THE CONQUEST OF KHAIBA
As we mentioned earlier, letters were sent to various lands, and the majority of people believed in the Prophet's message. However, the people of Khaibah, a town just a few miles away from Madina, were an exception. The Nadj tribe and Jews living in Khaibah had previously tried to invade the Muslims several times but failed. Therefore, the Prophet (pbuh) thought it was essential to establish peace with them to propagate Islam effectively. So the prophet pbuh thought that he has to settle peace with them in other to be able to propagate Islam well. Meanwhile Allah has already promised the Muslims that,
وَعَدَكُمُ اللّٰهُ مَغَانِمَ كَثِيۡرَةً تَاۡخُذُوۡنَهَا فَعَجَّلَ لَكُمۡ هٰذِهٖ وَكَفَّ اَيۡدِىَ النَّاسِ عَنۡكُمۡۚ وَلِتَكُوۡنَ اٰيَةً لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِيۡنَ وَيَهۡدِيَكُمۡ صِرَاطًا مُّسۡتَقِيۡمًاۙ
”Allah has promised you many gains that ye shall acquire, and He has given you these beforehand; and He has restrained the hands of men from you; that it may be a Sign for the Believers, and that He may guide you to a Straight Path." (Quran 48:20)
Messages were sent to them but they paid no heed to them. Then the prophet pbuh called out his army to go and attack them.
On hearing this, the hypocrites sent information to the Jews about the Prophet's (pbuh) plans. The Jews then sought military help from other tribes around Khayba, promising to give them half of their outputs if they helped defeat the Muslims. The Muslims set off towards Khayba on Muharram 7 A.H. Several incidents occurred throughout the journey.
As they marched down a valley, the Muslims began to praise Allah loudly, saying "Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! There is nothing worthy of worship except Allah!" The Prophet (pbuh) then asked them to lower their voices, saying, "The One you are invoking is neither absent nor deaf; He is close to you, all-hearing."
As they approached the valley closer to Khayba, the Prophet (pbuh) chose a suitable plot to serve as the army's headquarters. He asked them to encamp there while he prayed to Allah to grant them victory and the good of the village. There, he announced that the banner would be given to a companion whom Allah and His Prophet (pbuh) loved. All the companions hastened to collect it, but the banner was given to Ali ibn Abi Talib (r.a.). Ali promised to fight until they all became Muslims. However, the Prophet (pbuh) said, "Take things easy and invite them to Islam, and brief them on their duties towards Allah." Ali (r.a.) replied, "I swear by Allah that if anyone should be guided through your example, that would surely outweigh the best of our camels."
The battle then began, and Khaiba was surrounded by several forts. The Prophet (pbuh) developed a strategy by attacking one fort after another. They first attacked the fort called Na'im. The battle commenced when Muhab, the leader of the fort, invited Amr, a Muslim, for single combat. Amr managed to strike Muhab but was also wounded and died from that wound. Ali then went out to fight Muhab in single combat and killed him.
The real fighting started and lasted for several days. The Jews tried their best but could not win, so they fled to another fort called As-Sa. The Muslims attacked that fort for several days, and the Jews fled to another fort. The Muslims laid siege to their entire fortress, one after the other. The enemies fled to the second part of Khaiba, Al-Katiba.
There is a difference of opinion here. According to Ibn Ishaq, the Muslims attacked and defeated all three forts in this part, and the enemies surrendered. However, Al-Waqidi says that the enemies requested a peace treaty just when the Muslims were about to attack the third fort. In any case, the enemies found the attack unbearable and requested a peaceful treaty. They sent Ibn Abi-Huquiq to the Prophet (pbuh) for negotiation. The Prophet (pbuh) agreed not to attack them in exchange for their leaving all their lands, gold, and belongings to the Muslims and leaving Khaiba.
All of them left, and from that day on, Khaiba became an Islamic state. However, the enemies did not leave entirely; they still lingered, cultivating the rich land. They sent a message to the Prophet (pbuh) pleading that he grant them half of the land while he takes the other half. The noble Prophet (pbuh) agreed to this. The Muslims shared the goods and lands, and from that day on, they became rich, having gained much wealth from Khaiba, just as Allah had promised them.
Aisha (r.a.), the wife of the Prophet (pbuh), narrated, "Now we can eat our fill of dates." Ibn Umar (r.a.) said, "We never ate our fill until we had conquered Khaiba."
LESSER PRIGRIMAGE” UMRAH”
In the month of Dhul Qa'da, year 7 A.H., the Prophet (pbuh) asked his people to prepare for a lesser pilgrimage to Makka. One of the clauses in the Hudaybiya treaty stated that the Muslims would be allowed to perform a peaceful Umra this time around. About 2000 men, along with some women and children, set off to Makah. They sent 50 camels to slaughter as a sacrifice to Allah, hoping their Umra would be accepted. They also carried their swords along for uncertainties.
Quraish did exactly as they had promised, vacating the city to the hills and observing the Muslims closely as they performed their circumbulation steadfastly. Meanwhile, the Muslims had left 200 men a few miles away from Makka for uncertainties, and two men were left to look after the weapons. They later performed their Umra when the Prophet (pbuh) and the rest of the Muslims had finished. They then walked between the two hills, Safa and Marwah, after which they slaughtered their animals and shaved their heads as required.
After four days, the leaders of Quraish asked Ali ibn Abu Talib to tell the Prophet (pbuh) that he and his companions should leave because they had already spent the three days they were supposed to spend. The Prophet (pbuh) did not want to break the treaty, so he and his companions left for a nearby village called Sarif. That was when the Prophet's (pbuh) uncle, Al-Abbas, handed his sister-in-law Maimuna's hand in marriage to the Prophet (pbuh), and he accepted. The marriage took place in the Sarif village.
In Sarif, the Prophet (pbuh) propagated Islam before they later went back to Madina. Abi al-Awja led 50 men to invite the people of Bani Saleem to Islam. The people refused to accept Islam and fought the Muslims. Even their leader was wounded, but the Muslims managed to capture two of them. Banu Quda prepared to raid the camp of the Muslims, and when the news got to the Prophet (pbuh), he dispatched 15 of his companions to invite them to Islam. Unfortunately, all of them were killed except for the leader, Umai an-Ansar, who was wounded.
THE BATTLE OF MU’TA
Al-Harith bin Umair Al-Azdi was sent by the Prophet (pbuh) to deliver a letter to the ruler of Busra. However, on his way, the governor of Al-Balqa, Sharhabeel bin Amr Al-Ghassani, captured and killed him. Killing a messenger was prohibited by all tribes at that time, so the Prophet (pbuh) prepared an army of 3000 men to avenge Al-Harith's murder.
The army, led by Zaid ibn Haritha, who was like a son to the Prophet (pbuh), set off towards the north of Madina in Jumada Al-ula 8 A.H. The Prophet (pbuh) reminded them to first invite the enemy to Islam before fighting. When they arrived at Ma'am, a town near Syria, they received information that Heraclius, the king, had raised an army of 200,000 men from the Lakham, Judham, and Balqain tribes.
The Muslim army began to fear and deliberated for two days on what to do, but their spirits were lifted by motivational words from Abdullah bin Rawaha. They then moved to encounter the enemy at Mu'ta. The battle began, with 3000 Muslims fighting against 200,000 disbelievers. The Muslims fought valiantly, but their leaders, Zaid bin Haritha and Jafar ibn Abu Talib, were killed. Abdullah bin Rawaha assumed leadership but was also killed, and then Khalid bin Al-Waleed took the banner and changed strategy.
They were fighting in two flanks, so Khalid bin Al-Waleed changed the soldiers in the right flanks with the left, giving the impression that fresh soldiers had arrived. They then started to withdraw slowly and gently. The enemies, observing this, thought the Muslims were pulling them into a trap, so they stopped pursuing them and left. A large number of enemies died, but only twelve Muslims were killed.
However, their aim to avenge Al-Harith's death was not achieved.
THE CONQUEST OF MAKKAH
The conquest of Makkah was a significant event in both heaven and earth. From that moment on, people began to enter Islam in large numbers. Ibn Al-Qaiyum considered this event the greatest, in which Allah honored His religion, Messenger, and mankind.
The question is, how did it happen? The Hudaybiyyah treaty had a clause that stipulated a ten-year peace agreement between the Muslims and Quraish. As part of the treaty, both parties had to choose an Arab tribe as an ally, either Khuza'ah or Banu Bakr. Banu Bakr chose Quraish as their ally, while Khuza'ah chose the Muslims. However, Banu Bakr's hatred and desire for revenge led them to break the treaty and attack Khuza'ah with Quraish's help, killing many people.
Realizing the danger ahead, Quraish leaders held an emergency meeting and decided to send Abu Sufyan, their leader, to the Muslims to request a renewal of the treaty. Abu Sufyan traveled to Madinah and visited his daughter, Umm Habiba, who was the wife of the Prophet (pbuh). When he arrived, the Prophet (pbuh) was not present, and Abu Sufyan was about to sit on a carpet when Umm Habiba folded it up. He asked his daughter, "Do you think the carpet is too good for me, or am I too good for the carpet?" Umm Habiba replied, "The carpet is for the Messenger of Allah, and you are unclean and cannot sit on it."
This encounter highlights the changing dynamics between the Muslims and Quraish, as well as the growing recognition of the Prophet's (pbuh) authority and the sanctity of Islamic practices. The stage was set for the eventual conquest of Makkah, which would mark a significant milestone in Islamic history.
Then, Abu Sufyan angrily went to see the Prophet (pbuh) to discuss the issue. However, the Prophet (pbuh) did not give him any answer, so he sought help from his closest companions, Ali, Abu Bakr, and Umar. But they all turned their backs on him, and he left in disappointment.
The leaders of Khuza'ah then went to the Prophet (pbuh) and sought his help in avenging the murder of their loved ones. The Prophet (pbuh) asked his soldiers to prepare, and on the 10th of Ramadan 8 A.H., about 10,000 soldiers set out to Makkah.
When they arrived at Al-Juhfa, Al-Abbas ibn Abdul-Muttalib, the Prophet's (pbuh) uncle, who was still one of the few Muslims in Makkah, joined them with his family. When they reached Al-Abwa, they met Abu Sufian Al-Harith and Abdullah ibn Omayya coming to the Prophet (pbuh), but the Muslims turned their backs on them due to the breach of the treaty.
Ali advised them to seek pardon from the Prophet (pbuh), which they did. The Muslims then marched straight to Makkah but stayed at the outskirts. The Prophet (pbuh) did not want to take them by surprise, so he asked his companions to light fires to give them a full opportunity to surrender.
Quraish saw the light and asked Abu Sufyan, their leader, and two others to find out what was wrong. When they approached, the Muslims wanted to kill them, but Al-Abbas went to them and advised Abu Sufyan to submit himself to Allah and then go back and ask his people to do the same, or else he would be killed.
Abu Sufyan wholeheartedly begged for pardon and forgiveness and then accepted Islam. The Prophet (pbuh) said to him, at the request of Al-Abbas, "Whoever takes refuge in their own house, Abu Sufyan's house, and the sacred mosque will be safe." In the morning of 17th Ramadan 8 A.H., Abu Sufyan did as he was asked. He hurried to Makkah and called the people to assemble, shouting at the top of his voice, advising them to surrender, as they could not fight against a 10,000-strong army. He told them to seek refuge in his house, the sacred mosque, and their own houses, but only a few listened to him, while the rest mocked him and departed.
The Prophet (pbuh) then divided his army into flanks. The left flank, led by Az-Zubair bin Awwam, was to attack Makkah from the upper side, while the right flank, led by Khalid ibn Al-Waleed, would attack from the lower side. The Prophet (pbuh) commanded them not to kill unless someone failed to surrender. There was no real fight, but the right flank, led by Khalid ibn Al-Waleed, penetrated through the heart of the town and succeeded in killing twelve people who failed to obey their commands, while two of their own were also killed.
The right flank arrived at the first destination, planted a banner besides Al-Fath mosque, and waited for the arrival of the Prophet (pbuh). From that day on, the Muslims had conquered Makkah forever. A camp was set up, and when the Prophet (pbuh) arrived, he performed a prayer to thank Allah and afterwards proceeded to the Ka'ba with his companions. He knocked down all 360 idols while reciting the verses of the Quran,
وَقُلۡ جَآءَ الۡحَـقُّ وَزَهَقَ الۡبَاطِلُؕ اِنَّ الۡبَاطِلَ كَانَ زَهُوۡقًا
”And say: "Truth has (now) arrived, and Falsehood perished: for Falsehood is (by its nature) bound to perish.”(17:81)
After knocking down the idols, the Prophet (pbuh) went around the Ka'ba, praising Allah. When he faced the opposite door, he prostrated, then went out and stood in front of his companions, including the emigrants, helpers, and the people of Quraish. He addressed them, praising Allah for making this possible and emphasizing the importance of following Islamic principles.
He forbade practices that Islam objects to and encouraged those that Islam accepts. He also established a law that anyone who kills another person shall pay a penalty of 100 camels, 40 of which should be pregnant. After praising Allah, advising his companions, and outlining the Islamic laws, the Prophet (pbuh) declared that Makkah would from that day on be governed by these laws, making it an Islamic nation.
Then, he asked the people of Makkah, "O people of Quraish! What do you think of the treatment that I am about to accord to you?" The people replied, "O noble brother and son of a noble brother! We expect nothing but goodness from you."
Then the prophet pbuh said to them; *”I speak to you in the same words as Yusuf spoke unto his brothers: He said
قَالَ لَا تَثۡرِيۡبَ عَلَيۡكُمُ الۡيَوۡم
‘No reproach on you this day' (Quran12:92).Go, you're free
The Prophet (pbuh) commanded that the keys of the Ka'ba and the supply of water to the pilgrims should remain with Uthman bin Talha and his family forever. Four people were killed, whom the Prophet (pbuh) deemed lawful to kill. However, he forgave all others who had harassed and tortured him and his companions, including those who had tried to kill him, his daughter, and his uncle Hamzah. Many of them accepted Islam.
The Prophet (pbuh) entered Umm Hani's house and performed a prayer of victory. The next day, he addressed his companions, "Allah has made Makkah a sanctuary, and it will remain so after me. It was made legal for me to fight in it for a few hours of the day. It is not allowed to uproot its shrubs, cut its trees, disturb its game, or pick up its fallen things except by one who will announce." After the speech, he went to Mount Safa, turned to face the Ka'ba, raised his hands, and prayed to Allah.
The Madenese around him were nervous about where the Prophet (pbuh) would stay now that he had become victorious over his people. He recognized their worry and asked them to voice their concerns, which they did. The Prophet (pbuh) reassured them, "I lived with you, and I will die with you."
The Makkans realized that their only option was to accept Islam, and so they all went out to meet the Prophet (pbuh) with their men in front. The Prophet (pbuh) accepted them and taught them the Islamic way of life. He then ensured that all idols in the vicinity of Makkah were destroyed and sent some of his companions to invite nearby villages to Islam. He lived in Makkah for 19 days to build a new Makkah before returning to Madinah.
HUNAIN GHAZWAH
The Prophet (pbuh) and his companions set out to meet the enemy at Hunain, with 12,000 men. The Prophet (pbuh) warned them, "Look up to Allah, not to your strength." When they arrived at Hunain, the enemy was already set to attack them, hiding in the valley. The enemy leader, Malik, commanded them to attack the Muslims as they were setting up their camp. The Muslims were taken unaware and forced to retreat, but the Prophet (pbuh) stayed back to fight, motivating them to return to the battle. Only a few stayed with him, including Abu Safyan, Al-Abbas, and some helpers.
The Prophet (pbuh) prayed to Allah, "Allaahuma anzil'Naswrak!" (O Allah, send down your help!). He then asked Al-Abbas to call the Muslims back to the battlefield. Al-Abbas shouted, "O my people, come back for Allah's sake!" The believers responded and came back to the battle, fighting like wild cows. Allah sent his angels to help them, and the Muslims emerged victorious.
The enemy tribe, Huwazin, had many warriors and was joined by other tribes, including Thaqif. They brought their families and wealth to the battlefield, but this did not stop them from retreating when the Muslims counterattacked. The Prophet (pbuh) had foretold the victory, saying, "If Allah permits, they will all be Muslim spoils tomorrow." The battle took place on Wednesday, 10th of Shawwal, and the Muslims were initially taken unaware by the enemy's arrows. However, the Prophet's (pbuh) prayer and the return of the believers to the battlefield turned the tide of the battle.
لَـقَدۡ نَصَرَكُمُ اللّٰهُ فِىۡ مَوَاطِنَ كَثِيۡرَةٍ ۙ وَّيَوۡمَ حُنَيۡنٍ ۙ اِذۡ اَعۡجَبَـتۡكُمۡ كَثۡرَتُكُمۡ فَلَمۡ تُغۡنِ عَنۡكُمۡ شَيۡـًٔـا وَّضَاقَتۡ عَلَيۡكُمُ الۡاَرۡضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتۡ ثُمَّ وَلَّـيۡتُمۡ مُّدۡبِرِيۡنَۚ
( 25 ) Allah has already given you victory in many regions and [even] on the day of Hunayn, when your great number pleased you, but it did not avail you at all, and the earth was confining for you with its vastness; then you turned back, fleeing.
ثُمَّ اَنۡزَلَ اللّٰهُ سَكِيۡنَـتَهٗ عَلٰى رَسُوۡلِهٖ وَعَلَى الۡمُؤۡمِنِيۡنَ وَاَنۡزَلَ جُنُوۡدًا لَّمۡ تَرَوۡهَا ۚ وَعَذَّبَ الَّذِيۡنَ كَفَرُوۡا ؕ وَذٰ لِكَ جَزَآءُ الۡـكٰفِرِيۡنَ
(26) Then Allah sent down His tranquility upon His Messenger and upon the believers and sent down soldiers angels whom you did not see and punished those who disbelieved. And that is the recompense of the disbelievers. (Quran 9:25, 26).
The Prophet (pbuh) fetched a handful of dust and threw it at the enemies' faces, saying, "May your faces be shameful." From that moment on, their faces became thick, and the believers killed about 70 of them, while the rest fled, leaving their wealth and families behind. The Muslims captured their women and children and took their wealth, sharing it among themselves. There were 6,000 captives, 24,000 camels, over 40,000 sheep, and 400 silver ounces.
The Muslims pursued those who fled until they gave up. They later came to the Prophet (pbuh), accepted Islam, and their relatives were released to them. The Prophet (pbuh) shared the spoils among the Makkans and other Arab tribes, leaving out the Ansar (the Madinese). The Madinese got worried and complained to each other, which spread throughout. Sa'd bin Ubadah, a Madinese, asked the Prophet (pbuh) why the spoils were distributed, leaving out the Madinese.
The Prophet (pbuh) asked Sa'd, "What do you think of that?" Sa'd replied, "O Messenger of Allah, you know I am just a member of this group." The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Assemble all the Madinese in my presence." When they assembled, the Prophet (pbuh) praised Allah and said to them, "I have heard that you are angry with me. Did I not come to you when you were astray, and Allah guided you? Were you not poor, and Allah made you rich? Were you not foes, and Allah made you love each other?" They all said, "Yes, O Messenger of Allah."
The Prophet (pbuh) advised them about the consequences of seeking too much worldly wealth and asked them, "Are you not happy if, while some people go home with sheep and camels, you will go home with the Messenger of Allah?" He continued asking similar questions until the Madinese wept, and tears dropped from their eyes. They did not believe the Messenger of Allah would keep his promise and return with them now that he had become victorious over his people. All of them said, "Yes, O our noble Prophet (pbuh), we are satisfied."
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