SS-125 - Islamic Studies Eng Lecture 5 1

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SS-125- Islamic Studies Lecture#5

Life in Medina After Prophet Hood-Part-1


Author: Dr. Aayesha Rafiq

SS-125- Islamic Studies


Lecture#5
Life in Medina after Prophet hood- Part-1

Alhamdu Lillahe Rabi l Almeen wa salat o wa salamo ala Ashraf ul Anbiyae wal Mursileen
Fa Aoozo Billah he min Ashaytaan ar Rajeem Bismillah al Rahman al Raheem,
Rab israhli sadri wa yassirli Amri wahlul uqdatam mil lisaani yafqaho qawli

In the name of Allah most Beneficent most Merciful. All praise is for Allah Almighty and Blessings
be upon Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
Life in Medina after Prophet Hood
Lecture 5 is divided into 3 sub sections
I. Establishment of City State of Medina
II. The Wars
III. The Last Years of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Medina tu Nabi or the ‘City of the Prophet’ formerly known by the name of Yathrib is the city
where Prophet migrated from Makkah in 622AD. He was warmly received by the people of
Yathrib. After settling down in Medina the first thing the Prophet did was the building of a
mosque where Muslims used to gather for five daily prayers. Gradually over a span of few years
with the help of Prophet’s preaching and efforts the old tribal traditions of Yathrib were
transformed into a religio-political community of Medina.
Sub-Section-1
Establishment of City State of Medina
Yathrib before Islam
Yathrib was part of Hejaz nearly 300 miles north of Makkah. It was the homeland of Jews who
were driven out of Palestine by rulers of Greece & Rome. The three main Jewish tribes of Yathrib
were Banu Nazir, Banu Qurayza & Banu Qaynuqa. Initially Jews outnumbered the Arabs but
during the fourth century the Arab tribes of Aus and Khazraj, who were idolaters settled in Yathrib
along with some Yamani tribes. These Arab tribes dominated the land but Jews due to their
religious unity and culture intimidated the Arabs. These Jewish tribes awaited the coming of a
Prophet as mentioned in their scriptures. On the other hand there was no unity among the Arab
tribes and Aws and Khazraj tribes were always fighting among themselves.

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SS-125- Islamic Studies Lecture#5
Life in Medina After Prophet Hood-Part-1
Author: Dr. Aayesha Rafiq

Prophet Muhammad PBUH was invited to Yathrib by majority of Yathribites when Abdullah bin
Ubay was about to be chosen as the King of Yathrib. When prophet was taken as the king of
Yathrib Abdullah bin Ubay became his lifelong enemy.
Brotherhood
Soon after Hijra the inhabitants of Medina were divided into four major groups the Muhajreen
and Ansar sided with Prophet Muhammad PBUH and the Jews and Abdullah bin Ubay’s
supporters stood against Muhammad. Prophet Muhammad strengthened the bonds between
the migrants of Makkah and Muslims of Medina by giving them the concept of Muslim
Brotherhood.
This is expressed in the ‫( آیة االخوة‬lyat al-Ukhuwah) which is the10th verse of Surah al Hujrat.
َّ ‫ إِنَّ َما ْال ُم ْؤ ِمنُونَ إِ ْخ َوةٌ فَأَصْ لِحُوا بَ ْينَ أَخ ََو ْی ُك ْم ۚ َواتَّقُوا‬- 49:10
َ‫َّللاَ لَ َعلَّ ُك ْم تُرْ َح ُمون‬
The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that
you may receive mercy.

The Muslims migrants from Makkah were penniless as they had left their wealth and property
in Makkah. Muslims of Medina extended their wholehearted support to the migrants and
offered them their houses, wealth and business. They became brothers in faith and shared their
sorrows and happiness.

Charter of Medina
The two races which inhabited Median before Islam were the Arabs and the Jews. After the
advent of Islam in Medina the two main religious parties emerged as the Jews and the Muslims.
The Charter of Medina proposed by Prophet Muhammad PBUH focused on building peaceful
relations between these two religious communities and various clans of Medina.
The leading clause of Charter of Medina put the Jews and the Muslims of Medina under one
category as an ‘Ummah’ and it was stated that the Medina will be a sanctuary for all its citizens
Jews or Muslims. Sovereignty of Allah, presidency of Prophet and supremacy of believers was
established in the city state of Medina. Jews and Muslims stood together as believers against
external forces and protected Medina. Religious clauses such as freedom of worship and religious
tolerance established mutual respect between people of both faiths.
Relations between believers and the tribes & clans of Aws and Khazraj who were unbelievers
were also based on justice and equity according to the clauses of the Charter. Thus Charter of
Medina brought complete transformation of the political and civil life in Medina and brought
peace to this city. It guaranteed equality irrespective of the color, creed and status. This Charter
is also called the Magna Carta of early Islam.

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SS-125- Islamic Studies Lecture#5
Life in Medina After Prophet Hood-Part-1
Author: Dr. Aayesha Rafiq

Sub-Section-2
The Wars
Only a year had passed after hijrah when the Quraish of Makkah started planning raids in Medina.
These raids developed into battles. Here is an account of the battles of Badr, Uhud and Ditch and
finally the expulsion of Jews from Medina.
● Battle of Badr (624)
This battle was fought between the Quraish of Makkah and Muslims of Medina. Basis of this war
was effects of Muslim’s migration and increasing conversions to Islam on the commercial
relations of Quraish with Syria and other areas. Makkans perceived Muslim migration as a relief
for their economy but within six months they realized that the situation was not so favorable.
They realized that Muslims were a threat to their trade. On the other hand Abdullah bin Ubay
also joined hands with Quraish of Makkah to take his revenge as they both could not tolerate
supremacy and growing power of Muhammad PBUH.
The real cause which led to the battle of Badr was interception of Abu Sufyan’s caravans in year
623 when the caravan was returning to Makkah. At that time a rumor struck that Abu Sufyan’s
caravan is attacked by Muslims. This news spread in Makkah and without confirming if the news
was right or wrong Quraish sent a vast army under Abu Jahal to save Abu Sufyan’s caravan and
to warn Muhammad PBUH.
Consequently when this news reached Medina Muslims decided to March against Quraish. On
reaching Badr Muslims took possession of water which helped in winning victory over the enemy.
The army of Quraish was three times bigger in number and strong in weaponry and animals. On
the other hand Muslim army comprised of 313 soldiers with two horses and 70 camels. Buts the
war strategy of Muslims was strong as they were in possession of water and were standing on a
firm ground. Quraish opened the battle of Badr in a classical manner of single combatants by
sending Utba bin Rabia, Shayba and Waleed bin Utba challenging the Muslims. From Muslim’s
side Hamza, Ali and Ubaida bin Harith came out. As a result of this single combat all three from
Quraish side were killed by the Muslims and an open war broke between the two armies. Quraish
was defeated and they fled throwing their arms and 70 dead men and 70 prisoners of war. On
the other hand only 14 Muslims were killed. In addition to this Muslims captured camels, horses
and a large store of caravan treasure.
In Quran Battle of Badr is described in Surah al-Imran from verse number 123-125
َّ ‫َّللاُ بِبَ ْد ٍر َوأَنتُ ْم أَ ِذلَّةٌ ۖ فَاتَّقُوا‬
َ‫َّللاَ لَ َعلَّ ُك ْم تَ ْش ُكرُون‬ َّ ‫ص َر ُك ُم‬
َ َ‫ َولَقَ ْد ن‬- 3:123
َ‫ف ِّمنَ ْال َم ََل ِئ َك ِة ُمن َزلِين‬
ٍ ‫ إِ ْذ تَقُو ُل لِ ْل ُم ْؤ ِمنِينَ أَلَن یَ ْكفِيَ ُك ْم أَن یُ ِم َّد ُك ْم َربُّ ُكم ِبثَ ََلثَ ِة َآال‬- 3:124
ٍ ‫ بَلَ ٰى ۚ إِن تَصْ بِرُوا َوتَتَّقُوا َویَأْتُو ُكم ِّمن فَوْ ِر ِه ْم ٰهَ َذا یُ ْم ِد ْد ُك ْم َربُّ ُكم بِخَ ْم َس ِة َآال‬- 3:125
َ‫ف ِّمنَ ْال َم ََلئِ َك ِة ُم َس ِّو ِمين‬

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SS-125- Islamic Studies Lecture#5
Life in Medina After Prophet Hood-Part-1
Author: Dr. Aayesha Rafiq

And already Allah had given you victory at [the battle of] Badr while you were few in
number, then fear Allah ; perhaps you will be grateful. [Remember] when you said to the
believers, "Is it not sufficient for you that your Lord should reinforce you with three thousand
angels sent down? Yes, if you remain patient and conscious of Allah and the enemy come upon
you [attacking] in rage, your Lord will reinforce you with five thousand angels having marks [of
distinction]

● Ghazwah of Uhud (625)


Causes of Battle of Uhud were more or less the same as battle of Badr. But what added to its
causes was Quraish’s defeat in Badr and threat to their commercial interests. Within a year they
prepared for another battle with an army of 3000 under Abu Sufyan’s command. Makkan army
advanced through Wadi e Aqiq and reached Medina. They camped near Uhud hill on the road to
Syria. Next morning Prophet Muhammad marched along with his army of 1000 to the western
slope of Uhud but on the way Abdullah bin Obay with his 300 followers deserted the Prophet.
Prophet instructed his army to take up positions and made sure that the passage between Uhud
and Ainain Hill is protected to prevent the enemies from entering that passage. He appointed 50
archers to take up position on Ainain hill and told them not to leave their post unless asked to do
so. Muslims won the first half of the battle but the battle was still not over when the archers left
their positions thinking that they have won, as a result Muslims army lost its form. This was the
fatal mistake from Muslim’s side. Prophet Muhammad had strictly told the archers not to leave
their posts no matter what. Khalid bin Waleed saw this situation and attacked the Muslims from
the rear on seeing this Muslims began to run away. Ibn e Kamia started throwing stones at
Prophet and broke his tooth and Prophet fainted. At this critical time someone raised a cry that
Prophet was killed. This disheartened those Muslims who were still fighting and many of them
fled away. Prophet was left with a few of his faithful companions. As soon as Prophet Muhammad
came back to his senses he climbed to the cave of mount Uhud where his army was waiting. 70
Muslims lost their lives and 23 enemies were killed in the battle of Uhud. This defeat was not a
defeat in true sense. Prophet and his companions were tried and tested through this for the
strength of their belief in Allah and their steadfastness.
Quran mentions of Ghazwa Uhud in these verses of surah Al e Imran

ِ ‫ئ ْال ُم ْؤ ِمنِينَ َمقَا ِع َد لِ ْلقِت‬


َّ ‫َال ۗ َو‬
‫َّللاُ َس ِمي ٌع َعلِي ٌم‬ َ ِ‫ َوإِ ْذ َغدَوْ تَ ِم ْن أَ ْهل‬- 3:121
ُ ‫ك تُبَ ِّو‬

َ‫َّللاِ فَ ْليَت ََو َّك ِ ْال ُم ْؤ ِمنُون‬ َّ ‫َان ِمن ُك ْم أَن تَ ْفش َََل َو‬
َّ ‫َّللاُ َولِيُّمُ َما ۗ َو َعلَى‬ ِ ‫ إِ ْذ هَ َّمت طَّائِفَت‬- 3:122
َّ ‫َّللاُ بِبَ ْد ٍر َوأَنتُ ْم أَ ِذلَّةٌ ۖ فَاتَّقُوا‬
َ‫َّللاَ لَ َعلَّ ُك ْم تَ ْش ُكرُون‬ َّ ‫ص َر ُك ُم‬
َ َ‫ َولَقَ ْد ن‬- 3:123
And [remember] when you, [O Muhammad], left your family in the morning to post the believers
at their stations for the battle [of Uhud] - and Allah is Hearing and Knowing -When two parties
among you were about to lose courage, but Allah was their ally; and upon Allah the believers

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SS-125- Islamic Studies Lecture#5
Life in Medina After Prophet Hood-Part-1
Author: Dr. Aayesha Rafiq

should rely. And already had Allah given you victory at [the battle of] Badr while you were few in
number. Then fear Allah ; perhaps you will be grateful. (Al e Imran: 121-123)

● Battle of Trench/ Ahzab (627)


Two years after the battle of Uhud Quraish began to prepare for another attack on Medina.
Beduin tribes joined Abu Sufyan and Quraish brought an army of 4000 soldiers. Whole army along
with allies numbered more than 10,000. The day this army left Makkah Prophet was informed
about this. Muslims were able to gather an army of 3000 men. Prophet consulted his companions
and it was decided that they should fight with such a large army from within Medina. Salman
Farsi suggested that a trench should be dug on the open sides of Medina. Salman Farsi was
Persian and so he was aware of the Persian mode of trench wars. This suggestion was
immediately accepted and put to execution. It took eight days and nights to dig the trench and
when they had barely finished the enemy came into sight. The army of enemies was barred from
entering Medina due to this trench. For a few days both armies kept watching each other across
the trench.
Almost a month passed since the siege began and enemy’s food supply was exhausted as they
had not foreseen this war strategy. The whether too was unfavorable as it was very cold with
strong winds and rain. In the middle of the stormy night Abu Sufyan told his army and allies to
march back.
َّ َ‫َّللاِ َعلَ ْي ُك ْم إِ ْذ َجا َء ْت ُك ْم ُجنُو ٌد فَأَرْ َس ْلنَا َعلَ ْي ِم ْم ِری ًحا َو ُجنُودًا لَّ ْم تَ َروْ هَا ۚ َو َكان‬
ِ َ‫َّللاُ بِ َما تَ ْع َملُونَ ب‬
‫صيرً ا‬ َّ َ‫ یَا أَیُّمَا الَّ ِذینَ آ َمنُوا ْاذ ُكرُوا نِعْ َمة‬-
33:9
O you who have believed, remember the favor of Allah upon you when armies came to [attack]
you and We sent upon them a wind and armies [of angels] you did not see. And ever is Allah, of
what you do, Seeing.
As soon as they departed the storm subsided. Muslims of Medina woke up next morning to find
a peaceful beginning of a new day with not even a single enemy across the trench.

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