Attack from the Jews of Khaibar thwarted
In the same year the Jews of Khaibar, a strongly fortified territory at a distance of four days’
journey from Medina, showed implacable hatred towards the Muslims. United by alliance with the
tribe of Ghatfan, as well as with other cognate tribes, the Jews of Khaibar made serious attempts
to for ma coalition against the Muslims.
The Prophet and his adherents were apprised of this movement and immediate measures were taken in order to repress any new attack upon Medina.
An expedition of fourteen hundred men was soon prepared to march against Khaibar. The allies of
the Jews left them to face the war with the Muslims all alone.
The Jews firmly resisted the attacks of the Muslims, but eventually all their fortress had to be surrendered, one after the other to their enemies. They prayed for forgiveness, which was accorded to them on certain conditions.
Their lands and immovable property were secured to them, together with the free practice of their
religion. After subduing Khaibar, the Muslims returned to Medina in safety.
Allah’s Messenger and the Muslims perfom Hajj
Before the end of the year, it being the seventh year of the hijrah, the Prophet and his adherents
availed themselves of their armistice with the Quraish to visit the holy Ka’ba. The Prophet,
accompanied by two hundred Muslims, went to Mecca to perform the rites of pilgrimage. On this
occasion the Quraish evacuated the city during the three days which the ceremonies lasted.
Sir William Muir, in his book, Life of Mohammed Vol. III comments on the incident as follows:
It was surely a strange sight, which at this time presented itself at the vale of Mecca, a sight
unique in the history of the world. The ancient city is for three days evacuated by all its
inhabitants, high and low, every house deserted, and as they retire, the exiled converts, many
years banished from their birth-place, approach in a great body accompanied by their allies, revisit
the empty homes of their childhood, and within the short allotted space, fulfil the rites of
pilgrimage.
The outside inhabitants, climbing the heights around take refuge under tents or other
shelter among the hills and glens; and clustering on the overhanging peak of Abu Qubeis, thence
watch the movements of the visitors beneath, as with the Prophet at their head, they make the
circuit of the Ka’ba and rapid procession between Essafa and Marwah, and anxiously scan every
figure, if perchance they may recognize among the worshippers some long lost friend or relative.
It was a scene rendered only by the throes, which gave birth to Islam.
In accordance with the terms of the treaty, the Muslims left Mecca at the end of three day’s visit.
This peaceful visit was followed by important conversions among the Quraish. Khalid Ibn
Al-Walid, known as the Sword of Allah, who, before this, had been a bitter enemy of Islam and
who commanded the Quraish cavalry at Uhud; and Amr Ibn Al’ As, another important character
and warrior, adopted the new faith.
Retribution for the Murder of the Muslim Envoy
When the Prophet and his followers returned to Medina, they arranged in expedition to exact
retribution from the Ghassanite prince who had killed the Muslim envoy. A force of three
thousand men, under the Prophet’s adopted son Zaid, was sent to take reparation from the
offending tribe.
Khalid Ibn Al-Walid was one of the generals chosen for the expedition. When they reached the
neighborhood of Muta, a village to the southeast of the Dead Sea, they met with an overwhelming
force of Arabs and Romans who were assembled to oppose them. The Muslims, however,
resolved resolutely to push forward. Their courage was of no avail and they suffered great losses.
In this battle Zaid and Ja’far, a cousin of the Prophet, and several other notables were killed.
Khalid Ibn Al-Walid, by a series of maneuvers, succeeded in drawing off the army and conducting
it without further loses to Medina. A month later, however, Amr Ibn Al-‘ As marched unopposed
through the lands of the hostile tribes, received their submission, and restored the prestige of
Islam on the Syrian frontier.
Quraish violate terms of Hudaibiya, Prophets army march against Idolators
About the end of the seventh year of the hijrah, the Quraish and their allies, the Bani Bakr,
violated the terms of the peace concluded at Hudaibiya by attacking the Bani Khuzaah, who were
in alliance with the Muslims. The Bani Khuzzah appealed to the Prophet for help and protection.
The Prophet determined to make a stop to the reign of injustice and oppression, which had lasted
so long at Mecca. He immediately gathered ten thousand men to march against the idolaters and
set out on January, 630.
After eight days the Muslims army halted, and alighted at Marr Az-Zahran, a day’s journey from
Mecca. On the night of their arrival, Abu Sufyan, who was delegated by the Quraish to ask the
Prophet to abandon his project, presented himself and besought an interview.
In the morning it was granted.
“Has the time not come, O Abu Sufyan,” said the Prophet,
“for you to acknowledge that there is no deity save Allah and that I am His Messenger?” Abu Sufyan, after hesitating for awhile, pronounced the prescribed formula of belief and adopted Islam. He was then sent back to prepare the city for the Prophet’s approach.
With the exception of a slight resistance by certain clans headed by Ikrima and Safwan, in which
many Muslims were killed, the Prophet entered Mecca almost unopposed. The city which had
treated him so cruelly, driven him and his faithful band for refuge among strangers, the city which
had sworn his life and the lives of his devoted adherents, now lay at his mercy.
His old persecutors were now completely at his feet. The Prophet entered Mecca on his favorite camel Al Kaswa, having Usama Ibn Zaid sitting behind him. On his way he recited Surah Al Fath (Victory), the first
verses of which maybe interpreted thus:
“Verily! We have given you (O Muhammad) a manifest victory. That Allah may forgive you your
sins of the past and future, and complete His Favor on you, and guide you on the Straight Path;
and that Allah may help you with strong help. (Ch 48:1-3 Quran)
Prophet Muhammad (saw) orders the destruction of the idols
The Muslim army entered the city unpretentiously and peacefully. No house was robbed, no man
or woman was insulted. The Prophet granted a general amnesty to the entire population of
Mecca. Only four criminals, whom justice condemned, were proscribed.
He did however, order the destruction of all idols and pagan images of worship, upon which three hundred and fifty idols which were in the Sacred House of Ka’ba were thrown down. The Prophet himself destroyed a wooden pigeon hung from the roof and regarded as one of the deities of the Quraish.
During the downfall of the images and idols he was heard to cry aloud:
“Allah is great. Truth has come and falsehood has vanished; verily falsehood is fleeting.”
The old idolaters observed thoughtfully the destruction of their gods, which were utterly powerless. After the Prophet had abolished these pagan idols and every pagan rite, he delivered a sermon to the assembled people.
He dwelt upon the natural brotherhood of man in the words of the Qur’an:
“O Mankind! We have created you for a male and a female, and made you into nations and
tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you in the Sight of Allah is
that (believer) who has At-Taqwa (one of the Muttaqun, pious, and righteous persons who fear
Allah much, abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden), and love
Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained.) Verily Allah is
All-Knowing, All-Aware. (Ch 49:13 Quran)
Narrated Hisham’s father: When Allah’s Messenger set out (towards Mecca) during the year of the
Conquest (of Mecca) and this news reached (the infidels of Quraish), Abu Sufyan, Hakim Ibn
Hizam and Budail Ibn Waraqa came out to gather information about Allah’s Messenger. They
proceeded on their way till they reached a place called Marr-az-Zahran (which is near Mecca).
Behold! There they saw many fires as if they were the fires of Arafat.” Budail Ibn Waraqa’ said:
“Banu’ Amr are less in number than that.” Some of the guards of Allah’s Messenger saw them and
took them over, caught them, and bthem to Allah’s Messenger. Abu Sufyan embraced Islam.
When the Prophet proceeded, he said to Al’ Abbas: “Keep Abu Sufyan standing at the top of the
mountain so that he would look at the Muslims. SO Al- Abbas kept him standing (at that place)
and the tribes with the Prophet started passing in front of Abu Sufyan in military batches.
A batch passed in front of Abu Sufyan and said: “O ‘Abbas who are these?” ‘
Abbas said: “They are Banu Ghaifar.”
Abu Sufyan said: “I have got nothing to do with Ghifar.” Then a batch of the tribe of
Juhaina passed by and he said similarly as above. Then a batch of the tribe of Sa’d Ibn Huzaim
passed by and he said similarly as above. Then came a batch, the like of which Abu Sufyan had
not seen.
He said: “Who are these?”
Abbas said: “They are the Ansar headed by Sa’d Ibn ‘Ubada, the one holding the flag.”
Sa’d Ibn ‘Ubada said: “O Abu Sufyan! Today is the day of a great battle and today (what is prohibited in )the Ka’ba will be permissible.”
Abu Sufyan said, “O Abbas! How excellent the day of destruction is!” Then came another batch of warriors which was the smallest of all the batches, and in it there was Allah’s Messenger and his companions, and the flag of the Prophet was carried by Az-Zubair Ibn Al-Awwam. When Allah’s Messenger passed by Abu Sufyan,
the latter said to the Prophet: “Do you know what Sa’d Ibn Ubada said?” The Prophet
said: “What did he say?” Abu Sufyan said: “He said so-and-so.” The Prophet said: “Sa’d told a lie,
but today Allah will give superiority to the Ka’ba and today the Ka’ba will be covered with a cloth
covering.”
Allah’s Messenger ordered that his flag be fixed at Al-Hajun.
Narrated Urwa: Nafi’ Ibn Jubair Ibn Mut’im said: “I heard Al-Abbas saying to Az-Zubair Ibn AlAwwam, ‘O Abu Abdullah! Did Allah’s Messenger order you to fix the flag here?’ “Allah’s
Messenger ordered Khalid Ibn Al-Walid to enter Mecca from its upper part from Kadaa’ while the
Prophet himself entered from Kudaa. Two men from the cavalry of Khalid Ibn Al-Walid named
Hubaish Ibn Al Ashar and Kurz Ibn Jabir Al-Fihri were martyred on that day. (Sahih Al Bukhari)
Now great multitudes came to adopt Islam and take the oath of allegiance to the Prophet. For this
purpose an assembly was held at As-Safa Mountain. Umar, acting as the Prophet’s deputy
administered the oath, whereby the people bound themselves not to adore any deity but Allah to
obey the Prophet to abstain from theft, adultery, infanticide, lying and backbiting. Thus was
fulfilled the prophecy embodied in the Surah Al Fath in the Quran.
During his stay at Mecca, the Prophet dispatched his principal disciples in every direction to
preach Islam among the wild tribes of the desert and call them to the true religion of Allah.
He sent small detachments of his troops into the suburbs who destroyed the temples of Al Uzza,
Suwaa, and Manat, the three famous idols in the temples of the neighboring tribes. The Prophet
gave strict orders that these expeditions should be carried out in a peaceable manner.
These injunctions were obeyed in all cases, with one exception. The troops under Khalid Ibn Al-Walid,
the fierce newly-converted warrior, killed a few of the Bani Jazima. When the news of this wanton
bloodshed reached the Prophet, he was deeply grieved and exclaimed: “Oh, my Lord, I am
innocent of what Khalid has done.”
He dispatched a large sum of money for the widows and orphans of the slain and severely rebuked Khalid.
At this time the tribes of Hawazin and Thakif showed unwillingness to render obedience to the
Muslims without resistance. They formed a league with the intention of attacking the Prophet, but
he was vigilant enough to frustrate their plan. A big battle was fought with this new enemy of
Islam near Hunain, a deep and narrow defile nine miles northeast of Mecca.
The idolaters were utterly defeated. One body of the enemy, consisting chiefly of the Thakif tribe, took refuge in their fortified city of Ta’if, which eight or nine years before had dismissed the Prophet from within its walls with injuries and insults. The remainder of the defeated force, consisting principally of the
Hawazin, sought at a camp in the valley of Autas. This camp was raided by the Muslim troops.
The families of the Hawazin, their flocks and herds with all their other effects, were captured by
the troops of the Prophet. Ta’if was then besieged for a few days only, after which the Prophet
raised the siege, well knowing that the people of Ta’if would soon be forced by circumstances to
submit without bloodshed.
Returning to his camp where the prisoners of Hawazin were left safely, the Prophet found a deputation from this hostile tribe who begged him to set free their families.
The Prophet replied that he was willing to give back his own share of those captives and that of
the children of Abdul Muttalib, but that he could not force his followers to abandon the fruits of
their victory.
The disciples followed the generous example of their teacher. The hearts of several
members of the Thakir tribe were so influenced by this that they offered their allegiance and soon
became earnest Muslims.
The Prophet now returned to Medina fully satisfied with the achievements of his mission.
The ninth year of the hijrah is known as the Year of Embassies, as being the year in which the
various tribes of Arabia submitted to the claim of the Prophet and sent embassies to render
homage to him.
These tribes had been awaiting the issue of the war between Muhammad and the Quraish; but as
soon as the tribe – the principal of the whole nation and the descendants of Ishmael, whose
prerogatives none offered to dispute – had submitted, they were satisfied that it was not in their
power to oppose Muhammad. Hence their embassies flocked into Medina to make their
submission to him. The conquest of Mecca decided the fate of idolatry in Arabia.
Now deputations began to arrive from all sides to render the adherence to Islam of various tribes.
Among the rest, five princes of the tribe of Himyar professed Islam and sent ambassadors to
notify Muhammad of the same. These were the princes of Yemen, Mahra, Oman, and Yamama.
The idolaters of Ta’if, the very people who had driven the Messenger of Islam from their midst
with violence and contempt, now sent a deputation to pray forgiveness and ask to be numbered
among his followers.
They begged, however, for temporary preservation of their idols. As a last appeal they begged for one month of grace only. But even this was not conceded. The Prophet said Islam and the idols could not exist together. They then begged for exemption from the daily prayers.
The Prophet replied that without devotion, religion would be nothing. At last they
submitted to all that was required of them. They, however, asked to be exempted from destroying
the idols with their own hands. This was granted. The Prophet selected Abu Sufyan and Mughira
to destroy the idols of Ta’if, the chief of which was the notorious idol of Al-Lat. This was carried
out amidst cries of despair and grief from the women of Ta’if.
The conversion of this tribe of Ta’if is worthy of notice. This tribe, which hither to had proved
hostile to the new faith, was noted among the Arabs for its idolatrous priesthood. A small
detachment under Ali was sent to reduce them to obedience and to destroy their idols. The prince
of the tribe was ‘Adi, the son of the famous Hatim, whose generosity was spoken of all over
Arabia. On the approach of the Muslim force, Adi fled to Syria, leaving his sister with his
principal clansmen, to fall into the hands of the Muslims.
These were conducted by Ali with every sign of respect and sympathy to Medina. When the daughter of Hatim came before the Prophet, she addressed him in the following words: “Messenger of Allah, my father is dead; my brother, my only relation fled into the mountains on the approach of the Muslims.
I cannot ransom myself; I count on your generosity for my deliverance. My father was an illustrious man, the prince of his tribe, a man who ransomed prisoners, protected the honor of women, fed the poor, cothe
afflicted, and was deaf to no appeal.” The Prophet replied: “Your father had the virtues of a true
Muslim; if it were permitted to invoke the mercy of Allah on any whose life was passed in
idolatry, I would pray to Allah for mercy for the soul of Hatim.”
Then, addressing the Muslims around him, he said: “the daughter of Hatim is free, her father was a generous and humane man; Allah loves and rewards the merciful.” With the daughter of Hatim, all her people were set at liberty.
She proceeded to Syria and related to her brother the generosity of Muhammad. ‘Adi,
touched by gratitude, hastened to Medina, where he was kindly received by the Prophet. He
professed Islam and returned to his people and persuaded them to abandon idolatry. They all
submitted and became devoted Muslims.
Hitherto no prohibition had been enforced against idolaters entering the Holy Ka’ba, or
performing their abominable rites within the sacred precincts. Towards the end of the ninth year
of the hijrah, during the month of pilgrimage ‘Ali was delegated by the Prophet to read a
proclamation that ran as follows:
“No idolater shall after this year perform the pilgrimage; no one shall make the circuit of the Ka’ba naked (such a disgraceful custom was practiced by the pagan Arabs); and treaty with the Prophet shall continue in force but four months are allowed to every man to return to his territories; after that there will be no obligation on the Prophet, except towards those with whom treaties have been concluded.”
The vast multitude who had listened to the above declaration returned to their homes, and before
the following year was over the majority of them were Muslims.
During the tenth year of the hijrah, as in the preceding one, numerous embassies continued to
pour into Medina from all parts of Arabia, to testify to the allegiance of their chiefs and their
tribes. Teachers were sent by the Prophet into the different provinces to teach the new converts
the principles and precepts of Islam. These teachers were invariably given the following
injunctions when they were about to depart on their mission:
“Deal gently with the people, and be not harsh; cheer them, and do not look down upon them with contempt. You will meet with many believers in the Holy Scriptures, who will ask you: ‘What is the key to heaven?’ Answer them it (the key to heaven) is to bear witness to the divine truth and to do good.”
Thus, the mission of the Prophet Muhammad was now accomplished; the whole work was
achieved in his lifetime. Idolatry with its nameless abominations was entirely destroyed. The
people who were sunk in superstition, cruelty, and vice in regions where spiritual life was utterly
unknown were now united in one bond of faith, hope and charity. The tribes which had been from
time immemorial engaged in perpetual wars were now united together by the ties of brotherhood,
love, and harmony.
Henceforth, their aims were not confined to this earth alone; but there was something beyond the grave – much higher, purer, and diviner – calling them to the practice of charity, goodness, justice, and universal love. They could now perceive that Allah was not that which they had carved out of wood or stone, but the Almighty Loving, Merciful, the Creator of the Universe.
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