Muslim–Mushrikite wars
DateMarch 623  January 630
Location
Result

Muslim victory

  • End of Quraysh rule over Mecca
Territorial
changes
Mecca taken by Muslims
Belligerents
Muslims Mushrikites
Commanders and leaders
Strength
Casualties and losses
79-96 killed in action 115-128 killed in action
70 prisoners taken

The Muslim–Mushrikite wars was the religious war between the early Muslims led by Muhammad and Arab polytheistic Mushrikites. The first expedition was of Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib and direct war started in March 624 with the Battle of Badr, and concluded with the conquest of Mecca.

Muhammad, born in Mecca, began spreading Islam in the city at the age of 40. Initially, he met no opposition from the Mushrikites, who were indifferent to his activities until he challenged their beliefs.[2][3][4] After Mushrikites forbade Muslims to perform worship, began actively persecuting them, and forced them to abandon any of their belongings, including home,[5] Muhammad brought his followers to migrate to Medina after successful negotiations with the Banu Aws and Khazraj to mediate their tribal conflicts.[6][7]

During his stay in Medina, Muhammad began conducting frequent raids on Mushrikite trade caravans and plundering their goods.[8][9] A short while after he had earned rich loot after a successful raid by his troops on a caravan at Nakhla, Muhammad got word of a huge Mushrikite caravan carrying abundant merchandise on its way back from Gaza. He thus sent his troops to intercept it at Badr. Getting wind of his plan, Abu Sufyan, who led the caravan, sent messengers to Mecca for help.[9] The reinforcements then encamped near Badr out of sight of the Muslims,[10] and the caravan was directed to another, more difficult route. After the caravan escaped, some of the Mushrikite chose to withdraw, but those who remained were later forced into conflict with Muhammad after he captured their water carrier and covered up the water wells with sand, which left one only for him and his troops.[11][12] The Mushrikites were defeated in this battle.[13]

Wanting to restore their honour for the loss at Badr and tired of Muhammad's continuous raids on their caravans, the Mushrikites then launched an attack, which Muhammad confronted at Uhud. Victorious, the Mushrikites chose not to finish Muhammad off and let him escape, as they felt that it was enough to deter him. Sometime later, however, Muhammad's raids on Mushrikite caravans resumed, and at the prompting of a Jewish tribe, Banu Nadir, whom Muhammad had previously expelled from their residence in Medina, the Mushrikites then decided to gather an army to occupy the city. That was thwarted, however, by a trench built by the Muslims at the suggestion of Salman the Persian.[14] Soon, Muhammad managed to eliminate the last major Jewish tribe in Medina, the Banu Qurayza, which cemented his position in the city.[15]

After a period of not making attacks on Mushrikite caravans and instead focusing his raids to the north, such as to the Banu Lihyan and Mustaliq, among others, the attitude of Muhammad's tribesmen toward him grew more favourable. A ten-year armistice, known as the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, was then concluded, which allowed Muhammad to return to perform Umrah in Mecca.[16] There, Muhammad successfully reconciliated with his family, the Banu Hashim, and a number of notables admitted him as a man of the future in Arabia and converted to Islam. Sometime later, a belligerent party in Mecca supported one of its client tribes against the Banu Khuza’ah, who were allies of Muhammad, in violation of the treaty. When Muhammad brought his army to Mecca, Abu Sufyan and a few others approached Muhammad to ask for amnesty for those who abandoned armed resistance. Muhammad then managed to enter Mecca unopposed, and most of the population converted to Islam.[17]

Muhammad died just two years after that. The war holds high importance and significance in the history of Islam and forms a major part of Muhammad's biography (Seerah or Seerat un-Nabi). The war also paved the way for the Early Islamic expansion throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond.

Background

Rise of Islam and Hijrah

Muhammad proclaimed prophethood (nubuwwah) at the age of 40 to his tribe, the Quraysh, in Mecca. After his followers were persecuted by the Mushrikite polytheists of the Quraysh, Muhammad ordered them to move to Abyssinia to seek refuge in 615, where they were welcomed with open arms. After the death of his uncle Abu Talib in 619, Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, was lacking someone who provided him security in an increasingly hostile environment in Mecca. After several failed attempts to reach for tribes outside of Mecca, he contacted the Khazraj of Medina (then Yathrib). Six of them converted to Islam.[18][19]

In Medina, they spread the word of Muhammad and Islam and in February 621, a new delegation reached Mecca, among them were two members of the community of Banu Aws. The Khazraj and Aws were rivals at this time, fighting for control of Medina. Muhammad mediated a ceasefire between the two parties and sent them back to Medina, accompanied by a reciter of the Quran. Islam slowly grew in Medina before in March 622, a new delegation, this time numbering 72 people, consulted with Muhammad. They pledged their readiness to wage war against Muhammad's enemies. The Mushrikite, who heard rumours of this meeting and realized that this was a call to war, failed an attempt to assassinate Muhammad in May 622.

After being threatened with murder by the Mushrikites, Muhammad received pledges of protection from the Ansar of Yathrib. He then allowed his followers to emigrate to the city, before leaving for Yathrib in 624 himself. Following his migration, Muhammad took to intercepting the caravans of the Mushrikites as a means of retaliation and compensation for the wealth lost by his Meccan companions. Muhammad fled, together with his companion Abu Bakr, to Medina, in what is known as the Hijrah.[18][19]

Caravan raids prior to Badr

Muhammad and his companions soon engaged in a series of caravan raids. These raids were generally offensive[20] and carried out to gather intelligence or seize the trade goods of caravans financed by the Mushrikites (such retaliation was explained as being legitimate by saying many Muslims' possessions and wealth, left behind when they migrated from Mecca, were stolen).[18][21][22] The Muslims declared that the raids were justified and that God gave them permission to defend against the Meccans' persecution of Muslims.[23][24] Another reason for the raids appears to have been economic stress, as the food output of Medina was barely capable of feeding the Muslim newcomers. Hence, the raiding of food was mandatory to supplement their diet.[25]

The order of the caravan raids is somewhat confused in the Islamic sources. What seems clear is that there were two types of raids: those led by Muhammad and those led by lieutenants. They featured somewhere between seven and 200 warriors, typically on foot,[26] but occasionally horse riders.[18] These fighters were, at least initially, provided almost exclusively by the Muhajirun, the Muslim migrants from Mecca. Consisting primarily of unemployed young men, they had the chance to place their name in a register if desiring to go on a raid.[27]

The first year of these raids was a "near total failure".[28] All Mushrikite caravans managed to evade Muhammad's forces or were accompanied by forces with superior numbers, suggesting that the Mushrikites relied on a spy among the core of the Muslim community. Aware of this problem, Muhammad introduced the usage of sealed letters of instructions and appointed 'Abdullah ibn Jahsh to lead an expedition of eight or twelve men. After marching for two days, Ibn Jahsh opened the letter to learn that, according to most sources, he was instructed to gain intelligence information about the movement of Mushrikite caravans deep in Mushrikites territory, in Nakhlah, near modern-day Rabigh. Soon the expedition met a Mushrikite caravan, weakly protected by only four guards. The Muslims encountered the caravan in a holy month where fighting was forbidden, and it also seems that Muhammad did not order the usage of violence. Despite this, the Muslim warriors collectively decided to attack and approached the caravan disguised as pilgrims. When close enough they leaped upon the guards: one of whom escaped, two were seized and one was killed.[29] The victim, named Amr ibn al-Hadrami, was the first person killed for the cause of Islam.[30] Ibn Jahsh and his men returned to Medina with the seized caravan,[31] which carried wine, leather goods and raisins.[32]

Battle of Badr

In March 624, Muhammad was given news of a caravan of the Mushrikites travelling from the Levant back to Makkah, led by Abu Sufyan ibn Harb. It was of monumental size, comprising 1000 camels transporting tens of thousands of dinars, and was escorted by 70 horsemen. Attacking this caravan would have forced Mecca into action, as virtually every family of the Mushrikites had invested in it. Despite this risk, Muhammad began the preparations before finally setting out on 9 December 623, with a force of around 313-317 men, 70 camels and two horses. Muhammad and his warriors marched offside the common roads to avoid Mushrikite scouts, passing through little-known canyons and wadis.[33][34] Abu Sufyan, realized that Muslim scouts were nearby and ordered the caravan to take a different route, sending a messenger to Mecca. After the messenger arrived in Mecca and told the Mushrikites that a Muslim attack was imminent, a Mushrikite relief force of more than 1,000 men was sent. 'Amr ibn Hisham, who led the relief army, pressed northwards to Badr. As the army camped at Al Juhfah (present-day Rabigh), another messenger from Abu Sufyan informed them that their merchandise was safe and that Abu Sufyan had changed his route. Upon hearing this, 300 of the Banu Zuhrah left, leaving the Mushrikites numbering around 1,000.[35][34][36][37][38]

Muhammad was unaware of the Mushrikite army until one day before contact, when his men captured two Mushrikite waterbearers.[39] Muhammad was not prepared for combat with an army of this size and held a council of war with his companions to decide on what to do next. After receiving the approval of both the Muhajirun and the Ansar, Muhammad marched toward Badr to meet the army of the Mushrikites. The two armies met on 13 March. The battle began with duels between the champions of both sides before the Makkan army charged upon the Muslim ranks. Muhammad then gave the order to counter their charge and the Muslims quickly swept through the Makkan ranks. Several leaders of the Mushrikites were among the 70 Mushrikites killed in this battle, including 'Amr ibn Hishām and Umayyah ibn Khalaf.[40][41]

The battlefield and burial ground of the Muslims at Badr

On 13 March 624 (17 Ramadan 2 AH), Muhammad faced the Mushrikites in the first pitched battle, the Battle of Badr.[34] The Muslims took up a defensive position. The battle started off with a duel between three Muslim and three Mushrikite champions, which the Muslims decided in their favour. Afterwards the two armies exchanged arrow fire, before finally clashing.[42][40][41] The Mushrikite army eventually collapsed soon after the horse of Amr was brought down,[43] resulting in the first major Muslim victory.[44] This victory must not so much be ascribed to divine intervention as is done in the Islamic sources, but had several conventional reasons, like the Mushrikite inability to use their cavalry, the questioned leadership of Abu Jahl,[lower-alpha 1] the Mushrikite lack of access to water and the higher morale of the Muslims.[46][40][41] The battle took the lives of 14 Muslims, while the Mushrikite casualties numbered around 70. A similar number of them were captured and were either executed or kept for ransom.[44][40][41] Amr ibn Hisham survived the battle, but with mortal injuries. A Muslim warrior found him, decapitated him and presented his head to Muhammad. Many more noblemen of the Mushrikites had died in the fighting, which posed a significant blow to the Mushrikites.[47]

Battle of Uhud

Mount Uhud, where the Battle of Uhud took place

Following the deaths of 'Amr ibn Hishām and other leaders of the Mushrikites at Badr, Abu Sufyan ibn Harb, now the leader of Mushrikites, wanted to avenge the losses of the Mushrikites at Badr.[48] In March 625, Abu Sufyan led an army of 3,000 men–almost three times the size of the Mushrikite army at Badr–to Medina.[49] When the Muslims were informed of the presence of the Mushrikites, Muhammad called for a council of war. The senior members of the Muslim community, including Muhammad, wanted to take advantage of the Medinan fortifications, while the younger Muslims wanted to fight the Mushrikites in the open. Muhammad eventually agreed with the latter. The Muslims, numbering around 1,000, left for Mount Uhud the next day. Shortly before the Muslims reached the battlefield, 300 men from their army led by Abd Allah ibn Ubayy returned to Medina, discontent with the decision to fight the Mushrikite in the open.[50] Muhammad assigned 50 archers to a hill near Mount Uhud, now called the Mount of the Archers, ordering them to not leave their strategic position which protected the left flank of the Muslims.[50]

Initially the Muslims prevailed over the Mushrikites, and seeing this, many of the archers descended from their position on the Mount of the Archers.[51] Khalid ibn al-Walid, one of the most experienced warriors of the Mushrikites, took advantage of this weakness in the Muslim ranks, maneuvering his units around the Mount of the Archers and outflanking the Muslims from the rear. Several Muslims were killed, and Muhammad was injured in the ensuing onslaught. The Muslims withdrew from the battlefield to the slopes of Mount Uhud, and Abu Sufyan decided to return to Mecca.[51]

Battle of the Trench

The mosque of Salman the Persian near the location of the Battle of the Trench in Medina

In October 625, Muhammad prepared a 300 men to meet a 1,000 strong Mushrikites army at Badr for a second time. No fighting occurred between the two sides. In early 626, leaders of the Jewish tribe of Banu Nadir which was expelled from Medina in May 625 met with the Mushrikites in Mecca and swore allegiance to Safwan ibn Umayya.[52][53] Following this meeting, the Banu Nadir rallied the Arab tribes of Najd against Muhammad, whose forces combined with the army of the Mushrikites numbered 10,000 men. This alliance, known as the Confederates (Arabic: الأَحْزَاب, romanized: al-Aḥzāb), marched on Medina in December 626.[54]

Warned by the Banu Khuza'ah one week prior to the arrival of the Confederates, the Muslims dug a deep trench to avoid direct confrontation with them along the northern side of the Medina at the suggestion of Salman the Persian.[55] The Muslims also harvested their crops early in anticipation of the arrival of the Mushrikite-led confederacy. The ensuing siege of the city began in January 627.[56] The Confederates tried to strike a deal with the Banu Qurayza, the last remaining Jewish tribe in Medina, but these attempts proved unworthy.[57][58] Growing mutual distrust, loss of morale, lack of resources, and a failure to strike a deal with the Banu Qurayza led to a breakdown of the Confederates. The siege lasted 20 nights.[59]

Interim peace and pilgrimages

According to traditional Arab customs, the four months of Rajab, Dhu al-Qa'dah, Dhu al-Hijjah, and Muharram were considered sacred months in which tribal hostilities stopped and all were free to visit Mecca. In early 628, in Dhu al-Qa'dah 6 AH, Muhammad put on the ihram and led a contingent of Muslims and camels for sacrifice toward Mecca intending to perform the 'umrah.[60][61] According to the early chronicler Ibn Ishaq, Muhammad took 700 men.[62] According to Watt, Muhammad took 1,400 to 1,600 men.[63] The Mushrikite did not accept the Muslim professions of peaceful intent and sent out an armed party against them. The Muslims evaded them by taking an unconventional route through the hills around Mecca, and then camped at al-Hudaybiya outside Mecca. Ibn Ishaq describes a tense period of embassies and counter-embassies, including a bold foray by the future caliph, Uthman, into the city of Mecca, where he was temporarily held as a hostage. The Mushrikites told the Muslims that 'Uthman had been killed and open warfare seemed imminent. After it was revealed that 'Uthman was alive, the Mushrikites expressed their willingness to negotiate a truce. Some elements wanted a confrontation, but Muhammad held out for a peaceful resolution. The Treaty of al-Hudaybiya committed both sides and their allies to a ten-year truce. The Muslims were to be allowed to return the next year, to perform the pilgrimage.[64] The next year, in Dhu al-Qa'dah 7 AH, Muhammad returned to perform the 'umrah with 2,000 men, and some women and children.[65] The Muslims performed the pilgrimage with their swords sheathed and were watched by the Mushrikites from the peak of the Qaiqan mountain.

Conquest of Mecca

Early 19th century manuscript showing the Muslim army marching into Mecca and the subsequent smashing of its idols.

The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was bilateral, and allowed any tribe that wanted to join either side to do so. The Banu Bakr had become allies of the Mushrikites, while the Banu Khuzaʽah became allies of the Muslims. In late 629, in Sha'ban 8 AH, the Banu Bakr attacked the Banu Khuza'ah, assisted by the Mushrikites. Abu Sufyan ibn Harb traveled to Medina to negotiate a renewal of the treaty, but his attempts proved unworthy. In the next Islamic month of Ramadan, Muhammad secretly led a Muslim force of 10,000 men and headed for Mecca. They camped outside Mecca and the usual round of emissaries and negotiations began. Abu Sufyan negotiated, then or earlier, a promise that he and those under his protection would not be attacked if they surrendered peacefully. A few of the Banu Makhzum prepared to resist.

Quran, Al-Isrā', verse 81

"And say: Truth hath come and falsehood hath vanished away. Lo! falsehood is ever bound to vanish."

Recited by Muhammad during the Conquest of Mecca[66][67]

In December 629 or January 630, Muhammad organized his troops into different divisions which he ordered to enter Mecca from different directions. Only Khalid ibn al-Walid's division met resistance, and a few Mushrikites were killed. The remaining Mushrikites surrendered to Muhammad. Some of the Mushrikites, even those who had been notable for their opposition to Islam, were spared.[68] All idols of the pre-Islamic Arabian gods in and around the Kaaba were destroyed.[69] However, according to one Shia tradition, he ordered an iconography of the virgin Mary and baby Jesus which was in the Kaaba not to be destroyed.[70]

Aftermath and legacy

Following the war against polytheists, the Muslim caliphs began the early Muslim conquests against the Zoroastrian Persians and the Byzantine Christians.

Notes

  1. Abu Jahl's initial task was merely the protection of the caravan, but he decided to bring the confrontation to the Muslims, possibly for the gain of glory or because he realized the need to extinguish the Muslim insurgency.[45] The behaviour of Abu Jahl eventually resulted in divisions among the Quraysh warriors.[46]

References

  1. Watt 1961, p. 123.
  2. Buhl & Welch 1993, p. 364.
  3. "Muhammad | Biography, History, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2023-05-24. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  4. Lewis 2002, p. 35–36.
  5. "Battle of Badr". Islamic Relief UK. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  6. Buhl & Welch 1993, p. 364-369.
  7. "Aws and Khazraj". www.brown.edu. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  8. Peters, Francis E. (1994-01-01). Muhammad and the Origins of Islam. SUNY Press. pp. 211–214. ISBN 978-0-7914-1875-8.
  9. 1 2 Buhl & Welch 1993, p. 369.
  10. "Encyclopaedia of Islam, Volume I (A-B): [Fasc. 1-22]", Encyclopaedia of Islam, Volume I (A-B), Brill, 1998-06-26, ISBN 978-90-04-08114-7, retrieved 2023-05-28, p. 868
  11. "Encyclopaedia of Islam, Volume I (A-B): [Fasc. 1-22]", Encyclopaedia of Islam, Volume I (A-B), Brill, 1998-06-26, ISBN 978-90-04-08114-7, retrieved 2023-05-28, p. 868
  12. Watt 1961, p. 121-122.
  13. Watt (1974) pp. 124—127
  14. Buhl & Welch 1993, p. 370.
  15. Buhl & Welch 1993, p. 370-1.
  16. Buhl & Welch 1993, p. 371.
  17. Buhl & Welch 1993, p. 372.
  18. 1 2 3 4 Mubārakfūrī, Ṣafī al-Raḥmān. (2002). Ar-Raheeq Al-Mak̲h̲tūm = the sealed nectar : biography of the noble prophet (Rev. ed.). Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. ISBN 9960-899-55-1. OCLC 223400876.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  19. 1 2 Rodgers 2012, pp. 45–50.
  20. Montgomery Watt, William (21 January 2010). Muhammad: prophet and statesman. Oxford University Press, 1974. p. 105. ISBN 978-0-19-881078-0.
  21. Mubarakpuri, Safiur-Rahman. When the moon split (PDF). Riyadh. p. 146.
  22. Gabriel, Richard A. (2008), Muhammad, Islam's first general, University of Oklahoma Press, p. 73, ISBN 978-0-8061-3860-2.
  23. Welch, Muhammad, Encyclopedia of Islam.
  24. See:
    • Watt (1964) p. 76;
    • Peters (1999) p. 172
    • Michael Cook, Muhammad. In Founders of Faith, Oxford University Press, 1986, page 309.
  25. Rodgers 2012, pp. 71–73.
  26. Rodgers 2012, p. 78.
  27. Rodgers 2012, pp. 60–61.
  28. Rodgers 2012, p. 83.
  29. Rodgers 2012, pp. 83–85.
  30. Watt 1956, p. 6.
  31. Rodgers 2012, p. 85.
  32. Rodgers 2012, p. 84.
  33. Rodgers 2012, pp. 88–90.
  34. 1 2 3 Mubārakfūrī, Ṣafī al-Raḥmān. (2002). The Sealed Nectar: Biography of the Noble Prophet (Rev. ed.). Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. ISBN 978-9960-899-55-8. OCLC 223400876.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  35. Rodgers 2012, pp. 90–91.
  36. Gabriel, Richard A. (2014-10-22). Muhammad: Islam's First Great General. University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 978-0-8061-8250-6.
  37. Jones, J. M. B. (1957). "The Chronology of the "Mag̱ẖāzī"-- A Textual Survey". Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. 19 (2): 245–280. doi:10.1017/S0041977X0013304X. ISSN 0041-977X. JSTOR 610242. S2CID 162989212.
  38. Crawford, Peter (2013-07-16). The War of the Three Gods: Romans, Persians and the Rise of Islam. Pen and Sword. ISBN 978-1-4738-2865-0.
  39. Rodgers 2012, p. 92.
  40. 1 2 3 4 Gabriel, Richard A. (2007). Muhammad: Islam's First Great General. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 978-0-8061-3860-2. OCLC 78788501.
  41. 1 2 3 4 Armstrong, Karen (1992). Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet (1st U.S. ed.). San Francisco, California: HarperCollins. p. 176. ISBN 0-06-250014-7. OCLC 24846478.
  42. Mikaberidze 2011, pp. 165–166.
  43. Rodgers 2012, p. 97.
  44. 1 2 Mikaberidze 2011, p. 166.
  45. Rodgers 2012, p. 91.
  46. 1 2 Rodgers 2012, p. 99.
  47. Rodgers 2012, p. 98.
  48. Watt (1974) pp. 132—135.
  49. Mubarakpuri, The Sealed Nectar, p. 181. (online)
  50. 1 2 Watt (1974) p. 137.
  51. 1 2 Watt (1974) pp. 138—139.
  52. Mubarakpuri, The Sealed Nectar, pp. 196–198. (online)
  53. Lings, Muhammad: his life based on the earliest sources, pp. 215f.
  54. Rodinson, Muhammad: Prophet of Islam, p. 208.
  55. Rodinson, p. 209.
  56. Watt, Muhammad at Medina, p. 36f.
  57. Nomani, p. 382.
  58. Lings, pp. 221–223.
  59. Ibn Ishaq (trans. A Guillaume) (2004). The life of Muhammad. Oxford. p. 454. The apostle and the polytheists remained twenty days and more, nearly a month, without fighting except for some shooting with arrows, and the siege.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  60. Armstrong, Karen (2002). Islam: A Short History. New York: Modern Library. p. 22. ISBN 978-0-8129-6618-3.
  61. Armstrong, Karen (2007). Muhammad: A Prophet for Our Time. New York: HarperCollins. p. 181. ISBN 978-0-06-115577-2.
  62. Guillaume (1955). p. 500
  63. Watt (1957). p. 46
  64. Al Mamun, Abdullah. "THE ROLE OF THE TREATY OF HUDAYBIAH IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS". Malaysian Journal of Islamic Studies. 3 (2): 136.
  65. al-Asqalani, Ibn Hajar. Fath al-Bari. Vol. 7. p. 700.
  66. Islam, iconography and the Taliban
  67. "Compendium of Muslim Texts". Archived from the original on 2009-02-01.
  68. The Message by Ayatullah Ja'far Subhani, chapter 48 referencing Sirah by Ibn Hisham, vol. II, page 409.
  69. Karen Armstrong (2002) [2000]. Islam: A Short History. Random House Publishing. p. 11. ISBN 978-0-8129-6618-3.
  70. "The Prophet Muhammad Safeguards Jesus and Mary's Icons in the Kaba".

Bibliography

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.