ERA OF ISLAM

The battle of Hunain occurred just after the conquest of Mecca. It was the month of Shawwal (8th Hijra 629 AD). When the tribes of Hawazin and Saqeef thought that they could fight and defeat the Muslims. They had the misapprehension that in case the Muslims were defeated they would get war booties in abundance as well as Islam would be annihilated forever. With this misapprehension, they also tried to bring together some other tribes and so the tribes of Bani Helal, Jasham, Nasar, Muzir etc, joined them. Thus, a huge army of these contentious tribes marched towards Mecca to wage war against Islam and Muslims. When the army reached Autas, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was informed of its movement. At that time the Prophet (PBUH) was present in Mecca so he ordered, at once, the Muslims to be prepared for war, and in no time, an army of twelve thousand Muslims was prepared to face the enemy. In this army, there were also those Muslims who had been converted to Islam recently. It was the first chance that such a huge of the Muslims was mobilized. Seeing such a great army some of the Muslims uttered, "Oh who can defeat us now." But ALLAH did not like such utterances so he put them into trouble for a while.

          The enemy troops were hidden to attack in their ambuscades on both the sides of the Valley of Hunain. When the advanced guard of the Muslim army entered the Valley, the enemy troops sitting in ambush made a surprise attack from their hidden place. The attack was sudden and serious and the advanced guard that consisted mostly of the new Muslims could not face it. They turned back and began to flee. Seeing these Muslim troops lost their heart and they also began to flee. But the Holy Prophet (PBUH) with some of his companions stood like a rock on the battlefield. The companions who at this juncture stood with the Prophet (PBUH) like rocks included among others Hazrat Omar Farooq (RA), Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA), Hazrat Ali (RA), Hazrat Abbas (RA) and Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (RA), Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (RA)began to call the fleeing followers who hearing the call at once turned and came back to the battlefield. Now they began to fight against the enemy again and they fought so gallantly that the enemy lost his senses and resorted to flee leaving innumerable dead bodies. The Muslims became victorious and got a lot of war booties.

The treaty of Hudaibya really proved a great victory for the Muslims. After this treaty, the number of the Muslims began to rise rapidly. Now the Muslims were in such a large number that they need not be afraid of the infidels of Mecca. They were now even, in a position to take action against the infidels, if it so required. But they made their best effort to observe the treaty in letter and spirit. However, it was the Quraish themselves who, after two years of the treaty, made it null and void. They also created a situation that compelled the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to take action against them. Thus, the Holy Prophet (PBUH).with an army of ten thousand Muslims advanced towards Mecca to conquer it. Seeing such a great army of the valiant Muslims, the Quraish lost their senses. They did not resist at all. They surrendered without any resistance and the Muslim army occupied the city of Mecca without any loss.

         The Holy Prophet (PBUH) having entered the city, first of all, cleared Kaaba of the idols installed therein by the idolators. Now, once again, Ka’ba that was built by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS.) And Hazrat Ismail (AS.) For the worship and adoration of ALLAH only, was restored to the believers.

          After surrendering to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), the people of Quraish were afraid of being avenged. They thought that Muhammad (PBUH) must take revenge of their misdeeds and the ill treatment they had done with him and with his followers. Actually, they deserved punishment for what they had done against the Prophet (PBUH) and the helpless Muslims in the past. Now Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) and his followers were the c and they could take revenge but what the Prophet (PBUH) and followers did have no other history of mankind. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) declared in clear terms- “No action or revenge shall be taken against anybody for his past deeds. General amnesty granted to should feel any anxiety." The Holy Prophet (PBUH) the slave Wahshi who had killed mercilessly of Prophet's Hazrat in the of Abu was granted also to Hindah, the wife, and Sufyan, who caused the body of Hazrat Hamza (RA)to send ghastly chewed his liver and heart. There is hardly any other example of the behavior of the conqueror towards the conquered in the world history as it was adopted by the Muslim conquerors on the occasion of the conquest of Mecca. The treatment of the victorious Muslims towards the defeated people of Quraish is a golden chapter in the history of mankind. It was this noble treatment that inspired Abu Sufyan, the Chief of Quraish and his wife Hindah to bow down and accept Islam. Hindah after being converted to Islam would often say"Muhammad (PBUH) was the person whom I hated the most before I accepted Islam but now he is the dearest of all for me."

          The conquest of Mecca is a great turning point in the history of Islam. The people of Arabia had great respect and esteem for the Quraish. They were observing thoroughly the struggle going on between the Quraish and the Muslims for more than twenty years. So when they saw that Islam had overcome and the Quraish were defeated then there remained not even an iota of doubt in their mind that Islam was the true religion of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the true Messenger of ALLAH. So after the conquest of Mecca people from every tribe and part of Arabia began to come to the Prophet (PBUH) and accept Islam. In this way within two years the whole of Arabia entered into the fold of Islam. So we see that the country that was once quite hostile to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), within a period of 23 years came under his command. Now throughout Arabia, there was none to dispute his command. People obeyed him not only physically but also mentally and spiritually. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) had his place in people's heart and soul.

         After the conquest of Mecca the Holy Prophet (PBUH) stayed only a few days in Mecca, and accomplishing some necessary affairs of the state, went back to Madina. He could have again started to live in his native place Mecca but he did not for he had already promised to the people of Madina that he would never leave them.

          Mecca was conquered in the 8th year of Hijra (629 A.D). The Prophet(S had left Madina for Mecca with the Islamic army on the 10th of Ramazan and had entered Mecca victoriously on the 20th of Ramazan.

The battle of Mauta happened in the 8th year of Hijrah As we have read the Holy Prophet (PBUH) had sent letters to the rulers of some other countries; the ruler of Busra was also one of them. The Prophet (PBUH) had sent Haris bin Umair(RA) to him with his letter. When Hazrat Haris (RA) reached Mauta, a town near Damascus he was murdered by Shuraih beel, the chief of Balqa. According to some others, Hazrat Harris was martyred when he was returning after delivering the Prophet's (PBUH) letter to the ruler of Busra. As slaying of an envoy is a vile crime, so the Prophet (PBUH) sent an army of three thousand warriors to punish Shuraih beel. The army was sent under the command of Hazrat Zaid bin Harsa(RA).

          While the army was departing, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) himself accompanied it to a short distance. The Prophet ((PBUH) instructed if Zaid (RA) is martyred then Ja'far bin Abi Talib should assume the command of the army, and if he too is martyred then the command of the army should be undertaken by Abdullah bin Rawaha.

         The Islamic army had to face the multitudinous army of the Christians consisting of one hundred thousand soldiers. There was a fierce battle in which Hazrat Zaid (RA) and Hazrat J'afar (RA) were martyred one after another, so Hazrat Abdullah bin Rawaha (RA) assumed the command of the Islamic army, as the Holy Prophet had instructed. But Hazrat Abdullah bin Rawaha (RA) too could not survive, he was also martyred after a while, and then Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed (RA) undertook the command of the army. He collected together the Mujahedeen and attacked the enemy in such a way that the enemy was totally repulsed. Thus, an army of only three thousand Muslims got victory over one hundred thousand enemies.

As we have already read there lived in Madina some tribes of the Jews also they too, in those days were expecting the appearance of the Last Prophet of ALLAH, but they hoped that the Last Prophet (PBUH) would come of them. So, when they saw that instead of them the Last Prophet had come off the Arabs, then ignoring all the Divine signs in favor of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) they refused to believe in his prophethood. They not only disbelieved him but also became antagonized. With the exception of some good-natured persons, nearly all the Jews turned the enemy to Islam and the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The Holy Prophet (PBUH) however, did not want to impose his religion or to with the Jews. He rather wanted to live to have the confrontation with them peacefully. It was his spirit of co-existence and conciliation that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) had concluded a pact with the Jews and other citizens of Madina.

          The Jews too were a party to the pact, but they indeed did not care for the pact, they rather tried secretly to cause damage to Islam. They, together with the infidels of Mecca conspired against Islam. They also plotted to murder the Holy Prophet (PBUH). When the Jews of Madina deviated from the accord to this extent, and their hostility passed beyond all limits the Holy Prophet (PBUH) had no alternative but to take action against them. So there were some conflicts, and as a result, some of the Jews were killed and the rest were ousted from the city of Madina. Now these tribes of the Jews being ousted from Madina went to Khaibr, a land of Oases about hundred miles north of Madina. In Khaibar, there were already some other tribes of the Jews settled for a long time, so the Madinite Jews also went and settled there. Thus, they had now a large population over there. Having built strong and large forts and castles they had actually fortified the town of Khaibar. Getting a strong hold in Khaibar the Jews continued their hostility against the Muslims. Now they openly began to take the side of the Quraish against the Muslims. It was the Jews of Khaibar who had excited and encouraged the Quraish for the battle of Khandag. The Jews of Khaibar had actually become a constant danger for the Muslims, so the Holy Prophet (PBUH) rightly tried to do away with this danger forever. And this was done a year (7.11.628 A.D.) After the treaty of Hudaibya. The Muslim army under the command of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) launched an attack against Khaibar and conquered the fortresses one after another. In this battle, Hazrat Ali ((RA) showed great performances. It was Hazrat Ali ((RA) who killed'Mar hab’ one of the greatest enemies of Islam and conquered the largest fort of Khaibar. After its conquest, the fortified town of Khaibar was included in the Islamic state of Madina.

The battle of Ahzab occurred in the 5th year of Hijrah(627 A D )and then in the next year(6 Hijrah-628 AD), the Holy Prophet (PBUH)intended to perform Umra(Pilgrimage) of Ka'ba. There was a convention in Arabia since olden days that all kinds of war would remain stopped for three months during the Hajj period so that people from every part of the country could perform Hajj and Umra peacefully. Under this understanding, the Prophet (PBUH) also wanted to go to Mecca. He was accompanied by his fourteen hundred companions. But when he reached Hulaibya, a few miles away from the city of Mecca, he was informed that the Quraish were preparing for war, and they would not let the Prophet (PBUH)and his followers perform Umra. This made the Prophet (PBUH) anxious, and he sent the message of peace to the Quraish. He tried to assure them that the Muslims had no intention of any collision but they wanted only to perform Umra peacefully. This, however, could not satisfy the Quraish and they remained adamant not to allow the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his followers to enter the city of Mecca even with the intention of performing Umra. There were discussion and arguments between the Muslims and the infidels which led to a treaty known as"The Treaty of Hudaibya". According to this treaty, it was agreed upon that the Prophet ((PBUH) and his followers should go back that year without performing Umra. But they would be allowed to enter Mecca and perform Umra in the next year. Moreover, there were some other conditions in the treaty that were apparently not in favour of the Muslims yet (PBUH)accepted them only for the sake of peace and to avoid war. After the treaty was signed the Holy Prophet (PBUH), together with his companions went back to Madina.

          Although it was thought by some that the Muslims had been hard through the treaty of adjudged it as the Distinct Victory’ in the Holy Quran. And in fact, it was proved so later on. Before this treaty, the Muslims and the infidels would remain separate and, would not have the opportunity to mix with one another. But after the treaty, they began to mix freely and the infidels got chances to see and study the lofty conducts and actions of the Muslims. Many of them were deeply impressed to see the high qualities and virtues of the Muslims, and so they began to accept Islam. The treaty remained intact for two years and it is recorded that within this period such large number of people accepted Islam that had done never before. Among them who accepted Islam during this period were also Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed (RA) and Hazrat Amr bin Aas (RA), the two famous and great Generals of Islam. The two generals are counted among the best generals the world ever produced. They proved to be the most superior commanders of the Islamic army. Their services to Islam are unforgettable. Their conquests for Islam were far and wide.

          As it is known, Islam is not for a particular nation or land but it is a Universal Faith or Religion for the whole world and for all times to come. So when Islam gained ground in Madina and some other parts. Of Arabia, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) thought it necessary to send the message of Islam to other parts of the world also. He sent letters to the rulers of Persia, Rome (Syria), Egypt and Habash inviting their attention towards Islam and to accept it. Najjashi, the King of Habash accepted Islam as soon as he received the message of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).The Roman Emperor Heraclius and Maqooqis, the Roman Governor of Egypt, though, did not respond to the message agreeably yet they treated politely to the Prophet's messengers. Some of the historians opine that Heraclius had secretly accepted Islam but he could not dare to declare his belief publicly because of the dominating majority of the Christians. Chosroes Parvez of Persia, however, was proved to be very proud and antagonist. He, not only refused to accept Islam but also torn up the letter of the Holy Prophet ((PBUH) into pieces. When the Holy Prophet ((PBUH) was informed of this, he remarked, "His kingdom too shall be torn into pieces." History gives evidence that these words of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) exactly came true.

Seeing Hazrat Muhammad "Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam "(Peace Be Upon Him) getting success, and Islam flourished in Madina, the infidels of Mecca became more furious than ever. Now they planned to uproot Islam and the Muslims forever from the face of the world, so they prepared to invade Madina with armed forces. 

       First of all, they attacked Madina in the second year of Hijrah. As this battle was fought in the field of Badr, about eighty miles north of Madina, so it is known as the battle of Badr. In this battle, there were only 313 Mujahids in Islamic army while the Quraish had invaded with more than a thousand warriors. The infidels were well armed and well Equipped while the Muslim soldiers were poorly equipped. Some of them had come over to the battlefield with broken swords only. But the Muslims fought against the enemy more than thrice in number, with such a zeal and bravery that the Quraish had no way but to nee, leaving a lot of dead bodies on the battlefield and several war prisoners in the hands of the Muslim army. The Quraish chief Abu Jahl, one of the greatest enemies of Islam, was also among those infidels who were killed in the battle of Badr. This was the first Jehad Holy War in Islamic history, and it was not because the Muslims wanted to fight but it was an aggression by the infidels with the intention to annihilate the Muslims and Islam. The Muslims, although not sufficient in number and insufficiently armed, were proved far more devoted, zealous and gallant. Thus, they deserved the marvellous victory they got. 

      Next year that is in the third year of Hijra, the Quraish came to invade Madina again. This battle is called, “The Battle of Uhud'. Uhud is a mountain about two miles away in the north of Madina the battle was fought at the foot of this mountain so it in called “The Battle of Uhud.’ 

      In this battle, there were only 700 soldiers in the Muslim army while the strength of the Quraish was three thousand. So in this battle, too, the Quraish were about four times tear in number than the Muslims. The Quraish army was under the command of Abu Sufyan, another chief of the Quraish after Abu Jahl. The brave and bold uncle or the Holy Prophet (PBUH) Hazrat Hamza (RA) was martyred in this battle by Wahshi, a slave of Abu Suryan's wife Hindah. In the beginning, of the battle the Muslims had advanced, and the infidels were again about to be the rep but because of the remissness of those who were on guard to the back side of the mountain, the fleeing enemy attacked from the back side, and the Muslim army was dispersed. This was a very critical moment for the Muslims, and a false rumour about the martyrdom of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was spread. Although some injuries were inflicted to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was saved. However, this false rumour made the Muslims desperate and now they began to think their own life useless after the Holy Prophet (PBUH) they began to fight desperately and so the enemy could not dare to attack Madina. The enemy, instead of making any advance towards Madina, went back without obtaining any gain. 

       The third invasion of the Quraish is named'The Battle of Ditches or"The Battle of Ahzab." This happened in the 5th year of Hijra. In this battle, a great army of the Quraish, under the command of Abu Sufyan, and with the help of many other Arab tribes and Jews tried to besiege Madina. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) called a meeting of his companions to have the consultation about the war strategy. This was the occasion when Hazrat Salman Farsi (RA) who was an Iranian by birth and was well aware of the Iranian war tactics, advised the Holy Prophet (PBUH) that considering the difference between the numbers of the Muslims and the enemy it was not advisable to fight in the open field. So it was better to dig ditches around the city and defend it standing behind the ditches. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) liked and agreed to Hazrat Salman's (RA) suggestion and started to dig ditches. About three thousand companions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) took part in this work and it was accomplished within a fortnight.

      The infidels had come to attack Madina with the intention to give the Muslims a crushing defeat but thanks to ALLAH, who created such natural situation that the infidels themselves were put to trouble and were compelled to give up their fruitless siege. So the war of Ahzab or Khandaq (Trenches) came to an end without any loss to the Muslims or gain for the infidels.

It is generally thought that Islam is a religion preached and started by Hazrat Muhammad (PUBH) fourteen hundred years ago. But this not correct. In fact, Islam is to the religion of mankind and started on the day man came to live on this planet. Adam (Alai-his- Salam) the first man was himself the first Prophet. So Islam actually started on the day, a man started to live in this world, and it was completed on the day the Holy Quran declared: “Today I have completed your Faith.” 

According to the Holy Quran, ALLAH, The Creator of everyone and everything managed to guide mankind through His chosen messengers or Prophets. Although their exact number is not known but it is a fact that ALLAH send his prophets in every part of the world and in every nation in different ages between Adam (AS) and Hazrat Muhammad (PUBH) Some of them are known as Jonah, Noah, Hud, Jacob, Joseph, Abraham, Isac, Moses, Aron, Ismail, Jesus Christ (AS) etc...They all were truthful prophets of ALLAH, preached the same religion, and taught man the same lesson. The essence of their teaching was: “Man should bow down, and pray to ALLAH only, and to none else, and should follow the Path of ALLAH so that he may not go astray” 

If any difference among the teaching of the different Prophets is traced, they are not fundamental. Those are because of the different ages and different needs and requirements. So those differences are not in the basic teachings. The great teachers Prophets taught their respective people according to the needs and demands of their ages. So these differences had no importance. In this way, it should be said that the teachings of other Prophets from Adam to Christ were in Parts, and according to the immediate needs and requirements of their respective nation. But What Hazrat Muhammad (PUBH) preached and taught is the completed religion or code of life for mankind. It is not for a particular nation, area or age but is for the whole of mankind, for the whole world and for all times to come. And this complete code of life is named as Islam. In the presence of Islam no other religion, faith or way of life whether it was professed in the past or may claim to be professed in future, is required. 

No historian can deny the fact that Islam has bestowed upon mankind lots of virtues. Before Islam, man would be afraid of every strange, unique or powerful thing, and would bow down before that, but Islam dispelled all such notions. It taught and convinced a man that he is the best of all creatures’, so he need not be submissive to anyone except his creator. It was this concept that created in man’s mind self-confidence and self-respect. The man remained no longer afraid of nature that determined to conquer the forces of nature. Islam changed not only the religious and spiritual attitude of man but in fact, it changed the whole pattern of human life. It brought basic changes in human thought, philosophy, culture and civilization. It showed the social and economic justice. It made no difference between man and man, black and white, haves and have-nots. It declared that all men are equal and there should be no injustice to anyone but justice to all. Here we have no space enough to describe all the virtues Islam bestowed on mankind, but in short it can be claimed that no other religion faith or ideology could grant human beings as many virtues as Islam did.

This is not merely a hollow claim but history bears witness to it. History speaks well and offers a vivid picture of what Islam gave to the world during its fourteen hundred years. It also shows how Islam treated the world and how the world treated it. So those, who are interested in human history, and who want to know facts about man’s journey from Adam (AS) to this day, must study unbiased Islamic history.