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Muhammad ('s) our beloved Messenger preached quietly in Makkah
for almost 13 years. When his followers were small and
most of them came from lower class of Makkah society. At
that time, lower class people did not have enough rights
with which to defend themselves. Any action to complain from
those people would cause bitter retaliation from the whole
society.
Muhammad did not stay quiet. Although, guided by Heavenly
Messages, he worked hard for the well being of the Ummah.
He looked for alliances, he tried to bring more and more
people from the higher classes into the Ummah.
Muhammad had to come home covered in blood when the
people of Tha'if rejected him and threw stones at him. His hijra
to Madinah was an important milestone in the history of
Islam and also resulted from his effort to seek alliances.
The Battle of Badr
When the Muslims finally came into armed confrontation for
the first time, they went to the well of Badr very early in
the morning, so that the Muslim army could control the well.
So, although outnumbered, the Muslims fought with enough
supplies of water, while their numerous enemies fought
thirsty. The desert is burning hot, fighting without
water is suicide no matter how strong you are. And it
proved, Muslim army won the fight.
The Battle of Uhud
At the battle of Uhud, Muhammad ('s) again dispatched the army
very early to take all of Uhud to high ground. So, when the
battle went on, the Muslim army can attack the enemy with
arrows from the high ground. Acting uncoordinated and
reckless can cause tragedy, and that what caused the tragedy
in Uhud. When those archers saw the enemy flee the
battlefield, they came down as they were attracted by
enemy's valuables left on the field. This completely
lifted the advantage from the Muslim army, and the enemy's
cavalry quickly responded by attacking the high ground which
was only guarded by a small number of archers who had
remained there. Then the cavalry took the advantage, because
they could gain speed by running down the hill. They then
wiped out almost the whole Muslim army.
Hamzah is Martyred
A disaster which killed Muhammad's uncle Hamzah, and even
the Prophet badly injured (an arrow struck his cheek and
broke his teeth). Muhammad was saved because an
unknown woman came and protected the Prophet from the arrows
with her body, while most of the Muslim men were killed or
scattered away.
Although often necessary, the decisive victory did not
came in the war field. Muhammad gain enough strength
with a peaceful parade to the perimeter of Makkah to perform
Hajj. Although unarmed, Muhammad and hundreds of Muslim
bravely marched toward Makkah. Muhammad cleverly
avoided Makkah's patrols by spreading a lot of scouts to
guide his route. If one of those patrols saw Muhammad and
his people marching to Makkah even without arms surely they
will be slaughtered. However, when the patrol finally
saw them they already reach the perimeter of Makkah.
Even the pagan Arabs acknowledge the month of Zulhijjah as
sacred, no bloodshed allowed in Holy City of Makkah and it's
surroundings. The enemies in Makkah were outraged, now
whatever decision they took will cause unfavourable results.
Letting the Muslim entering the city, will surely complete
the Muslims success. But preventing them from entering
the city would also caused them disgrace. Mekkah was a
safe haven for everyone, especially during the Holy Month,
the guardian of the city, the Quraish tribe, was respected
for their duty to guarantee the safety of people in Makkah
and it's surrounding.
They chose disgrace. They prevented the Muslims to enter the
city and also forced an unfair peaceful agreement with the
Muslims. The agreement allowed the Muslims to come to
Makkah next year and the years to come. Both of
parties must not harm each other or their alliances.
Both parties were allowed to seek as much alliances as
they can, and this activity must not be disturbed.
But, the Muslim must not accept any person from Makkah as
their follower or protect them after the date of this
agreement. The agreement then famous as Hudaibiyah
Agreement.
Muslims had to back off and come back to Madinah.
But, from that time nobody respected the people of Makkah as
they were before. From that time, more and more people chose
to be allied with the Muslims. Also, under the
agreement, the Muslims could freely dispatch emissaries to
various places outside the peninsula, spreading Islam far
outside the Arabian world.
When the people of Mekkah were left by almost all of
their allies, almost all of their business were declining.
On the edge of frustration, they broke the agreement, they
attacked a caravan that belonged to one of the Muslim's
allies. Although they tried to argue that they did not
do it on purpose, because it was very dark, Muhammad did not
accept this explanation.
Our Prophet marched to Mekkah with an army of 10,000 men.
Before, they entered Mekkah, they camped for one night
outside the city.
As usual, they warmed themselves by making fire, but our
Prophet told them to make as many fires as they could. When
a scout from Makkah tried to investigate the camp, they went
back to Makkah with a frightening report: The Muslims had
come with an army, so great that was almost impossible to be
counted.
When the day broke, they marched slow and steady praising
the name of Allah loudly toward Makkah. Again our
Prophet's tactics proved excellent.
The city surrendered without a single fight.
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