Wars with Mecca Lesson Objective To know the key points of the Battles with Mecca To evaluate which battle with Mecca has the most impact on future developments in Islam

Battle of Badr This was the first military victory of the Prophet Muhammad. It seriously damaged Meccan prestige, while strengthening the political position of Muslims in Medina and establishing Islam as a viable force in the Arabian Peninsula.Muhammad Since their emigration from Mecca (622), the Muslims in Medina had depended for economic survival on constant raids on Meccan caravans. When word of a particularly wealthy caravan escorted by Abu Sufyan, head of the Umayyad clan, reached Muhammad, a raiding party of about 300 Muslims, to be led by Muhammad himself, was organised. By filling the wells on the caravan route near Medina with sand, the Muslims lured Abu Sufyan's army to battle at Badr, near Medina, in March 624. Despite the superior numbers of the Meccan forces (about 1,000 men), the Muslims scored a complete victory and many prominent Meccans were killed. Some Muslim Scholars seem to suggest that this battle was not retaliation by the Meccans for the constant raids on their caravans but instead the battle was just an excuse by Meccan authorities to wipe out the new Muslim community. In fact, Muslims believe that the battle only occurred at Badr because God had granted them permission to fight. The following verse can be found in the Qur’an:

“Permission are given to those who are being fought (against) because they have been wronged: and indeed Allah is able to give them victory”, (Chapter 22, verse 39). It is quite important to point out that it seems for the first time in Arabian history, prisoners of war were fed and sheltered and treated in a humane way. The success at Badr was recorded in the Qur'an as a divine sanction of the new religion: "It was not you who slew them, it was God... in order that He might test the Believers by a gracious trial from Himself", (Chapter 8, verse 17). Those Muslims who fought at Badr became known as the badriyun and made up one group of the Companions of the Prophet.badriyun

Battle of Uhud The Makkans were thirsty for revenge following their defeat at Badr. The following year the Makkans prepared to make another attack, however, Muhammad was warned by his uncle al-‘Abbas who lived in Makkah. Following the news that a three thousand strong army was approaching Medina, Muhammad started out for Mount Uhud with an army of 700 Muslims. The Quraysh of Makkah were already there. Before placing his army Muhammad prayed. “The two armies faced each other in the morning. Fierce fighting broke out and soon the Muslim army got the upper hand and the Makkan army was forced to retreat”. The Muslims captured the supplies and baggage of the Makkans. However, the Makkan army made a surprise counter attack. Many Muslims were martyred and the Prophet himself was injured. By the end of he day the Muslim army was ready for a counter attack, but the Meccans had already left. However, no side could really claim victory and the Makkans had left the Muslims in control of their trade route.

Battle of Ahzab (Trench) Jewish tribes plotted and conspired with the Makkans. The Jewish tribe of Banu Nadir violated treaty conditions and plotted to kill the Prophet. They were given the option of fighting or deportation – they were expelled from Medina for their treachery. It was this Jewish tribe who began to incite the Makkans to begin a new offensive against the Muslims to try and finish them off. News of the preparations reached Muhammad, who was advised to dig deep, wide trenches around Madinah and the Muslims prepared to defend the city from within. An allied force of ten thousand marched against Medina in the fifth year of the Hijrah. The trenches surprised the army. They had no choice but to wait and lay siege to the city. This siege weakened the Makkah army, and their food supplies etc were dwindling. A surprise plot was therefore hatched for an attack by the Jews of the Banu Quraizah who were still in Medina. News of the plot reached Muhammad and the plot was foiled later this tribe was severely punished for its treachery. Suddenly, when the Muslims really needed help, the weather changed. Strong winds, thunder and heavy rain storms made the enemy flee in disarray.

Treaty of Hudaybiya In the 6th year of the Hijrah, Muhammad made known his intention to make the pilgrimage to the Ka’bah in Makkah. The Quraysh heard of his plans and prepared to stop him. The Muslims made their journey to Makkah, until they met with the Quraysh at a place called Hudaibiyah. Eventually, after intense negotiations, an agreement between the Quraysh and the Prophet was reached. This is known as the Hudaibiyah Agreement. The conditions were: the Muslims would not visit Makkah this year, but would return next year; one sided extradition (Muslims not to be handed over to Prophet when residing with Quraysh, but Makkans to the Quraysh); peace for 10 years and access for both sides to previously forbidden, dangerous areas or those controlled by the event of war against one or the other by any outside state. The treaty eased the long period of tension, and made it possible for Muslims to convert some Makkans.

Activity 1.Which one of the four events was the most important in the development of Islam? Justify your answer with reasons. 2.Do you think Chapter 22, verse 39 of the Qur’an can be misinterpreted by Muslims today?