PART 11

55. BATTLE OF HUNAIN AND TA'IF (8 A.H.)

About this battle, Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran: "Surely Allah gave you victory on many fields as well as on the day of Hunain. When your numbers elated you but it did not help you. The mountain land was a great disadvantage to the Muslims, they turned back in confusion and retreated..." (Surah Tauba: Verse 25)

55.1 TRIBES OF HAWAZIN AND THAQIF UNITE

When the news of what happened in Makkatul Mukarramah reached the tribes of the Kuffar around Arabia, they became furious. The Hawazin tribe, living a few miles to the south-east of Makkatul Mukarramah, began gathering a huge army to fight the Muslims. They were joined by the Thaqif tribe. The tribes of Nasr and Juslim also joined these Kuffar. Soon they had an army of 4 000 men, women and children.

55.2 KUFFAR PLAN OF ATTACK

The Kuffar army marched to Hunain and camped in the valley. They posted archers covering the pass in the valley. They then hid themselves between the rocks and caves of the mountain pass. Their plan was to attack the Muslim army as they entered the pass. If the Muslim army were to flee, the Hawazin tribe was to launch a full scale attack on them.

55.3 LARGE MUSLIM ARMY

This time, the Muslim army was strong. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) gathered a large army of between 10 000 to 12 000 Sahaba who had conquered Makkatul Mukarramah and 2 000 new Muslims of Makkatul Mukarramah. They were well-equipped and very confident of victory because of their large numbers. Some Muslims thought, "Today our numbers are great, our army is strong, and no one can defeat us."

55.4 THE BATTLE OF HUNAIN

It was just before dawn as the Muslim army entered the valley of Hunain, unaware of the danger that awaited them.

Suddenly, the Kuffar attacked. They showered arrows on the Muslim army from the mountains. The Muslims fled in all directions. Tribe after tribe ran past Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). He stood alone in the valley, with a few of his Sahaba who were from the Ansaar.

Sayyiduna Abbas (radi Allahu anhu) saw that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was in a vulnerable position. He saw that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was open to attack by the Kuffar. Sayyiduna Abbas (radi Allahu anhu) shouted for the fleeing Sahaba to return and defend Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), as they had promised. The Muslims realized their mistake. They asked Almighty Allah to forgive them. They returned with renewed faith to face the Kuffar.

In the meantime, the entire Hawazin tribe came out of hiding to face the Muslim army. The Muslims attacked and a fierce battle followed. The Kuffar were completely defeated. They ran, leaving behind their properties, women and children. The booty fell into the hands of the Sahaba. Many Kuffar were taken prisoners.

55.5 THE KUFFAR FLEE TO TA'IF

The Kuffar fled to Ta'if. They locked themselves up in the city. The Sahaba surrounded the city of Ta'if for an entire month waiting for the Kuffar to attack. Seeing that there was no danger of another attack from the Kuffar, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) returned to Makkatul Mukarramah. A year later, the people of Ta'if accepted Islam.

55.6 FATE OF HAWAZIN TRIBE

The Hawazin tribe later came to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and begged for the return of their women and children. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) sent back their women and children to them. He was merciful and forgave them. Many of them accepted Islam.

56. THE SHARE OF THE ANSAAR

Large quantities of war prize or booty was taken from the Kuffar after the Battle of Hunain.

According to the laws of Islam, one-fifth of the booty belonged to Allah and His Messenger (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and the balance to the Muslim army. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) distributed most of his share to his former enemies of Makkatul Mukarramah.

When the Ansaar heard how generous he was towards the people of Makkatul Mukarramah, they thought that they were being treated unfairly. Sayyiduna Saad bin Obaidah (radi Allahu anhu) carried the news to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) called the Ansaar together and said: "O You of the Ansaar! What is this talk which has reached me from you. What is this new thing you have found in your soul? When I came to you, were you not in error and Allah guided you? Were you not poor and Allah made you rich? Were you not each other's enemies and Allah put love into your hearts?"

The Ansaar said: "Yes, Allah and His Rasool are most bountiful and merciful."

"Would you not answer me, O Ansaar?"

"What answer can we give you, O Prophet of Allah! Bounty and grace belongs to Allah and His Messenger."

"But by Allah, if you had wished, you might have said and you would surely have been right and I would confirm your saying thus: You (O Prophet of Allah) did come to us belied and we confirmed your truth, you was forsaken and we helped you; you was driven away and we sheltered you; you was poor and we consoled you.

"O Ansaar! I have made use of the wealth of this world to gain the love of the people so that they may become Muslims and entrust you to your Islam. Are not you, O Ansaar, happy that while people take away camels and goats, you take home the Prophet of Allah with you? I swear by Him in whose Hands is my life, had it not been for the Hijrah I would have been a man of the Ansaar. If people choose one path, and the Ansaar choose another, I would choose the path of the Ansaar.

"O Allah, have mercy on the Ansaar, the children of the Ansaar and the children of the children of the Ansaar."

The Ansaar were so moved by this speech that their beards were wet with tears. They could find no words to express their gratitude at this speech.

All they could say was: "We are happy with the Messenger of Allah as to the division and our share."

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) later performed his Umrah and returned to Madinatul Munawwarah.

57. EXPEDITION OF TABUK AGAINST THE ROMANS (10 A.H.)

57.1 THREAT BY THE ROMANS

The Christian Roman Empire in the north was afraid of the growing power of Islam. They wanted to destroy the power of Islam.

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) received information that the Romans were making preparations against the Muslims. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) decided to confront the Romans who were a great threat to Islam.

The Romans were very powerful and wealthy. They had already organised a very big army to attack Madinatul Munawwarah. No one could dream at that time, that the Muslim army could defeat them. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) decided to go north to Syria to attack the Roman army.

57.2 THE HARDSHIP ARMY

He sent his Sahaba to all the tribes in Arabia to gather a large army to fight the powerful Romans.

The Sahaba, rich and poor, were asked to give their wealth and their lives for the sake of Islam. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) gave all his wealth to the cause. Sayyiduna 'Uthman (radi Allahu anhu) gave half of his possessions. Soon an army of 30 000 was assembled. Because of the difficulties encountered in gathering the army, the army was called "Jayshul Usrah" or "The Hardship Army."

The Muslim army gathered outside Madinatul Munawwarah. In his absence, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) appointed Sayyiduna Mohammed bin Mashamah (radi Allahu anhu) as governor of Madinatul Munawwarah. Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) was asked to also stay behind and to take care of the Muslim families and properties.

57.3 THE JOURNEY

The Muslim army set off towards Syria. The munafiqun amongst the Muslims were scared of the Romans. They made all kinds of excuses to keep from joining the Muslim army, so they stayed behind. They were happy to think that the Romans would crush the Muslims.

The weather was very hot. The way was extremely rough. There was a lack of water. Soon the army reached a place called Hijr where rain fell and the Muslims refreshed themselves.

Finally, the Muslim army, under the leadership of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), reached Tabuk, not far form the Syrian border.

57.4 VICTORY WITHOUT FIGHTING

The Romans were shocked when they heard that the Muslims marched all the way from Madinatul Munawwarh to Tabuk to face them. They realised that the Muslims must be well prepared, very strong and must have a very large force. They also could not believe how the Muslims survived the long march to the Syrian border. The Roman generals had second thoughts about doing battle with the Muslims. They gave the command to their forces to retreat.

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) did not pursue the Romans, since it was not his intention to invade Syria, but to protect Arabia. This was the last expedition in which Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) participated.

57.5 PEACE TREATIES WITH NEIGHBOURS

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) visited the Arab provinces on the border of Arabia. He also visited many Christian kings. He signed peace treaties with them. They were very happy to be under the rule of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).

After 20 days, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) returned with his army to Madinatul Munawwarah. Those Muslims who had not gone with him were ashamed. They prayed and begged for Almighty Allah's forgiveness. At last, Almighty Allah sent Wahi saying that He had forgiven them.

57.6 BURNING OF MUSJID-E-DHIRAR

A group of munafiqun built a mosque at Dhu Awan, an hours ride from Madinatul Munawwarah. They called this Masjid "Musjid-e-Dhirar." Here, they used to hold their secret meetings to plot against the Muslims. They even invited Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) to pray in their mosque, but he refused.

About this incident, Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran: "And there are those that put up a mosque by way of mischief and infidelity to disunite the Believers - and in preparation for one who warred against Allah and His Apostle aforetime. They will indeed swear that their intention is nothing but good; but Allah does declare that they are certainly liars." (Surah Tauba: 107)

As soon as Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) returned from Tabuk, he ordered his Sahabas to burn down the Masjid. They carried out his order. The Masjid was burnt down to the ground. The leader of the munafiqun, Abdullah ibn Ubayy, later died through illness. Many munafiqun became true Muslims.

57.7 HAJ TAUGHT

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) then began making preparations to go to Makkatul Mukarramah for Hajj. He sent Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) with 300 Muslims to teach them about Hajj. Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) and Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radi Allahu anhu) also went to Makkatul Mukarramah.

58. THE YEAR OF DEPUTATIONS (10 A.H.)

The 10th year of Hijrah is known as "The Year of Deputations."

In this year, many delegates from all over Arabia arrived in Madinatul Munawwarah to accept Islam freely. Sahaba were also sent to provinces and places in Arabia and past its borders to teach the new Muslims about Islam. Islam had now become the strongest power in Arabia. Almighty Allah had fulfilled His promises to the Muslims.

Those who remained Christians and Jews were under the protection of Islam.