Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Muhammad and Jihad: Difference between revisions

The early Islamic tradition delineates two distinct phases to the career of the prophet: the Meccan period, characterized by peaceful exhortations to the pagan people of Mecca to abandon their gods and embrace Islam, and the Medinan period, characterized by expanding conflicts with neighboring Jewish tribes and the pagans of Mecca. According to the [[sira]] and many [[hadith]] traditions, during this period Muhammad both ordered and condoned numerous confrontations and assassinations against his enemies in Mecca and Medina. These military operations constitute [[Jihad]], Arabic for struggle, a holy duty incumbent upon all able-bodied Muslim men to engage in armed struggle to expand the reach of Islam. Men who die "on the path of Allah" will be [[Shaheed (Martyr)|shahids]] who will enjoy [[Houri (Heavenly Virgin)|72 Virgins]] in paradise, and those who live and are victorious will enjoy divinely-approved [[Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Muhammad and Booty|booty]] in this world. The first target of the jihad are the pagans of Mecca and their holy shrine the [[Ka'bah]], however the [[Qur'an]] and many of the sayings of the prophet make clear that jihad is a duty incumbent upon all Muslims until "the religion, all of it, is to Allah" (Qur'an 8:39). Muhammad was the leader of these military campaigns and played the role of supreme commander. He also took part in the battles himself, fighting and even being wounded. Jihad was thus a fundamental part of early Islam according to its own tradition and a central occupation of its prophet.  

{{Quote|{{citation|title=The Life of Muhammad|trans_title=Sirat Rasul Allah|ISBN=0-19-636033-1|year=1955|publisher=Oxford UP|author1=Ibn Ishaq (d. 768)|author2=Ibn Hisham (d. 833)|editor=A. Guillaume|url=https://archive.org/details/GuillaumeATheLifeOfMuhammad/page/n1/mode/2up|page=300}}<br>{{citation|title=سيرة ابن هشام ت السقا|author1=ابن إسحاق|author2=ابن هشام|url=https://app.turath.io/book/23833|publisher=al-Maktabah al-Shamilah|volume=vol. 1|page=627}}|Then the apostle went forth to the people and incited them saying, 'By God in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, no man will be slain this day fighting against them with steadfast courage advancing not retreating but God will cause him to enter Paradise' 'Umayr b. aI-Burnam brother

of B. Salima was eating some dates which he had in his hand. 'Fine, Fine!' said he, 'is there nothing between me and my entering Paradise save to be killed by these men?' He flung the dates from his hand, seized his sword, and fought against them till he- was slain, [saying the while

{{Quote|{{citation|title=The Life of Muhammad|trans_title=Sirat Rasul Allah|ISBN=0-19-636033-1|year=1955|publisher=Oxford UP|author1=Ibn Ishaq (d. 768)|author2=Ibn Hisham (d. 833)|editor=A. Guillaume|url=https://archive.org/details/GuillaumeATheLifeOfMuhammad/page/n1/mode/2up|pages=503-504}}<br>{{citation|title=سيرة ابن هشام ت السقا|author1=ابن إسحاق|author2=ابن هشام|url=https://app.turath.io/book/23833|publisher=al-Maktabah al-Shamilah|volume=vol. |page=}}<br>See Also {{Tabari|8|p. 82}}|The Willing Homage:<br>

{{Quote|{{citation|title=The Life of Muhammad|trans_title=Sirat Rasul Allah|ISBN=0-19-636033-1|year=1955|publisher=Oxford UP|author1=Ibn Ishaq (d. 768)|author2=Ibn Hisham (d. 833)|editor=A. Guillaume|url=https://archive.org/details/GuillaumeATheLifeOfMuhammad/page/n1/mode/2up|page=505}}<br>{{citation|title=سيرة ابن هشام ت السقا|author1=ابن إسحاق|author2=ابن هشام|url=https://app.turath.io/book/23833|publisher=al-Maktabah al-Shamilah|volume=vol. 2|pages=318-3319}}|'Umar jumped up and walked alongside Abu Jandal saying, 'Be patient for they are only polytheists; the

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 96}}|Muhammad sent him with an army against the Fazarah settlement. He met them in Qura and inflicted casualties on them and took Umm Qirfah prisoner. He also took one of Umm's daughters and Abdallah bin Mas'adah prisoner.}}

 

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 97}}|The Messenger appointed Abu Bakr as our commander, and we raided some of the Banu Fazarah. When we came near the watering place, Bakr ordered us to rest. After we prayed the dawn prayer, Abu ordered us to launch the raid against them. We went down to the watering hole and there we killed some people. I saw women and children among them, who had almost outstripped us; so I sent an arrow between them and the mountain. When they saw the arrow they stopped, and I led them back to Abu Bakr. Among them was a woman of the Banu Fazarah. She was wearing a worn-out piece of leather. With her was her daughter, among the fairest of the Arabs. Abu Bakr gave me her daughter as booty.}}

 

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 100}}|Abu Sufyan said, ‘We were merchants but the fighting between us and Muhammad has prevented us from journeying, so our wealth is depleted.  Even after the truce with the Muslims, we fear that we still are not safe.'}}

 

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 116}}|After his return from Hudaybiyah, Allah's Messenger marched against Khaybar. He halted with his army in a valley between the people of Khaybar and the Ghatafan tribe to prevent the latter from assisting the Jews.}}

 

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 117}}|The next morning Allah opened the township of Sa'b bin Mu'adh for them to conquer. There was no stronghold in Khaybar more abounding in food. After the Prophet had defeated some of their settlements and taken their property, they reached the communities of Watib and Sulalim, which were the last of the Khaybar neighborhoods to be conquered. Muhammad besieged the inhabitants between thirteen and nineteen nights.}}

 

 

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 130}}|The Prophet conquered Khaybar by force after fighting. Khaybar was something that Allah gave as booty to His Messenger. He took one-fifth of it and divided the remainder among the Muslims.}}

 

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 133}}|A raiding party led by Bahir went to Yumn. The Muslims went out and captured camels and sheep. A slave belonging to Uyaynah met them, and they killed him.}}

 

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 141}}|The battle cry of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah that night was: ‘Kill! Kill! Kill!’}}

 

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 141}}|We gave them some time until their herds had come back from pasture. After they had milked their camels and set them out to rest, we launched our raid. We killed some of them, drove away their camels, and set out to return. Meanwhile, the people appealed for aid from the rest of their tribe. But we moved quickly. Reinforced, the villagers were too powerful for us. But Allah sent clouds from out of the blue, and there was a torrent that no one could cross so we eluded the tribesmen with what we had taken. The battle cry of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah that night was: ‘Kill! Kill! Kill!'}}

 

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 142}}|The Messenger made peace with them on condition that the Zoroastrians should be required to pay the jizyah tax that one should not marry their women.}}

 

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 149}}|Abdallah married a woman but couldn't afford the nuptial gift. He came to the Prophet and asked for his assistance. He said, ‘Go out and spy on the Jusham tribe.' He gave me an emaciated camel and a companion. We set out armed with arrows and swords. We approached the encampment and hid ourselves. I told my companion, ‘If you hear me shout Allahu Akbar and see me attack, you should shout Allah is Greatest and join the fighting.'}}

 

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 150}}|When their leader, Rifa'ah, came within range, I shot an arrow into his heart. I leaped at him and cut off his head. Then I rushed toward the encampment and shouted, ‘Allahu Akbar!' The families who were gathered there shouted, ‘Save yourself.' They gathered what property they could, including their wives and children. We drove away a great herd of camels and many sheep and goats and brought them to the Messenger. I brought him Rifa'ash's head, which I carried with me. The Prophet gave me thirteen camels from that herd as booty, and I consummated my marriage.}}

 

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 151}}|The Prophet sent Ibn Abi out with a party of sixteen men. They were away for fifteen nights. Their share of booty was twelve camels for each man, each camel was valued in the accounting as being worth ten sheep. When the people they raided fled in various directions, they took four women, including one young woman who was very beautiful. She fell to Abu Qatadah. The Prophet asked Qatadah about her. He said, ‘She came from the spoils.' The Messenger said, ‘Give her to me.' So he gave her to him.}}

 

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 153}}|Abdallah Rawahah encouraged the men, saying, ‘By Allah, what you loathe is the very thing you came out to seek—martyrdom. We are not fighting the enemy with number, strength, or multitude, but we are fighting them with this religion with which Allah has honored us. So come on! Both prospects are fine: victory or martyrdom.'|See Also Ishaq 533}}

 

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 153}}|I ask the Merciful One for a pardon and for a sword blow that makes a wide wound that shoots out foaming blood. For a deadly thrust by a thirsty sword, and a lance that pierces right through the guts and liver. People shall say, when they pass my grave, ‘Allah guided you the right way, O warrior.'}}

 

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 171}}|Muhammad said, ‘Woe to the Quraysh! If Allah's Apostle surprises them in their territory and enters Mecca by force, it means the destruction of the Quraysh.'}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 163}}|The Prophet said, ‘I think you will see Abu Sufyan [the leading Meccan merchant] come to strengthen the pact and extend the term.'}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 164}}|Sufyan went to Abu Bakr and asked him to intercede, but he refused. When Sufyan asked Umar to help [avert war], he replied, ‘No way. By Allah, if I had only ant grubs, I would fight you with them! Ali said, ‘Woe to you, Sufyan. When the Messenger has determined a thing it is useless for anyone to talk to him.'}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 165}}|When Abu Sufyan reported back to the Quraysh that Muhammad had given him no reply, they said, ‘Woe to you! By Allah, he did no more than play with you.'}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 165}}|There is nothing that you can do to make peace with him.}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 176}}|The Prophet sent out his army in divisions. Zubayr was in charge of the left wing. He was ordered to make an entry with his forces from Kuda. Sa’d was commanded to enter with forces by way of Kada. Allah’s Apostle said, ‘Today is a day for battle and war. Sanctuary is no more. Today the sacred territory is deemed profane [ungodly and sacrilegious].’ When one of the Muhajirs [Emigrants] heard him say this, he warned the Apostle, ‘It is to be feared that you would resort to violence.’ The Prophet ordered Ali to go after him, to take the flag from him, and fight with it himself.}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 178}}|Muhammad ordered that certain men should be assassinated even if they were found behind the curtains of the Ka'aba. Among them was Abdallah bin Sa'd. The reason that Allah's Messenger ordered that he should be slain was because he had become a Muslim and used to write down Qur'an Revelation. Then he apostatized [rejected Islam].|See Also Ishaq:550}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 179}}|Abdallah bin Sa'd fled to Uthman, his brother, who after hiding him, finally surrendered him to the Prophet. Uthman asked for clemency. Muhammad did not respond, remaining silent for a long time. Muhammad explained, ‘By Allah, I kept silent so that one of you might go up to him and cut off his head!' One of the Ansar said, ‘Why didn't you give me a sign?' Allah's Apostle replied, ‘A prophet does not kill by pointing.'}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 179}}|Among those who Muhammad ordered killed was Abdallah bin Khatal. The Messenger ordered him to be slain because while he was a Muslim, Muhammad had sent him to collect the zakat tax with an Ansar and a slave of his.... His girls used to sing a satire about Muhammad so the Prophet ordered that they should be killed along with Abdullah. He was killed by Sa'id and Abu Barzah. The two shared in his blood. One of the singing girls was killed quickly but the other fled. So Umar caused his horse to trample the one who fled, killing her.|See Also Ishaq:550}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 180}}|Also among those eliminated were Ikrimah bin Abu Jahl and Sarah, a slave of one of Abd Muttalib's sons. She taunted Muhammad while he was in Mecca.}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 181}}|The Messenger ordered six men and four women to be assassinated. One of these women was Hind, who swore allegiance and became a Muslim.}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 182}}|Allah had enabled Muhammad to take the persons of the Quraysh by force, giving him power over them so they were his booty. Their lives were now his spoil.}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|8|p. 189}}|Alas for you, Banu Jadimah! It is Khalid. By Allah, after you lay down your weapons, it will be nothing but leather manacles, and after the manacles nothing but the cutting off of heads.' After they had laid down their arms, Khalid ordered that their hands should be tied behind their backs. Then he put them to the sword, smiting their necks, killing them.}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|9|p. 8}}|The Messenger marched with 2,000 Meccans and 10,000 of his Companions who had come with him to facilitate the conquest of Mecca. Thus there were 12,000 in all.}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|9|p. 18}}|While fighting the Banu Sa'd, Muslim horsemen seized Bijad. They herded his family around him like cattle, and they treated them roughly.}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|9|p. 20}}|The Messenger and his companions went directly to Ta’if. They encamped there for a fortnight, waging war. The townsfolk fought the Muslims from behind the fort. None came out in the open. All of the surrounding people surrendered and sent their delegations to the Prophet. After besieging Ta’if for twenty days, Muhammad left and halted at Ji’ranah where the captives of Hunayn were held with their women and children. It is alleged that those captives taken numbered six thousand with women and children.}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|9|p. 22}}|The Prophet continued to besiege the town, fighting them bitterly.}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|9|p. 25}}|By Allah, I did not come to fight for nothing. I wanted a victory over Ta’if so that I might obtain a slave girl from them and make her pregnant.}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|9|p. 49}}|Muhammad urged the Muslims by way of a meeting to help cover the expenses of Jihad in Allah’s Cause. The men provided mounts in anticipation of Allah’s reward.}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|9|p. 58}}|When the Messenger reached Tabuk the governor of Aylah [a seaport at the north end of the Gulf of Aqabah] came to him, made a treaty, and agreed to pay the jizyah tax. The people of Jarba and Adhruh also offered to pay him the tax.}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|9|p. 64}}|Hatim said, ‘Adi, whatever you were going to do before Muhammad's cavalry descended upon us, do it now, for I have seen the banners of his army.' When the Islamic cavalry left the settlement they took Hatim's daughter along with other captives. She was brought to the Messenger with slaves from Tayyi. He put her in an enclosure by the door of his mosque where the captives were detained.}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|9|p. 69}}|Arabs are the most noble people in lineage, the most prominent, and the best in deeds. We were the first to respond to the call of the Prophet. We are Allah’s helpers and the viziers of His Messenger. We fight people until they believe in Allah. He who believes in Allah and His Messenger has protected his life and possessions from us. As for one who disbelieves, we will fight him forever in the Cause of Allah. '''Killing him is a small matter to us.'''}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|9|p. 69}}|Killing disbelievers is a small matter to us.}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|9|p. 76}}|Malik has reported to me that you were the first from Himyar to embrace Islam and that you have killed infidels, so rejoice at your good fortune.}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|9|p. 79}}|In this year the zakat was made obligatory, and the Messenger dispatched his agents to collect it. The verse was revealed: ‘Take the zakat from their wealth to purify them.'}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|9|p. 82}}|The Messenger sent Khalid with an army of 400 to Harith [a South Arabian tribe] and ordered him to invite them to Islam for three days before he fought them. If they were to respond and submit, he was to teach them the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of His Prophet, and the requirements of Islam. If they should decline, then he was to fight them.}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|9|p. 88}}|Abdallah Azdi came to the Messenger, embraced Islam, and became a good Muslim. Allah’s Apostle invested Azdi with the authority over those who had surrendered and ordered him to fight the infidels from the tribes of Yemen. Azdi left with an army by the Messenger’s command. The Muslims besieged them for a month. Then they withdrew, setting a trap. When the Yemenites went in pursuit, Azdi was able to inflict a heavy loss on them.}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|9|p. 115}}|The military expeditions (Ghazawat) in which the Messenger personally participated were twenty-six. Some say there were twenty-seven.}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|9|p. 118}}|The armies and raiding parties sent by the Messenger of Allah between the time he came to Medina and his death (ten years) was forty-eight.}}

{{Quote|{{Tabari|9|p. 121}}|When it was feasible for me, I struck him with my sword and killed him. Then I departed, leaving his women to throw themselves at him. When I returned to the Prophet, he asked, ‘Is your mission accomplished?' ‘Yes. I have killed him.'}}<!-- FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS: