Introduction

The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) was born on 12^th Rabiul Awwal on Monday 571 A.D at Makkah.^[1] Initially, his mother and later on Sobia, a slave girl of Abu Lahab fed her milk. It was a custom in Arabia to give their suckling issues to Beduin tribes. The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) was handed over to Hazrat Haleema Sadia of Banu Saad tribe for further foster care. She was also a wet nurse of the Holy Prophet.^[2] Hazrat Haleema Sadia fostered Holy Prophet for five years then returned to Hazrat Amna following the incidents of Shaq e Sadr (The heart of the Holy Prophet was washed by angel Jibraeel). Hazrat Amna took Holy Prophet to the grave of Hazrat Abdullah to pay homage. While returning home she fell ill and passed away at Abwa. The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) was six years old that time.^[3]

Life further moved on. The Holy Prophet came under the custody of his affectionate paternal grandfather Hazrat Abdul Mutallib who cared for Prophet for two years then passed away. It was the crucial time for the Holy Prophet when Hazrat Abu Talib a paternal uncle of the Holy Prophet adopted him caring and raising him like his own son.^[4]

The Holy Prophet adopted a profession of shepherd to help his uncle financially. The Holy Prophet later became trader to take the merchandise of Makkans to Syria on remuneration. He was hired by Hazrat Khadija. Hazrat Khadija became inspired with Prophet’s honesty. So, she proposed Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) via her friend Nafeesa which Prophet accepted that proposal. Marriage turned out to be fruitful dislodging financial straits from the Holy Prophet as Hazrat Khadija gave all business rights to the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H).^[5]

The Holy Prophet received first revelation in 610 A.D when he was forty years old in the cave of Hira.^[6]

He started preaching Islam attracting people to come under the fold of Islam. However, in the line of duty he suffered terribly along with his companions. He even decreed his companions to emigrate to Abyssinia escaping from the clutches of tyrant Makkans. However, he remained in Makkah to preach Islam despite drastic repression. He continued his preaching restlessly till 622 A.D when Allah commanded Holy Prophet to sneak to Madinah as Makkans were bent upon executing Holy Prophet.^[7]

The Holy Prophet reached Madinah safely.

1st Year of Hijrah

After migration, Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) had to deal with three groups of people. One was Ansars, second was Jews and third was hypocrites. The Holy Prophet established Masjid e Nabvi as basic foundation of Islamic society and Islamic secretariat.

Ansars were settled with Mohajirin with Muakhaat where as Jews were taken in to confidence via Charter of Madina. However, hypocrites led by Abdullah Bin Ubbay were threat to the Muslims.^[8]

2^nd Year of Hijrah

Ever since, Prophet and companions migrated to Madinah, Jews and hypocrites were in line to harm Muslims with the help of Makkans.

In Makkah, Jihad was not obligated but in Madina Allah sent down revelation of Surah Baqrah Ayat 190 permitting for Jihad in 2 A.H as Quran said:

190. Fight In the cause of Allah those who Fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors.^[9]

In order to protect Madinah, Holy Prophet used to send companions to patrol the bordering area of Madina leading to Syria where a small skirmish took place with the people of Makkah which resulted in the causalities of Makkans. This incident is known as Incident of Nakhla in the history of Islam.^[10] The immediate reason of Battle of Badr was Abu Sufiyan a leader of Banu Ummayad tribe hailing from Syria with substantial merchandises to Makkah. He was scared of Muslims invasion to his valuable merchandises. So, he requested Makkans to escort him on the way to Makkah from close proximity to Madina. Abu Jahl another prominent leader of Makkah and arch enemy of Islam came with one thousand accomplices to vanguard Abu Sufiyan’s trade merchandises. Abu Sufiyan and his fellowmen crossed Madina without any hassle, so he asked Abu Jahl to come along. But Abu Jahl started boasting that he would kill Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and ruin Madina. It was the month of Ramazan 2 A.H. When Prophet heard that news he consulted his companions for war strategy. Muslims were hardly 313 with ill-equipped weapons whereas; pagans were well equipped with one thousand men.^[11]

Prophet (P.B.U.H) got to the field of Badr first which was 80 miles from Madina and occupied all wells and proper places as well. The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) stayed awake all night and supplicated to Allah for victory. Allah answered Prophet’s supplication in these words of Quran in Surah Anfaal Ayat no: 9

9. Remember ye implored the assistance of your Lord, and He answered you: "I will assist you with a thousand of the angels, ranks on ranks."^[12]

Next mornig, on 17^th Ramazan 2 A.H, both armies met at Badr, initial one to one contest started. Hazrat Ali (R.A) took on Waleed, Hazrat Hamza (R.A) took on Utba and Hazrat Abu Ubaida Bin Haris(R.A) took on Shaiba. Hazrat Hamza and Hazrat Ali took no time in executing Waleed and Utba. However, Shaiba injured Hazrat Abu Ubaida. Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Hamza came forward to rescue Hazrat Abu Ubaida and killed Shaiba as well. So, in no time valiant people of Makkah were lying on the field dead. Later on, fierce battle started, Muslims fought gallantly. Allah also sent one thousands angels to fight shoulder to shoulder with Muslims. Even Iblis was also in the ranks of Abu Jahl in the face of Suraqa Bin Malik who later fled from the battle field after seeing angels descending from skies. Quran declared this day as “Day of Testing”. Only fourteen Muslims were martyred whereas seventy pagans were killed including Abu Jahl who was killed by small children Maaz and Muwiz. Besides, Umayya Bin Khalaf, who was former master of Hazrat Bilal, was executed by Hazrat Bilal (R.A) and seventy pagans were imprisoned. The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) dealt with pagans so mercifully as they were supposed to teach ten Muslims each during stipulated time as their ransom.^[13]

In Makkah, there was series of mourning sessions to avenge the people killed in Madina. Pledges were taken to fight back and preparation for next contest also started as Jews led by Kaab Bin Ashraf was also motivating them to fight.

3^rd Year of Hijrah

In order to fulfill Makkans desire, in 3 A.H, Shawwal, Pagans army with massive booties led by Abu Sufiyan numbering three thousands with the help of other tribes and Banu Nazir tribe proceeded to fight Muslims. They encamped at Uhad, three miles from Madina. They had prominent pagans women such as Fatima sister of Khalid Bin Waleed, Umm-e- Hakim, granddaughter of Abu Jahl and Hinda the daughter of Utba and wife of Abu Sufiyan. Jubair Bin Mautam’s slave Wahshi Bin Harb martyred Hazrat Hamza(R.A) as Hazrat Hamza killed Jubair’s uncle Taema Bin Adi in Badr.

On the other hand, Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) consulted his companions about battle strategy. Companions suggested fighting outside Madina like Badr, but hypocrite Abdullah Bin Ubbay proposed to fight by remaining inside which Prophet declined owing to majority of the people advising outside Madina. Abdullah Bin Ubbay took this decision as matter of ego and fled from the battle field with three hundreds his supporters. So, initial army numbered one thousand curtailed to seven hundred. Prophet (P.B.U.H) after analyzing the battle field posted fifty archers under the command of Hazrat Abdullah Bin Jubair asking them not to leave your posts regardless of consequences of the battle. When battle started, Muslims fought pluckily and pushed the enemies to their feet and enemies started retreating from the battle field leaving a great deal of booty (Spoils of war). Muslims without realizing the impending invasion commenced collecting the booties. When fifty archers saw that they also started descending from the mountain despite Abdullah Bin Jubair forbade them to go. However, 40 archers argued that Prophet’s instructions were during the battle leaving their posts which resulted in martyrdom of seventy Muslims including Hazrat Hamza, Hazrat Musab Bin Umair, Hazrat Abdullah Bin Jahesh and many more.

Quran described this event in Surah Aale Imran Ayat No: 152

152. Allah did indeed fulfil His promise to you when ye with His permission were about to annihilate your enemy,-until ye flinched and fell to disputing about the order, and disobeyed it after He brought you In sight (of the booty) which ye covet. among you are some that hanker after This world and some that desire the Hereafter. then did He divert you from your foes In order to test you but He forgave you: for Allah is full of Grace to those who believe.^[14]

On the contrary, Khalid Bin Waleed, who that time was not Muslim and head of cavalry, was going back. When he saw empty posts of archers, he decided to inroad. Muslims who were busy in collecting spoils of wars surprising taken in to task by the group of Khalid Bin Waleed resulting many casualties including Hazrat Hamza who was martyred with lance of Wahshi Bin Harb. Hazrat Hamza’s corpse was mutilated by Hinda. Even Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) was wounded and lost one of his teeth and had bruises on his cheek and neck. While that episode, rumour floated the Prophet was martyred because one of the Prophet’s companions, Hazrat Musab Bin Umair (R.A) resembled Prophet a lot was martyred. Many companions dropped their weapons as they were so gloomy. However, Prophet gave Muslims a clarion call to fight back which emboldened Muslims as they got to know that Prophet was alive. Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Abu Ubaida Bin Jarrah showed remarkable valour to save Prophet. Even Hazrat Abu Ubaida was badly injured as well in protecting Prophet. After inflicting major loss to Muslims, Khalid Bin Waleed and his army fled from the field resulting in seventy Muslims martyrdom and forty injured whereas; thirty causalities from Makkan’s army.^[15]

After this battle, Prophet was so dejected with mutilation of Hazrat Hamza’s corpse. Moreover, Allah sent down revelation in Surah Aale Imran Ayat No: 144 showing His resentment about Muslims’ dropping of weapons owing to rumour of Prophet’s martyrdom as Quran said:

144. Muhammad is no more than an apostle: many were the apostle that passed away before Him. if He died or were slain, will ye then turn back on your heels? if any did turn back on His heels, not the least harm will He do to Allah. but Allah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward those who (serve him) with gratitude.^[16]

However, Muslims learned lesson that they must obey Prophet’s instructions in future.

After Battle Uhad, Muslims regained their power again under the dynamic leader ship of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H). Quraish could not stand that position and started plotting against Muslims. This time they were not only supported by Banu Nazir tribe which were exiled from Madina due to their violation of Charter of Madinah but also by Banu Quraiza a jew tribe of Madina. In that effort, Makkans were also supported by all neighbouring tribes of Makka which resulted in Battle of Trench which is also known as Battle of Allies or Ahzab.

5^th Year of Hijrah

It was Ziqaad, 5 A.H. Makkans were ten thousand people under the command of Abu Sufiyan proceeded to devastate Madina. Prophet consulted his companions. This time a Persian companion of the Prophet named Hazrat Salman Farsi (R.A) advised to dig a trench at Syrian route to save from possible attack as other three sides of Madina were safe due to oasis and mountainous terrain.

Three thousands companions took part in digging trench day and night with Muhammad (P.B.U.H). In three days, fifty yards long, wide and deep trench was dug.^[17] When Abu Sufiyan army came to that route they got surprised and could not move forward. However, Abu Sufiyan and his allies decided to besiege Madina until they surrendered. When hypocrites observed the gravity of the situation, they came to Prophet and sought permission to return home as their homes were vulnerable. Quran described this in Surah Ahzab Ayat No: 13

13. Behold! a party among them said: "Ye men of Yathrib! ye cannot stand (the attack)! Therefore go back!" and a band of them ask for leave of the Prophet, saying, "Truly Our houses are bare and exposed," though They were not exposed They intended nothing but to run away.^[18]

Abu Sufiyan and his army besieged Madina for almost one month. Muslims remained steadfast despite, hunger and cold. Allah helped Muslims by blowing windy gust which torn apart the tents of enemies and their flares were extinguished. Allied forces fled from the battle field in haphazard position. Allah admonished His help in the same Surah Ayat No: 9

9. O ye who believe! remember the Grace of Allah, (bestowed) on you, when there came down on you hosts (to overwhelm you): but we sent against them a hurricane and forces that ye saw not: but Allah sees (clearly) all that ye do.^[19]

Islam emerged as mighty power after this trial and the enemies of Islam never got united like that and posed serious challenge to Muslims.

6^th Year of Hijrah

In 6 A.H, Prophet (P.B.U.H) dreamt of Holy Kaaba. So, being so anxious, he asked his companions numbering fourteen hundreds to put on Ihram and to proceed to Makkah via secret course to pay Umrah in Ziqaad. However, hypocrites informed Makkan of secret route of Prophet. Makkans sent Khalid Bin Waleed and Ikramah Bin Abu Jahl to hamper Prophet and his companions from entering Makkah with two hundreds cavalries.^[20]

Prophet was halted at the place called Hudaibiya. Prophet sent Kharash Bin Umayya (R.A) to convince Makkan about Muslims arrival at Makkah. Makkan got so furious and tried to kill Kharash. However, Kharash’s tribesmen saved his life. Then, Prophet sent Budail Bin Warqa (R.A) with the same task. He was also sent back. So, Prophet decided to send Hazrat Usman (R.A) as he was from Umayyad tribe like Abu Sufiyan to seek permission for Umrah. Abu Sufiyan allowed Usman to pay Umrah. However, Prophet and his companions were exception to that. Hazrat Usman (R.A) refused to pay Umrah without Prophet. In the meantime, rumour of Usman’s martyrdom floated. The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) took oath from his companions under tree named Rizwan which is known as Oath of Rizwan. Oath contained two important points.

Firsly, we would lay our lives for Islam. Secondly, we would avenge the blood of Usman.^[21]

When Makkan heard these developments, they released Usman and came to Prophet led by Sohail Bin Amr. After negotiations, Prophet signed a treaty with Makkans which is known as Treaty of Hudaibiya. It envisaged five points. Firstly, there would be no fighting for ten years. Secondly, Muslims would return home this year and come back to pay Umrah next year. They would be allowed to stay in Makkah for three days only. Thirdly, anyone from Madina came to Makka, would not be returned back. Fourthly, anyone from Makka came to Madina without Makkans’s consent would be returned back. Fifthly, neither party would fight the allies of each party. Hazrat Ali was the scribe of the treaty. Makkans led by Sohail Bin Amr objected the name of the Prophet Muhammad dur Rasoolallah and asked to write Muhammad Bin Abdullah. Prophet asked Hazrat Ali to rewrite the name in accordance of Makkan’s demand. Hazrat Ali owing to love and respect for the Prophet said Ya Rasoolallah it cannot be done by me. Later on, Prophet himself corrected his name.^[22] Quran endorsed this treaty in Surah Fatah Ayat No:1

1. Verily we have granted Thee a Manifest Victory.^[23]

History tells us that this treaty paved the way for the propagation of Islam to far flung area without the fear of Makkan’s invasion. Even Khalid Bin Waleed and Amr Bin Aas, prominent Makkans came to Prophet and embraced Islam.

8^th Year of Hijrah

After the Treaty of Hudaibiya, Khuza tribe joined Muslims whereas Banu Bakr tribe joined Quraish. One of the terms of the treaty was that neither party would fight an ally of each party. But, Banu Bakr tribe invaded Khuza tribe and killed their men. So, Khuza tribe came to Madina for help. The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) sent his envoy to Makka with three options. Firstly, compensate or pay blood money to Banu Khuza tribe. Secondly, dissolve their alliance with Banu Bakr tribe. Thirdly, dissolve the Treaty of Hudaibiya.^[24]

Makkans were so haughty and over confident. They went for third option.

The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) instructed his companions for the preparation of Jihad. On 10^th Ramazan 8 A.H, Muslims numbering ten thousand with well-equipped warfare moved to Makka. Before Makka Abu Sufiyan came to Prophet at Mazzehran and embraced Islam. Prophet gave instruction to his companions that you should not be the first to fight, anyone who takes asylum in Abu Sufiyan’s house is safe, anyone who drops his weapon is safe, anyone who is not fighting is safe, anyone who close his door is safe, anyone who enters Kaaba is safe, Women, children and old people are safe. No property and worship place should be ruined.^[25]

Prophet divided Muslim contingent in to four groups. One was led by Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed which was invaded by the men of Banu Bakr tribe. Twelve men of Banu Bakr tribe were killed in that invasion.^[26] However, Prophet and others entered Makka with no resistance further.

Prophet after tawaf entered Kaabah and saw three sixty idol in side. Prophet here recited Ayat No: 81 of Surah Bani Israel

81. and say: "Truth has (now) arrived, and falsehood perished: for falsehood is (by its nature) bound to perish."^[27]

When Prophet recited aforesaid ayat, idols fell in to pieces via his stick. When Prophet came out of Kaabah, there were large crowd waiting for Prophet. Prophet showed magnanimity to these people and forgave every one including Hinda who chewed Hamza’s liver and Wahshi Bin Harb. Makkans were so inspired with Prophet’s behaviour and mercy. Almost every one embraced Islam. The Holy Prophet stayed in Makkah for few weeks appointing Hazrat Attab Bin Aseed as Governor of Makkah and moved back to Madinah. Quran told this transformation of people of Makkah in Surah Nasr.

1. When comes the help of Allah, and victory, 2. and Thou dost see the people enter Allah.s Religion In crowds, 3. celebrate the praises of Thy Lord, and pray for His forgiveness: for He is Oft-Returning (in Grace and mercy).^[28]

Conclusion

So, it took almost eight years to conquer and win the hearts of the people of Makkah. After conquest of Makkah, Muslims became the master of Arabia and Islam flourished and emerged as vital and dominant religion of the entire peninsula. However, it was not the easy task. The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) showed remarkable self-control and wisdom with prudence to tackle grim situations on many times. He was so benign attracting his enemies to praise him at par. He resolved many issues with his sagacity avoiding battle on many junctures. He always went for battle as the last resort to bring peace. He depicted magnanimity every time especially at the time of conquest of Makkah wooing people to embrace Islam. He pardoned his worst enemies setting examples for the rest of the world to follow. His strategies against Makkans are the guidelines for the modern world to turn foes in to friends.

References