‘Utbah replied, “I have listened to the words of Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). By Allah! I have never heard such words before. His words are neither poetry, nor sorcery nor soothsaying. It is something else entirely. O People! If you would care to heed my advice then leave Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) alone. By Allah! If the Arabs kill him, you will have nothing to worry about, and alternatively, if his reign prevails over the Arabs, his honour will be your honour and his reign will be your reign, as after all, he is a part of your own tribe.”

To this, the leaders of the Quraish responded, “Abul Waleed! Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has cast a spell of black magic over you!” ‘Utbah replied, “My opinion will remain unchanged. You do whatever you please!”

(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/189)