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might bring about a state of rapport with those bedouins, and would at the same time detach them
from the Byzantines. For the implementation of this plan, he chose 'Amr bin Al-'As, whose paternal
grandmother came from Bali, a tribe dwelling in that area. This motive in mind, combined with
provocative military movements, by Bani Quda'a, precipitated this preemptive strike which started
in Jumada Ath-Thaniya, 8 A.H.
'Amr bin Al-'As was awarded a white flag with a black banner to go with it. He set out at the head of
300 Emigrants and Helpers assisted by a cavalry of 30 men, and was recommended to seek help
from Bali, 'Udhra and Balqain tribes. He used to march at night and lurk during the day. On
approaching the enemy lines and realizing the large build up of men, he sent for reinforcements
from Madinah, and these arrived on the spot headed by Abu 'Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah leading further
200 men as well as other platoons including Abu Bakr and 'Umar bin Al-Khattab. All of them were
given strict orders to cooperate, work in harmony and never leave any area for disagreement. At
noon, Abu 'Ubaidah wanted to lead the Muslims in prayer, but 'Amr objected on grounds that the
former came only to assist, and leadership in prayer was given to 'Amr.
The Muslim army reached the habitations of Quda'a and penetrated deep in their land, destroyed
the enemies and obliged the others to flee for their lives in different directions. At the conclusion of
the military operations, a courier was despatched to the Messenger of Allâh peace be upon him to
brief him on the developments of events and the ultimate victory achieved.
Khadrah Campaign:
In Sha'ban month 8 A.H., news reached the Prophet peace be upon him of amassing troops by Bani
Ghatfan, still outside the domain of Islam. He urgently summoned Abu Qatadah and sent him at the
head of fifteen men to discipline those outlaws. It took fifteen days to teach them an unforgettable
lesson. Some were killed, others captured and all their property confiscated.
The Conquest of Makkah
Ibn Al-Qaiyim described the conquest of Makkah as the greatest one by which Allâh honoured His
religion, Messenger, soldiers and honest party. He thereby rescued the Sacred House, whose
guidance all people seek. It was the greatest propitious event in heaven and on earth. It was the
most significant prelude to a new era that was to witness the great march of Islamization and the
entry of people into the fold of Islam in huge hosts. It provided an ever shining face and a most
glowing source of inspiration to the whole earth.
Pre-Conquest Events:
According to the terms of the treaty of Hudaibiyah, the Arab tribes were given the option to join
either of the parties, the Muslims or Quraish, with which they desired to enter into treaty alliance.
Should any of these tribes suffer aggression, then the party to which it was allied would have the
right to retaliate. As a consequence, Banu Bakr joined Quraish, and Khuza'ah joined the Prophet
peace be upon him. They thus lived in peace for sometime but ulterior motives stretching back to
pre-Islamic period ignited by unabated fire of revenge triggered fresh hostilities. Banu Bakr, without
caring a bit for the provisions of the treaty, attacked Banu Khuza'ah in a place called Al-Wateer in
Sha'ban, 8 A.H. Quraish helped Banu Bakr with men and arms taking advantage of the dark night.
Pressed by their enemies, the tribesmen of Khuza'ah sought the Holy Sanctuary, but here too, their
lives were not spared, and, contrary to all accepted traditions, Nawfal, the chief of Banu Bakr,
chasing them in the sanctified area - where no blood should be shed - massacred his adversaries.
When the aggrieved party sought justice from their Muslim allies, the Prophet peace be upon him,
as their leader, demanded an immediate redress for not only violating the treaty but also slaying
men allied to him in the sanctified area. Three demands were made, the acceptance of any one of
them was imperative:
·
a) to pay blood money for the victims of Khuza'ah,
·
b) to terminate their alliance with Banu Bakr; or
·
c) to consider the truce to have been nullified.
This behaviour on the part of Quraish was clearly a breach of the treaty of Al-Hudaibiyah and was
obviously an act of hostility against the allies of the Muslims, i.e. Banu Khuza'ah. Quraish
immediately realized the grave situation and feared the horrible consequences looming on the
horizon. They immediately called for an emergency meeting and decided to delegate their chief Abu
Sufyan to Madinah for a renewal of the truce. He directly headed for the house of his daughter Umm
Habiba (the Prophet's wife). But as he went to sit on the Messenger's carpet, she folded it up. "My
daughter," said he, "I hardly knew if you think the carpet is too good for me or that I am too good
for the carpet." She replied, "It is the Messenger of Allâh's carpet, and you are an unclean
polytheist."
Being disgusted at the curt reply of his daughter, Abu Sufyan stepped out of her room and went to
see the Prophet peace be upon him, but the latter was well aware of his tricks and did not hold him
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