Glimpses of the Prophet's Life

The Messenger in Medina

The migratory journey of the Prophet to Medina in the year 622 A.D. marks the begin- ning of a new era. "Hijrah" as this migration is referred to is regarded as a turning point in the Muslim history.

After the warm welcome accorded to him by the people of Medina the Prophet set to work to establish a city state in Medina. He called for consultation all the inhabitants of the place, Meccan immigrants, Medinite con- verts, Jews and the Arabs who had not yet embraced Islam and promulgated a state con- stitution.

This is the first written constitution of any state in the history of the world. It contains details of the rights and duties of both the ruler and the ruled ........... (10) "In the second year of Hijrah the Prophet initiated mobile defense."

(11) As it can be seen from these two examples "organising the community" was one of the first activities of the Prophet in Medina. Muslims thus began to live a disciplined life and were kept on the alert.

The Battle Of Badr

It must be borned in mind that the migra- tion of Muslims to Medina was a forced flight, hence a state of belligerency existed from the very outset between the Muslims and the Meccan disbelievers. That the two com- munities had to clash sooner or later was anybody's guess - But when? A very rich Meccan caravan carrying goods worth 50,000 dinars - under Abu Sufyan was on its way from Syria and heading towards Mecca.

And once they strengthened their economic situ- ation Quraysh were most likely to launch a massive attack on Medina, where, with the help of jews rebelling against the Prophet they could exterminate the Muslims totally. There had already been a number of incidents that had added to the ever-existing tension.

Under the circumstances the condition of the Muslims was rather precarious. Noticing the seriousness of the situation the Prophet sent out Talhah ibn `Ubaydallah and Said ibn Zayd to al-Hawra' for reconnaissance. The two em- issaries hurried to Medina when Abu Sufyan's caravan drew near.

Abu Sufyan a cunning man leaving the caravan behind went to Badr in person where he soon found out that the place had been visited by men from Medina and was quick at dispatching a man to Mecca for help. It must have seemed natural and easy for the Muslims to intercept the caravan in question, which if allowed to reach its destination, would strengthen the armed forces of Quraysh considerably. Further, an attempt to seize the caravan would force Quraysh to fight an untimely war.

When the news reached Mecca Abu Jahl, an influential leader, summoned the people to the Ka'bah and instructed them to get ready for the march. When the Quraysh army left Mecca it consisted of about 1000 soldiers, 700 of whom rode camels and the rest were on horse back.

They were fully armed with all the fashionable weapons of the time. Mean- while Abu Sufyan managed to change his route and thus escape from the Muslims. The crisis should have ended when this new development was conveyed to Abu Jahl, who refused to retreat. Instead, he insisted on making a dis- play of strength to demoralize the Muslims. He marched on until finally he encamped his forces on one side of the valley of Badr, six marches from Medina.

Muslims, under the command of the Proph- et, however, formed quite a contrast when compared to their enemies. To start with they were not more than about 300 men poorly clad and ill equipped. Only a few had armour and the rest just a sword. They possessed two horses and seventy camels each of which had to carry three men. But most serious of all, they were outnumbered by three to one.

Evidently this small band of Muslims was neither prepared nor had the intention to fight an army like that of the Quraysh at that stage; everyone had Abu Sufyan's caravan in mind, and excepting the Prophet, none had taken into consideration the possibility of facing the whole population of armed Quraysh in the battlefield so unexpectedly. It was a big surprise, therefore, for the Muslims, to hear of Abu Jahl's army on their arrival in the valley of Dhahran.

To deal with this new situation, the Prophet returned to his starting point, nearby Medina, where he could consult his companions. A section of the companions stated that they were with him for fighting. After some moments of silence and hesitation, however, there was a unanimous agreement to fight.

Muhammad (p.b.u.h.a.h.p.) ordered: "March on and be glad that God has promised me one of two parties". (that is either Abu Sufyan's caravan or victory over Abu Jahl's army). A day later, however, the Muslims discovered that the caravan was out of reach.

The two armies clashed on Friday, 17th Ramadan in the second year of Hijrah. (prob- ably 14th January 624 A.D.) After arranging the Muslims in battle lines the Prophet turned towards the Ka'bah in supplication. He ended his prayers in the following words: "O God! these Quraysh have come with their friends to belie thy messenger.

O' God! we need thy help which thou hast promised. O God! should this small band of ours perish, there would be none left to worship thee." (12) Quraysh started the fight when Shaybah and `Utbah sons of Rabi ah, and Walid, `Ut- bah's son, advanced to challenge the Muslims to single combat. On the Prophet's order Hamzah, the Prophet's uncle, `Ubaydah son of Harith and `Ali son of Abu Talib met the three men respectively.

Hamzah and `Ali soon killed their opponents, while `Ubaydah was wounded by `Utbah who met his end soon with 'Ali's sword. After this victory of the Muslim com- batants a raging battle ensued. The Muslims fought with unprecendented spirit and valour. In the end the infidels were utterly routed leaving behind seventy dead and seventy pris- oners. Among those slain were eleven of the fourteen Meccans chieftains who had con- spired to kill the Prophet shortly before he left Mecca.

Their death dealt a severe blow to the Quraysh leadership. As to the Muslims; their losses were fourteen dead in all. But they had been instrumental in winning the most i mportant victory in their history.

This was a divine victory as God said in the Qur'an: "You (Muslims) slew them not, but Allah slew them". (Qur an, 8:17) The Prophet was merciful and com- passionate not only to Muslims but also to his enemies. The treatment accorded to the pris oners of Badr amply confirms this fact.

The prisoners were fed while some of the Muslims remained hungry, "an act of benevolance which hardly finds any parallel in the history of mankind." The ransom fixed for the pris- oners was that those who knew to read and write should each teach ten Muslim boys the art. (13)

The Battle Of Uhud

Although the battle of Badr had resulted in a victory for the Muslims no peace or a treaty of any kind was concluded between the Meccans and the Muslims.

Not only the state of belligerency between the two com- munities continued to prevail, but also prepara- tions by Quraysh for a war of greater dimen- sions were to commence soon. `Ikrimah the son of Abu Jahl, who was killed in the battle of Badr, and many other chiefs of the Quraysh paid a visit to Abu Sufyan and proposed to take revenge from the Muslims if only he were to meet the cost of the expedition.

Abu Sufyan agreed. Accordingly the entire profits of Abu Sufyan's caravan were spent in prepa- ration for the coming war. The clans of Kina- nah and Tahamah also joined Quraysh against Muhammad (p.b.u.h.a.h.p.).

At the same time much intrigue and sedition were being con- cocted with the Medinite Jews. The Prophet, however, was not oblivious of the circum- stances. He too, through covenants brought all the coastal tribes of Arabia into alliance.

This severed the easy access of the Quraysh to Syria and Medina, and forced them to open commerce with `Iraq. In the meantime a rich Meccan caravan on its way to `Iraq was inter- cepted by Zayd ibn Harith with one hundred riders from Medina and a big booty acquired.

By the month of Shawwal (January) in the third year of Hijrah Quraysh had com- pleted their preparation for war. Their forces consisted of 3000 soldiers (700 of whom wore mail armour) 3000 camels, 200 horses.

Shortly, before the Meccan Army set forth, `Abbas, the Prophet's uncle and his only sympathiser among the Meccans sent him a letter with a man from the tribe of Ghifar to inform him about the Meccan's plan to invade Medina. Upon this the Prophet warned the people to withdraw their animals 'from the outskirts of Medina and dispatched, his own men to investigate the authenticity of the news.

Alarming as it was the news was con- firmed. The next thing to be heard was that the Meccan army reached Uhud; about three miles northeast of Medina.

The question of "how to confront the enemy" was debated. The Prophet was of the opinion that if Medina be fortified and defend ed against Quraysh, it could prove easier to repel the enemy from there. Leaders of the Muhajirun (immigrants) and Jews as well as were of the same opinion.

(helpers) Ansar

But the rest who constituted the majority had a different opinion. These were mainly young Muslims who wanted to fight the enemy in the open. The Prophet agreed to the majority's decision.

After the Friday congregational prayers, Muhammad (p.b.u.h.a.h.p.) gave the glad news of the victory to those who were persevering and ordered the army to march.

But they were not far from Medina when `Abdullah ibn Ubayy and his 300 jewish com- rades betrayed the Muslims. Ibn Ubayy left the Muslims after making the flimsy excuse that the Prophet had not taken his advice but was following "boys". Thus when the Muslims arrived at Uhud only 700 men were left with the Prophet.

Muhammad (p.b.u. h.a.h.p.) positioned his troops at the foot of Mount Uhud so that the mountain remained at their back. He lined up his forces in battle array and posted `Abdullah ibn Jubayr with fifty archers to guard the rear of the Muslim army against a possible onslaught of the enemy from that direction.

The Prophet sternly warn- ed the archers thus: "Guard our rear for we fear that they may attack us from that side, and remain in your positions and do not move therefrom. Even if you see us defeating the enemy and entering his camp, do not depart from your positions.

And if you see us being killed do not come to our help to defend us. And it is for you to shoot their horses, for the horses cannot win against arrows." (14) Quraysh were the first to start the fight. Following this Zubayr led an attack on the right wing of the Quraysh army and outmaneu vered them. Then Hamzah, `Ali and Abu Dujanah with lightning speed made a shat- tering dash into the ranks of the enemy. Under the irresistable onslaught of the three, the became demoralised and began to be enemy The Muslims who at scattered in confusion.

the start gained the upper hand and controlled the strategy of the battle overwhelmed their foes in all directions. To most Muslims the to be over, the enemy was battle seemed retreating in disorder; Victory was theirs! It was at this crucial stage that the Muslims committed a most serious mistake; taking vic- tory for granted they fell upon the spoils.

Most of the archers too, observing the scene from the mountain pass thought that the fight was over and despite the Prophet's clear instruc- tions and stern warning not to abandon their positions at all costs and events went to join in securing the booty. The Muslims paid for this second mistake very dearly.

A cavalry division of the enemy under- the command of Khalid ibn Walid noticing the departure of the archers lost no time in launching an attack from the very position the archers were sup- posed to guard and inflicted heavy casualties on the Muslims. What contributed most to the chaos among the Muslims however was perhaps the false news that the Prophet had been killed. Shocked by this news some of the Muslims fled in panic. But the rest fought with unequalled courage and determination.

Especially the bravery of the many martyrs who laid down their lives in defending the person of the Prophet would move one to tears and ecstasy. Whatever the mistakes and the losses of the Muslims on the day of Uhud these should not mask the fact that Muslims who rallied round the Prophet fought the enemies with perseverance until the latter retired from the battle field.

The events of Uhud, however provided the Muslims with a precious moral victory.

Referring to what happened in Uhud says the Qur'an:

"And Muhammad is but a Messenger, surely (many) messengers have gone before him; if then he dies or is killed, will you turn upon your heels?". (Qur'an, 3:144)

"And most certainly Allah made good His promise to you, when you blasted them by His leave, until when you flinched and disputed about the command, and you disobeyed, after He had shown you what you had loved (victory); of you were some who desired this world (booty) and of you were some who desired the next world; then He turned you away from them, that He may try you; and He pardoned you; and Allah is bounteous to the believers". (Qur'an, 3:152)