The Battles Of Our Prophet

Islam and Jihad

The Arabic word jihad means “struggle” or “exertion” and refers to any spiritual, moral or physical struggle. Upon returning from a battle, the Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said, “We are returning from the lesser jihad to the greater jihad-jihad against the self.” For Muslims, jihad means struggle in the cause of God, which can take many forms. In the personal sphere, efforts such as obtaining an education, trying to quit smoking, or controlling one’s temper are forms of jihad.

Jihad as a military action is justified in two cases: struggle to defend oneself, or others, from aggression and struggle for freedom of religion and justice. The Qur’an says “Tumult and oppression are worse than killing” (Baqara 2: 217), and therefore must be thwarted. Human beings as responsible agents of God on earth are compelled to exert themselves to protect the oppressed and strive to create righteous societies.

Systematic, forced conversion to Islam is a historical myth. Muslims defeated hostile forces (Byzantines and Persians for example) and gained control of new lands where Islamic rule was established, yet non-Muslim inhabitants were not forced to become Muslims. Islam clearly condemns such actions: “There is no compulsion in religion” (Baqara, 2: 256). For various reasons, and in the course of time, many non-Muslims did find the message of Islam appealing, however, and converted to Islam, resulting ultimately in the transformation of society at all levels.

Because jihad is a highly nuanced concept, and because the term stems from an Arabic root meaning “struggle,” the term “holy war” is an inappropriate rendering or definition.

This term in Islamic understanding is mostly associated with the right of protection and defense. Muslims fight in order to defend themselves and their lands against enemies not to gain land. In addition, Muslims have the responsibility of defending other miserable nations and of maintaining peace in the world.

Islam, the religion of peace, had to wage war to protect and establish itself. This has led to the vilification of Islam as a religion based on force and propagated by the sword. Islam was presented by a prophet who was socially, economically and politically a man without any worldly might. He and his followers were persecuted by all possible means for more than a decade before he began to use force against force to defend himself and the handful of his followers against ancient tribal savagery. They were deprived of all worldly goods, deprived of the means of securing their daily bread, exiled and made to flee from their homeland. Even for a long time when they thought they were strong enough to hit back, they were restrained by the Prophet who was waiting for a time when they could succeed in their mission with the least possible bloodshed. They were striving to establish not only their own creed but general religious liberty, where everyone could follow his own convictions and beliefs, provided that he did not directly disrupt the minimum bonds of a peaceful social order. But how could a creed, whose fundamental principle was that ‘there ought to be no compulsion in religion’ as the Qur’an has put explicitly, compel people by force to accept it? The simple question is: Where did these users of the sword come from? If the sword converted people to Islam, who converted te people who used the sword? Terrible force was used against te Prophet when he had no force except the force of truth and the force of his faith. After the number of muslims increased the same persecution continued. Then there came a time when they were left with only two alternatives: either to fight for their religious liberty or to presih. Who can blame Islam if it fought for its very existence?

Allah Almighty says in Qur’an:

“Against them (your enemies) make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war to strike terror into (the hearts) of the enemies of Allah and yours.” (Anfal 8: 60)

“Allah has granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home) unto all (in Faith...)” (Nisâ 4: 95)

The Motives of the Wars of the Prophet

Prophet Muhammad and the Rightly-guided Khalifahs (caliphs) prohibited the killing of civilians and non-combatants in the course of warfare. The Qur’an says:

“Fight for the sake of God those who fight against you, but do not attack them first. God does not love the aggressors” (Baqara 2: 190).

Moreover, the Qur’an indicates that taking one life unjustly is like taking the life of all humanity, providing a strong moral deterrent to indiscriminate bloodshed. Besides prohibiting the killing of non-combatants, the Qur’an and the Prophet also prohibited the torturing of prisoners and the senseless destruction of crops, animals and property.

Struggle against injustice and oppression is a key, distinctive concept in Islam. Through the ages, the concept of righteous struggle has inspired Muslim peoples and movements to stand up against wrong and oppression.

“O you who have attained to faith! Be ever steadfast in your devotion to God, bearing witness to the truth in all equity; and never let hatred of anyone lead you into the sin of deviating from justice. Be just: this is the closest to being God-conscious. And remain conscious of God: verily, God is aware of all that you do.” (Maide 5: 8)

Unlike the self-centered rulers and kings all over the world who embark on wars for expantionist purposes, for the expolitation of human powers and the plunder of other people’s wealth and natural resources, the Prophet of Islam refused to resort to the sword and fighting unless it was necessary and unavoidable. Instead, he advanced carrying the torch of the Holy Book and the divine laws and would get involved in war only to remove the thorns in the way of salvation, to hinder opression and tyranny and to raise the flag of justice and truth.

The battles of the prophet were meant to remove those brutal selfish pagans from the scene who for their own satanic passions inflicted all kinds of oppressions against God’s pure creatures. The pagans also prevented the circulation of Islamic beliefs which aimed at bringing peace and justice to all humans.

Can such a war be considered to be illegitimate and unjust? It goes without saying that such wars are necessary and no prophet could avoid cobmatign those who intend to bring ruin on human societies.

Jesus Christ had a short period of prophecy (three years) and lived under conditions which did not permit war, so he did not attempt any war. Otherwise, he too would have destroyed the trouble makers of human society. So it is unjustice to propagete Islam as the religion of war. On the contrary, early muslims must be commemorated gratefully because they sacrificed themselves in order to bring peace and justice to human beings that have lasted throughout centuries.

When was the battle of Badr take place?

The battle of Badr is the first battle of our prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It was made on the 17th of Ramadan of the second Hijrah.

Muhammad (pbuh) was a wise and practical man. He took steps to counter the dangers from both inside and outside of the city of Madinah.

News of the Meccan army reached the Prophet and he had decided to face them outside Madinah with the help of Allah.

What is Al-Badr?

Al-Badr is a place eighty miles from Madinah. Under the Prophet’s command the army camped at Al-Badr. The Muslim army had only few horses, a small quantity of armour. This small army of three hundred and thirteen people but were full of faith. But the Meccan Army consisted of a thousand people. An encounter between the two armies took place on the 17th of Ramadan. They repelled the Meccan army and they left seventy death and a further seventy were taken prisoner by the Muslims.

The battle of Badr proved beyond doubt that real strenght lies in faith in Allah and not in army and ammunition. This battle determined the course of future history of the Muslims.

When was the battle of Uhud?

The Meccans could not forget the shattering blow inflicted on them by the Muslims at Badr. They were planning to revenge on. The following year was their year of preparation. The Prophet sent messengers and delegations to various parts of Arabia at that time. When the Prophet received news that an army of three thousand stronger including two hundred horsemen was marching towards Madinah, he called elders and consulted them on the matter.

What were the opinions of elders as regards Uhud?

The wise elders of Madinah, among them Ansar and Muhajirun, favoured defence of Madinah from inside. But the young men alive with faith and vigour wanted a combat outside Madinah. They saw it as an opportunity to prove their faith. After Jumu’ah (Friday Prayer) the Prophet started out for Mount Uhud with an army of seven hundred Muslims. The Quarish of Mecca had already camped there.

The Prophet reached Uhud and after Dawn Prayer put the Muslim army into position. He took particular care to place fifty archers under the command of Abdallah bin Jubair to protect a strategic mountain pass and ordered them not to leave their position under any circumstances.

The two armies faced each other in the morning. The Muslim army got the upper land. But most of the archers stationed in the mountain pass joined in the collection of booty.

When was Hamza martyred?

Abdallah bin Jubair and six other archers who had not left their position put up a desperate fight until finally all of them were martyred.

Khalid bin Walid, one of the Meccan commanders, overcame the Muslim army by surprise and soon the Muslim’s celebration ended in grief.


They found themselves surrounded and in the fighting that followed Hamza the prophet’s uncle and a great warrior was martyred by Wahshi. Many other Muslim’s became Shahid and the Prophet himself suffered injury.

What happened before the Battle of Ahzab (Trenches)?

Badr had been a fatal blow to the dreams of the Meccans. At UHUD their mission remained unfulfilled. But it gave them new impetus to launch another attack. Because their impression of the invincibility of the Muslims had been shaken. News of these sinister moves reached the Prophet and he consulted his companions about preparations to counter the latest enemy offensive.

Salman, a Persian Muslim, suggested ‘digging-trenches’ round the city to hold the enemy horses outside when the Meccan army headed for Madina at the battle of Ahzab (Trenches). The decision was made to face the enemy from within the city and Salman al-Farsi advised ‘digging-trenches round the city to hold the enemy hordes outside. This novel idea was put into effect.

Deep, wide trenches were dug round the whole of Madinah and it took twenty days to complete the digging. Muhammad (pbuh) himself took part in the digging. After the trenches had been completed the Prophet placed the Muslims in position to defend the city from inside.


An allied force ten thousand stronger marched against Madinah in the fifth year of the Hijrah. The number was very large.

The enemy could not understand this new war technique. They were greatly astonished. They had no other alternative but to wait and see.

But for how long? A long and boring wait for about four weeks made them (Meccans) very weary, tired and restless, the stocks of food and other supplies of the enemy were dwindling and they felt worried and anxious.

A treacherous plot during this siege was hatched by the enemy to instigate a surprise attack on the Muslims at the night by the Jews of the Banu Quraizah who were still in Madinah at the time. The Prophet heard of the plot and took measures to foil it with sending a message to the Jews in Madinah.

How did Allah the Almighty help the Muslims at the battle of Ahzab (Trenches)?

Allah, Almighty is always with the lovers of truth. His help is crucial for the success. It was time the Muslims besieged in Madinah, badly needed such help indeed. They did get that help.

The weather changed suddenly, strongs winds, thunder and heavy rain storms made the enemy flee in disarray, soldiers were trampled under foot by horses and camels in the rush. The hordes eventually fled in a wild frenzy.

What a scene it must have been and what a timely intervention by Allah. And the enemies were greatly dispirited. While the Muslims were equally relieved and elated. The Muslims expressed their gratitude to Allah, the Merciful for His timely help.

When did Hudaibiyah treaty take place?

In the sixth year of the Hijrah the Prophet announced his people to pay a visit to Al-Ka’bah in Mecca for Short Pilgrimage (Umrah). He set out whith 1400 of his followers who were under strict orders not to carry any weapons, except their travelling sword.

The Quraish of Mecca knew fully well that the only purpose of the Prophet’s visit was pilgrimage but how could they let the Muslims enter Mecca when they had not been able to enter Madinah?

They decided that the Muslims had to be stopped. Plans were put in hand. The top generals Khalid and Ikrimah were alerted to be ready with their armies to stop the Prophet and his followers from entering Mecca.

The Muslims continued their journey to Mecca until they had reached a place called Hudaibiyah, a place near Mecca where the Hudaibiyah treaty was signed between the Quraish and Prophet.

The Quraish were in no mood to allow the Muslims in for the Pilgrimage that year. They (Quraish) made it an issue of prestige and pride. It was humiliating for the Muslims but what could they do? Allah’s Messenger was their leader and all his steps had to be followed.

Eventually after intense negotiations an agreement between the Quarish and the Prophet was signed. This agreement is the Hudaibiyah agreement.

The conditions were as follow;

1) The Muslims would not visit Mecca that year but would come a year later and remain there only for three days.

2) There would be one-sided extradition the Meccans taking refuge with the Prophet would be handed over to the Quraish on demand but Muslims taking refuge in Mecca would not be handed over to the Prophet.

3) There would be peace for ten years and during this period, Muslims could go to Mecca and Ta’if and the Quraish could go to Syria through the Muslim areas.

4) Each party would remain neutral in the event of a war between the other and a third party.

5) Any tribe wishing to sign an agreement with either the Muslims or the Quraish would be able to do so.

The terms of the agreement were apparently very unfavourable for the Muslims but it turned out to be a favourable one for them in the end.

The Muslims were disheartened but they were soon given the news of victory by Allah. It was revealed;

“Surely we have granted you a clear victory.” (Fath 48: 1)

In fact, during the years that followed the Hudaibiyah treaty, the number of new Muslims increased dramatically. Khalid bin Walid who later became the most famous general in Islamic Victory and Amr ibn al-As the conqueror of Egypt became Muslims during this time.

The Treaty proved beyond doubt that the Prophet and the Muslims stood for peace. It also later paved the way for the escape of the detained Muslims in Mecca as the extradition clause was later dropped on the initiative of the Meccans.

The Hudaibiyah agreement also opened the way to the conquest of Mecca in 630 (the eight year of Hijrah).


The place where Hudaibiyah treaty was signed

Why did the Prophet send letters to the rulers of different countries?

During the following years of the Hudaibiyah treaty, the Prophet sent emissaries to the Roman Emperor, the Persian Emperor, the Ruler of Egypt, the King of Abyssinia, the Chiefs of Syria and other leaders, inviting them to accept Islam. Sending letters to other states, the Prophet signified that Madinah City State regarded itself a state among others, but the prophet signed these letters as ‘prophet of God’, not as the ruler of Madinah.

When was the Battle of Khaiber?

In the seventh year of Hijrah an expedition was made against the Jews of Banu Nadir who were expelled to Khaibar. Khaibar became the center of anti-Islamic activites and Prophet decided to take action against trouble makers there. After a long siege and protracted battles in a number of different places the fortress of the Jews was conquered and a center of anti-Islamic activites was destroyed.

What did the Treaty of Hudaibiyah bring to the tribes?

The strength of the Muslims was on the increase and new followers were joining. The Hudaibiyah treaty gave freedom to the Tribes to make agreements with either the Quraish or the Muslims.

For example; the tribe of Banu Khuza’ah sided with the Muslims. While Banu Bakr went on the side of the Quraish. Two years after the agreement Banu Bakr attacked Banu Khuza’ah while they were asleep. Banu Khuza’ah took refuge in Al-Ka’bah.

The news of this violation of the treaty reached the prophet and he sent an ultimatum to the Quraish asking them to accept any of the following options.

1) To pay compensation for the victims of the Banu Khuza’ah;

2) To withdraw their support for Banu Bakr.

3) To declare that the Hudaibiyah agreement no longer holds valid.

The Quraish did not agree to the first two options and declared the Hudaibiyah treaty to be null and void.

The Prophet then had no alternative but to take action against the Quraish.

When the Quraish did not agree the options of the Prophet’s ultimatum the Prophet set forth for Mecca with an army of ten thousand and took care to see that the news of his advance remained a secret. It was the tenth of the month of Ramadan in the eight year of Hijrah. The Quraish had no power to resist the mighty Muslim advance. All the famous warriors were now on the Muslim side. How could the Quraish fight? They were totally demoralised by the might of the Muslim army. Abu Sufian, arch-enemy of the Prophet, saw that there was no route to escape. He asked Al-Abbas, the prophet’s uncle, to take him to the Prophet. Muhammad (pbuh) granted an unconditional pardon for Abu Sufian.

When was Mecca conquered?

The Muslim army entered Mecca without incident. It was the tenth of the month of Ramadan in the eighth year of Hijrah. Inside Meccans locked themselves with in their homes and only a few who were unable to accept the new situation put up vain resistance.

What did the Prophet declare for Meccans after the conquest?

The Prophet declared a general amnesty for the entire community of Mecca. He forgave them for their past crimes. It was a unique scene! The Quraish could not believe it. But even if they were unable to understand, it was the beauty and splendour of Islam which Muhammad (pbuh), Allah’s Messenger, was trying to make them comprehend. Now they saw it with their own eyes. It was Muhammad whom they compelled to migrate called a sorcerer crazy and an apostate. Now it was the same Muhammad who granted pardon to them. Now Mecca was safe, peaceful and free of vengeance and enmity, everyone enjoyed peace.

The Conquest of Mecca without any bloodshed is a memorable event in Islamic History. The amnesty granted by the Prophet was unique and unmatched. The greatness of Islam and its Prophet is proved splendidly in the conquest of Mecca. Where can one find an example of such forgiveness and mercy? It is only in Islam which is the only way to real-peace and happiness. The Prophet stayed at Mecca until the 9th Shawwal of eight Hijrah.

The Prophet completed his mission. He sustained every sort of trial and tribulation for the sake of his Lord and Creator. For twenty three long years he worked hard to make the rule of Allah supreme on Earth. He carried out this onerous duty on the soil of Arabia. A country which was most reluctant to accept the rule of the One Allah.

When and where did the Prophet deliver his Farewell Address?

The system to guide mankind for all eternity was now completed. The Prophet could feel that his days were coming to an end. After the performance of the last Hajj, he delivered his Farewell-speech at Arafah, in the presence about 120.000 of his followers.

This speech was one of the most memorable event in the whole History of Islam. The Prophet delivered his speech sitting on his camel and devoted followers listened intently to every word of it.