome man. Abrahah descended from his seat and sat with him on a carpet on the ground.
Then Abrahah asked his translator to say to him,
What do you need?
Abdul-Muttalib replied to the translator,
I want the king to return my camels which he has taken from me which are two hundred in number.
Abrahah then told his translator to tell him,
I was impressed by you when I first saw you, but now I withdraw from you after you have spoken to me. You are asking me about two hundred camels which I have taken from you and you leave the matter of a house which is (the foundation of) religion and the religion of your fathers, which I have come to destroy and you do not speak to me about it.
Abdul-Muttalib said to him,
Verily, I am the lord of the camels. As for the House, it has its Lord, who will defend it.
Abrahah said,
I cannot be prevented (from destroying it).
Abdul-Muttalib answered,
Then do so.
Seeking shelter in the mountains:
Abdul-Muttalib then returned to his people and ordered them to leave Makkah and seek shelter at the top of the mountains, fearful of the excesses which might be committed by the army against them. Then he took hold of the metal ring of the door of the Ka’bah, and along with a number of Quraysh, he called upon Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) to give them victory over Abrahah and his army. Abdul-Muttalib said, while hanging onto the ring of the Ka’bah’s door, “There is no matter more important to any man right now than the defense of his livestock and property. So, O my Lord! Defend Your property. Their cross and their cunning will not be victorious over your cunning by the time morning comes.” Then Abdul-Muttalib let go of the metal ring of the door of the Ka’bah, and they left Makkah and ascended to the mountain tops.
It is also mentioned that they left one hundred animals (camels) tied near the Ka’bah hoping that some of the army would take some of them without a right to do so, and thus bring about the vengeance of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) upon themselves.