Lesson 95Lesson 95Battles OverviewBattles Overview

[32] The Battles – Their Causes and [32] The Battles – Their Causes and LegitimacyLegitimacy

After the Prophet (After the Prophet (SAWSSAWS) had settled in Al-) had settled in Al-Madînah, he supported the Jews, from Banu Madînah, he supported the Jews, from Banu

Qaynuqâ`; Qaynuqâ`;

Banu Quraydhah and Banu An-Nadîr in their Banu Quraydhah and Banu An-Nadîr in their religion and properties, and he set up some religion and properties, and he set up some

laws to regulate their rights and duties in the laws to regulate their rights and duties in the new community. new community.

Despite that, the Jews still showed their Despite that, the Jews still showed their contempt and enmity towards the Muslims. contempt and enmity towards the Muslims.

Together with the hypocrites, they made a Together with the hypocrites, they made a coalition against the new Muslim state.coalition against the new Muslim state.

The "hypocrites" were a group of Arabs in Al-The "hypocrites" were a group of Arabs in Al-Madînah who pretended to be Muslims while, Madînah who pretended to be Muslims while,

in fact, they were unbelievers. in fact, they were unbelievers.

They used to back enemies of Muslims, They used to back enemies of Muslims, including the Jews who betrayed their Muslim including the Jews who betrayed their Muslim

neighbors. neighbors.

The head of those hypocrites was `Abdullâh ibn The head of those hypocrites was `Abdullâh ibn Ubayy ibn Salûl. Ubayy ibn Salûl.

Yet, the Prophet (Yet, the Prophet (SAWSSAWS) accepted the presence ) accepted the presence of these two groups (the Jews and the of these two groups (the Jews and the

hypocrites) and did not fight them, nor did hypocrites) and did not fight them, nor did they fight him. they fight him.

Instead, he used to counter their denial with Instead, he used to counter their denial with irrefutable proofs and ultimate wisdom.irrefutable proofs and ultimate wisdom.

The Prophet (The Prophet (SAWSSAWS) never fought anybody to ) never fought anybody to force them to embrace the religion of Allah, force them to embrace the religion of Allah,

but he only invited them and argued with them but he only invited them and argued with them to convince them with conclusive evidence to convince them with conclusive evidence

and proofs.and proofs.

However, the Qurayshis (the disbelievers of However, the Qurayshis (the disbelievers of Makkah) were hostile to him, resisted his Makkah) were hostile to him, resisted his call, opposed him and caused him and the call, opposed him and caused him and the

Muslims much harm, until they were forced Muslims much harm, until they were forced to leave their homes. to leave their homes.

The Qurayshis also seized their properties and The Qurayshis also seized their properties and fortified their money. fortified their money.

The Qurayshis even continued to harm those left The Qurayshis even continued to harm those left behind who were too poor to immigrate with behind who were too poor to immigrate with

the Prophet (the Prophet (SAWSSAWS) and his companions. ) and his companions.

Therefore, Allah (Therefore, Allah (SWTSWT), because of all this, has ), because of all this, has permitted His Prophet (permitted His Prophet (SAWSSAWS) to fight them, ) to fight them, as well as any other aggressor or those who as well as any other aggressor or those who

obstruct the spread of the call.obstruct the spread of the call.

The first action took by the Prophet (The first action took by the Prophet (SAWSSAWS) was ) was to confiscate the goods of Quraysh (the tribe of to confiscate the goods of Quraysh (the tribe of

Quraysh) which they used to take to or bring Quraysh) which they used to take to or bring from the Levant (Syria nowadays).from the Levant (Syria nowadays).

After that, and whenever there was a need to After that, and whenever there was a need to fight those opposing Allah’s call, whether fight those opposing Allah’s call, whether

from Quraysh or anyone else, from Quraysh or anyone else,

he (he (SAWSSAWS) would himself go to fight along with ) would himself go to fight along with the Muslim fighters, but sometimes he would the Muslim fighters, but sometimes he would send the fighters with a leader that he chooses send the fighters with a leader that he chooses

for them.for them.

The historians called the mission in which the The historians called the mission in which the Prophet (Prophet (SAWSSAWS) had himself participated ) had himself participated (whether he fought or not) a "Ghazwah" (whether he fought or not) a "Ghazwah"

(battle), (battle),

while they called the mission where he had sent while they called the mission where he had sent other leaders a "Sariyyah" (expedition).other leaders a "Sariyyah" (expedition).

[33] The total number of battles and [33] The total number of battles and expeditionsexpeditions

In the first year of the immigration (In the first year of the immigration (HijrahHijrah), ), the Prophet (the Prophet (SAWSSAWS) sent out two ) sent out two

expeditions.expeditions.

In the second year, he sent out one expedition In the second year, he sent out one expedition and he went out himself to seven battles, the and he went out himself to seven battles, the

largest of which was the battle of Badr:largest of which was the battle of Badr:

Battle of WadânBattle of Wadân: a village between Makkah : a village between Makkah and Al-Madînah. and Al-Madînah.

He went out on this mission to intercept a He went out on this mission to intercept a caravan of Quraysh, only to find that they had caravan of Quraysh, only to find that they had

got beyond his reach; so he returned.got beyond his reach; so he returned.

Battle of BuwâtBattle of Buwât: in Juhaynah Mountain situated : in Juhaynah Mountain situated between Al-Madînah and Yunbu`. between Al-Madînah and Yunbu`.

He wanted to intercept a Qurayshi caravan, but He wanted to intercept a Qurayshi caravan, but when he found that they had already preceded when he found that they had already preceded

him, so he returned.him, so he returned.

Battle of Al-`AshîrahBattle of Al-`Ashîrah: a place in the middle of : a place in the middle of Yunbu`. We will elaborate further when we Yunbu`. We will elaborate further when we

talk about the Great Battle of Badr.talk about the Great Battle of Badr.

The First Battle of BadrThe First Battle of Badr: Badr is a place : Badr is a place between Makkah and Al-Madînah, nearer to between Makkah and Al-Madînah, nearer to

the south west of Al-Madînah. the south west of Al-Madînah.

He went out in pursuit of those who attempted to He went out in pursuit of those who attempted to attack a suburb of the Al-Madînah, but did not attack a suburb of the Al-Madînah, but did not

find them.find them.

The Great Battle of BadrThe Great Battle of Badr: will be explained in : will be explained in details in the coming pages.details in the coming pages.

Battle of Banu Qaynuqâ`:Battle of Banu Qaynuqâ`: They were a group They were a group of Jews around Al-Madînah who had breached of Jews around Al-Madînah who had breached

the covenant of the Muslims and betrayed the covenant of the Muslims and betrayed them. them.

The Prophet (The Prophet (SAWSSAWS) went out and besieged them ) went out and besieged them for 15 nights, whereupon they asked him to let for 15 nights, whereupon they asked him to let them go away with their women and children, them go away with their women and children,

leaving their property to the Muslims. He leaving their property to the Muslims. He agreed and expelled them.agreed and expelled them.

Battle of As-SuwayqBattle of As-Suwayq: Abu Sufyân came to Al-: Abu Sufyân came to Al-Madînah with 200 people and burned some of Madînah with 200 people and burned some of

the palm trees. the palm trees.

When the Prophet (When the Prophet (SAWSSAWS) encountered them, ) encountered them, they ran away leaving their they ran away leaving their suwayqsuwayq (sacks of (sacks of wheat and barley flour) behind. This is why it wheat and barley flour) behind. This is why it

was called the battle of As-Suwayq.was called the battle of As-Suwayq.

In the third year, he (In the third year, he (SAWSSAWS) fought four ) fought four battles, and one expedition, as follows:battles, and one expedition, as follows:

Battle of GhatafânBattle of Ghatafân: a branch of the tribe of : a branch of the tribe of Qays. Qays.

The Prophet (The Prophet (SAWSSAWS) heard that they were ) heard that they were gathering to invade Al-Madînah, so he went gathering to invade Al-Madînah, so he went

out to fight them, but they fled into the out to fight them, but they fled into the mountains.mountains.

Battle of BahrânBattle of Bahrân: just outside of Al-Madînah : just outside of Al-Madînah where the tribe of Banu Sulaym lived. where the tribe of Banu Sulaym lived.

They planned to invade Al-Madînah, but when They planned to invade Al-Madînah, but when the Prophet (the Prophet (SAWSSAWS) went to fight them, they ) went to fight them, they

scattered.scattered.

Battle of UhudBattle of Uhud: the most important battle in the : the most important battle in the third year. It will be explained in detail in the third year. It will be explained in detail in the

coming pages.coming pages.

Battle of Hamrâ' Al-AsadBattle of Hamrâ' Al-Asad: also will be : also will be mentioned when describing the Battle of mentioned when describing the Battle of

Uhud.Uhud.

In the fourth year, he (In the fourth year, he (SAWSSAWS) sent out three ) sent out three expeditions and fought three battles as expeditions and fought three battles as

follows:follows:

Battle of Banu An-Nadîr'Battle of Banu An-Nadîr': one of the Jewish : one of the Jewish tribes in Al-Madînah, which will be explained tribes in Al-Madînah, which will be explained

later.later.

Battle of Thât Ar-RiqâBattle of Thât Ar-Riqâ`: the name of some `: the name of some rocks that have red, white and black spots. rocks that have red, white and black spots.

They are found in the mountains towards Najd They are found in the mountains towards Najd (the middle of the Arabian penninsula). (the middle of the Arabian penninsula).

The Prophet (The Prophet (SAWSSAWS) was told that some of the ) was told that some of the Najdi tribes were preparing to fight him, so he Najdi tribes were preparing to fight him, so he

went to meet them with 700 fighters. went to meet them with 700 fighters.

When they got there, the men of the tribe fled to When they got there, the men of the tribe fled to the mountains and left behind their women the mountains and left behind their women

who were taken back as captives by the who were taken back as captives by the Muslims. Muslims.

The Second Battle of BadrThe Second Battle of Badr: will be discussed : will be discussed following the Battle of Uhud.following the Battle of Uhud.

In the fifth year, he (In the fifth year, he (SAWSSAWS) fought four ) fought four battles; the most famous of which is the battles; the most famous of which is the

Battle of Al-Khandaq. They are as follows:Battle of Al-Khandaq. They are as follows:

Battle of Dûmat Al-JandalBattle of Dûmat Al-Jandal: a place between : a place between Al-Madînah and Damascus, at a distance of Al-Madînah and Damascus, at a distance of about 5 nights from Damascus and 15 nights about 5 nights from Damascus and 15 nights

from Al-Madînah. from Al-Madînah.

The Prophet (The Prophet (SAWSSAWS) was told that there was a ) was told that there was a group of Bedouins living there who used to group of Bedouins living there who used to attack anyone who passed by, and that they attack anyone who passed by, and that they

wanted to get closer to Al-Madînah. wanted to get closer to Al-Madînah.

He went out with one thousand fighters, but He went out with one thousand fighters, but when they knew of his approach they fled when they knew of his approach they fled

away and left their cattle, which the Muslims away and left their cattle, which the Muslims took as booty.took as booty.

Battle of Banu Al-MustaliqBattle of Banu Al-Mustaliq: a branch of the : a branch of the tribe of Khuzâ`ah. tribe of Khuzâ`ah.

They assisted Quraysh in fighting the Muslims at They assisted Quraysh in fighting the Muslims at the battle of Uhud, and then gathered to fight the battle of Uhud, and then gathered to fight

the Muslims by themselves. the Muslims by themselves.

The Prophet (The Prophet (SAWSSAWS) went out to meet them in a ) went out to meet them in a large group. large group.

The two parties met at Al-Muraysî`, a spring The two parties met at Al-Muraysî`, a spring owned by the Khuzâ`ah tribe. The unbelievers owned by the Khuzâ`ah tribe. The unbelievers were defeated, with many dead and wounded. were defeated, with many dead and wounded.

The Prophet (The Prophet (SAWSSAWS), then married the daughter ), then married the daughter of their leader, Juwayriyah bint ul-Hârith, and of their leader, Juwayriyah bint ul-Hârith, and

freed all the women captives. freed all the women captives.

It is when the Muslims were returning from that It is when the Muslims were returning from that battle, that the famous battle, that the famous IfkIfk (false accusation) (false accusation)

incident took place.incident took place.

Battle of Al-Khandaq and Battle of Banu Battle of Al-Khandaq and Battle of Banu QuraydhahQuraydhah (the last Jewish tribe left in Al- (the last Jewish tribe left in Al-Madînah) will be discussed in the coming Madînah) will be discussed in the coming

pages.pages.

In the sixth year, he (In the sixth year, he (SAWSSAWS) sent out eleven ) sent out eleven expeditions and fought three battles, as expeditions and fought three battles, as

follows:follows:

Battle of Banu Lihyân.Battle of Banu Lihyân.

Battle of Al-Ghâbah.Battle of Al-Ghâbah.

Battle of Al-Hudaybiyah.Battle of Al-Hudaybiyah.

In the seventh year, he (In the seventh year, he (SAWSSAWS) fought one ) fought one battle, which is the battle of Khaybar, and battle, which is the battle of Khaybar, and

sent out 3 expeditions.sent out 3 expeditions.

In the eighth year, he (In the eighth year, he (SAWSSAWS) fought four ) fought four battles, and sent out 10 expeditions.battles, and sent out 10 expeditions.

Battle of Mu'tah.Battle of Mu'tah.

The Conquest of Makkah: The Conquest of Makkah: the largest, most the largest, most important battle in that year.important battle in that year.

Battle of Hunayn: Battle of Hunayn: the second most important the second most important battle that year.battle that year.

Battle of At-Tâ'ifBattle of At-Tâ'if; and all will be discussed ; and all will be discussed below.below.

In the ninth year, he (In the ninth year, he (SAWSSAWS) fought one battle ) fought one battle (Tabûk), and sent out one expedition.(Tabûk), and sent out one expedition.

In the tenth year, he (In the tenth year, he (SAWSSAWS) sent out two ) sent out two expeditions and made the “Farwell expeditions and made the “Farwell

Pilgrimage.”Pilgrimage.”

The total number of battles in which the Prophet The total number of battles in which the Prophet ((SAWSSAWS) joined was twenty-seven, while the ) joined was twenty-seven, while the

total number of expeditions with other leaders total number of expeditions with other leaders was thirty-five expeditions.was thirty-five expeditions.

Let us talk briefly about the most important Let us talk briefly about the most important battles. battles.