Hearing this, the disbelievers placed their hands on their heads and found that the man was speaking the truth as there was sand on their heads. However, when they thereafter peeped into the home of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and saw Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) sleeping on the bed of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), wearing the shawl of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), then they thought him to be Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Hence, they were convinced that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had not yet left his home.

Therefore, the disbelievers continued waiting outside the home of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) the entire night. It was only the following morning, when Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) came out, that they realized that the man had spoken the truth. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had left his home, before their eyes, however on account of Allah Ta‘ala concealing Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), they were unable to see him pass by.

Allah Ta‘ala revealed the following verse in the Qur’aan Majeed, explaining how the disbelievers plotted to kill Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and how Allah Ta‘ala had saved him:

وَ اِذۡ یَمۡکُرُ بِکَ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا لِیُثۡبِتُوۡکَ اَوۡ یَقۡتُلُوۡکَ اَوۡ یُخۡرِجُوۡکَ ؕ وَ یَمۡکُرُوۡنَ وَ یَمۡکُرُ اللّٰہُ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ خَیۡرُ الۡمٰکِرِیۡنَ ﴿۳۰﴾

And remember (O Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)) when the disbelievers were conspiring against you, to hold you as a captive, or to kill you, or to expel you. They were planning, and Allah was planning, and Allah is the best of planners. (Surah Anfaal v. 30)

(Rowdh-ul-Unf 2/309-310, Sharhuz Zurqaani 2/98-99)